Dogs eating junk/stealing food

First in a series

Dogs are known to pilfer and eat some funky food and often genuine junk, that’s not even food. They’ve consumed beer, cannabis, chocolate, raisins and roast beast because, well, it’s there. They’re not adventurers or petty shop lifters out for a cheap thrill. They gorge because they are sure that whatever they find may be their last meal. There is no rehab for this. It’s who they are.

Dogs devour indiscriminately for somewhat different reasons than humans. There is no guarantee of survival in the wild. Genetically wired to live by their wits, they sniff out their snacks. Our pet pupsters share that programming. The great famine may be only minutes away. Well-nourished house dogs may steal and even fight for any tidbit, constantly scanning for that next opportunity.

Remember Daffy Duck? I can hear him now. “Why, that’s ridiculous.” Food is abundant at your house. Meals are delivered on time –with a flourish. Surely your dog knows she’ll never go hungry. Actually, no, she doesn’t. She’s an inveterate counter surfer.

Dogs have been our best friends for only about 27,000 – 40,000 years. Only??? In the span of evolution that’s the blink of an eye. The grey wolves of yesteryear, who showed less fear of cave people who tossed them scraps, were purposely bred for their human-trusting character and, viola, the new species of canis familiaris (domestic dogs) branched off. All in the space of several generations.

A lot of canine garbage guts can ingest astonishing amounts of rotting refuse with impunity. But it’s not all fun and games. Tearing into sacks of pet food or raiding the trash risks intestinal blockage or perforation and, if not treated quickly, even death. I’ve retrieved enough bones, in my career to assemble a couple of skeletons. They never learn. It’s the pet parent’s job to dog-proof.

Willy Sutton, the famed robber of the 1920’s and 30’s, stole from banks because, “That’s where the money is.” Any self-respecting canine thief will pillage unguarded dinner tables and kitchen counters without compunction. Never help a good dog go bad. Don’t leave out food, don’t feed from the table, and don’t punish an innate behavior.

Next week: If you don’t yell or swat, what CAN you do?
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For help with behavior problems, you can sign-up for a Zoom Group Conference on my website, drjeffnichol.com.

Dr. Jeff Nichol is a residency-trained veterinary behaviorist in Albuquerque. He provides consultations by Zoom group and individually/in-person. Sign up for his weekly blog or post questions (drjeffnichol.com) or by US Post to 4000 Montgomery Blvd. NE, Albuq, NM 87109.