Stop Begging!

Is your dog notorious for begging? Those big eyes or whine that tug at your heartstrings.

Dog owners usually respond to begging in one of two ways: getting angry or annoyed with their dog, or giving in. Neither of these is a helpful approach to begging.

Even if your dog is not begging for food, giving in can have negative consequences. Each time you turn your attention to him when he whines, you are actually teaching him that whining and begging is an effective way to get your attention. This will encourage him to keep doing it.

So how can you get your dog to stop begging? Here are three simple but effective tips:

1. Eat together. No, I do not mean setting a place at the table for your dog; I mean scheduling meals so that you and your dog are eating at the same time. If you give your dog his own food while you are eating, he will be less likely to beg for your food because he will be too busy with his own. This will also put him on a feeding schedule, which is better for your dog in general.

2. Give him something else to do. Along the same lines as tip #1, if you give your dog a favorite toy during the times that he is most likely to beg, it will keep him occupied and distracted. This also rewards him for leaving you alone during mealtimes.

3. Tire him out before dinner. Sometimes dogs beg because they are bored. Too much energy and no way to use it can lead to all sorts of annoying habits in dogs. You can cut down or even eliminate begging with some exercise. Simply take your dog out for a long walk or a brisk run before you sit down to eat, and he will be resting during the meal.

If your dog's begging is less about food and more about attention, he could actually be suffering from a mild case of separation anxiety. In addition to the toys and exercise mentioned above, you can use naturally-produced compounds to relax your dog. D.A.P. (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) products mimic the calming natural chemicals secreted by nursing mother dogs, sending a signal of comfort and safety to her puppies. When your dog senses these pheromones he feels comforted and safe, and thus is less likely to display signs of stress such as begging.

Teach Your Dog to Sit Up or "Beg"

Teaching your dog a few simple tricks is fun and entertaining for both you and your pet.

It is best if your dog knows and reliably responds to the basic obedience commands before teaching him to perform tricks. Most tricks are built on basic obedience work and, in the process of being taught "the basics," your dog will have learned to pay attention to you during training sessions.

Successful training of your dog hinges on rewarding the desired behavioral response in a timely fashion. The most valued rewards differ from dog to dog: For some, food it is the most powerful reward, for others, praise or petting are what they crave.

Some dogs will do whatever their owners want them to just to have a little playtime. Find the reward that best motivates your dog to learn and stick with it. Work with your dog daily in 5 to 15 minute sessions. Keep training fun, and end sessions on a high note with reward for a job well done. If you feel yourself getting frustrated or tired, quit and try again later.

To teach your dog to beg, first put him in the sit position and have him remain there without moving for a few seconds. Take a food treat and hold it just above his nose so he must look up to see it. Tell your dog to "beg." If he jumps at it, return him to the sit position. Many dogs will naturally raise their front limbs and sit on their haunches when the food treat is placed slightly above their nose. You must not give the treat until your dog is balanced on his rear limbs. If your dog is wobbly, try standing behind him with your legs supporting his back. You can also gently raise and lift his front feet while giving the command. Help steady him until he finds his balance. Once he gets the idea, most dogs will sit up easily once they see you elevating the food treat. Do not reward for half-done tricks; only reward the behavior that you are seeking as a final result.

Continue to practice this trick over and over again. Always use a happy singsong voice and lots of positive reinforcement. Eventually, your dog will understand and will readily sit up and beg.

The keys to success in teaching your dog tricks are patience, practice, praise, and persistence. When training your dog, every step he takes in the right direction should be rewarded as though he had just won the lottery. Tricks are fun, and learning how to do them should be fun, too.

Attention Getting

Dogs do all sorts of things for attention. Barking is the most common thing they do for attention. They not only bark, but also whine, and they run around and do some very funny things!

What does YOUR dog do to get attention?

This is a funny video. It is about a dog that keeps getting treats and more treats. Do you know a dog like this? If you have a dog or know a dog that likes to beg, you are likely to relate!