Begging Behavior Overview
Chihuahuas can do all sorts of things but the behavior which often brings the humans to their knees is begging. Begging leaves the owner happy in most cases and they reward the chihuahuas too, but sometimes it is too much of an endless series and is out of control, stop a chihuahua from begging is something you must care about.
It gets trickier if you have a small dog. They begin an aggravating fashion. They jump for the food or toys, whine and incessantly look at you with the saddest eyes, and refuse to do anything rather than beg. It’s just stressful for a chihuahua just like you. Why? Because it involves a large amount of energy exerted for high alertness and not to mention the overpowering sense of urgency.
Chihuahuas will be much happier when all this frenzy is removed so they can become relaxed as a family member and focus on healthy activities.
Begging means the canine takes control of the situation. Your leadership will mean much less. Your chihuahua may not listen to your commands such as staying beside during daily walks or even marking the behavior.
Besides begging can lead to unhealthy circumstances for your chihuahua. Relentless begging gives for more foods that are unplanned or any table scraps.
The Reasons Behind This Behavior
Usually, chihuahuas beg for a couple of reasons – when he isn’t sure of the outcome or knows the favorable outcome.
The habit of begging is complicated. It can be a tiresome emotional experience. Upon rewarding begging behavior, it immediately makes your chihuahua composed plus makes you feel like you’re doing a good job bringing up a dog. Sometimes your dog begs incessantly and conceding can make you feel like a sense of win for you.
However, begging can get out of control for you to only realize it was a bad habit and needed control. You need to train your chihuahua that the habit of begging doesn’t come with a reward or a favorable outcome.
It may sound easy but a lot of willpower and time come into play.
How To Stop Chihuahua From Begging?
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Feed Your Chihuahua First
In order to redirect your dog’s attention, you should feed him first, preferably in a separate room from where you dine. By giving your chihuahua a tasty meal, he will be too busy savoring the tasty foods and he won’t have time to beg you while you eat.
Also eating in a room away from your dining area is a good way to prevent your dog from developing begging behavior in the first place.
Change Your Chihuahua’s Diet
If you see that your dog comes to your dining area while you are eating before he finished his meals. Maybe it is time to change your chihuahua’s diet and bring your dog good canine food. To guarantee good taste and to keep your dog healthy.
You should also choose food based on your dog’s size. And never forget to follow feeding recommendations on the label. This way you are sure that your chihuahua is getting enough food each day that he won’t beg for table scraps.
If you notice that your pooch is still begging even after changing the diet, consult your vet because a health issue might be at play.
YOU CAN ALSO CHECK: Keys to an Excellent chihuahua Diet
Block Access To The Table
If your chihuahua is so persistent, blocking access to the table is a great way to prevent him from begging. Or you can close your dog in his crate while you are eating.
To make it easy for you and your dog give him an alternative activity to occupy him while he is out of the dining area, such as a puzzle toy filled with tasty treats
Decide On Foods For Your Chihuahua
Approving main meals are out of the subject matter because it is important along with snacks and treats. Sometimes, they constantly beg for the treats and give them essentially more calories than meals. Therefore, it’s important for you to reassess the snacks your chihuahua is getting.
Keep some special treats in stock and reward them the next time your chihuahua deserves them like following your commands, housebreaking among other rewarding behavior. Give other treats between mealtimes.
Work certain foods into the main meal which your chihuahua begs for the most. Don’t forget to check these foods are healthy and safe for your canine.
If you decide to share your food with your chihuahua, never do it next to your table. Instead, share it where you want your dog to eat food.
Keep Everyone Informed About The Plan
Remind everyone in your household about the plan you’re working on. Let them know that begging behavior is going out of hand and unsafe. chihuahuas have a good sense of understanding and if someone shows empathy towards them for begging, they know. They try to persuade hard as they can. If any member can’t stand begging and giving in, the plan will turn into ruins.
Not Acknowledging The Begging
To put it simply, just don’t offer whatever your chihuahua is begging for. Avoid speaking or even making direct eye contact. It can get difficult avoiding your canine but it’s for you and your dog’s own good.
Chihuahuas like to wear down the owners. They are full of energy and beg for what they want but if you outlast them they will give up eventually. A dog should be taught that there will be no favorable outcome for begging and all begging endeavors need to be stopped.
Chihuahuas live in packs and when they feel ignored, they will think they are an outcast. So they try to behave seriously for the things they are being ignored. Plus no eye contact means you won’t have to stare into your dog’s soul and think it wants something badly.
Distraction
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Distract your chihuahua with playing toys or activities. Just don’t let them think they are getting rewarded for any sort of begging behaviors. The end goal is to distract your dog in a specific way.
Take new toys and keep them out of the reach of your chihuahua. You entirely ignore when your chihuahua is barking and whining and when it stops, use the exact moment to hand the toys.
Take your dog for a walk and try to initiate a fetching game or other encouraging activities. Give a pat just not when it’s barking or whining.
Most often, chihuahuas only beg when the food is in hindsight like when getting a meal ready or opening a fridge.
When your transition the action into the other thing, you will be encouraging the chihuahua to concentrate on the new thing.
However, don’t just make-believe and actually reward your chihuahua. The goal is to strike a balance. Stopping a behavior can take time and effort so have patience and have a good time with your canine.
Always Reward Good Behavior
All dogs around the world love to be praised, which means that this is a great weapon we must use to train our chihuahuas. When you limit rewards to begging and not responding to this bad behavior, the periods of staying calm will become longer. So in order to maintain this type of behavior, reward your chihuahua.
Use words of praise, reward him by giving food, and via a to. Use some special and new toys to let your dog knows that this type of behavior is more appreciated. Using also an enthusiastic tone of voice.
Dogs are very smart, when a dog sees that remain quiet while his family is around the dinner table will bring a lot of joy and reward. He will repeat the same behavior that gave him that.
Be Patient
The process of stopping your chihuahua from begging can take a long time (a few weeks to a month). So you need the patience to reach your goal.
When your chihuahua realizes that his efforts will not bring any good outcome, he will never repeat this behavior. So the secret here is to ignore your chihuahua’s begging behavior for a long time(we mean b resisting, not playing, not giving treats, and avoiding eye contact) and to stick with the process long enough for your chihuahua to figure it out
Your chihuahua finally will learn that begging won’t lead him anywhere. But, not begging will bring some joy(foods, playing, etc)
Last Word
When the process of stopping your chihuahua from begging is finished, you will notice that your chihuahua is happier than before. Because the pressure of begging to have food is gone.
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