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An elderly man in a beige cardigan sits at a lace-covered table with tea and cookies as a black German Shepherd leans in. 13 / 36

Grandpa Otis Poured His Afternoon Tea. A Very Polite Guest Arrived.

AI imagegerman shepherdafternoon teadog manners

Teatime at this table is a quiet, dignified affair, and Bear has arrived with his best manners. The black German Shepherd rests his long muzzle right at the edge of the white lace tablecloth, his nose a polite few inches from a floral teacup and a plate of round golden biscuits. Grandpa Otis sits across from him in a beige cable-knit cardigan over a navy shirt, glasses on, smiling with gentle amusement at his guest. A china teapot waits nearby, a plant sits in the bright window, and a gray throw hangs over a wooden chair against the plain plaster wall.

Resting a chin on a table or a lap is a classic dog move, and it usually signals a mix of affection and hope. German Shepherds are quick learners, though, which makes them good candidates for table-manners training. Teaching a reliable "go to your mat" or "place" command gives a dog a clear job during meals, and rewarding calm behavior works better than scolding begging. Tea and many cookies aren't good for dogs, since caffeine can be harmful and some baked goods contain chocolate, raisins, or sweeteners that are dangerous to pets. Keep a few dog biscuits handy so the polite waiter can be rewarded properly.

Bear isn't pushing his luck, just making his presence known. Otis appears to enjoy the company, and perhaps a dog-safe treat will appear once the teapot is empty.

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