Why Dogs Beg at the Table and How To Stop It This Thanksgiving

You may think it is harmless if your dog begs at the dinner table. However, it is a bad habit that can worsen at Thanksgiving when you have guests over. Here is some information about why your dog begs and how to get him to stop before the Thanksgiving feast.

Why Do Dogs Beg at the Table?

Begging for food is a natural behavior for dogs that begins in babyhood. Puppies instinctively whimper and cry when they are hungry, and their mothers respond by feeding them. This way, they learn that crying and whimpering get them what they want: food and attention.

Dogs eventually grow up and leave their mother but, having learned that whining and crying get them what they want, they transfer this behavior to their new human families. Sometimes dogs beg for food, sometimes for attention, or sometimes both. Some people find it appealing, while others find it annoying, but to get it to stop, they often give in to what the dog wants. This may stop the begging temporarily, but it reinforces the behavior so that dogs are likely to repeat it because it works for them.

Why Is It Dangerous To Encourage Dogs To Beg at the Table?

Human beings eat a lot of things that dogs should not. In some cases, human food is merely unhealthy for dogs, but in some cases, it could be toxic to them. People who feed table scraps to dogs may not think about whether the food could hurt them. An ill-considered table scrap could kill a dog or cause her to become so sick that she requires emergency veterinary care. This could incur a huge bill and disappoint your guests by interrupting your holiday feast.

It is also not good for you and your family to encourage your dog to beg, whether intentionally or inadvertently. A dog that has learned to beg may do it all the time and even become food-aggressive. This aggression may cause the dog to bite when someone gets too close to his dish. This could result in severe injuries to the person and, depending on the laws where you live, could bring your dog's life to an end.

How Can You Prevent Dogs From Begging at the Table During Thanksgiving?

Your dog should never beg at the table, but the habit could cause an even bigger problem during Thanksgiving. There are more people in the house than usual, some of whom may be strangers to your pet, which can already be a stimulating situation. Your guests may respond to your dog's begging without thinking of the consequences. At best, it could encourage your dog's bad habit, and at worst, it could cause a medical emergency.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent your dog from begging if she doesn't do it already or to discourage the behavior before it even starts.

Start the training early. It takes time to teach your dog that begging is not acceptable. Dogs that aren't rewarded for begging eventually stop, but they may initially redouble their efforts when what they were doing before no longer works the way they expect. If you want your dog to stop begging before Thanksgiving, you should begin training weeks, if not months, in advance.

Ignore your dog when he starts begging. Remember that it may not only be food he is after but attention. If you give him attention, even to tell him no, it may reinforce the behavior that you do not want.

Be consistent. One person who gives in and offers food to a dog begging at the table can undo all the progress you've made in an instant. Be specific about the rules against feeding the dog from the table and strict about enforcing them. Make sure you explain the rules to all your Thanksgiving guests. Before the meal, distract your dog by giving her a chew toy or something to occupy her mind before the meal. Hopefully, she won't take any notice of the meal until you are finished eating.

The smells of the Thanksgiving meal cooking can be strong to you. A dog's sensitive nose may make them impossible to ignore. Some people recommend feeding your pet before the meal starts, but that can conflict with the dog's understanding of the family hierarchy. You may be able to distract your dog with food, occupy her mind, and help her understand her place by giving her a treat-dispensing puzzle toy to play with as the meal begins.

Make sure your dog knows relevant commands, such as "sit" and "stay." Another good command to teach your dog before Thanksgiving is "go to your place." First you have to designate a place, such as a mat or pet bed, where you want him to go when you give the command. Then you have to make it a pleasant place for him to be by placing toys there. It is a gradual process to teach your dog to go to his place on command and stay there, but it can cut down on begging behavior.

What if You Don't Succeed in Training Your Dog Before Thanksgiving?

If you haven't made as much progress as you would like before Thanksgiving, it may be necessary to separate your dog from the rest of the family during the meal. A pen, kennel, or gate can confine your pet until the meal is over.

Positive reinforcement is more effective than punishment. Look for opportunities to reward your dog for doing what you want her to do. If you're thankful to have a dog in your life, show it by teaching her to avoid bad habits.