They’ll look at you with wide eyes, put their paw on your leg, and bark at you. We may not like it, but begging is a typical canine behavior. Therefore, why do dogs beg? Do they seem hungry? Can I tickle their belly if they want? Maybe they want to be the center of attention. Let’s look into it!
Why do dogs beg? Because it gets them what they want. Dogs don’t appeal to be annoying or complex; they get what they want or need. Canines have learned that begging occasionally yields desirable results. How simple is that? What, though, do dogs want? Do some digging.
What Do Dogs Like Begging for?
There are numerous reasons why dogs beg. They may be thirsty, hungry, or need a stroll. Dogs often try to get your attention by begging to be petted, played with, or even just looked at. If your dog is a cuddler, he may try to join you in bed. In this section, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular products that dogs beg their owners for.
They Love Our Company & Want Our Attention
A dog may beg in order to get our attention, among other things. Dogs may provide their human owners with friendship, loyalty, and companionship, among other things. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that we refer to our canine friends as “Man’s best friend.”
According to a global study on canine DNA, dogs were first domesticated roughly 11,000 years ago. In this period, dogs and people have successfully learned to coexist.
They Adore Food
Your dog may be hungry if he begs for food all the time. On the other side, there are those dogs that just can’t seem to stop eating. Dogs will often finish their entire serving of meat or biscuits, then clamor for more. It could be difficult for homeowners. The last thing you want is for your puppy to be hungry or have an upset stomach, but neither do you want to overfeed him.
The “begging” look on your dog’s face is hard to ignore. It can be difficult to tell if your dog is feigning hunger or truly needs more food.
They Enjoy Receiving Rewards
Dogs, despite their intelligence, are not especially nuanced beings, but they do appreciate being praised. A tasty dog treat is the best way to show your appreciation for their hard work. When a dog is rewarded for certain behavior (say, persistent begging), he is more likely to repeat that behavior in the future.
And what do you know? He plans to do the same thing over and over again until he wins the same prize. Dogs don’t intentionally act impolite or cheeky when they beg for rewards; it’s more of a reflex. Your dog is learning the basic skill of begging for treats and meals from you.
They Like to Come in
Dogs are social creatures that don’t enjoy lengthy periods of isolation, so while they may enjoy frolicking in the garden, they shouldn’t be left there unattended for too long. If cats know you are inside, they may try to get your attention by knocking or meowing until you come out to play with them.
If your dog scratches or jumps at the door, he is asking you to let him back inside. There are two possible explanations for your dog’s behavior: he wants attention or is exhausted from spending too much time outside. Maybe the weather has changed, and the heat, rain, wind, or threat of a brewing storm have made him anxious.
They Want to Share Your Bed
Your dog probably has a soft bed, kennel, or basket to rest in at your place. But why not sleep with you on top of (or under) the duvet if they had the option? If you’re woken up by your dog yapping or pawing at you while you’re trying to sleep, he may be pleading with you to let him come into bed with you.
Dogs may act this way for a variety of reasons. Canines, for one thing, tend to stick together. Puppies often become used to seeing their siblings soon after birth. They’re all crammed in close to their mom, nursing, and sleeping.
Wolves and wild dogs still commonly hunt in packs, so it makes sense that they would sleep close to one another for the same reasons. Domesticated animals nonetheless have this primitive urge, and they often view their human families as if they were a pack of wolves.
How Can You Stop My Dog From Begging?
What should you do if your dog’s begging is driving you mad now that we know why they do it and what they want?
Here are some ideas to consider trying.
- Re-structure Feeding Time: If your dog seems to always ask for food, try giving him his meals in a different room. When you leave the dining area, take his dish with you and set it down in the corridor or another room. If he sees you putting food on your plate, he may think twice before bothering you.
- Discipline and Learning: Teach your dog the basics, like sit, lie down, and leave it if you haven’t already. The probability that your dog will pay attention to you increases the more attentive you are to him. It’s crucial to show your dog appreciation for good conduct. If it doesn’t work, consulting a professional dog trainer can be the next best step.
- Establish a Dog Spot: If you want your dog to quit begging, you may need to substitute good behaviors for bad ones on occasion. If you don’t want your dog begging for table scraps, what can you teach him to do instead? Perhaps you could find a spot where he can take the dog for a stroll. You can train your dog to stop begging at the dinner table by simply telling him, “Go to your spot.” Your dog, on the other hand, can be trained to sit and stay firmly in exchange for a tasty treat.
- Ignore Begging: When you give in to your dog’s begging, you’re teaching him that begging is acceptable behavior. You might have a hard time tuning out his endless barking and howling. Giving in to his pleas by picking him up by the leash or feeding him from your plate sends the message, “Begging will get me whatever I want!”
