[Calin]

To solve the begging problem, I put my dog in a stay across the room. Periodically during the meal, I would get up and reward her with a small bite of something we were eating. She can't beg if she's laying down a few feet away, right?

I did this because like you, I had a lot of people who always want to give my baby tasty treats to 'bond' with her, but I also didn't want her to turn all annoying. So I figured if I let them feed her as long as they followed the rules, (I've found if you ask relatives, "Want to help me teach her something neat?" it goes over a little better) it would make both parties happy.

Now, whenever anyone sits at the table, Maddie lays down 5 feet away and tries to act as princess-y as possible.

YMMV, but it worked in my house. *shrugs*