I think I started a bad habit.
@mrsgoodygoody00 (895)
United States
October 14, 2008 8:22am CST
I have a Toy Poodle, and I have made the mistake it seems of giving him human food. I did this a long time ago. I will admit, if I'm eating something that is suitable for him to eat as well, only then will I go ahead and give him a piece of it. But now, my dog has become very annoying. When I'm sitting down to eat, here he comes to run and hop in the sofa. He will litreally run around, or sit and stare, or even whine at me and go on his hind legs and move his front legs up and down, to basically say give me some. lol. It is just so annoying now. I don't know what to do. I tell him to move, but he'll always come back. lol. It was so bad the other day, I had to put him in his cage until I finished eating, but then he was whining, so he was still getting on my nerves. He will even dig in the trash if he thinks there might be food in there. I'm like, he has delicious dog food in his bowl that he can eat, but I guess he would prefer human food. Is there any way that I can keep him away somehow when I or anyone else is eating???
3 responses
@lisa0502 (1724)
• Canada
14 Oct 08
I would suggest picking a spot in your home for him to lay down when you eat. It will take a bit of time to get him to the point where he understands the rules but it will work. I have 3 dogs and when we eat they go to their spots and lay down until we are done. We still give them human food but not when we eat. It is most important to not feed him when you eat, do it after you are done then he sees a reward for him being quiet and leaving you alone when you eat.
@hoping4amiracle (227)
• United States
14 Oct 08
I did the same thing and what I did to corrected was put him to bed while we eat and my dog sleep on a dog bed in my room and after awhile he got the hint and I no longer have to send him to bed while we eat. I do still give him human food every ones in awhile but it on my terms and not his.
@sharkyhiho (8)
• Philippines
23 Oct 08
lol we've got the same problem. i really hate it when my dog whines when I don't give him human food when I eat.
@monimo (83)
• Canada
19 Oct 08
I never heard of Poodles to do this. They have very tiny stomachs and usually deny food, not beg for it. I had a poodle before, and I used to force feed her, she would never crave anything that I was having.
Now, I have mix between a poodle and a daschund(hot dog), and she is CRAZY, but I knew this was the main trait of the daschund. My mother can not stand her whining, or her staring, but I had a talk with her, and made her realize that if she does not stop giving her food when she cries, she will become obese.
Again, our dog mostly eats human food and loves it, she sticks her nose where it doesnt belong, but we tried to hide all the food sources from her, and currently she eats her kibble and occsionally meat from us.
When you eat, make as little eye contact as you can with him, and do not give him any food, unless you bring his tray somewhere close to you and you drop the food in there, while you eat. He needs to understand that the tray is for him only, and he can't dominate you with his cries and looks.
And don't feel sorry for him, he learned already how to control you by giving you the sad look, and if you continue, he's going to become more persistent and it'll irritate you more and more up to the point where you'll feel guilty if you don't share your meal with him.
I hope this helps!
Monica
