Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist - How Can I Stop My Dog From Begging at the Table?

Sep 15th 2010

Meet Mary Burch, American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizen Director and Paw Nation's expert columnist addressing your questions on animal behavior. Dr. Burch has over 25 years of experience working with dogs, and she is one of fewer than 50 Certified Applied Animal Behaviorists based in the United States. She is the author of 10 books, including the new official book on the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program, "Citizen Canine: 10 Essential Skills Every Well-Mannered Dog Should Know."

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How can I stop my dog from begging at the table?

When those sweet brown boxer eyes look up at you, it's hard to resist sharing a piece of your pot roast. Yet begging at the table is one canine habit that can quickly become a nuisance.

If your dog begs, don't give in. You need to ignore the begging 100 percent of the time for the behavior to go away. Make sure your family members and friends do the same. Consistency is key to changing your dog's behavior.