Over the holiday season, many of us take the time to enjoy all manner of delicious food – and sometimes, our dogs want in on the action too!
Even if you ensure that your pup has plenty of tasty food of their own to enjoy alongside their dog Christmas gifts, you might catch them begging for food at the table.
While some ‘human’ foods are suitable for dogs, others can be harmful, and even too much healthy food for dogs on top of their regular diet might not be the best idea.
Dog training expert Ben Randall has partnered with ACME Kennels to offer some advice for dog parents who want to stop their dogs from begging for food over the festive season – let’s take a look at his five top tips here.
Randall explains, “However tempting it may feel to give in to the puppy dog eyes, begging is a learned behavior, so it is important owners don’t show them it works by sharing any of their food.
“Owners should never give in to their dogs begging as it signals they can manipulate them into giving a food treat as a reward. Also, giving in to begging and feeding dogs human food could potentially put them off their diet and increase the likelihood of an upset stomach.”
Without further ado, Randall’s tips for stamping out the begging are as follows:
1. Feed them beforehand or during mealtimes
“By feeding the dog beforehand, or at the same time as the family sits down, they will have less of an urge to beg for more food,” says Randall. “It will also redirect the dog’s attention to their own meal, keeping them occupied and less likely to focus on begging for human food.”
2. Use chews and toys
If your pup has one of the best long-lasting dog chews or best chew toys, they’ll be less likely to beg for food as they’ll be engaged and distracted by something else.
3. Simply ignore
If you give in to begging, you’re reinforcing the behavior. Rather, it’s best to simply ignore your pup if they’re begging, avoiding eye contact.
“Although the dog will make a fuss at first, they will eventually learn that displaying unwanted behavior will not get them treats,” says Randall.
4. Set house rules
“Set rules in the house so family members and friends visiting know they shouldn’t feed the dog, even if it’s leftover table scraps,” continues Randall. “Consistent rules will cause less confusion for the dog so they know begging will not be rewarded.”
5. Practice the ‘leave’ command
This command can be used for various undesirable behaviors, from begging to barking and jumping, so it’s ideal here. “It’s a command owners should instill as a puppy, because it could save a dog from potential danger, including poisoning and chasing other animals,” explains Randall. “However, with consistency and a bit of work on the owner's part, they can soon resolve and correct this naughtiness from any age.”
If it seems as though your dog is always hungry, why not take a look at this vet's guide to increased appetite in dogs, too?
