Bitsy, Charlie, Buster, and Nacey never beg. Justin and I can eat with them sitting on our laps without any begging taking place. Nova is usually good too, unless we are having chicken, then she begs. We eat in the living room on TV trays (we don't have a dining room table) and the dogs often sit on the couch with us. When we have chicken though we use the baby gate to confine Nova to the kitchen.