Bad habits that are driving me crazyyyy

[jnreem]

Ok, so as some of you know Buddy is just 5 months old but he has been mooching ever since we got him at 8 weeks. It is enough to drive me crazy and he will try to find any way near us while were eating no matter where were eating at. And the thing I am confused about is we don't feed him people food, and with our chessie before we did so we kind of started the bad habit with him when he was alive. But we were sure to make sure Buddy didn't know what it was. I just want him to go lay down while were eating, but he doesn't!!! And he has never stolen anything off the table or counter but I think he would if he had the chance. HELP!

[pitbullmamaliz]

Put him in his crate or on a tie-down while you're eating. Or just resign yourself to a lengthy meal and work on his down. If he gets up, you have to get up and put him back in place. Hence the lengthy meal! But never give up!

[jnreem]

what is a tie down?

[pitbullmamaliz]

Some people have short (like 4' maybe) cables attached to their baseboards - BigDogBuford does, I believe. Or you can hook a leash around a heavy piece of furniture. Pretty much it's just a way to keep your dog confined to a specific location w/o using a crate.

[fenella]

I have found articles like this one helpful
http://www.mysmartpuppy.com/articles/YoureGrounded.htm

She also describes tethering. Dog on a mat (not required, but makes it easier to train a "go to mat" command, or whatever you wish to call it). Put the dog on a leash and attach to a sturdy object or doorway (helpful to open a door, loop the leash handle on the opposite side door handle, then close the door). It is a helpful way to keep the dog out of your hair but in the same room. You can treat (click and treat, praise, whatever you are using) whenever he settles down on the mat.

You should never leave him tethered unattended. It is better to train the dog to go to a mat without a tether (click/treat whenever he goes onto the mat, starting in small steps, such as looking at the mat, going near the mat, standing on the mat, laying on the mat), but the tether works in situations when you can't have your full attention on him (such as when guests are over and trying to eat). If you give him a stuffed kong on the mat, it could help as well to create a positive association.

I stopped my dogs from mooching by never giving in and never giving them any attention (including telling them to go away, pushing them off of me, etc.). I would stand up and move away with my food whenever they'd beg. If they were being particularly pushy, I proceeded as above.

I'm not perfect with it. I haven't trained them to go to the mat when we aren't at home yet.

PLEASE NOTE: I am NOT an expert on these things. Just sharing what has worked with me.

[pitbullmamaliz]

This is what I used to see if I was eating on the couch:


You can imagine how delightful that was. She's better now. She's learned she'll only get something if she's laying down, not staring at me. She has to maintain about a 2 foot distance.

[jnreem]

oh my goodness!! I love the picture, very cute, kinda looks like Buddy but he has a patch overr one eye. And I am reading the article as we speak. I am going to try this next time i eat!!