When it comes to begging, Neil (left) pounces on dropped food and Gabriel will hint by chewing loudly. Photo: Shayne Lee
Dogs are excellent communicators, with some learning dozens and more words and expressions in Human. However, when it comes to the important stuff in life – treats, cuddles and walks – dogs bring out a battery of tools to get their way.
Although some owners are rather strict about this, others go with the flow.
Shayne Lee, a marketing executive in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, grew up with dog companions. Today she has two Maltese, Neil who is 17, and Gabriel who is 15.
"I'm a bad example, maybe," Lee giggles. "We went through obedience training but we are not strict parents. We don't do command tricks like roll over, either. For us, obedience training was just about communicating."
And both Neil and Gabriel are well aware of this.
"When we have food, they're there, supervising," Lee shares. "They give us big round eyes, and you can tell they are waiting for something to drop."
"It's a competition in patience. We pretend we don't know what they want, and they keep at it."
Neil is an expert at the pounce, winning out if anyone drops anything by charging in like a ninja. But Gabriel has picked up on an unusual trick.
"Gabriel learned that mimicking chewing will work," Lee says. "If we hang tough, and don't offer a bit, he sits there and pretends he's eating something. He does it right in front of us. It's a super clear, 'Hello, I need something'."
Gabriel begging for titbits. Photo: Shayne Lee
Lee doesn't mind, admitting that the humans sometimes win but it's usually the dogs who get their way.
"Walks and cuddles are part of the routine, so they never need to ask for those," she says. "But food is always on their menu. Neil goes crazy for Japanese sweet potato and Gabriel is nuts for cheesecake. When they see their favourite, they go into overdrive and we don't even try to pretend we won't give in."
Cheah Siew Yenn, who runs FurrenzPets, a cage-free boarding facility in Selangor that also produces BARF – Biologically Appropriate Dog Food – and pet treats has six dogs of her own in addition to guesting pets.She is also currently fostering Panda, a pretty little crossbreed who could double for a job as Queen of the Beggars.
"Panda lives for attention," Cheah laughs. "When you sit down, her head is in your lap because she wants petting. She's right in front of you, pushing her head under your hands, and even if you're not thinking about it, you find yourself stroking her.
"With Panda, there's no choice. She sits there, sayin, 'No worries, I know what to do' and you pet her, whether you want to or not."
Panda begs shamelessly for cuddles. Photo: Cheah Siew Yenn
Panda is a diva, too, demanding the lion's share of attention.
"When the other dogs are there, she's jealous and I need to pet her more," Cheah confesses. "My six dogs have their baskets in my room, so at night, when it's bedtime, they get up and Panda knows immediately what happens next. She will pull her grumpy face and scold them. One of my dogs is her aunt, but Panda tells her off too. And me."
The little pup is also keen on extra treats and bites. "When you eat, she tries to climb on the table."
Cheah tries to sound serious and fails. Adding with a laugh, "She is a real stubborn character but I'm teaching her to sit.""Panda is fun, and very sweet but she is a stubborn character."
Serene Yiwah sympathises. She has Cotton, a five-year-old Poodle; Zoe, a six-year-old mixed breed; and a little foster dog, Xiao Hua aka Little Flower, a two-year-old mixed breed.
"Cotton is a beggar," she says. "She's always looking when I eat, giving me big eyes. I don't feed her. I make a point of it, actually. But it doesn't matter because Cotton knows what she wants: My food! And if I'm not careful, she'll try to climb onto the table."
Cotton had a rough start in life so her owner is extra patient with her. Photo: Serene Yiwah
Yiwah, from Johor Baru, isn't a fan of begging pets but she is gentle with Cotton (and probably lets her get away with murder) because the little dog had a rough start in life.
"Cotton lives with me because I got a call from the local vet one day saying an owner was asking to put down a healthy dog. The owner claimed there was a heart issue but there was no real problem. There was just a bit of a fur issue and I suspect poor Cotton was stuck in a cage, poor thing."
Given the circumstances, Yiwah is super patient.
"Poodles are smart usually but Cotton, well, she's the opposite," she says diplomatically. "It's not surprising because you can't learn when you're just stuck in a cage, right? She has no manners, poor girl."
"The second I turn my back, she steals. She even digs in my bin if I'm not careful. But she's improving so much."
Thankfully, Zoe and Xiao Hua set a good example.
"They know when it's treat time," Yiwah smiles. "They get ready and wait. And when they see their treat, they spin and spin and spin. Same with dinner. It makes me smile when they do that. For them, food is a celebration."
