How to Train Your Dog to Not Eat From the Table
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Introduction
Regardless of whether you have 2 legs or 4, sometimes it's very hard to resist temptation. So when your dog sees a plate of food just sitting there on your dining table, their first instinct might be to help themselves to a tasty snack.
But there are a couple of reasons why you don't want this to occur. Not only is it frustrating for you to miss out on part of your meal, it can also be highly dangerous if your pup sinks their teeth into any human foods that are unsafe for dogs to eat.
That's why it's important to train your dog not to steal food from the table. But because stealing food is quite a natural behavior for dogs, and also deliciously rewarding for a hungry pup, you'll need a patient and committed approach to teach them not to devour your dinner.
Keep reading to find out how to train your dog not to eat food from the table.
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Defining Tasks
If your dog is a keen counter surfer, there are several factors to consider when training them out of their cheeky food-stealing ways. Not only do you need to focus on teaching your dog what not to eat, you also need to help them understand which food is OK for them to consume.
Teaching your dog to eat their food at a designated location from the beginning, and not feeding scraps or human food, will diminish their interest in your diet. This can also help them distinguish which food is theirs, and which is yours.
Keeping your pup away from the table at meal times can also help prevent any opportunistic food thieving. You can use doors and gates to keep your dog away from areas where human food is present, removing the source of temptation, or maybe put them in their crate while you're preparing any meals.
From a more general point of view, providing regular physical exercise and plenty of mental stimulation for your pet can prevent your dog stealing food due to boredom or excess energy. Ensuring that you never give in to their begging behavior will also help you combat the problem of a counter surfing canine.
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Getting Started
Perhaps the most important thing you need to train your dog not to eat from the table is patience. When a behavior is self-rewarding, as stealing food most definitely is, it may take a while for your dog to understand the right way to behave.
The other equipment you need may vary depending on the training method you decide to adopt. For example, a steady supply of training treats is essential if you're teaching the "leave it" method, while chew toys and puzzle toys can come in handy if you're looking for suitable distractions for your dog at mealtime. And if you're planning on limiting your dog's access to the dining table or food preparation areas, baby gates might be just what you need to fence off certain areas.
It's also important that you never punish your dog for table or counter surfing. Punishment is ineffective and will likely only encourage your pup to steal food when you're not around or when you're looking the other way, so stick to training methods that rely on positive reinforcement to teach a desired behavior.
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The Alternative Behavior Method
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Effective
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Provide a suitable location
When food is being prepared and your dog may hover, waiting for an opportunity to steal food, or when the family is eating at the table, provide your dog with their own space and food to create an alternative behavior. Provide a mat or take your dog to their crate, away from the food preparation and serving area.
Provide a replacement behavior
Give your dog their meal, a dental chew, or an interactive puzzle toy to keep them entertained at their designated spot.
Enforce separation
If your dog leaves their spot, take them back to that position and tell them to "stay".
Reinforce
Periodically go to your dog and praise them or give them an additional treat for staying in their spot.
Repeat
Repeat this process over a period of days, until your dog learns that when humans are preparing and eating food, it's time for them to go to their own spot.
The Leave It Method
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Command "leave it"
Hold a treat in your closed hand. Present your closed fist with the treat to the dog, and when they sniff your hand, say “leave it”.
Reward "leave it"
When your dog stops investigating the hand holding the treat and ignores it, provide them with a different treat from your other hand.
Increase availability
Place a lower-value treat, such as dry kibble or a biscuit, on the floor and give the "leave It” command. When your dog obeys the command, reward them with a high-value treat, like a piece of hot dog or boiled chicken.
Increase difficulty
Move the activity to different locations. Leave treats in strategic places, and when your dog discovers them, give the "leave it" command. Reward them with a treat when they obey. Over time you can start replacing treats with praise and attention when your dog does the right thing.
Apply to table food
Use the "leave it" command when your dog approaches the table or people food. Having established the behavior, your dog should avoid the food. Be sure to praise them as a reward.
Written by Wag! Staff
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 11/13/2017, edited: 08/22/2024
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Training Questions and Answers
Ellie
Goldendoodle
8 Years
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
How can we help Ellie build confidence in being away from us, even when we are in the house. She follows and paces constantly and reacts out of anxiety.
May 6, 2022
Ellie's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Amy, I would work on commands that build confidence and independence and make a point of practicing those when you are home routinely. I would also Practice the Surprise method from the article I have linked below. This can be practiced in a crate or with pup being in one room with a door or baby gate between you and them while you are in another room, gradually working up to you going outside, spying on pup with a camera, then returning to reward when pup gets quiet and is calm. Surprise method - for practicing time alone: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate I would work up to pup being able to do a 1 hour Place command, where you are in the room part of the time and leave the room some also, and pup stays. This will have to be worked up to. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s The following commands are just good general commands to practice for building confidence and independence through boundaries. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Heel- Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
May 9, 2022
Maynard
Australian Kelpie
2 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Our puppy tries to lick and bite our faces when close to us i.e comes over to sit on our lap or during play. He has managed to bite my chin once and I’m concerned about this playfulness/aggressiveness. I always ignore him and walk or move away when he attempts to do this and distract him to get him away from others. Is there any other way to stop him biting our faces? We don’t mind licking so much if it’s a way of showing endearment.
Jan. 3, 2022
Maynard's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Lauren, Check out the article I have linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Jan. 3, 2022