Teaching Your Dog to Ignore Food on the Ground This Summer
Dropped Food Is Everywhere in Summer — Can Your Dog Resist?
Cookouts, picnics, patio dining, ice cream trucks — summer brings endless opportunities for dogs to snatch food off the ground. While it might seem harmless, this habit can lead to serious problems:
- Digestive upset
- Food aggression
- Reinforcement of scavenging behavior
- Risk of ingesting harmful or toxic items
Training your dog to ignore food on the ground isn’t just polite — it’s a critical safety skill.
Start With “Leave It” Indoors
The foundation of food-proofing begins in a controlled environment. Here’s how to teach “leave it”:
- Hold a treat in both hands
- Show the treat in one hand, say “leave it”
- When your dog goes for it, close your fist
- Wait — no speaking or pulling away
- The moment they pull back or look away, reward with the other hand
Repeat until your dog stops going for the bait treat after the cue.
Advance to Ground Placement
Once your dog understands “leave it” in your hands, place a treat on the floor under your foot. Progress slowly:
- Treat fully covered
- Partially exposed
- Fully exposed but supervised
- Multiple treats spaced apart
Only reward when your dog ignores the food or looks to you for direction.
Add Movement and Distractions
To mimic real-world scenarios, increase the challenge:
- Drop food as you walk
- Place treats on sidewalks or near picnic tables
- Practice while other people or dogs are around
- Use high-value distractions like meat or cheese
Stay calm and neutral. Don’t yank the leash or yell — let your dog make the choice to disengage and reward that decision.
Use a Structured Heel for Focus
A dog who walks with a structured “heel” is far less likely to scan the ground for snacks. Practice walking:
- At your side, not in front
- With focus on you, not the environment
- Without pulling or zigzagging
If your dog begins to sniff or veer toward food, use a verbal reminder (“leave it”) and redirect with leash pressure and praise when they refocus.
Teach the “Out” Command
“Out” means drop it, let go, or back off — and it can be a lifesaver if your dog gets something in their mouth. To teach it:
- Offer a toy or low-value item
- Say “out” and exchange it for a treat
- Repeat until your dog willingly drops it on cue
- Practice with different objects and in different environments
Use “out” if your dog grabs food — but aim to prevent it with strong “leave it” habits first.
Set Your Dog Up for Success in Food-Filled Environments
Before heading to events where food will be everywhere, prepare:
- Practice food drills the day before
- Exercise your dog physically and mentally
- Use a slip lead or training collar for better communication
- Stay alert for discarded food or trash
Always reward your dog for ignoring temptations — even a simple calm “good” or a scratch behind the ear reinforces the right choice.
Final Thoughts: Teach Your Dog That Food Isn’t a Free-for-All
Scavenging behavior may seem natural, but it can be reshaped. Teaching your dog to ignore food on the ground creates safety, trust, and better manners in every summer setting.
The goal isn’t just obedience — it’s creating a dog who checks in with you before making choices. That’s leadership. And that’s freedom.
