Don’t let dog begging ruin Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is a holiday known for its delicious food that makes your mouth water. And due to the variety of foods, it is also quite common to see dogs near the table begging for food. Many owners believe that this behavior is harmless. However, it can end up becoming quite irritating and also dangerous for your pup.
So, in today’s post, we’ve brought some useful tips on how to help your dog, whether he’s a puppy or a senior, to stop begging for food. Read on!
Don’t Unknowingly Teach Your Dog to Beg!
Many times, the ones to blame for teaching our dog to beg for food is ourselves. Just succumb to your pup’s pleading gaze once, and he will associate begging with getting a treat.
So, if your dog is new to your home or recently adopted, follow the tips below to prevent him from acquiring this bad behavior:
- No one at the table should give your dog food, not even a small piece.
- Never put your plate on the floor for your dog to lick the leftovers.
- Any attention given to your pup while you’re at the table will be enough to keep him going.
- Teach commands like “go to your place” so that he goes to his bed and calmly waits for the family to finish dinner.
- Before you sit down to eat, feed your dog. This way he will have less reason to bother others while they eat.
Commands like “go to your place” are great to teach your dog before Thanksgiving. This way, if he starts bothering a guest, you can utilize the place command.
Read More: Help your Dog Deal with Visitors During the Holidays
Fix Existing Behavior
If your pup is used to getting treats when he begs for food, it will take training and lots of repetition to get him to stop begging for food.
Below, we list some steps to follow and help your pup:
- During meals, practice ignoring your dog. It is one of the most difficult, but necessary, parts.
- Do not react to your dog at the table in any way, neither positively nor negatively.
- Reward positive behaviors ONLY after meals.
- Teach your pup basic commands like “stay” and “leave it”.
- Keep him busy with an activity, such as chewing on his bully stick.
Note: During early training, behavior may deteriorate before it improves. That’s why firmness and perseverance is needed!
In more extreme cases, during meals, you can leave him in his crate or playpen with a chew toy, so that he is distracted.
Watch for dishes with snacks that are left around your home during the holidays. Your pup can easily take advantage when you’re not looking and eat what he shouldn’t.
Read More: What Thanksgiving Foods Can Dogs Eat?
Don’t Let Dog Begging Ruin Thanksgiving: Final Conclusions
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, your pup might try to take advantage of the situation and beg for you or your guests to share some food with him.
However, this behavior can be corrected with the proper training and changes in our habits.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Read More: 3 Pumpkin Recipes for Dogs
Dog Walker Astoria
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