Dog Health Questions: Dog Training?

I have a problem with my two dogs, you see. My dogs are Alice who is 3 years old and Pebbles who is just one year old. They both love the sight and smell of food. If I tried to eat a pack of biscuits, they will go nuts to try and steal them off of me. Is there anyway that I can stop them from doing this? Like just having them sit peacefully by my side.

Please note that I do not want to move them into another room while I am eating as that is just unfair on them.

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Teaching your dogs not to go crazy when you are eating your food is definitely something you want to work on. It is best to be able to teach your dogs that they can only have food when you give the command. This keeps them safe in case they ever try to get something harmful to them that has fallen on the floor. My dog, through lots of consistent training, has learned that unless I say take it or fair game, he can't have what is on the floor. I can drop anything on the floor and he will wait until I give a command, if I give a command, for him to take it.

To do this, you will want to teach them that the treat that they get always comes from your hand. Unless it is given directly from your hand into their mouth, it is not theirs. I'd start by doing some individual training with each of your dogs. Take one of them into a separate room with some treats in your pockets. When you go into the room sit on the floor with your dog. Hold one treat in your hand. Your dog will probably start sniffing and nudging at your hand. Let them do this, but do not give the treat to your dog. If your dog starts biting at your hand, leave the room for ten seconds, then go back into the room and try again. Be consistent with this. As soon as your dog backs off of your hand (probably out of frustration they will back up a bit), say 'yes' marking the behaviour that you want and give them a treat from the other hand (you don't want them anticipating the treat in that hand). Do this many times. Your dogs should quickly learn that if they back away from the treat, then a treat will come from another hand. They are learning that this behaviour, rather than attacking you for food, gives them the food they want.

You can also start putting the treat on the floor and not letting them have it. When they back away you give them a treat from another hand (and pick up the treat from the floor). You can slowly work to that by first opening the hand with the treat in it and having them not take it, then lowering the treat to the floor.

No verbal command is required since this behaviour is to be expected all the time, not just when you give a command. You can start doing this when you are eating, and if they are being really good and not bothering you, give them one of their treats (keep them with you for a while) to reinforce the idea that if they aren't pushy, they get treats.

Good luck!

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• You have to be firm with them. Remember, YOU are the boss, the alpha dog, and they only eat when you say they can eat. Next time they try to jump at you while you're eating, a loud, sharp 'no' will work, and then you make them SIT. When they're sitting, and only when they're sitting, do you acknowledge them. Keep some of their treats on hand so you don't have to give them people food, and reward them when they behave. You have to make them work for food, and you only ever give them food on your terms. If they are jumping up and being obnoxious, simply fold your arms over your chest, stand up, and ignore them. Ignoring your dog is the worst punishment you can give them. When they back down and wait for you, then you can praise them. It doesn't always have to be food - play or praise is just as good. Good luck!


• Don't give them people food if they are begging. Do your dogs have kennels or a bed in the room? I've taught my dog a "go to bed, Mommy's eating" command when I eat. It took a while, but he knows that if he stays on his bed, he will get a treat when I'm finished eating. The trick to this is that every time they get off their bed/out of their kennel, you have to stand up and give the command again and make sure they do it. It can make for some cold suppers during the training period, but I think it's worth it - I've never liked dogs who beg at the table!
  
  Good luck!


• Some obedience training would help in this situation. I have a three year old collie, that all I do is tell her in a sharp voice, "NO, --Leeeeavvvvve it and she immediately stops what she is doing. It takes some work, but it is worth it. I would also recommend not feeding any table scraps if you do so, because it leads to more begging.


• Put your dogs away while eating because you do not sound as you can give a good correction when they need it.
  Your dogs are spoiled and that is why they act this way.
  There is nothing unfair about crating a dog when you need peace and quiet.