Canine
begging is initiated by humans
with generous hearts. In some
cases, it is a fun pastime for
both pet and person that never
causes a problem. Although the
intended goal is to do something
nice, some canines misinterpret
the giving of food treats in
one of two ways.
First,
the dog may think the owner
is trying to train it to act
a certain way, by rewarding
some behavior. The dog may have
been just looking at the owner
with love in his heart, but
the reward made the dog think
that looking at the owner while
he is eating is something to
be rewarded. After that, the
dog may try other things like
whining, barking, pawing, etc.
Eventually, the owner becomes
trained by the dog to do a specific
act (give up food) when the
dog gives a specific signal
or signals.
The
dog may have been just looking
at the owner with love in
his heart, but the reward
made the dog think that
looking at the owner while
he is eating is something
to be rewarded. |
If
the dog is never around anyone
but the owner,
and
if the owner likes this type
of interaction, then there is
no reason to stop. On the other
hand, it is more fun for the
dog to be able to go places
with the owner. It is often
embarrassing for the owner to
have guests over, or to take
the dog to the beach or other
outing, and have the dog "hassle"
other people who have food.
If combined with other
unintentional acts and a dog
with a personality tendency
toward aggression, this can lead
to problems with
the dog
attempting to control your
actions and other movements
resulting in more aggression.
Giving
food to the dog from the table
results
in begging at the table but
also any other time food is
present. This can result in
a dog stealing food and
becoming sick from
over-eating or eating
something poisionous. |
If
you wish to correct this problem,
do not reward any begging with
food or attention. If the dog
is persistent (and they always
are), make the dog SIT or DOWN
to earn food or attention. Gradually
increase the amount of time
he or she is quiet before giving
a treat. This approach gradually
teaches the pet to wait until
after dinner to get his food.
A
different approach is to tether
(leash the dog indoors near
you), or close the dog in a
different room. Praise while
quiet and give a big reward
for remaining quiet.
Once
you stop rewarding begging, there
is often an initial increase
in the begging. The dog thinks
he has to exaggerate the Instruction
since you are no longer getting the
message. This is called an "extinction
burst" and if you make
it through without rewarding
the dog, he will eventually
decrease, then give up the begging.
So, hang in there!!
An important caution:
Do NOT
"give in" periodically
when you are in a relaxed mood
or just not thinking about what
you may be starting up again.
If you do, the dog learns that
if he just begs long enough
and loud enough, you will eventually
give in.
Now you have created
a bigger problem than before.
Remember that if you can just
be consistent (each person individually)
the dog can learn to wait quietly
without begging.