Pet owners across the UK are discovering a remarkably simple solution to one of the most common canine problems: begging at the dinner table. Behavioural specialist Amelia Steele has taken social media by storm with her effective training technique that has amassed over 3.5 million views on TikTok.
The Viral Solution to Mealtime Manners
Amelia Steele, known online as @Ameliathedogtrainer, has developed a loyal following for her practical pet advice. Her latest viral video addresses the age-old problem of dogs pestering their owners during human mealtimes, offering a method that delivers visible results in just five minutes.
The technique focuses on positive reinforcement and transforming your dog's bed into their designated feeding spot. "While there's food on the table, stand up every 10 to 30 seconds and feed them a treat on their bed," Amelia instructs in her popular video.
How the Training Method Works
The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity and effectiveness. Initially, dogs don't need to remain on their bed - the goal is simply to associate the bed with receiving rewards. "Because the bed is the only place they get fed, they will start to stay there naturally," Amelia explains.
Once the dog begins staying on their bed voluntarily, owners can gradually increase the difficulty. "Once they are staying there, get up every now and again to reward them for staying. Over time, you can move their bed further away and space the treats out more to build distance and duration," she advises.
The method proved so effective that Amelia recorded her own dogs remaining calmly on their mats after just a single five-minute training session.
Overwhelming Positive Response From Dog Owners
The technique has generated tremendous enthusiasm among pet owners, with the video receiving over 370,000 likes and countless positive comments from grateful followers.
One impressed viewer commented: "This was so helpful! I have been trying to do something similar with my boyfriend's dog but this provided extra help I needed."
Another added: "If you take time to learn how dogs operate and communicate, they are pretty easy to train and get along with. They are so smart and eager to please."
Life-Saving 'Leave It' Command Technique
In another popular video, Amelia demonstrates how to teach dogs the potentially life-saving 'leave it' command for dangerous situations. "Teaching your dog to 'leave it' is an absolutely life-saving skill," she emphasises.
The method involves presenting one treat while rewarding the dog with a different treat when they choose not to eat the first one. "I'm going to take one treat, and I'm going to hold it in my hand like this, and then I'm going to show it to my dog, I'm going to let him sniff it, and as soon as his nose comes away, I'm going to mark [or say] yes, and I'm going to give him a different treat," she explains.
Once the dog understands the concept, owners introduce the verbal cue "leave it" before the dog moves away from the treat, gradually building reliability in various situations.
The technique has proven successful even for sceptical owners, with one commenter sharing: "I thought nah...won't work for my dog, but still tried it. Wow! It worked like a charm!!"
Another grateful pet owner highlighted its real-world importance: "This and 'drop it' have been essential for my dogs. My GSD was on a walk, and I didn't see a chicken bone on the floor until she picked it up."
