How to Get a Dog to Stop Eating Food on the Coffee Table

Once a dog gets away with stealing food from the coffee table, it's sure to repeat the behavior. However, food designated for people may not always be safe for dogs to eat, and can lead to weight problems. Onions, garlic, chocolate, macadamia nuts, raisins, grapes and guacamole are just some food items that are potentially dangerous to your dog's health. Your dog must learn to only eat from its feeding bowl or from your hand. Make it hard for your dog to access food on the table and correct an undesirable behavior.

Things You'll Need

  • Baby gate, crate or leash
  • Dog treats
  • Soda can
  • Pennies
  • Tape
  • Rope
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Instructions

    • 1

      Avoid giving your dog food from your plate while eating. This signals your dog that it's alright to eat table scraps and may trigger it to eat food of the coffee table. If food falls on the floor, instantly remove it so your dog can't get to it.

    • 2

      Block your dog's access to the coffee table. Block off the room with a baby gate or place your dog in a crate or other room, when food is served on the coffee table. As an alternative, leash your dog so it can't get near the table.

    • 3

      Keep food off the table if no one is eating. Leaving food on the table tempts your dog to eat it. Store food out of your dog's reach.

    • 4

      Tell your dog "No" or "Back up" if you catch it eating food from the coffee table or going toward the table. Always use the same command so your dog gets used to it. Give your dog a dog treat as a reward and praise it for obeying you. If your dog ate food from the table, avoid yelling at your dog after the fact, because it may like the attention it's getting and repeat the bad behavior.

    • 5

      Train your dog not to eat from the coffee table. Place at least 10 pennies in an empty soda can. Seal the can opening with tape. Tie a rope to the can and attach the rope to a food item that your dog favors. Place the food item on the coffee table. When your dog snatches the food, the can with coins makes a loud noise that scares off your dog and alerts you. After several scares your dog refrains from eating from the coffee table.

    • 6

      Feed your dog before eating yourself or at the same time you are eating. If your dog is well fed and not hungry, it is less likely to eat food from the coffee table.