My dog has a begging problem?????

Question

I have a 2 year old Mastiff, hes a great guy, but has a real problem begging .It's not just at the table, its all over the house...
I think in a past life he must have been a real food lover, when i'm cooking dinner he sniffs, and licks the air....Please help, i don't agree with spanking him, thats mean, but i would like some advise....

Thank-you :)

I feed hi high quality dog food with no by-products, and he only eats in his food and water area..He eats NO pepole food..

Answer 1

We have a dog that recently picked up the same bad habit. You don't have to hit him to stop this. Because dogs respond to the volume, tone and pitch of your voice, make sure that when you are disciplining him, YOU believe what you are asking of him. It can be very tedious but I started doing this.. Stop what you are doing ( cooking, eating reading about cooking ) and sternly tell him to go or lie down if he understands that command. If he stays, then grab his collar and again tell him your command while walking him to another location. Once he is there make sure he sits. Praise him for sitting and go to what you were doing. Don't talk to him or look back at him. After awhile he will connect the words with the action and situation. Make sure you are consistent. Don't let his actions slide once in awhile. I was told to try the spray bottle method. Not every dog responds to it though. And you have a real problem if your dog likes water!! Try it if you think it would work but I wouldn't suggest it. This method is too flawed...and wet! I hope this works for you. It's been great for us already.

Answer 2

Your dog will do what you teach him to do. If you *don't* teach him NOT to beg, he will do what, in his mind he should, and that = find out where the food is and eat it.

You should eat at a table as often as possible but if you are having, say, popcorn and watching a movie it isn't always possible.

Make sure he is on a regular eating schedule and feed him before you eat, that way you know he is not hungry. You can crate him during meals or put him in a sit-stay or down-stay. If he has not had obedience training I would get some for a guy his size.

Answer 3

Have you been feeding him people food? Dogs should eat dog food, people food is a disservice to your pet and makes them very uncomfortable, it wrecks havoc with their digestive systems. Offer him a good quality dog food, and some good treats(Innova health bars are great!) Only feed at the dish, not anywhere else in the house. Good luck.

Answer 4

Never give him little people snacks because he doesn't know it's okay to have one now but not next time. Either totally ignore him or try spraying him with water every time he begs. I told my hubby I need a water gun with a holster. LOL Make sure you only use plain water in the spray bottle. Do this every time and tell him no. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

I assume you've already figured this out, but make sure you NEVER reward his begging by giving him scraps. if it is really bothersome when you are cooking or eating, provide him with something else to do. when you eat and cook give him his dinner stuffed in his kong, or give him his favorite chew bone/toy. always ignore the begging and it should take care of itself. dogs only do what works for them, so he is begging because it's worked at some point. if it never works he will eventually stop.

Answer 6

spanking doesn't hav an effect on curious dogs, just so you know. I know, i'm a dog expert. just ignore him while cooking. if you're eating, ignore also. DO NOT push him down from the table... he'll believe it as praise. after ignoring him, he'll get bored and then give him a doggy treat when he's down in a calm mode on the floor.

Answer 7

Yes - be sure to ignore him completely and never reward him when he's begging at your table, or anywhere else. Reward him for good behaviors, and keep in mind that his begging may get worse for a bit before it gets better. He'll try everything that worked for him before he really quits. Have patience and persevere!

Answer 8

Dogs that are fed a species appropriate carnivorous diet do not beg. They are getting everything that they need from their food, and they are content when they are full.

The crap they put in commercial dog foods takes up room but starves your dog of the nutrients he requires to maintain his peak performance.

I have two raw-fed German Shepherd Dogs that do not beg unless they are actually hungry. If they are hungry, I feed them and they don't bug me for food until they are hungry again.

Answer 9

Redirect him with toys or basic training practise while you cook or make the kitchen off limits. Do research on "Nothing In Life Is Free" (NILF) training. Good luck

Answer 10

I have two Mastiffs, twins, that weigh allot, they are beggars also, I take them into a different room and make them sit and stay. I keep doing it until they stay. Don't give into them or they will never stop. Good luck.