It’s a common and frustrating situation for dog owners: you’re out for a pleasant walk, and suddenly your canine companion snatches a piece of garbage from the ground and begins to eat it. This habit is not only unappealing but can also lead to serious health issues if your dog ingests something toxic. Fortunately, with consistent training and a proactive approach, you can teach your dog to resist this urge.
Teaching your dog the “leave it” command is a fundamental skill for preventing them from eating garbage during walks. This command signals to your dog that they should stop their current action and disengage from whatever has caught their attention. Starting this training in a low-distraction environment like your home is crucial for success. According to Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, DACVB, president of the Center for Canine Behavior Studies, this foundational training helps build a strong understanding of the command. To make the command highly motivating, use extremely valuable treats, such as small pieces of meat, as rewards when your dog successfully complies. Melissa Bain, DVM, a professor of clinical animal behavior at UC Davis, emphasizes that this positive reinforcement teaches your dog that obeying the “leave it” command is far more rewarding than scavenging.
Planning Your Walks to Avoid Temptation
Some public areas, such as parks or bus stops, tend to accumulate more discarded items, presenting a constant temptation for your dog. If your dog has a solid grasp of the “leave it” command, these areas can serve as excellent practice grounds for reinforcing their training. However, if you are aiming for a stress-free walk or if your dog is still developing their obedience skills, it is advisable to steer clear of areas with a high concentration of trash to ensure your dog’s safety.
Claiming the Garbage: A Dominance-Based Approach
Your dog might be more inclined to leave garbage alone if you assert your ownership over it. This method is an extension of the “leave it” command, incorporating body language to signal your dominance. To implement this technique, you can “claim the garbage” by following specific steps. This approach can also be effective for dogs who raid household trash cans, but it requires you to actively catch your dog in the act of lunging for trash for the trick to be most impactful.
Redirecting Your Dog’s Focus
Keeping your dog’s attention directed towards you during walks can significantly reduce undesirable behaviors like garbage eating or reacting to other dogs. This consistent focus teaches your dog that paying attention to you is more rewarding than external distractions. To cultivate this, begin by rewarding your dog whenever they voluntarily make eye contact with you during walks. Cathy Madson, MA, CPDT-KA, a certified professional dog trainer and canine behavior consultant, notes that even a brief glance deserves acknowledgment and reward. The more you reinforce your dog for focusing on you, the more they will naturally offer this behavior. This training becomes invaluable when you spot a piece of garbage ahead. By keeping your dog’s attention on you as you pass the item, perhaps by calling their name or holding a treat near your face, you can prevent them from becoming tempted. Bain advises that training should commence in less challenging environments, such as the home and yard, before expecting a dog to maintain focus amidst more stimulating surroundings.
Utilizing a Muzzle for Safety
For dogs who struggle to resist the allure of garbage, using a muzzle during walks may become a necessary safety measure. Muzzle training can be particularly beneficial for dogs with a history of consuming items too quickly for you to intervene with a “leave it” cue. Madson explains that this allows you to prevent the ingestion of dangerous or toxic materials while you continue to work on solidifying their “leave it” command. It is imperative, however, to acclimate your dog to the muzzle gradually. Start by having them wear it for short durations, followed by high-value rewards. Bain stresses the importance of positive conditioning, ensuring your dog accepts wearing the muzzle rather than simply enduring it.
Recognizing Signs of Ingestion
If, despite your best efforts, your dog manages to eat something from the garbage, it’s crucial to monitor them closely for any signs of illness. Dodman suggests that any symptoms that do not resolve quickly should be a cause for concern. These may include vomiting or diarrhea, excessive drooling, lethargy, staggering, or constipation. Madson strongly advises contacting your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested something toxic, emphasizing that prompt professional advice is always the safest course of action.
The Bottom Line
Preventing your dog from eating garbage during walks can be a significant challenge, but consistent application of training techniques like the “leave it” command and careful walk planning can make a substantial difference. If you find yourself struggling to modify this behavior, consider using a basket muzzle to ensure your dog’s immediate safety and seek guidance from a qualified professional trainer to help implement these training methods effectively. For more specialized concerns, you might explore options like how to train a puppy out of separation anxiety.
