Eating Rocks

Watch him like a hawk and get a basket muzzle.

is there a reason for why they do it? is it an age thing?

PeeWeesMama said:

Watch him like a hawk and get a basket muzzle.

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I dunno if a muzzle is going to solve the problem, the second you take the muzzle off, the puppy may just go eat another rock right away.... :confused2

I think the key here is to let the puppy learn rocks are not for eating. My pup used to have the same problem: sticks, rocks, bark- he ate everything. I just supervised my puppy closely when outside and provided him with lots of chew toys and goodies. Eventually he stopped caring about rocks and grew out of it. Good luck

I agree with Rocky (no pun intended!)..

teach him the 'leave it' command. Rocks are a definite no no.

Maybe they eat them due to tummy aches/help aid digestion (like grass eating) or a diet deficiency?

There is no grass in the desert and he only eats Innova Large Puppy with a treat here and there, so definitely no diet problems.

But he does like to chew and eat a lot of things -- wood, sticks, rocks, etc. You know the routine.

charlesmdodson said:

There is no grass in the desert and he only eats Innova Large Puppy with a treat here and there, so definitely no diet problems.

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I was making a comparison to grass eaters. Just because you feed top notch food, doesn't mean it may not be agreeing with your dog, either. I speak from experience... I'm not saying that is the reason he does it.


Another thought is, maybe he is bored.

I dont think he is bored or that he dislikes his food. His 'potty' is normal if that means anything. He also gets a lot of exercise and goes on lots of outings. I am starting to think it's just a puppy chewing stage since he will chew/swallow most anything if not careful.

I agree with the "watch him like a hawk" statement. Okie-Dobie will tell you........she had to have surgery on ******* when she was very young (3 or 4 months if I remember right) for eating a few rocks. Im not really sure what to tell you, other than....you DONT want those sitting in his stomach.

Good Luck!

I am constantly taking rocks out of Jada's mouth. Used to have to do it with Titus as well when he was a pup but he outgrew it.

Last spring we had a 4 month old puppy who ate a rock and had to have surgery. He was one sick boy. Very dangerous for sure!

I would either put him on rubber mats or concrete. If he doesn't outgrow it I would e-collar him at about 10 months. I had one that started it about 8 months, I rubber used rubber mats until he was 10 months, then e-collar when he was where he could get rocks. It took a few months before I could trust him but it worked. But you have to be there all the time when he's out with rocks and the e-collar. When you think he's cured, keep up the routine for at least another 3 months. I'm not a big e-collar fan but rocks are deadly. I didn't say a word, just hit the button when he went for a rock. Then I stayed in the house and monitored him in the yard. Don't let him associate you with the correction. Make the rocks bad.

BackInBlack said:

I agree with the "watch him like a hawk" statement. Okie-Dobie will tell you........she had to have surgery on ******* when she was very young (3 or 4 months if I remember right) for eating a few rocks. Im not really sure what to tell you, other than....you DONT want those sitting in his stomach.

Good Luck!

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Yup, ******* just about ate the hole driveway...lol!! I was lucky that I noticed her not being able to drink water and rushed her to the vet for surgery. You were lucky that he was able to throw them up this time. Please watch him very carefully.

Isabelle still os ocasionly eats rock & she's 7. With her it's a a lack of mental stimulation thing. She did it when she was a pup. Luckily she's never eaten enough of them to get sick. She poops them out. She likes tiny gravel. I find that if she get lots of exercise she doesn't bother with the rocks. If a day or so has passed and we haven't gone for our walk then the eating of rocks can start, but that usually after the digging. She definately lets me know when she's bored!

Be Careful

Boca ate a bunch of rocks about 3 weeks before I got her and had to have an operation, she was one sick puppy (about 6 months old at the time). We think she was playing keep away with her siblings.

Twice I've caught her with rocks since I've had her and was able to correct her. She doesn't seem that interested in them any more (14 months old)

She is a big grass eater and loves to do drive by grass grabbing...LOL

In the yard we dont even waste our time with mulch anymore...we have some rocks but they are on a "boring" part of the yard...and doesnt eat them. Now Duchess only has mudd to eat if she wants. and mudd is fine with me lol. we dont fertilize or use anything on our grass etc. Its a yard...my dogs are more important to us.

This might be of interest, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z0sDKOdEnY. Anyway, it was what I first thought of when I read your post. Hopefully, this problem will resolve itself soon. A lot of the inappropriate behavior seen in puppies goes away as they grow up. Seems to be true for most people too. Though, don't get me started talking about teenagers. :sprint: Last night was a tough one.

Phil

ps4570 said:

This might be of interest, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Z0sDKOdEnY. Anyway, it was what I first thought of when I read your post. Hopefully, this problem will resolve itself soon. A lot of the inappropriate behavior seen in puppies goes away as they grow up. Seems to be true for most people too. Though, don't get me started talking about teenagers. :sprint: Last night was a tough one.


Phil

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Oh come on Phil do tell it's always nice to hear other parents problems LOL

Typical B.S. Talking back, using profanity. Time to watch TV, pick on his sister, and work on LAX equipment, but no time to do homework or chores. Did I mention the in school suspension for hitting another kid? "Life is unfair, he started it :blah_2_ma."

Well I lost it. I feel bad for Lena, because I think she thought I was yelling at her. She ran upstairs; sensitive Dobe. Chester; tough Chihuahua, just hung around and watched the show. The TV is now password protected and my son will be spending some time this weekend learning how to change the spark plugs in my car. It will be just the two of us as my wife will be gone with her girl scout troop. With a little bit of luck, we will all be in one piece come Sunday night. Sigh...