- Teach your dog such a good “leave it” that it works every time. …
- Reward your dog for paying attention. …
- Walk in areas with fewer temptations. …
- Make eating an adventure for the mind. …
- Do some nose work with your dog.
While the urge to chew is completely normal in young puppies, it can occasionally get them into trouble. Puppies are naturally curious. They frequently put new objects in their mouths as a way to interact with them and explore their surroundings.
Between the ages of 12 weeks and 6 months, they also experience a second teething phase during which they lose their puppy teeth and grow adult ones. Chewing can be an instinctive reaction to this process’ slight discomfort.
As chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, we shouldn’t reprimand them for it. Punishment is not an effective training method in any case. However, there are some measures we can take to attempt to minimize the harm done and the risk to the health of our puppies.
Treat-Based Training
Teach your dog the “give” command immediately if they have a history of stealing things like shoes or toys. Teaching your puppy to give you something they are holding will prevent them from scurrying away or clinging to it tightly.
Give your dog a treat and the command word—typically “give” or, for those who have working dogs, occasionally “dead”—while doing this. Pick up the toy once your puppy releases it, and then give them the treat. Don’t make this a game of tug-of-war or your puppy might perceive it as such and refuse to stop.
It may also be acceptable in some circumstances to simply let it go. A few weeks ago, as we were strolling down the street, Barley managed to get a mouthful of shredded sweet potato. I don’t know why a box of shredded sweet potatoes was left open on the sidewalk, but that’s a mystery for another day. When I asked him to put it down, he lifted his head and left the box, only keeping a small amount of food in his mouth.
Purchase our 29-page e-book, Polite Greetings and Life Skills 101, if you want more information on how to teach impulse control and other real-life skills.
By bringing treats along for the walks, Sarah is already doing a fantastic job. She is able to divert her puppy’s attention from undesirable objects and then praise her when she obeys. There are, however, a lot more techniques to try in order to train her puppy to stop eating everything.
It’s ok. Your puppy will get ahold of some disgusting dead fish, or a pinecone, or a pizza slice. If you feel comfortable, use your finger as a hook to remove things from your dog’s mouth. It’s important to praise heavily afterward. Ideally, you’ll then give your dog a bunch of treats or a good round of playtime. This will help keep her comfortable with your hands near her mouth. If you tackle her to remove tasty things too often, and she’ll start being suspicious of you!
You’re already doing a great job by carrying treats. If you’re using a clicker for training, you can begin clicking and rewarding your dog whenever they give you a look. This is known as a “check-in,” and it’s yet another wonderful ability for your dog to possess. If your treats are tasty enough, just doing this exercise will help keep your dog focused on you. If you have trouble getting your dog’s attention, try these three things:
Find food that fits your pet’s needs
You know the scene: your dog is strolling confidently alongside you with its head held high. You’re so pleased with how far he’s come in his training in such a short period of time. Your head is held high, too. After all, you have the perfect pooch.
Naturally, when the leash becomes tight, it jerks you off balance. As you stutter back, you notice that your adorable puppy has discovered some unidentified piece of food on the ground and is frantically licking it up.
Before you can ask why he must attempt to eat everything, he has already gobbled up a few bites of the slimy mess.
Read on for some suggestions on how to stop your dog from consuming (usually disgusting) things off the ground while you’re out walking.
FAQ
Do puppies outgrow eating everything?
Most puppies will outgrow their desire to eat everything. Others’ behavior will wane but possibly not completely disappear. However, if we focus on it too much, it may develop into an obsession and grow into a more serious issue.
Why is my puppy always eating everything?
In many cases, the answer is pica. An attempt to obtain nutrients that may be lacking in their diet is a common cause of the disorder known as pica. This condition may cause your dog to chew on or consume objects other than food, like socks, shoes, or toys.
How do I stop my dog from eating everything in the house?
- If your dog seems bored, make an effort to spend more time with them throughout the day and provide interactive, fun toys.
- If they don’t respond to training, always keep any dangerous objects out of their reach.
- If your dog is acting badly, avoid rewarding them because this will only serve to reinforce their bad behavior.
At what age do puppies stop eating?
Puppies stop developing and growing rapidly by the time they are six months old, so they require less food. However, most will continue eating puppy food. However, you should consult your veterinarian to determine the best food for your dog based on their specific nutritional requirements.