If you give in to your dogs begging antics, you can expect the same at any mealtime. Your dog doesn’t care if you have company or not, the “act” gets attention. Your dogs “starving” performance will soon evolve into more creative acts in order to get the expected attention - drooling, barking, balancing on hind legs, jumping up, and running all around the room when little scraps just happen to fall on the floor.

The Problems with Table Feeding Your Dog

Feeding your dog scraps at the table encourages bad behavior.
There is the risk of your dog becoming overweight with the additional meals.
Your dog will learn that mooching equals more food.

Food scraps can be unsafe for some dogs. The constant variation to the dogs diet can lead to diarrhea, vomiting or a serious case of gas. Some dogs have sensitive digestive systems, some dogs are sensitive to variations in their diet; in these situations, eating too much human food which is high in sugar and sodium, could lead him/her to a serious illness. Other dogs have "iron" stomachs and seem to be able to tolerate regular additions of human food; for these dogs, please be selective with what is fed.

There are many foods and ingredients that are toxic to dogs.
To name a few:

tomatoes
onion
garlic
grapes
raisins
chocolate
macadamia nuts

Other foods that are not healthy for dogs for various reasons are

cooked bones (especially poultry)
cookies
cakes
ice cream
fried foods
greasy foods

Can He Have Just A Little?

Your dog can enjoy some human food. If you would like to feed your dog a few morsels, it is best to place them in his food bowl after you have finished your meal - do not hand feed your dog from the table or surrounding area. Another alternative is to save the scraps for the next day and add it to his/her regular meal.

Be sure tthat you select only healthy scraps.
Ideal leftover foods include:

meat
rice
vegetables
fruit
plain yogourt

Remember, occasionally offering tidbits of food to your dog as a treat is fine, but daily or large portions of scraps are not.

How To Stop Your Dog From Begging

Instruct each family member and request that visitors do not feed "pooch" at the table.
Ignore the begging act. It should only take a few mealtime sessions of being ignored for your dog to catch on and eventually stop begging.
If you have been feeding your dog from the table for a while, it may take longer for him or her to stop this behavior - be patient.
If ignoring your dog doesn’t work, try changing tactics. Put him/her into the crate, put him/her outside while you eat, or block him/her from the dining area. Remember, always make it pleasant experience, not a punishment.
If your dog is trained to understand the down and stay command, use these commands if he/she misbehaves at the table.
You may send your dog to a designated waiting spot before you sit to eat your meal. Be sure to provide him/her with some entertainment while he waits – a bone to chew on or fill a rubber tube toy with his favorite treat.
Try feeding your dog before you sit down to your meal.
You could also have a playtime or exercise session with your dog before your mealtime. This may prompt a nap rather than begging.

Following these guidelines should get you a well-mannered dog that you can be proud of at mealtimes.

See the Nothing in Life is Free article for more hints and ideas.