Stop Your Dog from Eating Everything: Tips & Tricks for Success!

Many owners of dogs face the challenge of taking care of their canines that consume items they are not supposed to eat.

When someone poses the alarming inquiry, “What do you possess?,” the dog immediately realizes that it’s been caught in the act. Depending on the size of the prohibited object, a swift pursuit may occur, or if the item is compact, a hasty swallow might result in an unsettling and prompt resolution.

Training Solutions for Dogs Who Eat Everything

To prevent your dog from eating inappropriate items, training solutions entail instructing her to engage in alternative behaviors. This allows you to redirect her focus before she consumes anything she finds enticing.

To address troublesome eating habits, a helpful strategy is to train your dog to exhibit a preferable behavior and subsequently substitute it for the undesired behavior.

If your dog has been consuming inappropriate objects, teaching her cues for “mouth control” can be highly advantageous since the most effective alternative behaviors are contradictory to the problematic behavior. This is due to the fact that eating necessitates the use of one’s mouth.

Several cues of this nature will be discussed below.

“Leave It”

Training your dog with a “Leave it” treat and other similar treats can assist her in understanding which treats are not meant for her. By diverting her attention from the “Leave it” treat to you, she can receive the same treat with minimal effort.

To train your dog to “Leave it,” follow these steps:

Step #1: Toss a yummy treat down on the ground but cover it with your hand . Your pooch will undoubtedly try to get to the treat, but don’t let him have it. Then, once he stops trying, say “Good boy” or click your clicker and give him a treat. But here’s the thing: Don’t give him the treat under your hand – give him another one from your treat pouch.
Step #2: Practice this procedure several times . This will help him learn the lesson and internalize things.
Step #3: Increase the difficulty level of the procedure . The best way to do this is by leaving the treat on the floor uncovered and out where your pupper can see it. But – and this is important – don’t let him get to the treat if he tries to snatch it. Just re-cover it with your hand or foot if need be. Once he looks at you, stops looking at the treat, or demonstrates that he “gets” the idea, click your clicker and give him another treat.
Step #4: Make things even harder by practicing while your dog is attached to his leash and you’re standing up . Now, you’ll have to use your foot to block the treat if he tries to grab it. As you’ve done earlier, click and reward him when he demonstrates that he’s not going for the treat.
Step #5: Incorporate the “Leave it” cue . Once your dog is automatically leaving the treat alone once dropped on the floor, you’re ready to associate a phrase (“Leave it”) with the cue. In other words, drop the treat and then say, “Leave it.” As long as your doggo ignores the food, you’ll click and reward him. Make sure to block the treat with your foot if he does try to grab it.

“It’s Your Choice”

Utilizing the training technique known as “It’s Your Choice” is an additional method that can assist in managing a dog that consistently engulfs objects. This practice aids in instructing your dog to exercise more restraint and control over their default impulses.

Begin by placing some snacks in your hand and allowing your dog to sniff, nibble, or paw at your hand. Refrain from opening your hand at this time. Once your dog stops interacting with your hand momentarily, proceed to open your hand and offer her one of the treats from inside.

To enhance your dog’s self-control, lengthen the span of time between releasing your hand and providing her with a reward in a gradual manner.

By practicing with treats, a dog can enhance their impulse control and learn to avoid desired objects even without a verbal command. This technique involves teaching the dog that if they resist the temptation of a pile of treats, they will be rewarded with one from their caregiver.

“Drop It”

Similarly, if your dog has already picked up something in her mouth, the cue “Drop It” is useful to use.

In order to train your dog to “Drop it”, follow these instructions:

Step #1: Start playing with your dog using a beloved toy (such as a tug rope) . Have your pooch grip the rope with his mouth and play a short session of tug.
Step #2: Wait for him to drop the toy. After playing for a few minutes, stop tugging on the rope and be boring. Your dog should naturally drop the toy after a minute or two.
Step #3: Start associating a phrase (“Drop it”) with the desired action . As soon as the toy falls out of your pup’s mouth mouth, say: “Drop it.” Once she does, give him a high-value training treat.
Step #4: Reset for another repetition by picking up the toy as your pooch takes the treat . But understand that you don’t want to “bribe” him to drop the item. Just don’t let him see the food reward until after he spits out toy and you should be good.
Step #5: Practice the cue to drive the point home . Lather, rinse, and repeat several times to help your pupper internalize the lesson. Play a short game of tug, stop, wait for the drop, say “Drop it,” and then reward him.

“Take It”

Teaching the “Take It” command is a crucial part of developing mouth control in dogs. This signal informs your canine that it is acceptable to place an object in their mouth or that you are inviting them to take something from you.

To instruct your dog on how to “Take it,” follow these steps:

Step #1: Hold a treat in your closed hand . Allow – even encourage – your dog to try to get the trick by pawing or nosing your fist.
Step #2: Wait until your pooch stops trying to grab the tasty morsel . Once he does, click your clicker or say, “Good boy!” Next, open your hand and say, “Take it!” Let Fido grab the treat at this point.
Step #3: Practice the procedure repeatedly to drill home the point of the exercise . Eventually, your pupper should start backing away from your hand or just ignoring you entirely. At this point, you’ll want to start incorporating a brief delay between him backing away and you opening your hand and giving him the treat (1 to 2 seconds should suffice at the outset).
Step #4 : Make things more challenging. Now, you’re going to place the treat in your hand without closing your fist. Close your fist if your dog tries to take it, but if he ignores the treat or backs up, say “Take it” and let him have it.

BONUS: Should You Feed a Homemade Diet?

Due to ever-changing news on recalls and details on commercial dog food, an increasing number of dog owners are choosing to create their own dog food at home. Although dogs enjoy homemade meals, it is crucial to adhere to specific guidelines to ensure your dog’s well-being as making dog food at home is different than cooking for yourself or humans.

Before deciding to switch to a homemade diet for your dog, there are certain factors that need to be taken into account. Home cooked dog food may not be suitable for everyone.

Be sure to find a dog food recipe that is complete and balanced. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to feed an incomplete or imbalanced diet to your dog.
It takes time to measure ingredients and prepare the food correctly. Be sure you have a schedule that allows enough time to properly make your dog’s food on a regular basis.
Make sure you can afford the ingredients to make your own dog food. Homemade food is typically less expensive than commercially prepared fresh or raw dog food, but it usually costs a little more than kibble.
If you have a picky dog, you may need to source multiple recipes so you can change the diet periodically and keep your dog interested.

Proper Nutrition for Dogs

In order to thrive, dogs require specific nutrients just like humans do. It is not possible to share your own food with dogs as their nutritional needs differ from ours. An improper diet for dogs may cause deficiencies of vitamins and nutrients.

To satisfy their energy needs, dogs require an ample amount of calories, which varies depending on their stage of life and level of physical activity. Based on your dog’s specific requirements, your vet can assist you in calculating the daily caloric intake.

For a dog’s diet that is made at home, it is important to include a proper combination of protein, carbs, fiber, and fat. In order to make sure the diet is both complete and balanced, it is crucial to incorporate essential vitamins and minerals.

At least 10% protein , such as chicken, turkey, fish, lean beef
Up to 50% carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta , and potatoes (also provides some fiber)
About 2.5-4.5% fiber , which can come from vegetables like peas, green beans, and carrots
At least 5.5% fat , usually in the form of vegetable oil
Vitamin and mineral supplements (dog-specific; can be purchased from a reputable company like BalanceIT.com )

If you’re prepared to begin cooking for your dog, the initial step is to consult with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may provide you with recipes to experiment with, or you may require a recommendation to a veterinary nutritionist or a vet who specializes in canine nutrition.

What to Watch for When Feeding Homemade Dog Food

When switching to homemade dog food, it is crucial to keep a close eye on your pet. Make sure to consistently communicate with your vet about any positive or adverse changes you observe. Additionally, it is recommended to maintain a record of your dog’s weight and body condition, with weekly weigh-ins to detect any unexpected weight fluctuations. Be cautious of vomiting or diarrhea that may stem from ingredient sensitivities. Overall, record and report any signs of sickness to your veterinarian.

How to Prepare Homemade Food for Dogs

It is crucial to use a complete and balanced recipe when making food for your dog at home. After selecting an appropriate recipe with your veterinarian’s guidance, it is time to begin.

Before you begin, it’s best if you have ready a food scale, food processor, pots and pans, and containers or bags for portioning the food.
Purchase fresh, high-quality ingredients that are not canned, seasoned, or heavily processed.
Set yourself up in a clean area of the kitchen that is free of foods that may be harmful to your dog .
Measure out the ingredients. Use a food scale if possible for accuracy.
Cook ingredients as directed on the recipe
Mix food and supplements together well (ideally, use a food processor to blend ingredients).
Place food in containers and store in the refrigerator or freezer.
In general, refrigerated food will stay fresh for three to four days. Frozen dog food is best within about two months. Avoid feeding homemade dog food that has been in the freezer for more than six months.

To save time and money, owners often opt to cook food in large amounts and store it in pre-sized containers in the fridge or freezer. However, starting with smaller portions can give you a better idea of how your dog responds to the diet.