How to Help Your Dog to Stop Eating Everything on Walks

by | Feb 12, 2024

Does your dog or puppy love to eat everything when you are out walking together?  Have you thought about how to help your dog to stop eating everything on walks?

This can be quite worrying, can’t it?  This scavenging can be dangerous for your dog or puppy. 

In an ideal world if everyone went out and about and made sure that they disposed of unwanted food scraps or items this habit would not be quite as worrisome.  Thank you to those people who dispose of their unwanted food and scraps wisely, I congratulate you!

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I have been out walking in a grassed public area where what was left of a meal was left on the ground!  I especially become extremely concerned if there are cooked chicken or meat bones left on the ground as these can be very harmful to a dog or puppy, especially if they hurriedly scavenge them and quickly try to swallow these items as they do not want these “goodies” to be taken away from them. 

It is sensible when walking in areas where people frequent with food to be very aware of the pitfalls that could happen if your dog or puppy comes across what to them is a tasty morsel and quickly picks up the item in their mouths.

The safest way is to teach your dog or puppy the ‘leave it’ cue.  To perfect this cue, you would need to put some time into training your dog or puppy to respond to this ‘command’ for your bestie’s safety.

The best time to start teaching this cue is as soon as you bring home your new puppy, or if your dog is older, it is never too late to even ask your local trainer “How to help your dog to stop eating everything on walks” if you are not familiar with the ‘leave it’ cue.  It could mean life or death to your companion to be rock solid with this training technique.

You can always muzzle your puppy or dog when first out walking together, however, you would still need to help your dog to be comfortable wearing a muzzle and firstly, put time into helping your dog accept this item.

A muzzle would not be a long-term arrangement, however would be an interim item for your dog’s safety.

Once you have learned how to teach your dog the ‘leave it’ cue, it would be an advantage for your dog to also respond to the ‘drop it’ of ‘give’ cue.  I personally use both cues, as this could help if your dog has picked up something that you were not aware of initially, maybe you were looking elsewhere, you now see an item in your dog’s mouth and you can quickly tell your dog to ‘drop it’.  Of course, your voice would need to be firm, so that your dog understands that this is not a game but that it is important for your dog to comply with this command NOW!  After all, your dog’s safety is in the balance. 

As human beings when we know there is danger at hand, we do not say in a singing voice… tra-la-la Fido please drop that now… we would firmly say “Drop it”.  

I have had to do this.  Once when I was walking along the beach with my three Australian Kelpies having some free off-leash time, my youngest Kelpie picked up a huge piece of Jelly Blubber (Fish)… when I realised, I called out the “Drop it” command, but it was too late… I must have been distracted watching my other two dogs.  I was not impressed with myself for not being more observant.

What happened about a good ten minutes later, she was seeking grass to eat and she wanted desperately to vomit.  Thankfully we found some grass that she deemed suitable for eating and not long afterwards she brought up this very large piece of Jelly Blubber.  Yuk!

Thankfully there were no ill effects, so it is so important to learn how to help your dog to stop eating everything on walks.

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Until next time…

With Love, Success and Inspiration

Robin Oliver

www.robinoliveronline.com/blog

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With Love, Success and Inspiration,

Robin Oliver

Robin Oliver Pet Dog Training
Professional Dog Trainer

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