My dog eats trash on walks and bites. How to teach "drop it"?

Question

My dog keeps snatching garbage off the sidewalk, everything from small bones to crumpled papers or rocks. I try to stop him before he grabs them, but he's fast. Sometimes he drops them on his own, other times he eats them. When I try to get him to drop them, he becomes aggressive and bites me. What can I do to stop this behaviour?

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Many dogs like to pick up objects off the ground - this is a very common issue on walks, especially with puppies and young dogs :) I would recommend teaching your dog a "drop it" cue using treats. To start, practice with a toy or other object at home. When he has the toy in his mouth, say "drop it!" in a cheerful tone, and hold a treat in front of his nose. Most dogs will eagerly drop the toy to eat the treat. Practice this until he will quickly drop the toy as soon as you ask. Once he's good at this at home, you can start using it when you go for walks. Make sure to take very tasty treats with you to reward him when he does what you ask! It may take some practice, but most dogs get very good at this once they realize that you will always have something better for them if they drop what they are holding. If you have trouble teaching this, I would recommend getting in touch with a good reward-based trainer in your area who can help you in person if needed.

My dog eats trash on walks and bites. How to teach "drop it"?

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