I just recently starting working with both my dogs on this behavior. Surprisingly, they've taken very well to it. We have a situation where the table is set up in the kitchen. From my seat, I can see them in the "formal dining area" that we don't use. It's more reserved for the kennels and puppy play area.

I have been working with the youngest Ollie (my 6-7 mos old Weimeraner) as well as Master Jake (3 year old Corgi). The pup's a maniac when it comes to having food out...he smells it and is overtaken with bad behavior right away.

I have done exactly what was suggested. I put them in their kennels but I don't close the doors. Since I can see them from my seat at the kitchen table, it's easy to watch and catch them making the move out. It's taking a while, but they're getting used to going into their kennels when they see everyone sit down. Jake now makes a bee-line for his kennel when we sit down to eat because he's smart enough to know that if he's going to get anything at all, it's going to be after we're done.

Ollie is just now (after a while) realizing this but still makes the move for escape to get underneath the table in hopes that the kids will drop something, anything! Since he's too young to even get the least of table scraps, he's rewarded with a simple treat after he does well.

It's disrupted me at dinner many times as well as my family having to give dog commands from the dinner table while we're trying to enjoy a meal. However, me getting up now to train them will save myself and my family members a great deal in the end.

Another command that all my dogs learn is "Out of the kitchen". I don't really believe they know what the kitchen is but we have tile in our kitchen and hallway and carpet in the livingroom/dining room. It's been that way in each house I've had. When I give that command, they avoid hard flooring altogether and know their paws should be on carpet...it's quite effective.