Why Do Dogs Stare At You While You Eat?

Dogs stare at you while you eat because they want what you’re eating. In the wild, because they’re naturally opportunistic and social eaters, they stare at you, hoping you’ll share your meal. But just because they’re begging doesn’t mean you should give in — there are things you can do to keep your dog from giving you the side-eye when you don’t share. If it really bothers you, or if you’re having company, simply crate your dog (if they are crate-trained) during mealtime to eliminate the problem. 

How to stop your dog from staring during mealtime 

Why do dogs stare at you while you eat? They want your food. Because this behavior is a natural instinct, curbing it completely can be difficult. You can, however, take steps not to encourage staring.

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1. Never feed your dog from the table 

Unless you want your dog planted next to your seat at the dinner table for every meal for the rest of their life, do not toss them a treat from the table. Even if you only do it once, they’ll never forget. They’ll spend the rest of their life waiting patiently for a repeat. If you want to share your table scraps, you need to take your plate away from the table and put some space between the dog staring and you giving them the food so they don’t associate the two.

2. Ignore when your dog stares at you

You can’t say enough to eliminate a natural instinct. Instead, completely ignore their staring. Over time, this may help minimize the behavior.

3. Feed your dog before you eat

Some pet parents have had success with feeding their dogs before they sit down for a meal. If your dog is full, they may be less interested in whatever is on your plate. Of course, some dogs can never get enough, so don’t expect this to be one hundred percent effective.

4. Put your dog in a secure place

One way to keep them from staring is by crating them during your meals. Crating gives them a safe, secure spot away from the table, reducing temptation and helping them settle.

5. Teach your dog the place “cue”

Teaching “place” involves training your dog to go to a specific spot, such as a bed or mat, and stay there until released. This method teaches your dog boundaries and prevents intense food-focused stares while encouraging calm behavior during mealtime.