When dogs are begging at the table are at other times, dog lovers often feel frustrated. Naturally the question arises: What can I do to stop my dog from begging? And this is exactly the question this article explores.
To start off with, let us look at the reason for begging. To fully appreciate this we need to look at how dogs think. They are very smart, but they think differently than humans. In their minds, only two categories exist an everything that happens to them falls in one of them: Pleasant or unpleasant.
Why is this important? Well, it will make the most common mistake that people make when their dogs are begging very clear. If ever you gave in to his begging (even just once), he will remember the pleasant experience of his success.
He will be happy he got what he wanted. In his eyes, his behavior (begging) resulted in a positive consequence; hence, most likely, he will repeat it.
So where does that leave us? It should draw our attention to the fact that we must be consistent about not rewarding begging. We simply cannot give him what he begs for, or he will repeat his behavior.
If we give in to this undesirable behavior, it will be pleasant for him - and he will do it again and again.
Now, I do know how difficult it can be to be absolutely consistent. But there is no way around it. Mark my words. But how about this: It is his birthday, and shouldn't he be treated like a real birthday kid?"
And here he comes, begging. He looks you straight in the eye and your heart just melts. And as you look at him you think, hey, it's his birthday, today is special - so you give him what he begged for.
All I can say is: DON'T do that. Dogs will not understand exceptions of any kind. You might know it is his birthday, but he does not. All he will know is that begging is acceptable and will -sometimes- get him what he wants. Be consistent, otherwise he will only be confused.
To start off with, let us look at the reason for begging. To fully appreciate this we need to look at how dogs think. They are very smart, but they think differently than humans. In their minds, only two categories exist an everything that happens to them falls in one of them: Pleasant or unpleasant.
Why is this important? Well, it will make the most common mistake that people make when their dogs are begging very clear. If ever you gave in to his begging (even just once), he will remember the pleasant experience of his success.
He will be happy he got what he wanted. In his eyes, his behavior (begging) resulted in a positive consequence; hence, most likely, he will repeat it.
So where does that leave us? It should draw our attention to the fact that we must be consistent about not rewarding begging. We simply cannot give him what he begs for, or he will repeat his behavior.
If we give in to this undesirable behavior, it will be pleasant for him - and he will do it again and again.
Now, I do know how difficult it can be to be absolutely consistent. But there is no way around it. Mark my words. But how about this: It is his birthday, and shouldn't he be treated like a real birthday kid?"
And here he comes, begging. He looks you straight in the eye and your heart just melts. And as you look at him you think, hey, it's his birthday, today is special - so you give him what he begged for.
All I can say is: DON'T do that. Dogs will not understand exceptions of any kind. You might know it is his birthday, but he does not. All he will know is that begging is acceptable and will -sometimes- get him what he wants. Be consistent, otherwise he will only be confused.
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