Just Last Night, I Took Sonny for a Walk and Came Home Later Than Usual.In the elevator, I noticed Sonny lowered his head and licked the floor. I thought it was just my imagination since I didn’t see him chewing. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw his mouth move a couple of times. When I looked directly at him, he stopped. Still not entirely convinced, I opened his mouth to check. Sure enough, there was something there! Sneaky little guy, he pretended like nothing was happening, waiting until we weren’t paying attention to start chewing. When I pried open his mouth and took it out, it turned out to be a piece of fried fish skin. I was losing my mind! He had been doing so well with not eating things off the ground—until I slacked off on reinforcing the training for just a little while, and now he was sneaking snacks.Dogs eating things off the ground can be very dangerous. If it’s something toxic, the consequences could be devastating! Anyone who owns a dog knows that they are incredibly food-driven. Without proper training, they will almost certainly eat food they find on the ground. Even with training, if they’re hungry or the smell is irresistible, they’ll always be tempted to try it! If you want to stop your dog from eating random things outside, here are a few methods that, when used together, can be more effective and systematic.
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“Refusal Training” is Key to Teaching Your Dog the “Only Eat When You’re Fed by the Owner” Habit
Training should start at home. First, ask your dog to sit calmly, while placing its favorite treats nearby. As soon as the dog tries to get closer to the food, immediately give a clear command like “No” or “Leave it,” while gently pulling on the leash to stop them. If your dog follows the command, reward it with a tastier treat to reinforce the positive behavior. Once your dog masters this at home, you can move the training outdoors. Have a friend place food on the ground, and repeat the process, gradually teaching your dog that “things on the ground are not for eating.” The type of food can be gradually varied. It’s important to remain patient during the training process—never scold or punish the dog for occasional mistakes, as this could create fear and have the opposite effect.
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Leash Training: Mastering “Active Control” is Also Crucial
Many dog owners make the mistake of letting the leash out too far during walks, causing their dogs to stray out of control and pick up things from the ground. The correct approach is to adjust the leash length so that your dog can move freely but still stays within your line of sight, with your hand gently guiding the leash. As soon as you notice your dog lowering its head to sniff or try to grab something, immediately pull up on the leash while giving the “Come” command, guiding its attention back to you, and rewarding it with praise and treats.
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Prevent From the Source: Control Your Dog’s Mouth
Some owners feel reluctant to use a muzzle, as it can be uncomfortable for the dog at first. As an alternative, you can use a head halter, which is more comfortable and less restrictive, while still preventing the dog from picking up things off the ground. However, like a muzzle, it may take some time for the dog to get used to it. Sonny has never tried this method, but if anyone has used it with their dog, feel free to share your experiences on how they reacted when first wearing it.
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Avoid Going Out When Your Dog is Too Hungry
A hungry dog is more likely to be attracted to food on the ground. It’s best to take your dog out at least two hours before meal time. Last night, I returned home later than usual, which caused Sonny to miss his regular feeding time. Being quite hungry, and smelling delicious food on the ground, he lost control for a moment. Sonny’s outdoor refusal training definitely needs to be reinforced.
Today’s Topic: Does Your Dog Eat Things Outdoors? What Effective Methods Have You Used to Improve This Behavior?Feel free to leave a comment and share pictures in the comment section—let’s exchange tips and experiences!
