We trained Cubby to keep his nose out of our plates, but some how he learned not to take food off of our plates unless we put it on the floor call him and point at the plate. Then he will come over and eat what ever he wants. It is kind of nice knowing we can leave our plates for a few minutes and not worry about him taking anything or licking anything. If I make chicken with bones in it then I make sure to throw those away before he has a chance to get them, but I will leave the potatoes, green beans or corn or what ever we had with the chicken.