I have tried to post this a couple times now but cannot find it in your forum. So, here goes again. My 5 year old Beagle, Milo, is a bad begger. Recently he has been on Prednisone, making him more hungry and he getting fed more. He has always had a begging problem but it seems enhanced while he has been on Prednisone, like he hasn't been fed for days! I am wondering how I can curb the begging altogether at this point. I considered a shock collar but am not sure how humane they are. Any suggestions??
Answer:
Please do not use a shock collar on your dog for any reason.
As for the begging - presuming you mean when you are at the table- obviously someone has been feeding him from the table. That needs to stop. You could always crate him while you eat.
Are you sure he IS getting enough to eat? Start feeding him twice a day, same amount of food, just divide it into 2 meals & add some fresh green beans which will add volume without calories. You can give him things like apple slices, broccoli, or baby carrots for treats.
Answer:
Unforunately, he has been fed from the table. I grew up with dogs and they all got scraps from the table. Milo is the worst begger I have ever encountered. I am pretty sure he is getting enough to eat. I have always felt bad leaving him with no food when I am gone all day so give him 1/2 serving but rarely has he eaten it. Then I add another full serving in the evening. He generally has it all eaten by morning, but has never been one to gobble it down right when fed. I will try the beans or other veges you listed and maybe will try to feed him just before me so he has a chance to be "full" before I eat.
Thanks for your help.
Answer:
Ahhhh so you're the guilty one! You are going to have to decide which way you want it. Please don't be giving him so much food that he is overweight. That will shorten his life considerably just as it does in humans
Answer:
I don't think he is getting too much to eatexcept lately because of the prednisone. I will definitely try to curb the table scraps and perhaps close him in my bedroom during mealtime. I do not have a crate and he didn't do so well in one asa pup. Chewed up everything in it, mattresses, blankets, etc!
One more thing, occasionally he will lick the carpet almost obsessively. Is that kind of the indoor equivalent to eating grass?
Answer:
That is something lots of dog do. Sometimes if they are licking many different surfaces it can indicate an illness. Personally I wouldn't worry about it.
One other thing, there should be no blankets or mattresses in crates. The premis of the crate is that the dog will not soil where it sleeps so to put something in there that would absorbe the liquid would defeat the purpose, dontcha think?
Answer:
All my life, we always taught our dogs during dinner (or any meal where we sit at the table) that they are to stay on the carpet (table is in dining room on linoleum)... there's a "line" there... they aren't allowed to cross it or they get scolded. I started this with Nikki (my pup) and she didn't understand at first, but quickly learned she doesn't like to get yelled at.... basically I lay her down over there, and tell her to "stay". First couple meals I had to keep getting up to re-place her in her laying down position & reinforce "stay". Also had to tell the kids to NOT look at them cuz they'd see that as an invitation to come to the table.... IF they stay where they are supposed to, after dinner I let them lick the plates (no scraps just licks).
Answer:
I think I will try Debby's method. I closed Milo in my foyer one afternoon during his prednisone stint because he was peeing so often. My mom came to let him out and he went crazy. Howls and yelps like he is being beaten! When I came home two hours later, same thing. He seems really traumatized by the confining since he has run of the house for about 5 years. Thanks for the info.