How can I stop my dog from begging for food when we're on the couch?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Debi Matlack

  Veterinary Technician

  So many dog owners initially think it’s cute or just want their dogs to have “just a taste.” Before you know it, you’ve created a monster.
  1. Avoid paying attention to or looking at your dog when you are eating. Paying attention to your dog will encourage the begging. You are setting her up to expect something.
  2. Tell every member of your family to quit giving your dog food from the table, food from the couch, food from the chair, food from the desk etc. She should only be eating food from her bowl. This will only work if EVERYONE is on board and complies. No cheating.
  3. When you are eating, place your dog in a sit/stay or down/stay and have her remain there until your meal is finished.
  4. If your dog will not hold a sit or down stay and you want her in the room with you, then tether her to something unmovable so she can’t come over to the table. Of course, this means your dog is on leash and the leash is hooked onto something.
  5. Place your dog in her crate or if you have taught her to ‘go place” or ‘kennel’. Have her go to her place and stay there.
  6. Should your dog break her sit/stay, down/stay or place, calmly get up, return her to the stay position, repeat “stay” and walk away.
  
  Feeding your dog appropriate people-food leftovers is perfectly fine. As long as the leftovers are placed in the dog’s bowl and the bowl is placed in her usual feeding spot AND she has to give you a sit before she gets anything.
  The key here is to be consistent and patient. Food is of high value to a dog and if you’re trying to break behavior YOU created don’t blame the dog if it takes a while. You and your dog can break this bad habit together.
  

  

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• Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on October 28th, 2018

  This is unfortunately a common problem - many dogs act hungry even though they are getting more than enough calories to maintain their weight. It sounds like begging during mealtime is a particular problem and I'm wondering if she has been given table scraps in the past. You could try offering her meal at the same time you are eating and using a food puzzle to keep her occupied. It is very important to never offer food from the table in order to discourage begging behavior. If you feel like she is not satiated with her current diet you could ask your veterinarian if they would recommend a prescription diet like Hill's Metabolic that is designed to help dogs feel more satiated while losing weight.

  

  1Pet Parents found this answer helpful