Help: My Dog Always Begs for Food
If your dog is always begging for food, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common behavior issues you can face with your dog. And who can blame you? When your furry friend looks up at you with big eyes and thumping tail, it’s hard not to give in!
The good news is, following these 3 simple steps will help you correct the behavior so your dog will be begging to play with you instead of begging for food at the table.
Don’t Feed Your Begging Dog
This may seem like a no-brainer. But many pet owners fall into the trap of feeding a begging dog because they look so cute, or it stops the annoying whining. But if you continue to give your dog food when she begs, it reinforces the behavior and teaches your dog that begging works. Next time it happens, hold your ground and hold on to your food. Your dog will learn that the behavior doesn’t get her what she wants.
Ignore Your Dog
Begging is an attention-seeking behavior. Ignore the behavior and teach your dog that it does not get results! Practice ignoring your dog when he begs: don’t talk to him, give him eye contact, touch, or affection.
Be Consistent
Consistency is key when training your dog into or out of any behavior. Whether you discipline your begging dog by putting them in a down, putting them in another room, or making a verbal correction, be consistent and make sure everyone else in your house is on board, too. Another way to reinforce this consistency is to always feed your dog in his bowl. He’ll start to learn that that’s the only place he can expect food.
If you take the above steps and you don’t see change right away, be patient. Dogs don’t break habits overnight. But if you can be consistent and follow through, you’ll be rewarded with a dog that no longer begs!
