Eating poop (known as coprophagia) is a common behaviour among puppies, but it’s not something you...
How to Stop Your Puppy From Eating Everything
It’s a common problem for pet owners – your puppy is eating anything and everything in sight! This behaviour can be dangerous, so it’s important to learn how to stop your puppy from eating things they shouldn’t. Here we’ll look at why puppies eat everything, and how to stop them from doing it.
Why Do Puppies Eat Everything?
Puppies are curious, and they explore the world with their mouths. They’re also teething, so they’re likely to chew on anything they can get their teeth into. This behaviour is natural and can’t be stopped, but it can be managed.
Puppies also eat things for attention. If they’ve learned that eating something will get your attention, they’ll continue to do it. They may also eat things out of boredom or anxiety. If they’re not getting enough exercise or stimulation, they may turn to food as a way to cope.
How to Stop Your Puppy From Eating Everything
Provide Appropriate Chew Toys
The best way to stop your puppy from eating everything is to provide them with appropriate chew toys. Look for toys that are made for puppies and are specifically designed for teething. You can also give them bones, rawhide chews, or rubber toys.
Make sure they have access to these toys at all times. If they don’t have anything to chew on, they’ll look for something else to keep them occupied.
Provide Plenty of Exercise
Puppies need plenty of exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Take them for walks, play fetch, and give them plenty of toys to keep them occupied. This will help to keep them from looking for other things to chew on.
Keep Your Home Clean
It’s important to keep your home clean and free of items that your puppy might find tempting. Put away any small objects and make sure shoes, clothing, and other items are out of reach. You should also keep food and garbage out of reach, as these can be especially tempting for puppies.
Discourage the Behaviour
When you catch your puppy in the act of eating something they shouldn’t, make a loud noise or say “No” to discourage the behaviour. Take away the object and replace it with one of their approved chew toys. This will help to teach them that chewing on the wrong things isn’t acceptable.
Reward Good Behaviour
When your puppy chews on their approved chew toys, give them a treat or a pat on the head to reward the behaviour. This will help to reinforce that chewing on the right things is good and will help them to understand what is and isn’t acceptable.
Conclusion
It’s natural for puppies to explore the world with their mouths, but it can be dangerous if they’re eating things they shouldn’t. The best way to stop your puppy from eating everything is to provide them with appropriate chew toys, plenty of exercise, and a clean home. Make sure to discourage the behaviour when you catch them in the act and reward good behaviour with treats or praise.
