Set the scene: you’ve cooked a delicious meal for your family, and you sit down at the table to enjoy it, only to look over and see big, sad, puppy-dog eyes watching your every move. Cue the guilt and the indecision about whether or not it’s okay to give Fido just a tiny taste.
Most owners have experienced pets begging at the table and generally making a nuisance of themselves, and many would prefer this didn’t happen. Keep reading to learn some simple steps to break the cycle.
1. Understand Why Animals Beg
The key to changing any behavior is first understanding what’s causing it in the first place.
Animals all have the instinct to survive, and finding food plays a major part in this. Before our pets became domesticated, they needed to scavenge and even fight for their food, and part of this mentality stays with them. Years and years ago, ancient dogs and cats learned that hanging around humans was far easier than hunting, and soon, the art of begging was formed.
The modern domesticated dog or kitten doesn’t need to put any work into finding their food, but the instinctual drive and habit have stuck with them, leaving us as humans to deal with the consequences. Your pets don’t mean any harm, they’re just doing what they know!
2. Set a Feeding Routine
While your pet will almost always be enticed by whatever’s on your plate, they are likely to feel much more at ease around food if they know exactly where and when they will be fed each day.
This is where implementing a feeding schedule can be extremely helpful. Choose a spot in your home where your furry friend will have their meals – someplace calm where they can feel at ease and enjoy their meal without distraction or disturbance.
Next, choose a time of day that you can reliably feed your pet. Ask your vet about how often to feed your pet. Most vets recommend two daily feedings: once in the morning and once in the evening. Be as specific with the time as you can. Your pet will notice!
3. Ignore the Begging
The fact of the matter is that your pet will beg for food. This is especially true if they have already developed a habit of begging and you’ve given in to it in the past. If you want to stop this behavior and put an end to the habit, you need to start ignoring their begging.
Of course, it’s easier said than done. It can feel impossible to say no to that adorable, hungry face. But it’s important to remember that by giving into begging, you’re doing your pet a disservice.
Not only are you perpetuating the begging habit (that will inevitably lead to them being scolded), but the food you’re eating isn’t always good for your pet’s health. Our meals are often full of ingredients that could make your cat or dog sick, so it’s in their best interests that you avoid feeding them off your plate. Even fruits and vegetables for dogs aren’t always healthy, so don’t fool yourself.
4. Use Positive Reinforcement
Instead of scolding or punishing your pet for begging (which can be damaging to your relationship), rather use the approach of positive reinforcement.
Train them to stay in their own space (such as their bed or outdoors) during human meal times, and praise them with a pat, a “good dog,” and even a treat. Eventually, as they learn, training treats should ideally be removed from this reinforcement; however, they’re a good starting point for teaching good habits.
Once you train your pet to go to a set space and lay down there on command, you can use this command during your meal times when they might be inclined to beg.
5. Keep Them Occupied
A seemingly simple but highly effective solution to a begging problem is to keep your pet occupied while you’re sitting down for your meal.
What makes the most sense is to feed your pet right before you enjoy your own dinner. Try feeding them in a separate room and use a slow feeding bowl to extend your pet’s meal time. These products are great because they’ll keep your pet busy for a longer period of time and also prevent them from scarfing their food too quickly, which can lead to digestive issues.
If it’s not convenient to align your eating schedule with your pet’s, you can try keeping them busy with a dog chew, a treat dispensing toy, puzzle toys, or any other types of toys that will capture their attention for a while.
6. Be Consistent
Overall, what matters most is that you’re consistent in your methods and what you do and don’t allow. If you want to train your pet not to beg, you have to ensure that it’s something you never allow or give in to.
Remember that your pets won’t understand the concept of “sometimes,” so if you allow them a bit of your food one day, they won’t understand why you won’t give them any the next day.
It’s crucial that everyone in your household is on board with the rules around pet feeding. It can be extra difficult to get young children to comply with these rules, since they’re also still learning good behavior!
However, having a family meeting about the situation is a good way to get everyone on the same page, and teach your children to respect their pets too.
Final Thoughts
All in all, it’s normal for animals to beg, but it doesn’t mean you’ve done anything wrong as an owner.
Make sure to prioritize a healthy, balanced diet for your pet and avoid feeling guilty about their sad, begging eyes. Consistent training will help you manage the behavior, and if you still don’t see a change after some time, you could enlist the help of a professional pet behaviorist.
