Many dog owners have experienced a dog begging for food. Faced with those pleading eyes, it is hard for most people to refuse, and this can easily lead to begging behavior in Border Collies. Begging can be risky. Even if you know which foods are unsafe for dogs, your friends or people on the street may not. This can seriously threaten the dogs health. In addition, dog thieves may exploit a Border Collies habit of taking food from others. That is why training is necessary.
Why Border Collies Beg for Food
In most cases, begging develops because owners feed the dog improperly. For example, when the family is eating and the Border Collie comes near, the owner may immediately offer food, or may even share food from the table on purpose. Over time, this creates a bad habit. The good news is that the problem is not very hard to solve, but one principle must be maintained: when the owner is eating, the dog will not be given food and will not be allowed to approach the table. Once the Border Collie fully understands this consistent rule, it will be far less likely to come close and beg during meals.
Training Steps to Correct Begging
First, you must stick firmly to the rule of not sharing food. This helps the Border Collie form the correct understanding. When guests come to your home, ask them to cooperate as well so the dogs training and health are protected.
1. Start training at every mealtime. If the Border Collie comes forward and begins begging, immediately command it to return to its bed and lie down. If it performs well, give it a treat as a reward.
2. If the Border Collie ignores the command and still comes toward you, stop eating, lead the dog back to its crate or bed, and ask it to lie down there.
3. Give the Border Collie a toy so it can entertain itself while you return to the table and continue eating. Ignore its pleading looks and do not soften your attitude.
4. If the Border Collie behaves well throughout the entire meal, remember to reward it with treats afterward, and if appropriate, take it out for a walk.
Always remember to hold your ground. This is truly for the good of the Border Collie. Especially when it walks toward you full of expectation, you still need to guide it back to the correct place.