Linda takes great care of her dog, Charlie. She takes him for regular walks and to the dog park, plays with him, gives him plenty of toys, and feeds him nutritious food on a regular schedule. Why, then, does Charlie insist on begging whenever he sees her having a meal or snack? Why does Charlie beg for food when he’s well-fed? Sometimes, the begging for food is so annoying that she finally caves and gives him a piece of ham from her sandwich or a banana slice that didn’t yet make it into her cereal.
If your dog is begging for food, don’t jump directly to the guilty assumption that you’re not feeding them well or enough. There are several possible reasons why your furry little angel is giving you the big puppy-dog eyes and a dramatic sigh.
Here in Part 1 of the dog begging series, let’s see what some of the reasons for begging might be. Then, later in Part 2, we’ll talk about how to stop the begging.
Why Does My Dog Beg for Food?
#1: Because It Works!
You just settled into your favorite chair to watch a movie with your family. You have a plate of chicken nuggets and dip to enjoy. Before you even take your first bite, your begging dog has their chin on your lap and big, brown eyes focused on your food. Eventually, you are guilted into giving them a piece. And you have encouraged the behavior.
A dog will beg for food every chance they get if they have learned that it works. After all, why give up a good thing? You, meanwhile, have fallen victim to the imagined circumstances if you don’t give in. Your dog will sadly slink away as if to say, “Well, if you don’t mind, I’ll just go sit in my dog bed and STARVE!”
#2: It’s Instinct
Dogs beg because it is a natural behavior. In the wild, dogs’ ancestors didn’t have scheduled meals. Instead, they followed their prey drive and ate after hunting and catching something. So eating whenever food presented itself, whether they had just eaten an hour ago or not, was to their advantage. The next meal was never guaranteed.
There is food on your dining room table, and it smells good! Unless they are trained to stay away, your dog will hang around and try to get you to share, even if they’re already full. Of course, this is no longer necessary for survival, and it isn’t pleasant to you, your family, and especially guests.
#3: They’re Not Getting the Nutrition They Need
Have you checked the ingredients in your dog’s food? It is possible that, even if you’re feeding them as instructed in the food packaging, they may not be getting all the nutrients they need. If that’s the case, they will naturally seek more food to fill in the blanks. That may include begging.
However, if their diet consists of Volhard’s Natural Diet Foundation (a convenient dehydrated formula that you mix with raw meat and water), they are eating a fully balanced and complete diet and may be less likely to beg for food!
#4: They Want to Do What You’re Doing
If you go outside, they want to go outside. If you’re eating, they want to eat, too. Your dog wants to be a part of your pack; therefore, they will want to be with you doing what you’re doing.
#5: Boredom
If no one else in the house is playing with them, and they have nothing else to do, why not harass you for your snack? They won’t have time to beg for food if they’re otherwise occupied.
Problems with Feeding a Begging Dog
There are many reasons to do what you can to get your dog to stop begging, not the least of which is to calm your nerves. In fact, some reasons are very serious.
#1: Some Foods are Not Good for Your Dog
It’s one thing to give your dog a piece of beef, but it’s quite another if that beef is covered in heavy sauces and spices and is mixed with other foods they shouldn’t eat, such as onions. It will upset the dog’s digestive system and, depending on what else is in there, can make them sick.
Many delicious human foods are toxic for dogs, such as chocolate and grapes. Here is a comprehensive list of off-limits food for dogs.
#2: Confusion
If your dog can eat some human foods and not others, what happens if, when the dog begs, you give them something one time but not another? You can give them a piece of chicken from your sandwich but not a piece of your chocolate. You can’t explain the difference to the dog. Sometimes begging works, sometimes it doesn’t, and the poor dog has no idea why.
#3: Overeating and Weight Gain
Those extra snacks they’re getting add up and are not balanced with their everyday food. If begging always works, they will eventually gain weight they don’t need. Excess weight leads to all sorts of health problems that can shorten your dog’s life.
#4: Socialization
No one wants a dog in their face while trying to eat, especially guests in your home. So, it’s important that as the dog learns to socialize with people, their training includes learning that begging is not acceptable.
A Parting Reminder
Pet parents love their dogs and want them to be happy. Sometimes, they give in when the dog begs for food. Unfortunately, that only encourages what is not good behavior. While begging is a natural dog behavior, it is not needed as it would be in the wild. If your dog begs, it’s often simply because it works for them. But for your dog’s safety and to make them more pleasant, it’s important to stop the begging.
In Part 2, we will look at ways to stop the begging and encourage good behavior. It may be difficult at first, but there are ways to make it happen, even if you have to completely ignore it and endure the pressure. You can do it!