What to do with puppy while we're eating??

[bayleebrndl]

We've had our puppy since she was 8 weeks old. For the first month or so, everytime we were sitting down for a meal, we would put her on the tie out steak outside....just to make it easy and give us some peace of mind. Well, for a couple of reasons, we no longer are doing that. The biggest reason is that we do not want to have to do this forever! Plus, we live in Wisconsin and it is now getting quite chilly so it is no longer a good idea. What are some ideas to help with this? Ideally we want her to just lay at our feet while we're eating. For the past month or so, we've put her on the leash and tied the leash to the table. It works okay because at least we know where she is, but she does still fuss and whine. We even put a bone or rawhide down for her, but she can only stand it for a couple of minutes. How do we teach her to stay by us while we eat, but not be jumping up on us either???

 

[totallyhip]

Do you crate train? You should put her in her crate when you eat. We crate trained ours. They use to go in there to sleep, eat, or when we eat or when were not home. You have to keep in mind though the crate is not a type of punishment though so don't put them in there when their bad. Its their home, their safe haven.

 

[bayleebrndl]

We do crate train her. The thing is we already have her in the crate the whole day while we're at work, and the whole night while we/she are sleeping, so I hate to have her in it even more than she already is!

 

[BetsyB]

We use the command "Go to your spot" whenever we don't Mackensie underfoot. Her spot is her big doggy pillow on the living room floor. From this spot, she can still see everything that is going on, but is out of the way. When we eat, she goes to her spot and lays down, and then we release her when we 're done. I personally can't stand a "begger" dog when eating. It may take a lillte bit for her to catch on to what you're trying to teach, but have patience!

 

[ELubas]

We use the command "Go to your spot" whenever we don't Mackensie underfoot. Her spot is her big doggy pillow on the living room floor. From this spot, she can still see everything that is going on, but is out of the way. When we eat, she goes to her spot and lays down, and then we release her when we 're done. I personally can't stand a "begger" dog when eating. It may take a lillte bit for her to catch on to what you're trying to teach, but have patience!

Ours have thier "spot " too , in the hall where they can see us but are not underfoot. I admit I will give them a nibble here or there but I give it to them-they never beg, etc. Good luck with your baby

 

[taryndanae]

cassius always just goes and plays or lays down while we eat. we always told him to go and play. He plays by himself really well, and he knows that when we eat he has to play or lay down.

 

[RolenKisses]

cassius always just goes and plays or lays down while we eat. we always told him to go and play. He plays by himself really well, and he knows that when we eat he has to play or lay down.

Rolen does the same thing! We tell him to "go play" and he ends up either chewing on his nylabone or just relaxing I also give him a little treat after he does some commands, but he usually inhales that and is done with it before I even sit down at the table!

 

[bayleebrndl]

hmmmm...okay, maybe then we'll just try doing it next time without tying her to the table. Do you think that will help? I know (in my head at least) that it just takes time and patience. Right now she doesn't really play by herself or occupy herself except for running around the house, but we'll see how it goes. As for teaching her "go to your spot" how would you teach that? We have Baylee in obedience class and she's doing really good and can do "lay" (down) no problem, but she won't stay yet - especially when we're doing something that she wants to be a part of! Ahhhh......puppyhood is exhausting!!

 

[jeffbotteril]

I don't like the dogs lying at my feet while I'm eating. I dislike them staring at me when I am eating as well. Begging is a total no-no for me.

Therefore the dogs know that they are to lie down quietly at a small distance when we are eating.

This is another simple everyday opportunity to impress upon the dogs that I and other humans are higher in the pack than them/ Which is vital to regularly reinforce to head off many problems that people can get with dogs allowed to become dominant over them and their children.

 

[Just-A-Clown]

Beau is in his crate while we eat,he knows to go in there at meals & we let him out as soon as we finish
Even if your puppy is in the crate more than you like he won't be in the crate to long while you eat
They grow fast ,as soon as he is older & learns go to your spot then slowly start letting him stay out of the crate during meals