Food theft in dogs

Who doesn't know the feeling? With many dogs it is as if they were constantly hungry. They seize every opportunity to get at anything edible, for example picking up crumbs or, in an unwatched moment, swiping the sausage from the plate. Large dogs in particular have it easy here. There are the most bizarre stories, from the freshly baked cake on the sideboard to the freshly bought sausage that you didn't put up out of reach quickly enough.

Tips and tricks for a theft-proof household

If there is nothing to steal, the dog won't even get any silly ideas in the first place. Fruit should therefore be placed in a hanging basket. It is best to take sausage and cheese out of the fridge only just before eating, and you should keep biscuits in sturdy tins. The dog's own food should also only be stored in sealed containers. Don't take your eyes off the laid table for a single minute, because dogs use every moment in which their owner is distracted, unless they have been consistently trained.

Clarifying who owns the food

Make it clear that the meal intended for the humans belongs to them alone. Notorious food thieves need a clear no, which, depending on their sensitivity, may occasionally be spoken sharply and in a firm voice. To practise, you can use a bread roll placed out in the open. When the animal makes to take it, block its way. Step towards it standing tall and use a stop signal. Then take the bread roll for yourself to show that it belongs to you.

• Store food safely in containers and cupboards
• A clear, firm no in response to unwanted behaviour
• Assigning a fixed place during mealtimes
• Consistently refraining from feeding directly from the table

Fixed rituals promote relaxation at mealtimes

Teach the dog that he should not be right there during your meals and, in particular, should not beg under the table, which is a very popular canine tactic. It is best to assign the animal a fixed place in the living and dining room to which it can and must retreat when you lay the table and eat. There the dog can be given a chew bone until all the food has been cleared away from the table. Since dogs are extremely clever, your animal will soon know that the humans' mealtime means retreating.

Consistency as the key against begging

Before the actual theft there is often begging and being indulged. Once a titbit has been given from the table, the dog will in future stare at every bite and try to hypnotise the humans with a pitiful or piercing gaze. Before you weaken – which the animal of course knows exactly – you should absolutely refrain from feeding from the table or the kitchen worktop. If you can't bring yourself to do that, it is better to close the doors and let the dog wait outside. In the end a dog remains a dog after all, and we should always keep that in mind in our training.

This article serves as general information and as support for a relaxed everyday life without begging four-legged friends.