Thelmalu, I fully understand your desire for an animal that does not beg and try to eat off your plate. I have never liked being watched when I eat, even if it's by a dog or cat. I find it rude. Graham never begs because I never give him any table scraps (well, very rarely) and he knows that he is not allowed to beg, so he never does. Cassie has bad manners sometimes and she begs no matter what we are eating/drinking. I could be drinking a glass of water and she sits down staring at me as close as she can...then she starts to wimper (as if her pug breathing was not enough to make her presence known)

I don't give my dogs treats unless they are in training, and then I break the treats into tiny, itty bitty pieces so they don't get tummy aches. What they lack in treats, they get extra in quality food and lots of love.

My moms cats have bad manners also, they have complete free roam of the entire house, including the counters and the dining table. Her cats will jump onto the table while people are eating and paw at the food. I find that VERY rude and I always correct them when I am over at her house and they pull that on me. They were never corrected as kittens, so of course they would do that. If I ever get a cat I will set boundries right away because I don't have as much tolerance with an animal jumping onto the table and batting at someones food when they are trying to eat!!!