There is not a bird dropping or a dead and dried up worm within a 2 mile radius of my home that my Sophie has not already eaten. I keep waiting for her to get sick. But somehow she doesn't. I use a harness and we walk for 45 min. every morning. I give a gentle tug and a pull and sometimes get her away in time, but then there are those times that she snags it before I even realize she's seen something. If you figure out a solution, let me know. Sorry I don't have one for you. I just thought I'd let you know I'm with ya.