You fill your dog’s bowl with nutritious and age-appropriate kibble, and she won’t touch it. Yet, the moment you’re preparing your own meal, she’s right at your feet, begging for a bite. You know she has an appetite, but all she wants is “people” food. Can training classes help? Read on to find out.

Establishing Control

At the heart of all dog training is the reinforcement that you make the rules. Whether you’re working on simple commands, like sit and stay, or navigating the complex process of training your dog to walk off-leash, you’re teaching her that she has to look to you for guidance and permission.

By establishing control in other areas of your dog’s life, you better position yourself to curb her drive for “people” food. For example, commands like leave it can prevent her from snatching up table scraps or investigating the smells coming from the dining room table. With consistent effort, she’ll learn that she can eat what is offered to her and that begging won’t get her far.

Creating Routine

Dogs benefit from order and routine in their daily lives. Routine can stave off boredom, prevent unwanted behaviors, and set clear expectations for the day. When you’re training your dog, you’re creating habits for both you and your dog to maintain, which eventually creates a predictable and rewarding routine.

The same should go for your dog’s meal schedule. By feeding your dog at around the same times each day and taking any uneaten food away after about 15 to 20 minutes, you’re telling her that mealtime is nonnegotiable—regarding both when and what she eats.

Phasing Dog Food In

Training doesn’t happen overnight and neither does a dog’s change in food preferences. If you’re concerned about your dog’s caloric intake or specific dietary needs, you may need to phase dog food back into her diet. You can do so by mixing kibble or canned food in a bowl with smaller and smaller portions of the “people” food she enjoys until she’s willing to eat a full serving of dog food on its own.

Keep in mind, however, that for this process to work, you’ll still need to remain consistent with your training efforts and feeding schedule. Otherwise, your dog may realize that refusing to cooperate will yield larger portions of “people” food and the possible snack in between meals.

Is There a Time and Place for “People” Food?

Many dogs can benefit from the vitamins and nutrients in certain fruits, vegetables, and proteins that you won’t find in their kibble. As long as your dog is eating her own food regularly, you may be able to offer these healthy snacks as a treat or nutritional enhancement. However, there should be firm boundaries in place, which is where training comes in handy.

At ADU, we believe that training can transform your dog’s health and behavior. Learn more about our training programs today.