eating non food items and begging

Question
Marwan
I have a Tibetan Terrier, 8 months old that loves to eat non food items, especially paper products. Another thing he does is beg and it's really bad. If we're eating, he bark and bark to get a handout until we finally put him outside until we're done eating.He'll jump up and take food out of your hand or steal it from the table if he can reach it and he chews on wooden items, like our son's toys. How can we stop his behaviors?
Irene C.
Reno, NV

Answer
Dogs eat stuff because they are bored, or hungry. You should try giving him more food, more toys, more artificial bones, and spending more time with him. This problem is very serious and dangerous. Untill he gets used to not eating them, try as best as you can to keeps these stuff away from him. Your dog will grow out of this problem when he grows up.
Begging has 2 solutions, you should to try both of them.
1)Prove you are dominant over him.(eat before you feed him, if hes sitting on the couch put him on the floor...)
2)Everytime he goes to beg you, put your hands to your sides, and look up high. Dogs hate people showing off, so in a couple of minutes he will leave you alone.
Everytime your dog begs or tries to eat something that he shouldnt, correct him. you can either clap your hands and say "No" firmly. Or put your hands aroung his mouth for a couple of seconds.(This isnt mean, this is dog language.)
Your dog will also grow out from begging, probably.
If you need anything else I'll be more than happy to help you.
Good luck...