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THE DOG TRAINER HAS ISSUED A SERIES OF 4 STEPS EVERY PET OWNER SHOULD FOLLOW 04:00, 31 May 2025 A dog trainer is warning pet owners to be extra careful when taking their dogs on walks as one
error could make your dog ill and cost you £1,000 in vet bills. This is especially true with the summer weather on its way as this means more walks. Karen Piwinski, a certified dog trainer
at Woofz by nove8, has said that poisoning is one of the top causes of emergency vet visits, with over 300 cases reported daily in the UK alone. And it can happen when you're out on
your daily walk, and you may not even know until it's too late. As any dog owner knows, our pets love to sniff when they're out and about, it's a natural part of their
instincts, "so a leftover sandwich, a smelly wrapper, or even other pets’ poop smells like a prize to them,” explains Piwinski.“Their noses are incredibly sensitive, so if something
smells funny, they want to explore it with their mouths. "Some dogs do it out of habit because it worked before, while others try to entertain themselves on under-stimulating walks”. If
this happens, there are a few things you can do to ensure they are not eating anything they shouldn't. 1. TEACH THEM "LEAVE IT" The trainer warns: "This one command can
save your dog’s life, so it’s a non-negotiable. You should train your dog in a distraction-free space with a treat in one hand." Piwinski adds: "When your dog sniffs or tries to
get it, say 'leave it' once. The second they look away or pause, reward them with a treat from your other hand. "Very important note: never give them the one they were told to
ignore, as this misses the whole point. Practice until they immediately disengage on command. Then, move to floor-level temptations. Only once they nail it indoors should you try it on the
street." 2. WALK WITH PURPOSE The trainer further notes: "Unstructured walks invite chaos in your dog’s life, and you don’t want that. If your dog zigzags, sniffs endlessly, and
pulls toward every scent, you’re basically letting them lead the walk." This makes your dogs more likely to eat anything they walk by. Because of this, you should use a 1.5 to
2-meter-long leash to keep them close. They suggest: "Walk briskly, change direction often, and cue them to focus on you. "Build in short 'go sniff' breaks where they’re
allowed to explore, then give a 'let's go' cue and move on. A dog that’s mentally engaged with you has far less bandwidth to obsess over scraps on the sidewalk. "Not to
mention, you need to choose the places you walk a dog carefully. If your neighbourhood is dirty and has litter lying around, it’s best to commute somewhere safer for the dog and walk
there." 3. REWARD GOOD DOG CHOICES In another tip, the trainer notes: "Most people only react when their dog does something wrong, but what if you started rewarding them for doing
something right? "If your dog walks past a leaf pile or greasy food wrapper without diving in, immediately mark it with a 'yes' and reward them with something like a cube of
cheese. "You’re rewiring their brain to associate ignoring street snacks with delicious payoffs. Over time, they’ll scan the sidewalk, look up at you, and expect a treat for making the
right call. 4. TRAIN THEM WHEN THEY’RE BORED If your dog zones out during walks or ignores your commands in public, they’re probably overstimulated by the noise. You need to build skills in
calm settings before expecting them to work in chaos. Article continues below The expert suggests start by training “leave it” and “focus” in your kitchen. Then, move to the backyard. Then,
a quiet street. Gradually build up to parks, sidewalks, or high-traffic areas. Each new environment adds a layer of distraction. If they fail at one level, go back a step.