by Adopt a Pet, | January 11, 2024
You can stop a dog from begging by never rewarding the behavior—not with a snack, attention, or whatever else the dog is after. Don’t give your dog what he wants until he has stopped begging and obeyed a simple command, such as "sit," or "no."
It might seem hard to believe, but you can teach your dog to stop begging, and it’s easier than you might think. Consistency and patience are key—never give in to the pleading. Puppy dog eyes are hard to resist, especially from your own four-legged family members. Rewarding begging, however, is never a good idea.
That’s fine (as long as you’ve verified the food is safe for dogs), but you shouldn’t give it to him while he’s begging. Instead, wait for your dog to stop and then put the food in his normal bowl. That way he gets his treat, but he won’t associate the special food with his skills as a beggar.
Another way to help your dog learn to have some manners is to make him work for what he wants. For example, put his food in the bowl, but don’t allow him to eat until he sits. This will teach him that doing something good, like sitting quietly, leads to a reward.
Completely ignoring your dog when he is begging is the simplest way to ensure you’re not encouraging the behavior. When he’s begging, he is ignored. Only when he stops will he once again earn your attention.
Your food may look delicious, but most dogs will be happily distracted pretty easily. Fill a stuff-able toy with peanut butter, and he may forget all about your dinner—and that toy will keep him occupied for most of your meal.
Begging may seem cute, but it’s not a behavior you want to encourage. Instead, reward proper conduct and mold your dog into a well-behaved pet.