Outdoor Problems...

[Gunner 7]

Our Gunner is a 12 week labradoodle. We are having issues with Gunner eating dirt, rocks, and sticks when he goes out. I did some research online and found many articles explaining this behavior as a result of the lack of certain aspects of a dog's diet. We fed Gunner Eukanuba from 7 weeks to 10 weeks and switched him to tHe Wellness brand (at our Vet's suggestion) He eats the recommended portion of food but seems obsessed with eating leaves, mulch, and rocks. We have started taking him out on his leash, but he constantly signals he needs to go out and seems his only intention is to dig up rocks and sticks. Being a puppy he loves to chew but I feel he wants to consume not just chew. All other behavior is ok but obviously we're concerned Gunner will harm himself if these things are consumed. Suggestions???

[Hays]

Have you tried the "leave it" command with your pup? We have a 15 week old pup and the first couple weeks we had her, we experienced the same thing. Its natural bc they are puppies. We take hayley to training classes at Petsmart and started on the leave it command very early. you have to be consistent with him and pull him away by leash saying leave it....constantly until he ultimately stops completely. It will likely take you a week or two completely to conquer this. Obviously, if you just let him out and he peed and pood and than ten min after you bring him in, he signals wanting to go out again, you know it's not to potty, its to be outside and play...try redirecting his attention on a favorite toy, playing ball, or chew bone. It's just a matter of time and he will get the hint...Good Luck!

[Nologic]

My 9 week old is putting everything in his mouth. Dirt, sticks, socks, my hand. I don't think it is diet related, but that he is curious about everything. I've had labs in the past and they are always mouthing and eating everything. Hays is probably right in that the 'leave it' command is really important. Drop it is also good to teach.

Right now Buddy is easily distracted from what he is chewing on to chew on something else. I always have another toy handy or chew toy handy. When he grabs a stick or something he shouldn't have, I use the drop it even if I have to pull it out of his mouth and then offer him the other toy and tell him good boy. If he goes back to the forbidden object, he get a 'naaa' (what I use for no) and then lots of praise when he takes the right object. It takes lots of repetition and enforcement.

Also, at 12 weeks, I think Gunner may be beginning to get his adult teeth and that means lots of chewing. I would have lots of different things around that are good for him to chew.

[Hays]

Nologic, very good advice!! Great job! I am sure your pup, like my Hayley will come along just fine!! And Gunner's pup too!! Gunner, by the way, hope your pup is doing much better!

[PaulyWallyDoodL]

Cali is 9 months and occasionally still eats leaves and sticks. With them all covered with snow right now, she's eating the snow instead (white snow only!)

We use the "leave it!" command, this works everywhere but the backyard!

[Hays]

PaulyWallyDoodL, that is funny....I'm sure the back yard is just filled with all kinds of goodies for your pup huh! LOL!

[jodysh]

Malcolm likes sticks. We live in a condo so not many sticks around. At my mom and dad's house, though he is in stick heaven. He does chew on them not sure how much of it he's eating. Our Lab used to do the same thing.

[markrys]

Puppys are so much like toddlers, in their world EVERYTHING is edible.Chloe will find things is the backyard right after I have made a clean sweep.Sticks leaves, dried apples and other fruit. I take away anything that could harm , like old rotted apples and sharp sticks. She will allways explore and we do the best we can but we also let her be outside alone for her time too.She knows "leave it" and will do just that on walks but HER back yard is different & will make a game of keep away when i try to take small prizes away that she has found.