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12 Tips To Stop Your Dog From Bugging You While You’re Eating

| Published on March 27, 2015

No matter how much you love your dog, eating a meal with him staring at you constantly or jumping up and stealing your food is not fun. Here are 15 tips to make your dog a better dinner guest.

#1 – Teach “leave it”

A leave it cue is great for getting your dog to leave you (and your food!) alone. A correctly taught leave it should mean that you only have to say it once, and then your dog won’t bug you again. It takes some practice, but it’s worth it.

Image source: @FaithGoble via Flickr
Image source: @FaithGoble via Flickr

#2 – Do mat training

Teaching your dog to stay on his bed or mat while you eat means he can’t be in your face begging or stealing your food. Again, it takes some time but it definitely will make meal times more pleasant.

Image source: @Markus via Flickr
Image source: @Markus via Flickr

#3 –  Feed your dog at the same time

Put your dog in his crate and feed him his meal at the same time. Both you can have relaxing dinner.

Image source: @DjunKim via Flickr
Image source: @DjunKim via Flickr

Click page 2 below for the next tips!

#4 – No scraps at the table

Don’t reward your dog for being a pest at the table by giving him scraps. Makes sure all your guests are aware of the rule too.

Image source: @TonyAlter via Flickr
Image source: @TonyAlter via Flickr

#5 – Reward for good behavior

Be sure to reward your dog if he is NOT begging. If he is rewarded for not begging and never gets treats for begging, than he will be less likely to beg in the future.

Image source: @MaxBarners via Flickr
Image source: @MaxBarners via Flickr

#6 – Keep food out of reach

While working on training, don’t leave food where your dog can steal it. Every time he is successful, the behavior will just get stronger.

Image source: @geraldbrazell via Flickr
Image source: @geraldbrazell via Flickr

#7 – Give him a food toy

If you don’t crate your dog, give him his food in a dispensing toy, which will occupy him long enough for you to have a nice meal.

Image source: @LivingInMonrovia via Flickr
Image source: @LivingInMonrovia via Flickr

#8 – Teach “off”

For dogs that jump on your dining chairs or table, or for dogs that try to jump on your lap, teach an off cue. A cautionary note: there are dogs who figure out this system quickly and will jump on you so that you cue them to get off and then give them a reward. If you feel like your dog is abusing the system, start rewarding your dog only when he doesn’t jump at all, rather than after he has jumped and you have told him off.

Image source: @epSos.de via Flickr
Image source: @epSos.de via Flickr

#9 – Exercise your dog first

Take a walk or play fetch before your meal. This way your dog may be more interested in sleeping than stealing your food.

Image source: @IanD.Keating via Flickr
Image source: @IanD.Keating via Flickr

#10 -Use a tie-down

A tie-down is a great training device. It’s just a leash or a rope tied to something your dog can’t move. It’s not a punishment, but a way to limit his access to the table until he has learned manners. Give him a chewie bone, toy or his dinner. Reward him when he exhibiting calm behavior on the tie down. (This can be used in combination with mat training).

Image source: PetExpertise.com
Image source: PetExpertise.com

#11 – Remove him for bad behavior

If your dog is acting badly and disrupting dinner. Calmly remove him from the table. Leaving a leash on him can help with this. Then, either put him in another room, behind a an x-pen, or in his crate.

Image source: @PatrickFitzgerald via Flickr
Image source: @PatrickFitzgerald via Flickr

#12 – Watch the Kids

Kids are notorious for giving dogs food. Plus, they usually have food in their hands that dogs can jump and grab. If you leave a leash on your dog, you can step on it to prevent him from jumping at your kid’s food or and/or remove him quickly if necessary.

 

Image source: @manima via Flickr
Image source: @manima via Flickr

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