If you’ve ever taken your puppy outside and found yourself constantly pulling strange objects out of their mouth, you’re not alone. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, which means they often try to eat everything they come across. While this behavior is normal, it can be dangerous and frustrating. The good news? With patience, consistency, and the right techniques, you can teach your puppy to stop eating everything outside.
Why Do Puppies Eat Everything Outside?
Puppies use their mouths to explore their environment. This instinctual behavior helps them learn what’s edible and what’s not. However, this curiosity can lead to chewing or swallowing harmful objects like sticks, rocks, trash, or even toxic substances. Sometimes, puppies eat things because they’re teething or because of nutritional deficiencies, such as a lack of calcium.
The Risks of Letting Your Puppy Eat Everything
Eating random objects can cause choking, poisoning, or intestinal blockages, which can be life-threatening. It’s important to intervene early to prevent these risks. If your puppy does swallow something dangerous, contact your vet immediately for advice.
Effective Ways to Stop Your Puppy From Eating Everything Outside
1. Teach the “Leave It” and “Drop It” Commands
Training your puppy to understand the “leave it” command is one of the most powerful tools to prevent them from picking up or eating unwanted items. The “leave it” command teaches your puppy to ignore objects on the ground, while “drop it” encourages them to release something already in their mouth.
How to teach “leave it”:
– Start with a treat in your closed hand.
– Let your puppy sniff but not have the treat.
– When your puppy stops trying and looks away, reward them with a different treat from your other hand.
– Gradually practice with items on the ground and increase distractions.
Consistency is key. Reward your puppy generously when they obey, so they learn that listening to you is rewarding.
2. Use Positive Reinforcement and Distraction
Bring your puppy’s favorite toys or treats outside to keep their attention focused on you, rather than on random objects. When you see your puppy about to pick something up, redirect them with a toy or treat and praise them for choosing the right thing.
3. Practice Impulse Control
Teaching your puppy impulse control helps them wait for your permission before eating anything. This can be done through training exercises that reward patience and calm behavior. For example, ask your puppy to sit and wait before giving them a treat or toy.
4. Use Blocking Techniques
When your puppy moves toward something they shouldn’t eat, physically block their path using your foot or body to gently prevent access. This “blocking” technique interrupts their behavior and gives you a chance to redirect their attention.
5. Keep Your Puppy on a Leash
Leash training is essential for safety and control. It allows you to keep your puppy close and prevent them from darting toward dangerous items. Remember, the leash is a safety tool, not a way to yank your puppy away. Use it to guide and manage their behavior calmly.
6. Provide Plenty of Appropriate Chew Toys
Puppies need to chew, especially when teething. Offering durable chew toys outside gives them a safe alternative to sticks, rocks, or trash. Rotate toys to keep your puppy interested, and always supervise outdoor play.
7. Use Aversives When Necessary
If your puppy persistently chews on forbidden objects, you can use safe deterrents like bitter apple spray on those items. This creates a negative association without punishing your puppy, helping them learn what’s off-limits.
8. Consider a Muzzle for Safety
In severe cases where your puppy refuses to stop eating dangerous items, a properly fitted muzzle can be a temporary safety measure during walks. This prevents ingestion while you continue training. Always ensure your puppy is comfortable and supervised when using a muzzle.
What to Do If Your Puppy Eats Something Dangerous
– Contact your veterinarian immediately for guidance.
– Monitor your puppy for signs of distress like vomiting, lethargy, or loss of appetite.
– If advised, help your puppy pass the object by feeding a meal to cushion and move it through their system.
– Check their stool to ensure the object has passed safely.
Tips for Successful Training
– Be patient and consistent; puppies learn at different paces.
– Keep training sessions short and fun.
– Use high-value treats to motivate your puppy.
– Avoid punishment, which can cause fear or anxiety.
– Gradually increase distractions during training to strengthen commands.
Stopping your puppy from eating everything outside takes time, but with the right approach, you can keep your furry friend safe and happy.
Your puppy will thank you for helping them learn what’s safe to chew and what’s not!