Begging Pets? Early Socializing.

Will Beg for Food!

"Begging is one of the most common issues that dog owners face. An unfortunate side effect of loving our dogs so much is that we would like to give them everything that they want. So when they start begging, it's almost too much for us to bear... and we cave!

With a little willpower on your part, though, begging can be one of the easiest behaviors to correct. Follow these simple tips to turn your hairy panhandler into a productive member of society once more!

1. 1. Do not give food.
2. This tip may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how few people consider it when they're looking into the wide, wet eyes of their beloved canine companion. That high-pitched whine is an effective tool against you, and your dog knows it. Why? Because it's worked before!
4. Giving food is a form of affection, and giving affection reinforces the behavior preceding it. Your dog has learned that if he begs, he gets food! Take a stand and start a new trend. Find the willpower to withhold that food, and your dog will learn that he can't expect rewards for begging behavior.

2. Ignore.
Begging is an attention-seeking behavior. Rather than give in to your dog's demands, ignore the behavior and teach your dog that it does not get results! When you talk to your dog, give him affection, or engage in direct eye contact, you are feeding his mental state. Instead, practice no touch, no talk, no eye contact.

3. Don't feel sorry for you dog..
Your dog is well-fed. You should know; you feed him! He is not in danger of going hungry if you don't give him that scrap off the table, so don't feel sorry for him when he flashes you those doughy eyes and places a single paw forlornly on your leg. If you become concerned about how much your dog should be fed, talk to your veterinarian. This can help ease your concerns and allow you to remain calm and assertive!

4. Be consistent.
In any kind of training, consistency is the key to success. For your dog to learn that his begging behavior is ineffective, it has to be ineffective 100% of the time. Inconsistent enforcement of  the rules leads to an inconsistently obedient dog! Make sure that every pack leader in the household understands and enforces the same rules.

5. Be patient.
Few dogs change overnight. If you have followed these tips to the letter and your dog continues to beg, don't despair! See Tip #4. Stay consistent and don't give up. Your reward will be a better behaved dog!"
From: http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/problembehaviors/will-beg-for-food
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Same kind of training works for kids and husbands!
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EARLY SOCIALIZATION
"All puppies require early and rich socialization with people, kids, other animals to become confident social adults, but HOW when they haven't had all of their shots yet?
A veterinarian's view on puppy socialization
Robert K Anderson DVM article

“The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life… For this reason, the AVSAB believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated… While puppies’ immune systems are still developing during these early months… appropriate care makes the risk of infection relatively small compared to the chance of death from a behavior problem.” - The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior *

Much study has been done on the critical socialization periods and professionals debate on how to protect the puppy from illness while meeting his need for rich social experiences.
It's a reality that puppies are at risk of picking up viruses in the world but "bubble boy" puppies who stay cloistered at home until they are "all done with their shots" can also be at a greater risk of becoming anti-social dogs who can't cope with life. "

At the seminar both Ian Dunbar & Jennifer Messer DVM recommended an accelerated vaccination schedule: 3 vaccinations by 3 months and begin puppy classes in a class with other vaccinated puppies at 12 weeks.
Prior to being able to attend class, they advised that puppy owners not walk their pups in public parks or around the neighborhood where stray/unvaccinated dogs travel until after the 4th vaccine, but to meet the need for socialization by inviting lots of kind, gentle people of all ages to their home and carry the puppy everywhere: the video store to rent videos, the fringes of a summer soft ball game, the grocery store to sit outside with the puppy on your lap and watch people and carts and kids go by.

Some suggestions: Wherever there are sights and sounds and smells and humans of a wide variety of ages of while he is still small enough to be carried easily. Places that don't sell food or pets are good choices - video stores, garden centers, office supply stores, yard sales - just don't put your puppy down on the ground where the germs are and don't let him sniff noses with other animals. You want him to meet lots of gentle kids, especially if you don't have any of your own."

Don't wean too early!

Puppies need to remain with mom and littermates until at least the 49th day.

Puppies who leave the litter too early may have problems with bite inhibition and have social issues with other dogs later.

Allow mom to discipline her puppies. Long after they need her for nourishment, they need her motherly example. Being told they can't have what they want any time they want it is an important lesson which will carry over to their future human family.

When she lies down in the middle of them with a bone and won't share or walks away when they want to nurse, they are learning an important lesson. Leaders control resources."

From: http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/earlysocialization.html
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Being consistent with "House Rules":

After raining quite a bit yesterday evening, so much that the dogs wouldn't walk down the walkway to the back yard to do their 'thing', we came to a compromise.

I knew they needed, and wanted to 'go' before bedtime, and so I took them out to the edge of the walkway, which is still under the roof of the house, and told them to 'go pee-pee' there.  With great gratitude in their eyes, they obliged. 
Now they know that when there are extenuating circumstances, the rules can be bent.  I didn't want soppy wet dogs coming back in the house, anyway!

They are both so good, but most of the dogs that I care for, are.  I think they know that there a certain house rules, and they oblige.  Even the cats know the routine, too.

It is a mild 60 deg., thunderstorms predicted, but they haven't shown up yet today.