Hi Karen, If anyone at anytime has given him a treat while eating he has learned that this is community feeding time at the trough:-) From now on this stops and he is totally ignored. If he is being a pest during meal times boot him out into the garden before he realises the humans are being fed! Don't give in to him once, no treats cos he looks cute no treats unless he has performed a command or trick for you and then don't be doing that and munching yourself. I find with my young dogs that if I growl at them when they think they can scrounge they back off, remember you are the leading bitch and you don't give him the food off your plate. If you have leftovers save them for his breakfast. He is doing the equivalent of the bratty child in the supermarket doing the "I wants!" and mothers know what happens if they give in to that too often! Dogs are quick learners and pretty astute teachers, they realise quickly that as puppies we humans are mush but you have to start out as you mean to go on. I would not be nagging him with the word "No" but turn away from him and do not make eye contact though a hard haughty stare with stiff shoulders and then a disdainful turnaway works wonders:-) Dogs are far more affected by our postures than the verbal "blah blah blah" they hear:-)
Rose
