Alice White
Again and again, one can read that dogs eat laid out, prepared bait, and die in agony. You can protect your dog from this danger by training them so they can recognize the baits that are being laid out. It is also possible to put poison bait protection on the dog. This post will provide you with answers to the question of how you can protect your and other dogs from poison baits.
Poison Bait Training in Brief
- With targeted training, you can effectively protect your dog from poisonous baits;
- A special mouth guard prevents your darling from picking up something from the ground;
- Avoid areas where there are many dogs because dog haters prefer to use poison bait there;
- Keep up to date with poison bait warning apps.
What are Poison Baits?
Poison bait is a prepared food that looks harmless at first glance. The danger is literally in the treat: For example, it is filled with a poisonous substance such as rat poison or equipped with nails, razor blades, or glass. Usually, dog haters lay the dangerous bait in places that are frequented by dog owners. From the perpetrator’s point of view, he can harm most animals there. A tip to protect the dog is therefore to avoid heavily frequented places and prefer to choose a quiet route.
Protect the Dog From Poison Baits by Training
The easiest and best option to protect your darling from toxic substances is appropriate training. In training, the animal learns that it is not allowed to ingest any food from the ground. This prevents the pet from eating poison. A possible training program consists of these three steps:
Preparation: You need some treats for your dog that he really loves and some that he doesn’t really like. In addition, a leash or tow line is required. Training is best done in a familiar, outdoor environment. Important: give your dog time! It takes him a little while to understand what you are asking of him.
- You put some treats on the training course that your dog does not like so much. You can keep the super treats in your pocket. You let your dog run free on the premises and accompany him. If he sniffs a treat on the floor, hold it with a command, e.g. B. “Ugh” from it. The second command “Look” asks the dog to contact you. If your dog looks at you, offer him the reward. With this, the dog learns that he can only get the best treats from your hand. The exercise is intensified by creating distance between you and the dog and calling the commands from a distance.
- The next training step takes place at home. It is about introducing the feed release through a command. The principle is simple. They prepare the food and provide it. If your dog is pushing, pause your work until he has calmed down. After the feed is on the ground, give the command to release feed, for example, “eat”. You intensify the exercise by lengthening the waiting time between putting down the bowl and the command to eat.
- Finally, introduce the cancel signal, e.g. B. “Off”. You can practice this with any object. The termination signal is controversial because it does not positively reinforce behavior, but is a negative prohibition signal. Decide for yourself whether you need it for your dog or not. If you decide to do so, you can use it in an emergency if your dog takes something off the ground without permission despite regular training.
Tip: There are special courses on anti-poison bait training in the dog school or with the dog trainer. In these courses, you will be shown the best way to train your companion to prevent the ingestion of toxic substances.
The Poison Bait Protection Net For Dogs
There is another method that can be used to prevent a dog from ingesting poisonous bait. It is a mouth guard that is put on during the walk. The net is designed so that the companion can breathe easily. However, eating and drinking are impossible. The protective net is put on like a muzzle and locked behind the head. Many nets have slits on the side that are suitable for giving treats. The safety nets are available in different sizes. So every holder can find the right product for his or her darling.
Tip: If you don’t want to buy an extra protective net, you can also use a standard muzzle.
Find Out More: Protection Through Current Poison Bait Reports
There are special portals that regularly provide information about new poison baits. In addition to the poison bait radar, the poison warning platform has many active members who enter new baits. On Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, too, users exchange ideas about poison baits and set up groups to warn each other. Check whether such a group exists in your region and join it. There you can keep yourself up to date and warn other dog owners – this is active animal welfare that does not cost you anything and makes a lot of sense.
Our Recommendation: This Should Be Done When the Four-legged Friend Has Eaten Poison Bait
If, despite the safety precautions, your darling has eaten poison, do the following:
- Call the vet immediately;
- Constantly observe how the animal is behaving;
- Pick up the remains of the bait;
- Take vomit with you to the vet;
- Drive to the vet as quickly as possible;
- Make a note of how much and when your dog ate the poison.
