Begging and food stealing

Ella doesn't really beg, she just HAS TO be under our kitchen table during dinner.
If it gets too bothersome, I crate her.
Do you have a crate? If so, you could try crating her during dinner.

Maybe you're little Winnie is craving real food?? Just because she's never had it [&o] doesnt mean her body doesnt want it,and desperately by the sounds of things [] I would start adding healthy extra's in with her kibble,hopefully this will satisfy her.I wouldnt ignore her,perhaps she really is trying to tell you something?

If you add something in with her kibble and you're concerned with her weight, steam up some veggies and add them to her food, or start out with a low fat meat like some kind of fish (salmon or sardines come to mind).

People food is not bad for dogs (I should say most), it all just depends on what you feed.[]

People food is not bad for dogs (I should say most), it all just depends on what you feed.

I agree,some folk will say it will make a dog fussy,but i think this only pertains if you are adding tasty extra's to entice you're dog to eat.My dogs will eat plain kibble,but i never give it.I always add something in with it,be it canned food,meat,fruit/veg,cottage cheese,yogurt....whatever!The list is endless,and they are happier and healthier for it.
Feeding the best dry food in the world still doesnt change the fact that it is still a processed,un natural food for our little carni's.ALL living beings need fresh food to thrive IMHO. Fresh,whole,live foods is not an exclusive right that only "humans" are deserving of []

There is a nutrition issue here that people are commenting on (would some extras be good for the dog?), but the OP's question is about begging, which is a behavioral issue.
 
I'd fix this by requiring behavior that is incompatible with begging.  Meals are a great time to work on long down-stays -- good obedience practice, and she can't possibly beg when she is lying quietly on her bed.  If her stay isn't solid, you may need to start with shorter intervals and work your way up.  But you want to establish the rule that at mealtimes, she must lie on her bed while you eat.  You can combine the stay practice with a "go to your mat" command.  Once she gets there, you can reward her with an engaging treat like a raw bone or artially stuffed kong that she can chew on while she is staying. 
 
At first your meals may be interrupted a lot if she isn't used to staying and you have to enforce the stay when she tries to get up.  But she should learn the new rules pretty quick if you are consistent. 
 
Of course, you could always crate her during dinner.  If you move the crate near the dinner table, you could crate her there with a yummy treat until she gets the idea that she is supposed to stay there during dinner, then start opening the crate door and asking her to stay in there during meals.  (Basically another type of transtion to a down-stay, just inside the crate at first.) 

There is a nutrition issue here that people are commenting on (would some extras be good for the dog?), but the OP's question is about begging, which is a behavioral issue.

Yes,but couldnt giving fresh,real food fix the begging issue? Win,win situation,the dog wins by getting what she wants,and the owner wins by not having a begging,food stealing dog [] It couldnt hurt to try,no?

Yes,but couldnt giving fresh,real food fix the begging issue? Win,win situation,the dog wins by getting what she wants,and the owner wins by not having a begging,food stealing dog [] It couldnt hurt to try,no?

The dog would probably STILL beg.  It wants more - of whatever it doesn't have.

It's a TRAINING issue - not a nutritional one.  Trust me - my Cocker is raw fed and, if given the chance, would beg like crazy.  And he DOES steal food whenever he can.  He is NOT lacking anything in his diet - except more food.   At least HE thinks so.

It's a TRAINING issue - not a nutritional one. Trust me - my Cocker is raw fed and, if given the chance, would beg like crazy. And he DOES steal food whenever he can. He is NOT lacking anything in his diet - except more food. At least HE thinks so.

Agreed. I don't have any starving Cockers, but I have a starving Dachshund who was taught, in the first part of her life, that begging was rewarded. It's a hard habit to break, but I'm working on it.

Trust me - my Cocker is raw fed and, if given the chance, would beg like crazy.  And he DOES steal food whenever he can.  He is NOT lacking anything in his diet - except more food.   At least HE thinks so.

 
My last dog was like this, and it was a major problem, so I am treating Winnie's begging like a behavioral issue.  Even though I was a little concerned, I am sure that she's getting enough food - she just wants more.  And she does steal if she can get away with it. 
 
It's kind of weird - if I give Winnie a piece of carrot, she barely chews and mostly swallows and immediately wants more, whereas Petey will chew and savor the flavor and is usually happy with one piece.  They're so different.
 
But, we're working on the begging, and so far it's going well.  She won't stay in her bed during dinner, but she'll lay mostly quietly in front of the gate separating the dining area from the kitchen.  If she gets up and jumps/whines, we correct her and put her back into the down/stay position.  As long as she learns to stay there quietly while we're eating, that will be fine, but I am going to work towards getting her to stay in bed (and farther away). 

have you tried making her own mealtimes more satisfying? dogs who gobble their boring dry kibble out of a bowl in ten seconds often act very hungry and un-satisfied with their meals no matter how much they get or how fat they are. Maybe if you fed her out of a kong or something while you eat she'll be happy to work at her food and leave you alone.

I would crate the dog/s or put them in another room while there is human food present.
 
Also, seperate them when THEY eat if one is stealing the others food.