Dog owners often complain that their dogs are used to whining at the dinner table, making it annoying. Training a dog to get rid of this habit is challenging enough, and many dog owners don't realize that they are in the habit of motivating their dog to whine more often. Getting rid of bad habits yourself is also a challenge, but this is really necessary so that the dog doesn't whine anymore. If you can spend a few weeks focusing on getting rid of this habit, this problem can actually be solved.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Ignoring the Dog
Step 1. Understand dog behavior
Dogs are simple animals. If they do something and are rewarded, they will do it again to get another reward. If the behavior doesn't work, then there's no reason to do it again.
- Some dogs just sit and stare at you, while others whine until they do what they want. If nothing comes of it, there are even dogs that will bark, scratch, or climb onto the bench to ask.
- If you give him food or pet him when he does something, you're giving him a treat, including giving him a snack or a pat on the head. Rewards for food are often used as a reward, but giving them attention or throwing them a ball can also be positive motivation.
- For some dogs, it only takes one or two rewards to train them to beg. The way to reverse this training is to get rid of that motivation, and it's quite difficult!
Step 2. Don't just give the dog any food
The basic and most important step to reversing the "negative training" that used to make the dog whine is: stop feeding the dog when you are at the dinner table.
- Most people have relented and given leftovers to a whining dog; this motivates the bad behavior.
- Ignoring the dog while you eat is important in preventing or eliminating this whining problem. No matter how much your dog barks, whines, or looks at you when you eat, don't feed it.
Step 3. Don't talk to the dog
Unless you are commanding, do not pay attention to the dog by talking to him or saying his name.
Even if you're frustrated, don't yell at a whining dog. Attention of any kind, including "negative attention," can motivate whining
Step 4. Don't look at the dog
Eye contact is also a form of attention and can be seen as a reward for behavior that you should want to eliminate.
The slightest attention can motivate whining behavior
Part 2 of 3: Keep Your Dog Off the Dining Table
Step 1. Take your dog elsewhere
If your dog can be ordered to leave, or if you can lock him up somewhere else, this can help stop his whining.
- Try herding the dog out or into another room. The point is to keep the dog out of sight and prevent him from coming near to whine. The dog may still bark or howl, but at least you'll avoid the annoying behavior.
- If you don't want to lock up your dog, try training the dog to leave when you eat. If your dog is used to being in a cage, try putting him in a crate and giving him treats while you eat.
- If you've trained your dog to "go!" to the crate or "sleep!", then instruct the dog to leave the dining room. However, there are also dogs that will still whine or stare at you from a distance.
- Training the dog to go to the cage is done by giving him a reward if the dog agrees to go to the cage or area in question. However, if you feed after the dog has whined, this behavior will continue. Therefore, the command "go" or "sleep" should be given first before the food is served on the table. If the dog already understands this command and always obeys then you can try a new challenge, namely ordering it when there is a high temptation (eg at dinner time).
- You may need to tie the dog near the crate to keep him from wandering around during your mealtime.
Step 2. Train your dog to "get away! The "away" command can be quite useful. The point of this command is to get the dog away from whatever it is sniffing at the moment.
This command should be practiced on a leash and away from the dining table
Step 3. Isolate/trap your dog
If your dog won't move away from the table or continues to whine from his crate, it may need to be isolated in another room.
- As soon as your dog starts whining immediately herd into a space without food or toys. The point of the trick is to place it in a boring room, away from you and your food. Not in a place the dog likes.
- After a few minutes, get the dog out. However, if the dog starts whining again, immediately put him in the isolation room again. This way the dog will quickly associate the isolation room with his whining behavior.
- Your dog may howl or bark when placed in isolation. This may seem worse than his whining behavior, but if you consistently keep doing this then the unwanted behavior will stop.
Part 3 of 3: Creating Consistency
Step 1. Get everyone involved
Everyone in your household must follow the same rules. Otherwise, your dog won't stop whining.
- If just one person in your household gives in and feeds the dog from the dinner table, your efforts have been compromised. Your dog will know which people to persuade.
- Explain to all family members or housemates that this whining behavior must be eliminated for the good of the dog. A dog should be fed a balanced diet and maintained at a healthy weight to live a long life, whereas feeding treats from the table would violate this goal.
- In addition, as long as the dog keeps whining you will never know the joys of having a well-trained pet.
Step 2. Be consistent
If you give in just once, this will motivate your dog to whine again.
- The world doesn't end if you fail, but it means you have to start the process all over again.
- Remember that consistency is key in training a dog. "No" means "NO" and you have to be consistent and don't give in to the dog's wishes.
Step 3. Don't feel guilty
Your dog isn't abandoned, doesn't starve, and won't resent you later.
- Guilt is human. Your dog won't hold a grudge if you refuse to feed him leftovers from the table.
- So that you don't feel guilty, after that you can give your dog a healthy treat. Use this snack as motivation for a command you've already practiced or to teach a new command. Don't give gifts if the dog doesn't deserve them. This confirms that a behavior is at your command, not at the whim of the dog.
Step 4. Don't give up
This whining should be stopped within a few weeks, but you (and the rest of the household) should remain vigilant.
If there's no reward then the dog should stop on its own, especially if you use isolation methods
Step 5. Use the services of a professional
If your dog is really stubborn, you may need professional and reliable help to stop this behavior.
- Chances are it's not just this misbehavior that needs to be corrected. Both you and the dog may need to undergo retraining to get your dog to obey your commands.
- Try calling your veterinarian or a dog salon/care center. Maybe they provide a training program or can give you a reference.
Tips
- If you have guests, tell them right away that you have a rule not to give food to dogs carelessly. Ask guests not to respond to dog whining or feeding. If your guest ignores the dog or feeds him, the whining will continue.
- If there are guests, this is the best time to prevent temptation by using a crate or placing the dog in another room first so that it is far from the dining table.
- It is best to prevent this habit from forming in the first place. If you have a new dog, never give food from the table, then the dog will never expect that.
Warning
- Some dogs will whine more vigorously in exchange for food. This is difficult to tolerate because dogs can be very pushy. But, remember, if you give in and reward him for bad behavior then you are training the dog to do that in the future.
- If you think your dog is threatening to bite you if you don't get any food, toys, or attention, then it's time to get a professional trainer involved.
