A dog that eats everything outside is usually showing natural scavenging behaviour, which you tackle by combining prevention (short lead, less tempting route, a meal before the walk) with training, especially the “Leave it” cue. It is common in puppies and usually fades with age. If it persists or comes with other signs, talk to your vet to rule out a medical cause.
Why does my dog eat everything it finds outside?
For the Ontario SPCA, a Canadian animal welfare charity, searching the ground for food is a natural behaviour in dogs, stronger in some than in others. A scrap of sandwich or a chicken bone is a windfall, and food scraps are hard for dogs of any age to resist.
Puppies also explore with their mouths. Trainer Hilarie Erb of the American Kennel Club (AKC) explains that puppies mouth grass, soil, sticks and stones to learn how they taste and feel: this is normal behaviour that most grow out of.
Other factors can keep the habit going: boredom on a monotonous walk, hunger if the dog goes out long after its meal, or learning that picking something up reliably sets off a fun chase with its owner. Finally, if the behaviour continues despite your efforts, the Ontario SPCA advises seeing a vet, who can look for a medical cause (such as digestive upset, anaemia or a nutritional deficiency).
What is genuinely dangerous
Not everything a dog swallows outdoors is serious, but some “treasures” call for real vigilance. The US veterinary hospital network VCA has reviewed several of them:
| What the dog swallows | Main risk (according to VCA) |
|---|---|
| Bark, mulch | A blockage in the gut if several pieces are swallowed; cocoa mulch is as toxic as chocolate |
| Food litter, wrappers | Blockage from the wrapper, toxic or mouldy food |
| Disposable masks | Serious gut blockage (the ear loops can tangle) |
| Dead animals | Mould, parasites, infectious diseases |
| Other dogs’ poo | Intestinal worms and other parasites |
| Grass | Rarely a blockage in large amounts; exposure to parasites |
Add to this the well-known hazards: cooked bones, grapes, chocolate, chewing gum, cigarette ends, baits or toxic products. Hence the value of acting before the dog has the item in its mouth.
Prevention: plan the walk
Prevention is the foundation, because every find swallowed rewards the behaviour. The Ontario SPCA suggests several approaches:
- Feed your dog shortly before the walk, perhaps with a slow feeder, snuffle mat or puzzle feeder to make the meal last longer.
- Choose a less tempting route, away from bins, hedges and picnic spots. If that is not possible, toss a treat ahead of you to redirect its attention at the right moment.
- Vary the walk: bring a toy or ball, pick up the pace, slip in short exercises along the way. A busy dog scavenges less.
As for equipment, a short lead in risky areas keeps your dog’s nose out of reach, and a well-fitted harness gives more comfortable control than a collar when you need to steer it away; see how to put on and adjust a harness. The harnesses in our collection have a handle on the back, handy for keeping your dog close as you pass a litter-strewn spot. Keep an eye on the ground ahead, too: spotting a wrapper three metres before your dog does makes all the difference. At night a head torch helps a lot, as we explain in walking your dog at night.
Training: teaching “Leave it” step by step
The “Leave it” cue teaches a dog to turn away from an item. The AKC suggests a simple progression, starting at home:
- Hand over a treat on the floor. Let your dog try to get it. As soon as it gives up, mark the moment (“yes!” or a clicker) and reward it with a better treat from your pocket or other hand, never the one on the floor.
- Lift your hand. When it ignores the covered treat, lift your hand while staying ready to cover it again. Reward every look away or step back.
- Standing, dog on the lead. Repeat standing up, covering the treat with your foot if needed; the lead stops your dog reaching anything you miss.
- Add the word. Once it ignores dropped food on its own, say “Leave it” just before dropping it, then reward. Repeat many times.
- Real-world practice. Place a few low-value treats in a row, several paces apart, and walk past with your dog on the lead, rewarding each time. Then practise in the garden and on the pavement.
The AKC stresses one point: during training you must prevent your dog from getting the food at all costs, or it learns that pushing pays off. Do not give the cue if you know it cannot cope with too strong a temptation; go back to an easier step instead. The Ontario SPCA also advises practising a “Watch me” cue and continuing to reward your dog every time it chooses your treat over its find.
It swallowed something anyway: what to do
- Serious signs (seizures, breathing difficulty, unresponsive or unconscious, bleeding): the ASPCA advises going straight to the nearest veterinary hospital.
- No signs or mild signs: call your vet or a veterinary poison service without waiting for things to get worse. In France, the CNITV in Marcy-l’Étoile near Lyon is open 7 days a week from 8.30 am to midnight; calls are handled by vets or veterinary students trained in toxicology.
- Keep the packaging or a sample of what was swallowed, and note the time and estimated amount: this information helps the vet.
- Do not try home remedies without veterinary advice.
Frequently asked questions
My puppy eats everything outside: is that normal?
Yes, it is very common: puppies explore with their mouths. Keep outings short and frequent, take a toy and treats, and start “Leave it” now. Our tips on getting a puppy used to a harness will help make those first outings calm.
Should I pull what is in its mouth out by force?
Best not to let it get that far. If the item is dangerous, offer a swap for a more interesting treat; in the long run, train “Leave it” so you can step in before it picks the item up.
Why does my dog eat grass?
It is common. VCA says a large amount can rarely cause a blockage and that grass can expose dogs to parasites; regular worming, discussed with your vet, limits that second risk.
Sources
- Ontario SPCA and Humane Society (2025). Tips to deter your dog from scavenging during walks. Ontario SPCA.
- Gibeault S. (2026). “Leave It” Command: Training Your Dog to Ignore Food and Other Items. American Kennel Club.
- Erb H. (2021). Puppies Want to Taste Everything – Dealing with the Canine Garbage Disposal. American Kennel Club.
- VCA Animal Hospitals. Eight weird things dogs like to eat on walks (and should you be concerned?). VCA.
- ASPCA (2023). My Pet Ate Something! When Should I Seek Help?. American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
- CNITV. Centre national d’informations toxicologiques vétérinaires (CNITV). CNITV, Marcy-l’Étoile.