How To Get Your Dog To Stop Eating Dog Show Ribbons

Although it might look glamorous, you don’t get much from showing dogs.  But what you do manage to get is cherished.  So, if you've taken all of that time and effort to bring home dog show ribbons, it can be ironic but painful to find that your dogs likes to eat them.  No need to stop showing dogs or get rid of your prize show dog.  You just need common sense, patience and persistence when training your dog not to eat his dog show ribbons.

Make Them Taste Beyond Foul

In the meantime, before you can trust your dog around dog show ribbons, try and keep them away from his hungry mouth.  This is not always possible.  What you can do is try to discourage your dog from putting his mouth on them by spraying your dog show ribbons with noxious stuff called bitter apple spray.  It's harmless, but horrible.  It's usually sold as "training sprays" to get puppies to not chew the furniture.

The "Leave It" Command

Sometimes even bitter apple won't deter a hungry dog.  Somehow, eating dog show ribbons has been associated as a pleasurable activity that fulfills some kind of yet unknown need.  If he's going to eat dog show ribbons, he's likely to eat more dangerous things like chocolate bars, rocks or children's toys.

You need to train him to drop what's in his mouth and not pick it up again.  This is called the "leave it" command, but some trainers use the keywords "thank you" while others use "Drop it!"  This takes a long time to learn.  A lot of trainers recommend you train bit by bit. leading up to eventually having him drop whatever is in his mouth when he hears the command.

Have something you want your dog to chew – a Nylabone, rawhide bone or toy, for example.  Leave out a dog show ribbon on the floor or table that is nose-high to the dog.  When he puts his nose on the ribbon, say "Leave it!" in a sharp, deep no-nonsense tone of voice.  When my dog won't let go, I've leaned down and growled at her like a dog would.  She lets go.

Immediately upon letting go, praise and give with what you want them to chew on.  You have to be persistent with this.  Everyone in the house should know the command and to praise afterwards.  Eventually, the dog gets the idea that dog show ribbons are permanently off of the menu.