So, here are links to help you teach your dog these skills. Teaching dogs how to stay away from or drop things may someday save your dog’s life. Teaching Your Dog to Leave It and Drop It If he grabs a verboten object, teach him to spit it out on command. Teach him not to go near an object without permission. If your dog is touching his nose to your hand he is not picking up foreign objects. Holding a toy in his mouth can prevent toy-loving dogs from picking up stuff on the ground. “Go get your toy” is another incompatible behavior.Put an incompatible behavior like sit or bark on cue: If your dog is barking, he can’t be swallowing.Recall: If you have a reliable recall, you can use it to call your dog away from a tempting non-edible. ![]() They can’t hold something and pick up something new at the same time. Some dogs will carry a ball or toy in their mouths on walks.Run, walk, pivot, chase, practice training, play with a toy, weave around trees.… Fun activities and being unpredictable on walks will keep your dog focused on you, instead of the ground. You can distract your dog, while also making your walks more fun.Praise your dog for making the right choice. Remember that what you trade has to be more valuable to your dog than the inedible item he already has. Verbally discourage picking up a non-food item, with the “Leave It” cue, and have a favorite toy or special food available that you can trade if your dog will not easily give up the inedible.If pica-proofing is unrealistic (for example, on walks around the neighborhood), accustom your dog to wearing a basket muzzle.Pica-proof your dog’s environment by making sure non-food items are nowhere around.Anxiety in turn may have the opposite effect and increase the risk of pica, as well as initiating resource guarding behavior. If your dog expects punishment, he may only indulge in pica when you are not around and you may unknowingly trigger fear. Once you have redirected the pup’s attention to a safe toy or food, be lavish with your praise. Immediately get the inappropriate one out of reach. As soon as he drops the inappropriate item, give him the appropriate one. If you are a good enough actor, he will start to lose interest in what he has and begin to follow you around. Make a fuss over it and make sure your pup notices. Pick up a toy or food that you know the pup will covet. If your pup wants you to chase him to get it, don’t take the bait. If you see him begin to pick up and mouth an inappropriate item, make a noise to distract him and then give him something better. Look at our article on destructive chewing for a list of good chews and at our dog park handout for at-home activity ideas. Play games, take walks, or set up playdates with compatible puppies. Give your pup interactive toys that he has to push, tug, drop, or roll to get treats out. Provide a variety of safe toys and chews. Mental stimulation and physical exercise will keep boredom-and pica-at bay.Treatment is often a combination of behavioral modification and drug therapy. In that case, find a professional experienced in treating compulsive pica. ![]() If your dog can’t resist eating non-food items and would rather eat the inedible than do anything else, you might be dealing with a compulsion. ![]() If your dog only “grazes” occasionally, this type of pica is not worrisome. Grass and soil can act as a dietary supplement and help improve a dog’s digestion.
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