Owner Gets Fed Up With Mini Dachshund's Bad Habit On Walks - And The Solution Is Hilarious
Anyone who owns a dog knows that they love sticking their nose where it doesn't belong and snacking on questionable finds during walks. But how do you stop them? Well, this mini dachshund is learning firsthand the lengths her fed-up owner is willing to go to break the bad habit of eating unknown things from the ground — wearing a hairnet-like mask over her face!
"Sorry no more snacking and throwing up," reads the Instagram video's caption, as the little doggy is seen walking on the sidewalk wearing a breathable mesh mask that stops her from eating random food from the ground. When she encounters two other dogs on the street, their reaction is to hilariously question what she is wearing: "Not the other dogs making fun of [her] to [her] face 😂😂😂," read one comment about the confused dogs' encounter with the masked pup.
Meanwhile, other chuckle-worthy comments like, "lunch lady chic 💅" and "do they make these for humans? Asking for a friend" popped up. Hey, whatever works to keep the pup — a your, ahem, friend — safe!
Other ways to stop a dog from eating random things on walks
Aside from putting an anti-snacking mask on a dog before a walk, there are other ways to deter a pup from consuming random items off the ground, like making sure they are well-fed before heading out. Of course, that may not always stop a four-legged friend from swallowing anything that could make them sick.
Other tips to address the issue include choosing a less enticing route and avoiding plant-filled areas or stretches where people could drop foods that dogs can't eat. You could also try distracting your pet with treats or toys tossed ahead to discourage random eating.
Of course, training and repetition are also a good way to change the habit by teaching your dog a "leave it" command or similar, practicing at home first and continuing to reward them whenever they choose a treat or toy over scavenging on the street. When in doubt or struggling to control your dog's consumption, it's best to check with a trusted veterinarian or a qualified dog trainer or behaviorist.