How can I get my Coton to stop putting things in his mouth on walks?

by Art
(USA)

Louie is just over 3 months old. When I get him outside for a walk and to get him potty trained, he tends to pick things up to chew. Because he's so close to the ground, it's hard for me to see what he's doing. The other problem is that some inconsiderate neighbors don't pick up after their dog and Louie is way too interested in what they've left behind. He has one more series of his puppy shots. Any advice on training him not to put things in his mouth?

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Oct 22, 2024
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Frustrating puppy phase
by: Gale

I completely understand your frustration—puppies sure do keep us on our toes! When Lucy was a puppy, it felt like every walk turned into a scavenger hunt for things she shouldn't eat. There was a two-week period where the sidewalks were covered with earthworms—keeping her from snacking on them was an exhausting challenge. And it wasn’t just worms; rocks, mulch, flowers, bird poop, leaves—if it was on the ground, it was fair game for Lucy. Walking her was NOT fun!

The good news is that this behavior is normal since puppies explore the world with their mouths. Some dogs are just more enthusiastic than others. But I won’t sugarcoat it—it does take time. Here's what worked for me:

I spent a lot of time reinforcing the "leave it" and "drop it" commands. Starting this training indoors where there were fewer distractions made a big difference. Make it fun and rewarding—using high-value treats (something extra delicious!) every time your puppy responds correctly.

Once I saw progress inside, I slowly reinforced the training outdoors with all the distractions. See if you can walk in a less tempting spot (away from the neighbors). And be patient.

One thing that really helped me during our walks was bringing some of Lucy's food with me. I’d save a portion of her daily meals for training while walking, which kept her attention on me instead of what was on the ground. If your puppy is food-motivated like Lucy, this can be a game-changer. It redirects their focus and rewards good behavior at the same time.

Some dogs also respond well to having a toy to carry during walks. It gives them something to focus on other than the random things they find on the ground. If your puppy has a favorite toy, you could try bringing it along and see if it helps distract them from the temptations on the ground.

Just keep reminding yourself that this phase will pass. Check out this article to help with overwhelm and frustration during the puppy phase.

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