These problems are common amongst many dogs and there can be a variety of causes. There may be medical reasons, or a predisposition of a breed of dog, that causes one or all of these problems. About these, I have no expertise. I suggest that your Veterinarian be contacted for health issues, especially for things that endanger your pet’s health, like suffering from excess weight.

However, there is one thing that I do know about, which can cause all three of the listed symptoms. That is, a dog being fed treats from the dinner table.

This is a scenario so often repeated that it has become quite a common practice for the family pet to live by the dinner table during meal times. They partake of slyly diverted green vegetables from the children. From adults they receive choice tidbits, because one cannot stand the whining and drooling, or the big brown eyes that accuse you of starving them.

Yes, it is very cute. Who can resist those warm, honey-brown eyes? What is the harm in this? Overweight dogs… dogs which drool excessively… begging which is not restricted to family but also guests… whining and whimpering… these are some of the normal results one can expect.

My experience in this field comes from observing my extended family’s black Labrador, Blake, and from training my husband’s own beautiful black Labrador, Wag. Labradors are a breed well known to carry excess weight and for drooling.

Blake was a typical dog in these regards. He was weighty, and at meal times he was so insistent that he would often almost push one off their chair, all with a delightful helping of silver dog slobber. This was the treatment for both family and visitors.

When we received Wag as a puppy, we determined to put in place methods to avoid these issues occurring, for his health, our sanity, and the benefit of our visitors.

From day one, we instituted a plan whereby Wag would only receive food from his dish. Any leftovers or food dropped on the ground would go into his dish. He would only be fed this along with the regular dog food at his normal meal time. We also make sure that only healthy food makes it into his dish-- no chocolate, cakes, sweet biscuits and such goodies.

We very strictly enforced this, even with visitors who tend to melt at his deep brown eyes. “No feeding the dog.” If an uninformed guest makes an occasional slip— which happens from time to time-- the one-off experience is not enough to break the ingrained model of behaviour and expectation on Wag’s behalf.

Note: dog treats, used to train your animal, are a totally different matter. As they are only used to reinforce a desired behaviour, it will not result in unwanted dinnertime habits.

I must admit, Wag is an outside dog. Around six months of age he was relegated to a kennel at the back door and then six months later the kennel was shifted to the back yard. I accept that with an inside dog, it will be harder to enforce these actions.

My recommendation would be to assign your pet a particular place to be while you are eating. This could be a cozy spot in a corner of the room, or if you fear that resistance to the brown eyes is going to prove too difficult, then a separate room entirely. At first your dog may whine or complain, but they will soon learn that this is the behaviour you want from him or her. Reinforce the action with pats and reassurances when their confinement is ended after mealtime. A dog will soon adjust and be quite satisfied with this. Consistency is a key in training your dog to do anything.

The tactics that we employed with Wag worked. At six years of age, we do not have a dog that begs for food. This behaviour is well established. Even when dining outside, Wag is only mildly interested in what we are eating. Naturally the smells are attractive to him. He will look, and be curious, raising his nose up for a good sniff. After checking out the smells, he will settle, or walk away and find his ball. He will do anything but beg, or watch the food being eaten. He does not associate us eating with him getting something nice to eat. Because we have maintained this line, our eating has not become a cue.

If a dog is anticipating that they might get something, and they know that what you eat tastes good, they will drool. The dog has learnt a cue – people eating – dog might/will get food – drool in anticipation, much like a human’s saliva will increase when imagining their favourite food. Drooling can be a symptom of other health issues or breed traits. If your dog exhibits excessive drooling for no obvious reason, then please consult a vet.

Just employing a little ‘tough love’ with your bright-eyed, new puppy will ensure a well-behaved pet at meals. It is not the dog’s fault if they whine at a visitor for food, when that is what they have been taught all their life. It is essential to train your dog for the desired behaviour, as much as you train a toddler in the use of a knife and fork.

Table manners are more important than having good social etiquette. Table manners produce a happier owner and pet. It also removes a potential health hazard from your pet’s life.

How to check if a dog is overweight:

A weight issue may not be visually obvious, so a hands-on approach is taken. This is a quick check that an owner can easily perform on a pet dog. It will work on most adult breeds. Feel along your dog’s side. You should be able to feel, or just feel, the ribs. Continue running your hands back, until just in front of the hips. There should be a hollow in the dog’s waist area on each side. If these cannot be felt, most likely the dog is carrying a little too much weight.

This is not a foolproof method, and it will not tell you if the dog is underweight, also a health hazard. A vet check is the only definitive and the most recommended method to check your pet’s health.

Important: Please consult your own vet or pet professional before using any advice!

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