Problems with dog wanting human food @ family's house

bjizzle1 · 11-03-2009, 01:46 AM

I am having some issues. My 2 year old puggle will not eat his dog food when we visit my mothers which is abouut once a week or every other week. But when we are here at our house he will eat his dog food like it is going out of style. I know it is not good for him but my family has formed the habit of giving him human food all the time when he begs. I have told them several times to stop because he has accidents in the house and its a very ugly cleanup after 3 days at home. I dont want him to have human food at all because I would like to have my dog for a long as he can survive. I mean, we all give our pets a little bit of human food here and there. they beg me but I dont give in. maybe a nip off something here and there. and that is why he eats his food up here. its a habit he has formed knowing he doesnt have to eat his dog food at home because he will get a plate of whatever is left on my sisters plate or whoever is eating.

also, my brother is kind of a nimwit and sometimes i have to leave him there to watch while we are out of town for a few days. and I cant stress enough to him not to give him human food. he says "i put it out, but he doesnt eat it so i give him some human food" I mean, is the best way to break this just to absolutely make them stop giving him human food and even if he is starving not to and he will evenatually run to his dog food? I know that he starves at home because as soon as we get here like last night he ate his entire bowl and our mini aussies entire bowl. he was starving. anyone ever experienced this? and what would be a good rememdy to get him back on track when we do make the visit back home? I dont want the little guy to starve there when we go! and sorry so long! I am a very explanatory person!! =)

yappypappymom · 11-03-2009, 02:39 AM

Your pug IS FINE!! Don't worry about that part!! Its the PEOPLE that you HAVE to TRAIN that are around him...THEY need some stricter "rules" to abide by whilst your little man is visiting them/vise versa..If, even after some stern warnings from you, the PEOPLE continue to undo all that you have worked so much in acheiving-as pertaining to your pup, well then, I would reconsider taking said pup over to visit the fam. members, & leave the boy at home for the time being since the family(not with malicious intent) are actually causing a downward spirle in your pups training!!
Consistence here is KEY in training your pup...others, although they have great intentions, unknowingly will create/add MORE issues that you may not be prepared for...my luck goes out to you friend!! (you're gonna need it sooon enough I think) LOL

bjizzle1 · 11-03-2009, 02:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yappypappymom

Your pug IS FINE!! Don't worry about that part!! Its the PEOPLE that you HAVE to TRAIN that are around him...THEY need some stricter "rules" to abide by whilst your little man is visiting them/vise versa..If, even after some stern warnings from you, the PEOPLE continue to undo all that you have worked so much in acheiving-as pertaining to your pup, well then, I would reconsider taking said pup over to visit the fam. members, & leave the boy at home for the time being since the family(not with malicious intent) are actually causing a downward spirle in your pups training!!
Consistence here is KEY in training your pup...others, although they have great intentions, unknowingly will create/add MORE issues that you may not be prepared for...my luck goes out to you friend!! (you're gonna need it sooon enough I think) LOL

Haha, thank you for that post. I really needed the humor. You're right I guess my brother does need a good butt whippin when he doesnt listen to me on the topic. it does seem that everytime i take him home. Kobe( My dog ) Starts getting bad habits. like when i open the fridge he will stand there and look at me as if he is holding himself and needing to go out so bad. but thats not the case. he wants the food. apparently the meat is in the bottom drawer of my mothers fridge that they give him. and I just found out after being on the phone with my mom they have been buying him packets of hot dogs to give him, which is trying to spoil him. I guess im just going to have to clear that bottom drawer out when i go home. hence the reason his nose goes up in the air and i get a standing military salute form my dog when that fridge opens up. thanks i will hit them on the noggin whenever they do that. I had plans of that. i guess i just need to reinforce it more.

skelaki · 11-03-2009, 03:40 AM

1. Food is food. The problem isn't people vs dog food. Many of us here feed a raw diet. The problem is what type of foods, when and how much. BUT, your family should respect your rules for your dog and follow them.

2. Pugs and beagles (the breed mix for your dog) are both notorious for acting as if they're starving and for over eating. From your post, your dog is definitely not starving no matter what he's been telling you.

3. Good luck on training the humans. Dogs are much easier and family members are even worse than other people.

Elana55 · 11-03-2009, 08:37 AM

Get a crate and train your dog (and yourself and your family) to use it.

When you visit and you are there, crate the dog at human meal time. Feed him his meal in his crate. After you are all done eating, and the dishes are cleaned up, take the dog out of the crate and take up the food. No more food for doggy until you all sit down for your next meal. Repeat the process.

Training the humans.. well, all I can say is "good luck with that." I have found humans to be largely untrainable.. especially the males. Strong aversives and removal of things they want sometimes works.. but if you cave in, even once, you have to start over.

wvasko · 11-03-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Training the humans.. well, all I can say is "good luck with that." I have found humans to be largely untrainable.. especially the males. Strong aversives and removal of things they want sometimes works.. but if you cave in, even once, you have to start over.

How did we jump from Puggle training to to the largely UN-trainable male of the human species. It's not a question of the male training program, it's a question of the caliber of the trainer doing the work.

Jellybean · 11-03-2009, 01:47 PM

I agree with yappypappymom! You don't have a problem with your pug.....you have a problem with your people!!! You can't blame the pug for going after what he knows darn good and well he can get! Sounds to me like you have one smart little pug!! Not sure how you'll train your people but I'd put them all through bootcamp!!! <grin> And, it doesn't sound to me like your pug is going to starve, sounds to me like he has a great owner!

bjizzle1 · 11-03-2009, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellybean

I agree with yappypappymom! You don't have a problem with your pug.....you have a problem with your people!!! You can't blame the pug for going after what he knows darn good and well he can get! Sounds to me like you have one smart little pug!! Not sure how you'll train your people but I'd put them all through bootcamp!!! <grin> And, it doesn't sound to me like your pug is going to starve, sounds to me like he has a great owner!

He is a smart dog. In fact I dont think any dogs are stupid. its all in the owner and the methods you use to train your pet. different methods work for different dogs. just like the saying different strokes for different folks, lol. all dogs are trainable. its just the owner having the patience. some dogs like my puggle takes a little bit more attention. but my mini aussie. she picks up on things very quickly and is very easily trained. it amazes me how smart she is sometimes. My family in general is stubborn headed and i think they forget that I tell them their not suppose to do that.

lizziedog1 · 11-04-2009, 07:59 AM

Your dog exhibits the way dogs learn. Dogs are situational learners. In other words, they are quick to figure out what they can do and where. This is why some people complain about there dogs acting good at training class and acting like brats at hom. These people don't follow through with homework. The dogs soon learn that at puppy class good beahvior is expected and at home they can get away with everything.

If I took my dog somewhere and my wishes were not followed. I simply would not take my dog there anymore. My dog's health and wel-being is 100% my responsibility.

tnis0612 · 11-04-2009, 12:51 PM

I'm having a very similar problem. My 6mo old puppy never begs for food when i'm eating dinner...but at my parents house he sits next to one of them the ENTIRE meal waiting for food. Why does he do this? beacause he knows i'm not going to give him any and they are. I've told them many times not to feed him but they just me the "oh it wont hurt him"...what they dont understand is that I don't care that he's eating "people food" I care that he's eating YOUR food and not HIS food.

If I were you I would do everything I could to make sure no one ever feeds him from the table, or else most likely you will have a dog that sits by you waiting for food everytime you eat. Your dog wont starve himself. If he isnt getting food anywhere else, he will eat his own....eventually.

TxRider · 11-04-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tnis0612

I'm having a very similar problem. My 6mo old puppy never begs for food when i'm eating dinner...but at my parents house he sits next to one of them the ENTIRE meal waiting for food. Why does he do this? beacause he knows i'm not going to give him any and they are. I've told them many times not to feed him but they just me the "oh it wont hurt him"...what they dont understand is that I don't care that he's eating "people food" I care that he's eating YOUR food and not HIS food.

If I were you I would do everything I could to make sure no one ever feeds him from the table, or else most likely you will have a dog that sits by you waiting for food everytime you eat. Your dog wont starve himself. If he isnt getting food anywhere else, he will eat his own....eventually.

Perfect time to use a "go to your spot" command so he goes and lays over on a mat or something.

Or as I have also done, a "quit begging" command which means leave the general area and stop eye contact.

sassykzt · 11-04-2009, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizziedog1

Your dog exhibits the way dogs learn. Dogs are situational learners. In other words, they are quick to figure out what they can do and where. This is why some people complain about there dogs acting good at training class and acting like brats at hom. These people don't follow through with homework. The dogs soon learn that at puppy class good behavior is expected and at home they can get away with everything.

If I took my dog somewhere and my wishes were not followed. I simply would not take my dog there anymore. My dog's health and well-being is 100% my responsibility.

I have to agree!! Train your humans! It's hard on a dogs that are getting mixed signals! Is it possible for your dog to stay at home while you are at your mom's house??

Kay Weber · 11-09-2009, 09:57 AM

I agree it's a human problem. Your dog has been "trained" to expect food there.

At our house when my husband and I sit down to eat, all the dogs sit quietly in front of my husband waiting for bites. They don't even bother with me because they know I'm not sharing.

If I'm eating and Steve's not home, all the dogs just go lay down.

You will easily fix this problem with some "people training".