How to train dogs not to eat casually outside

When we walk our dogs on the streets or in the park and enjoy a pleasant outdoor time, we are often startled into a cold sweat by their sudden actions of lowering their heads to sniff and attempting to swallow unknown objects on the ground. Watching them trying to put dirty things into their mouths regardless of our obstruction, full of curiosity, a sense of anxiety and worry surges in our hearts instantly. Dogs are naturally full of the desire to explore the surrounding world, and food residues, decaying substances, and even toxic items on the ground in the outside world can all become "invisible killers" that threaten their health. How we wish we could teach them to distinguish danger and prevent them from getting themselves into danger by eating indiscriminately. Training a dog not to eat randomly outside is not only the key to ensuring its life safety but also an important process in which the owner protects its growth with love and patience.

From the perspective of animal ethology, there are many reasons why dogs eat randomly outside. Firstly, foraging is a dog's instinct. In the wild, they need to find food to survive, and this instinct still exists even in pet dogs. In the external environment, whether it is fallen food residues or items emitting various odors, they are all very attractive to dogs. They will use their keen sense of smell to explore and try to swallow, attempting to discover new "food sources". Secondly, curiosity plays a role. Dogs are curious about everything around them. Novel items on the ground and strange smells can all arouse their desire to explore. Driven by curiosity, they will "get to know" these things with their mouths without thinking about whether they are safe or not. In addition, some dogs may be hungry or have an unbalanced diet. If their daily diet cannot meet their nutritional needs, or irregular feeding times lead to hunger, they are more inclined to look for food outside, trying to replenish their energy. There are also some dogs that, due to a lack of training and restraint, do not know what they can and cannot eat, and have developed the habit of eating randomly during long-term free activities.

To train a dog not to eat randomly outside, the owner needs to start from multiple aspects and use scientific and reasonable methods to guide it step by step. The first step is to establish a sense of rules starting from the feeding process in daily life. When feeding the dog, fix the meal time and place so that it understands that it can only get food in a specific place and at a specific time. Before each feeding, let the dog sit quietly and wait, and only allow it to eat after giving the command "Eat". If the dog is impatient and tries to snatch the food, take the food away and make it sit again until it learns to wait patiently. In this way, let the dog know that there are conditions for obtaining food and that it must follow the owner's commands. Cultivating this sense of rules can make it easier for the dog to accept the owner's restraint on its eating behavior when going out.

Training the basic commands of "No" and "Leave" is crucial. At home, some items that the dog is interested in but cannot eat, such as toys and small stones, can be placed on the ground. When the dog approaches and tries to smell or eat them, the owner should immediately give the command "No" in a serious tone. At the same time, gently pull the leash or use the hand to pull the dog away to stop its behavior. When the dog stops its action and follows the command to leave the item, give snacks as rewards and praise in a timely manner, such as "Good dog" or "So good", so that it understands that following the command will be rewarded. Repeat this training so that the dog gradually understands the meaning of "No". On this basis, further train the command "Leave". Place the item on the ground. When the dog approaches, give the command "Leave". If it can follow the command and leave actively, also give a reward. By continuously reinforcing these two commands, the dog can quickly respond to the owner's command and give up the idea of swallowing when facing things on the ground outside.

When training outdoors, start in an environment with fewer distractions. First, put a leash on the dog and take a walk on a quiet road in the community or a path in the park. When you find something on the ground and the dog is about to lower its head to sniff or swallow it, immediately tighten the leash and give the command "No" or "Leave" clearly and firmly. If the dog follows the command and stops its action, immediately give snacks as rewards and verbal praise to let it know that it is right to listen to the owner outside. As the dog gradually gets familiar with the commands, the difficulty of the training can be gradually increased, and an environment with more people and miscellaneous items can be selected for training. In a complex environment, the dog will be tempted more. The owner needs to pay more attention to its behavior, stop its attempt to eat randomly in a timely manner, and continue to give rewards and encouragement. Each training session should not be too long, about 15 - 20 minutes is appropriate, to avoid making the dog bored.

In addition to command training, attention should also be paid to cultivating the dog's "immunity" to external food. In daily life, do not casually feed the dog human snacks, especially when going out, to avoid making it have the illusion that there will be extra food rewards as long as it is outside. At the same time, some dangerous scenarios can be simulated for training. For example, place some items with a pungent but harmless smell, such as a small ball smeared with a small amount of mustard, on the ground. When the dog tries to smell or eat it, it will feel uncomfortable due to the stimulation of the smell. Then the owner gives the command "No". In this way, let the dog gradually become wary of unknown items on the ground and understand that these things may bring unpleasant feelings, thus reducing the behavior of eating randomly.

In addition, ensuring the dog's diet is healthy and nutritionally balanced is also of vital importance. Select suitable dog food for the dog, and according to factors such as its age, breed, and physical condition, ensure that the food can meet its nutritional needs. Feed it regularly and in appropriate amounts to prevent the dog from looking for food outside due to hunger. At the same time, provide enough toys and activities to meet the dog's mental needs and reduce its behavior of eating randomly outside due to boredom and curiosity.

Training a dog not to eat randomly outside is a process that requires patience and perseverance. Every time the dog follows the command and gives up swallowing the things on the ground, and every moment when it refuses the temptation, makes us feel extremely gratified. We use professional training methods, full of love and care, to build a safe defense line for the dog and protect it from danger every time it goes out. We hope that every dog can learn to protect itself under the guidance of its owner and enjoy the beautiful outdoor time healthily and happily.