We've all seen it, the family dog who behaves absolutely perfectly until everyone sits down to eat and then turns into a triple-crown Ultimate Begging Championship world record holder. He starts moving from one person to another, pushing his nose into your lap, and even putting his paws on the table while he stares at the food on your plate.

It doesn't matter what it is, all that matters to him is that it's food and he wants it.

One may wonder to himself how this normally well behaved pet has transformed into such a terror at mealtime!

The truth is that it only took one slip: one person just had to slip that dog some food from their plate one time and the dog was on his way to becoming a begging machine. That was enough for him to associate the table with his food.

Now, while a dog can't live on table scraps, they can eat many of the same things humans do so occasional leftovers are not going to be a problem. The problem only comes when you feed your dog from the table.

Should you decide to share food with your dog, obey a couple easy steps!

Share his treat solely in his bowl.

Don't give him anything until you have finished eating.

Adhere to these few rules and the future will be simple. Be sure his infrequent treats to praise him are the single food items not rewarded in a dish and you will teach good routines and won't be allowing him to develop bad routines - and make sure they are not from YOUR plates!

Breaking a bad practice is always more difficult than creating a good practice.