Q: My puppy started a habit of begging while we’re having dinner. How can I stop this behaviour before it gets out of hand?
A: Let’s look at this from the dog’s perspective: The dog smells food and comes over to investigate. A person can’t resist the soft, curious eyes and sneaks a titbit to the pup, or a piece of food accidentally falls on the floor.
In a one-time learning experience, your puppy has received a jackpot reward and has discovered hanging around this area and staring at you has a high probability of paying off at some point.
Remove temptation! Give your dog an alternative activity that is equally or more rewarding.
Before you sit down and start eating, place your puppy in a confinement area, still within the realms of the family but not so close that the temptation will illicit begging. The confinement area could be behind a baby gate, in a puppy play pen or an x-pen.
Place his bed inside this area with a couple of his favourite toys, and give your pup his evening meal by utilising an interactive feeding toy, which will have the meal last for an extended period.
Much like giving a human child a colouring in book and crayons to keep them happy and busy. Repetition of the new routine will have this become the new habit, and eventually you will not need the barriers. Prevention is far easier than cure.
Samantha Walpole, behaviourist
