Begging for Food

Begging for food is pattern recognition. The dog is begging because someone is feeding him.

I ask parents all the time: "Do you feed the dog from the table?" "No, never." Then I ask about the baby. "Yeah, we've got a baby." "And food falls on the floor when you feed the baby." "Yeah, all over the floor." "And you let the dog eat it." "Of course. Why would we want to clean it up?"

Well — the dog is getting fed from the table. You're causing the problem.

It's called environmental management. Stop the food from being on the floor, and the dog won't leave his bed to come beg.

If he does, firm "No." Redirect to the place bed. Reward with a treat after thirty minutes of holding place. Build up the duration.

Reward positive behavior, not begging.