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How much trouble can your dog get himself into?
Quite a lot, as it happens. When your hungry hound chows down on garbage in the park, then 'garbage gut' is often the unpleasant consequence. And that's the good scenario! All sorts of dangers await the unwary, from rat poison to cocoa mulch, from daffodil bulbs to stones, a pet parent must protect their dog from himself.
The answer to this problem is training, but you need to be realistic about how long this takes. If your dog is a danger to himself while he's learning, then consider using a muzzle while out on walks so that he's physically unable to eat things he shouldn't. Then once your commands are rock solid, ditch the muzzle.
Training the dog to not eat off the ground involves a command that immediately focuses his attention away from the object. This could be 'Leave it', where he physically leaves the object, 'Drop it', which goes a step further and has the dog drop something out of his mouth, or a strong recall which has him move away from the danger.
Success depends on regular training so that the dog doesn't hesitate to obey, even when faced with the tastiest of finds on the ground. Dogs that aren't food-obsessed tend to learn this lesson more quickly than those with a bottomless pit for a stomach...but stick with it, you will get there in the end and it could save your dog's life.
Whichever method you decide to teach (Why not learn all three?) you'll need:
- Ultra-tasty, high-value treats
- Less tasty, low-value treats
- Two identical toys or balls
- A long line or leash
- Start your training in a quiet room without distractions. Aim for two or three, five to ten-minute session each day. As the dog gets the hang of things, vary the location and then ultimately go outdoors.
As with so many commands, the dog learns fastest when he is a puppy. However, dogs of all ages will and do learn, so it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks.
The "Leave It" Method
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Effective
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Introduce a treat
Hold a low value treat in a loosely clenched fist. Offer the fist for the dog to sniff.
Observe and reward
Watch him closely. He will nose at your fingers to try and get at the treat. Eventually, he will glance away to see if it fell on the floor. The instant he looks away from your fist, say "Leave It", and immediately reward him with the ultra-tasty treat you have concealed behind your back.
Repeat
Repeat, until he learns to look away when you say "Leave it"
Open your hand
Now make things more difficult. Have the low value treat on your open palm. If the dog snatches at it, close your hand into a fist and say "No".
Reward for leaving it
If the dog merely looks at it, or sniffs then looks at the floor, say "Leave It", give him a huge fuss and a tasty treat. Repeat.
Move to the floor
Ultimately, place the low value treat on the floor. If necessary anchor it with a strategically placed fingertip. Use your "Leave it" command and reward his cleverness.
Practice
If the dog snatches the treat, go back to the step he can successfully complete and work more on this
The "Drop It" Method
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Prepare toys
Have two identical toys or balls that the dog loves to play with.
Gain interest
Play with the toy so the dog grabs hold of it.
Switch toys
Start playing with the second toy as if it's the most interesting thing you've ever seen
Introduce command
The dog will soon shift his attention from the toy in his mouth to the one in your hand, and drop the former. As soon as his jaws slacken, say "Drop It", and make the second toy more interesting.
Reward!
As he drops the first toy, praise him, and reward him with the second. This toy exchange teaches him that releasing an object results in even more fun.
Try treats
Alternatively, exchange the toy for a tasty treat, using "Drop It" as he releases the toy to eat the treat.
The Strong Recall Method
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Teach "come"
With the dog on a leash, let him sniff and wander. When he turns towards you, slap your thigh to get his attention. If he steps toward you say "Come" in an excited voice to encourage him closer.
Encourage
As he steps towards you, try taking a step or two away from him, which should encourage him to close the distance. Repeat "Come" and make excited noises.
Reward!
When he's within touching distance, offer an ultra-tasty treat
Repeat
The dog starts to anticipate that "Come" means a reward and will approach more readily.
Dial back the treats
Once he is reliably coming for the high value treat, switch to a lesser treat
Go off-leash
When he is doing this reliably, try him off leash - if necessary, reverting to the high value treat to emphasize he's making a good decision to return to your side.
Practice
Now repeat in a variety of settings so that he instantly obeys no matter where you are.
Written by Amy Caldwell
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 09/21/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
More articles by Amy Caldwell
Training Questions and Answers
She was mistreated as a puppy, and had to have some of the toes from her back feet amputated. Also she lost the flexibility in the last joint of her hind feet, so walking is difficult for her. I'd like to train her to do things like come to me, but I'm never sure if she is being lazy/obstinate or she is not obeying because it is painful for her
Sept. 1, 2020
Cindy's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Steven, Check out the article linked below. I would start with the fun method like Round Robin or Run Away method first - Those methods should help motivate pup to want to come, so that you can better gauge if she just doesn't want to come or is in pain so won't come. If you discover that pup comes really well when motivated by food, then pup may be avoiding coming because they simply don't want to. Pay attention to body language also though. Does pup look in pain? If pup doesn't appear to be in pain but simply chooses not to come because they prefer to do something else, you can also use the Reel In method linked below to practice around distractions. Keep an eye on pup's body language for signs of pain in general. It might also be worth checking with your vet. If pain is suspected your vet may be able to help with managing it. I am not a vet. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Sept. 1, 2020
My dog is learning everything pretty well, and he’s great at listening inside the house but outside he doesn’t even glance when I call his name. I also struggle to get him to drop things when he started randomly chewing on things like paper.
July 15, 2020
Rico's Owner