What to do with her during meals?

[scox1313]

I've been ignoring lou during meals, but this seems to be a get out of jail free card for her. she will chew and get up on the furniture. Sometimes in between us and try reaching for out plates or forkfuls. i'm starting to think ignoring her during meals is stupid.

 

[Kat09Tails]

Crate or a X pen works fantastic for meal times. It's not forever, just until she learns a few manners.

 

[Maxy24]

I agree, either crate or pen. You might feed her her dinner in there at the same time so she is occupied too.

 

[lizzybeth727]

Ignoring only works on attention-seeking behaviors. If she's doing a behavior that you don't like JUST to get attention, then you should ignore that and only give her attention for good behaviors. But what you're talking about here are self-reinforcing behaviors - chewing, getting on furniture, and stealing food are all fun behaviors for her and don't involve you at all. Ignoring these behaviors only allows her to keep doing them, so it's probably not a good training method for these behaviors.

Instead, do what the others have mentioned and put the puppy in a puppy-proofed area while you're eating so you don't have to worry about her doing any bad behaviors.

 

[milos_mommy]

Put her in a crate, and make it fun. Give her a kong or a chewy toy that she only gets during crate time.

Once she starts getting basic training dog (such as sit, lie down, stay), you can teach her to lie quietly outside the kitchen or at your feet during meals, but for now, confining her is your best bet.

 

[Maura]

What do you want her to do. If you want her to lie in the corner, then toss little treats into the corner to make it attractive. If she knows sit, then once she is in the corner, have her sit. You will need to begin training at a time you are not at the table eating. Use a cue, like "Place", have her sit in the place, treat, treat, treat. Spend five minutes of training her, and another five minutes a half hour before you eat. Treats can easily include her kibble. Big praise for staying in her place. As the days progress, you can make her wait longer and longer between treats.

 

[Paul Bright]

I would suggest for you to keep her in a different room when you are having your meals. Also, it would be better to time her meals with yours. So while you eat your meals, your dog eats too -- but in another room.