This is in response to both of those posts on begging: What we have done and is best of started right from the getgo but I can see that it would work equally well for older dogs is to have the dog go in another room or even to feed them their meals at the beginning at the same time as the humans have their dinner. The trick is that the dogs have their food in anothe room. If that isn't feasible because meal times are way different among the humans and the dogs, make the dogs go in another room with a toy or treat while the humans eat and do not let the dogs come back to the human eating area until all food and plates have been cleared. After a good while of this routine you can simply tell the dog "go to the living room" or whichever room you designate. I do not find it helpful to allow the dogs to stay in the room where you are eating until they are fully trained. I have my dogs trained so that even if we are eating in front of the TV and the dogs are lying on the floor, and one begins to beg or look at you while you are eating, we just say "no begging in a firm voice" and they go on to do something else or avert their stares. Works like a dream for us! My trick has always been to choose and use 1 consistent voice command for pretty much everything and train it on the reward system and my dogs and horses all pretty much learn the same way and it does work. Consistency is the key! Hope this helps!

We have a new member to the family right now a 13 week old Maltese/Pomeranian cross that we are potty training. We just got her on Saturday and already she has learned very quickly the command "get busy" for her to do her business in her potty area. She is not fully trained yet and this has yet to be 100% confirmed but it's working well so far!

I have a black Labrador that was very food motivated and would exhibit similar behaviors as your dogs. However I found a technique that takes patience and it sounds like you do. Each time I would begin to eat and my dog would beg I would position my body and use it to move him to a spot. This spot was a simple bathroom rug. If he then go back up while I was still eating I would then repeat the process. Eventually I linked my dog going to the rug with the command "Spot". He now knows that when I am eating he is to be calm and submissive on his rug because if he not I will consistently put him in that state. Once done eating I give him praise for listening. Its frustrating at first because there were times where i prolly got up about 15-20 time on a couple occasions but when they get it you can be proud of your dog when company is over and they see the discipline you dog has. So give this a try and i hope it works for you. Be patient!!!!