Many puppies feel the need to eat anything they can find. It is one natural curiositywhich drives them to explore the world around them.
But it can also be dangerous, because some objects are dangerous for your furry friend.
In this article, you will learn how to break this urge in your puppy.
Why does my puppy eat everything it finds?
There can be many reasons why your puppy will eat whatever it finds. Sometimes it’s nothing serious, but in some cases it’s a dangerous sign.
natural instinct
Puppies have a strong chewing instinct and explore their surroundings with the mouth. They want to try everything and see if it’s edible.
These empirical values are part of a dog. In this way, they learn to find their way independently in new environments.
boredom, stress and anxiety
Does your puppy eat anything off the floor it finds? If your puppy is left alone for too long, they may become bored, stressed, or even scared.
For many puppies, eating and destroying objects serves as a coping strategy and distraction.
He focuses on the object and is therefore no longer afraid or he reduces stress and boredom.
Good to know
If your puppy eats everything and runs away, he wants your attention. He wants you to be there for him and play with him more.
hunger and dental care
Many dogs are naturally hungry all day, but only get the recommended daily amount of food from their owners.
This can lead to your little family member going out in search of food on their own.
Dogs are descended from wolves and have retained their natural hunting instincts. Foraging to avoid starvation is normal.
But it can also be the case that your dog wants to remove leftover food from gaps in its teeth or has a toothache.
exploring nature
Does your puppy eat everything he can find in the garden? Then it is usually a harmless instinct to get to know your new surroundings.
Here you should make sure that nothing dangerous is lying around, because everything he doesn’t know becomes food.
Puppy eats everything on the ground, in the garden, when walking – how can I break him the habit?
If your puppy eats anything off the ground, whether it’s in the yard or while out for a walk, it’s annoying, but you can break the habit.
Depending on whether your puppy eats everything in the garden, looks for food on the go or makes your apartment unsafe: There are solutions for all three situations:
The recall command
When you walk your puppy, you don’t want to keep him on a leash all the time.
In order to still keep an eye on everything, you have to teach your furry friend from the start, with one specific recall command return to you immediately.
The dog expert Martin Rütter recommends the word «here». It should always be used when your darling should come back to you immediately.
With “No” against the garden eating attack
Your pup is playing in the garden and proudly exploring the new surroundings. Suddenly your puppy starts eating everything in the yard and you panic.
Did he nibble on the poisonous plant? Wasn’t there a cigarette butt there just now? To prevent this, he should learn what «no» means from the start.
Chewing alternatives – the toy to nibble on
Especially when you’re not at home, you need an alternative so that your dog doesn’t nibble on everything.
It’s best to buy your chew toy from a specialty store so you can be sure it’s safe to leave unsupervised.
You need to train your puppy so that he learns from the start what he can nibble on and that everything else is strictly forbidden.
Between games, positive reinforcement and consistency
When your puppy eats everything and runs away, it usually means he’s bored and wants your attention.
The easiest way to avoid this is to play with him regularly and show that you care.
Always positively encourage him by rewarding him as soon as he leaves the forbidden items alone. The best way to praise him is with cuddles and treats.
However, if your loved one stubbornly nibbles or eats a prohibited item, you need to use some force and consistency to dissuade them.
Will my puppy ever stop eating everything?
It’s perfectly normal for puppies to eat anything that gets in their way. But don’t worry, your little four-legged friend won’t remain a garbage chute forever.
With age and training, he will learn what to eat and what not to eat. It’s important that you teach him what’s allowed and what’s not from the start.
Make sure he’s getting enough food and that he’s not eating things he shouldn’t because of boredom or stress.
If you give him enough attention and activity, he won’t focus as much on eating objects.
With patience and consistency, you’ll soon have a puppy that won’t stuff itself. It’s best to go with your puppy dog school.
What to do if my puppy eats something dangerous?
If your puppy eats something dangerous, it’s important to act quickly. First of all, you should try to give your puppy this dangerous object from the mouth gain weight.
But be careful: Some objects can get stuck in the throat or cause injury if they are removed with force.
If your puppy has already swallowed the object, you should contact a veterinarian immediately.
He can determine whether the object is stuck in the gastrointestinal tract and, if necessary, perform an operation.
It’s also important to monitor your puppy for signs of vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain.
If you are unsure whether an item is dangerous or not, you should always consult a veterinarian for advice.
Conclusion
If your pup eats anything he can find, it’s important that you be proactive and make sure anything that might be dangerous is out of reach.
Provide him with enough toys and chews to satisfy his chewing and nibbling needs.
However, if your puppy swallows something, you should contact a veterinarian immediately to make sure he doesn’t develop any life-threatening problems.
Which of the tips did you already know and which ones were new to you? Please let us know what you know by leaving a comment below this article.