How to train dogs not to eat indiscriminately when going out

When we happily take our dog out for a walk and enjoy the wonderful time with it, but then we see it lowering its head to sniff and suddenly picking up an unknown object on the ground and preparing to swallow it. At that moment, our heart seems to stop beating. When a dog eats randomly outdoors, not only is it likely to accidentally ingest poisonous substances or sharp foreign objects, leading to serious consequences such as poisoning and intestinal damage, but it also makes the owner constantly anxious. To help the dog get rid of this dangerous habit, we need to be guided by professional training methods and gradually guide it with patience and love to protect its health and safety.

There are complex reasons behind a dog's random eating when going out. In terms of its nature, a dog's sense of smell is extremely acute, dozens or even hundreds of times more so than that of humans. Food residues on the roadside and dropped garbage may have no appeal to us, but for a dog, these things emitting various odors are full of temptation, just like mysterious treasures waiting for them to explore. When living in the wild, dogs need to use their sense of smell to find food, and this instinct is difficult to completely disappear even after they become pets. At the same time, some dogs may have pica, which may be related to a lack of certain trace elements and vitamins in their bodies, or diseases such as intestinal parasitic diseases and endocrine disorders. When we see the dog getting sick because of eating randomly and lying on the ground weakly, we feel deeply distressed and are even more eager to find a solution.

In addition, insufficient training and the owner's negligence are also important factors leading to a dog's random eating. If during the dog's puppyhood, it is not given timely and correct behavioral guidance to make it understand what can and cannot be eaten, it will act according to its instincts. Some owners do not pay constant attention to their dog's behavior when taking it out, giving it the opportunity to eat randomly. Every time our negligence almost puts the dog in danger, we regret it and vow to train it with the right methods to protect it from being hurt.

To train the dog to get rid of the habit of eating randomly when going out, we should start with daily "refusing to eat" training. At home, prepare some of the dog's favorite snacks and items that are not suitable for it to eat, such as toys and empty plastic bottles. Put the snacks on the ground. When the dog is about to eat them, immediately give the command "No" in a serious tone, and at the same time, gently pull the leash to prevent it from eating. If the dog stops its action by following the command, immediately give praise and rewards, which can be delicious snacks, gentle strokes, and compliments. Through repeated training, let the dog establish a connection between the command "No" and the behavior of stopping eating. This process may require patiently repeating dozens or even hundreds of times, but every bit of the dog's progress makes us see hope and feel its trust and cooperation.

When the dog has a certain response to the "refusing to eat" command at home, we can transfer the training scene to the outdoors. Choose a relatively quiet place with few distractions, such as a path in the park with few people in the early morning or evening. Also prepare snacks and distracting items. Put the snacks on the ground. When the dog discovers them and is about to eat, quickly give the command "No" and tighten the leash at the same time. If the dog stops its action, give rewards and praise in a timely manner; if it doesn't follow the command, don't scold or beat it, but pull it away from the scene. After it calms down, start the training again. With the progress of the training, gradually increase the difficulty and practice in different environments and at different times, so that the dog can truly learn to refuse food on the ground in any situation. Watching the dog gradually learn to follow the command outdoors and no longer eat randomly, our hearts are filled with relief, knowing that all our efforts have not been in vain.

In addition to "refusing to eat" training, "walking alongside" training can also effectively reduce the dog's opportunity to eat randomly. Let the dog learn to walk alongside the owner and maintain an appropriate distance, so that the owner can better control its actions and promptly discover and prevent it from eating randomly. During the training, put a leash on the dog, give the command "Let's go" and guide it to follow beside the owner. If the dog walks ahead or deviates from the direction, gently pull the leash to bring it back to the correct position and give the command "Come back" at the same time. When the dog can follow the requirements of walking alongside, give rewards and praise. Through repeated training, let the dog develop the habit of walking alongside. When we take the dog out and it can obediently follow beside us and no longer runs around looking for food on the ground, we will feel at ease and proud.

In daily life, the owner's management and supervision are also crucial. When taking the dog out, be sure to fasten the leash, which can not only prevent it from eating randomly but also ensure its safety and avoid it getting lost or having an accident. At the same time, always pay attention to the dog's behavior. Once you find it showing signs of lowering its head to sniff and preparing to eat, stop it in a timely manner. In addition, regularly deworm the dog internally and ensure a balanced diet for it to avoid pica caused by a lack of trace elements. Every time we fasten the leash for the dog and check its body, it is our protection of its health. We hope it can stay away from danger and grow up happily.

Training the dog to get rid of the habit of eating randomly when going out is a challenging and warm journey. From understanding the reasons to implementing the training, every link embodies our deep love for the dog. One day, when we take the dog to stroll freely on the street and it is no longer tempted by the food on the ground but focuses on accompanying us, all our efforts will turn into the most precious memories and full happiness. Because in our hearts, the dog's health and safety are the most valuable treasures, worthy of our careful care for every moment of its life with professional knowledge and endless love.