My female pom mix is 2 years old, I adopted her 2 months ago. I feed her iams dog food. We live in an apartment. My problem is every time I take her out for her walk, she acts like she has to find something to eat and most of the time she does, like dead birds, bark, rocks, paper anything. She keeps her nose to the ground and picks up anything and tries to eat it. She doesn't do this in the apartment; only when I take her for her walks 3 to 4 times a day. Do I need to change her diet, or is this a bad habit and if it is, how do I correct it.

It could be her diet, she may be lacking something. Iams isn't the best of dog foods, it's much better than Ole Roy, but there are better brands out there. Has she been treated for worms?

It could be a behavior thing as well. When you are walking her, keep her occupied, whether it's picking up the pace, or calling her names, using a whistle, any thing you can to call her attention. You can also start teaching her the command "leave it".

I try to stick with holistic brands. Also when you get a brand of dog food, try and get something with out wheat, corn or other grain and fillers. Most dogs can not digest these things.

Look for specific ingredients. So if it says Fish and oatmeal, make sure it lists what type of fish is in there. If it says poultry, make sure it lists what type of bird is in there. It's best to get the food that says the ingredients in the label, like salmon and oatmeal. Than you know it's Salmon, and not what ever fish is the cheapest that day.

Do you live in the US?

Was this dog a rescue? If so, this could very well be a survival tactic if the dog had to fend for itself.

Dogs never seeming to be full is definitely a learned behavior either provoked by people or created on itself. Feeding a high calorie diet will definitely help, but don't depend on changing food to stop this behavior all together.

I have heard that feeding hungry dogs green beans act as a natural filler for dogs giving them the sensation that they're full. You might want to try that and see if it helps.

How are you introducing the Leave it command? Are you using just food and treats? Or are you using other things also? Are you giving the command to items in your hand? Or on the floor/ground?

Some dogs are stubborn and different approaches need to be introduced.

Lol, that's just called dogs being dogs.

Mine get the best of the best when it comes to food and they still love eating dead birds and mice.

I was gifted with a bird missing its head the other day by Prada... she thought I might like it.