I know labs are greedy, every lab I’ve ever know are like it and I thought our old dog was the greediest dog I’d ever met. That was until we got the dog we have now! He’ll eat his food (he’s fed twice a day) and immediately start jumping up at the sides or begging at the table. I say begging, it’s more like jumping at the table trying to steal food from plates. We spend every meal time trying to avoid him doing this. He has taken food from my sons hand as he’s eating! We’ve tried putting him in his crate, but he kicks up such a horrible noise, it’s nearly as unpleasant as fighting him off while eating! He licks plates as you’re scraping them in the bin and he nearly climbs in the dishwasher trying to lick plates. He literally won’t rest until everything is put away, dishwasher on and all the sides and table cleaned down to remove any remains of food. Sometimes we put his food in his snuffle mat or scatter feed him in the garden, but he’s always done and back at the table before we’ve finished. Our old dog would sit there watering at the mouth, but never actually jump up and steal food. He’s never aggressive with food and is a good boy generally, but while he’s awake all he can think about is eating! He’s on a very good quality food and his having slightly over the maximum for his size. We’ve had him since 8 weeks old and if anything it was hard to get him to eat when we first had him, because he was picked on by some of the other puppies in the litter.
hi Mark4180 Your description suggests you don't have your dog under impulse control at all. He does what he wants. You need to start doing two things at the very least. When you are eating or stacking the dishwasher, then prevent him from doing what he wants. The issue is how does one do this. Two suggestions. Passively: Put up a stair gate and prevent him from entering the kitchen and dining area. Ignore all noises from him unless the noises indicate he is becomes distressed. Otherwise ignore the whining and barking. Use ear plugs. Play some AC DC loudly. But ignore him. If you respond to his noise, then you will teach him to make noise to get your attention.You may respond to him if he has not been making a noise for at least 10 seconds. That is, you reinforce quietness and calm. Actively:Cue him to go to his mat. Reinforce him frequently for staying on his mat. Initially train go to mat without any food distractions. When he is regulalry going to his mat in the presence of low distractions, then start bringing out one food item. Reinforce him with food treats for staying on his mat. Second, see if you can find an on-line course on dog training. Jane Ardern's site may be of interest to you as she focuses on impulse control and frustration tolerance in your dog. Normally I would suggest a face-to-face course. But I realise the pandemic prevents such a worthwhile activity. Let us know how you get on.
