Hi,

Im new to this board but have spent a while reading over some old posts and it looks like a great source of information...which was why I was hoping you could help me!! :)

Im studying canine psychology so have read through numerous training books but cant find any answers on how to stop my 14wk old Weimaraner from eating sticks/twigs and stones. Ive had him 2 weeks now and hes generally very well behaved - sits on command, comes when called, walks well on the lead, getting the hang of house training and all the other normal puppy problems. The problem is that when I take him for a walk, he will pick up and eat small twigs like they're his dinner. Because of reading about the problems of stick throwing/eating, Ive been doing my best to stop him and as a result he now doesnt come when called and will pull if I put him on the lead. Ive tried being more exciting than the sticks he eats but most of the time the sticks win (probably because of the attention he gets) and Ive been advised to muzzle him but Im not sure if this is the best solution or if its something I would have to do for the rest of his life...

Any advice would be VERY welcome!!

Hi please do not muzzle your pup this is awful that some one would say such a thing, all pups do this its called being a puppy my two bulldog pups do this all the time they are 6 months old but i just ask them to bring it to me and i take it away tell puppy what a good girl give it a toy and send away bring toy back make a big fuss of pup and throw toy it is just a matter of time they do learn to leave these stones and things alone just dont make a big thing of it best of luck Jackie :-)

Distraction and watchfulness are the only ways to break the habit. If you cannot watch him in the gsarden then get him indoors. give him more appropriate things to do. Legitimate toys to chew, and games to play with you.

Puppies are like babies bnut more so and put everything in their mouths to investigate it.

Also do not make a big deal of it, chase him to get the items etc, as this in it's mind will be a great game and a way of gaining your attention, the one thing they want most!!

my 11mth old border terrier has always enjoyed chewing/eating sticks. i have tried to discourage it by giving him other things to occupy him but he always prefers a stick !. anyway, this is just to let you know that your pup will probably grow out of it eventually, i have noticed a real change in my boy over the past few weeks, definately fewer sticks !.

val

Our 14 month old female Long Haired German Shepherd has taken to eating plants and chewing on the garden hose. She is basically an outside dog. She gets plenty of affection, but becomes very excited -- actually doing pirouettes-- when we play together. She has chewed some very precious and expensive plants to the ground, in other cases she has dug them up, much to our annoyance. I cannot punish her because it is usually fait accompli when we find out. It may be she does it at night? She is very smart, affectionate and obedient in most other ways. She was raised at the beginning with vegetables in her food, but once she became a yearling, it was reduced and now she gets cooked food without starch or veggies. I was thinking that perhaps she has a need in her diet for the folic acid? And also for chewing as she's started bringing up the firewood. This indicates something lacking. She is not interested in toys, but likes to munch on rawhide etc. Any suggestions? I thought of using those sprays that repel the dogs on the hose and some plants.

Thanks to all for your replies and advice. I do watch my pup very carefully and its usually when we're on our return from his walk that he'll start looking for things to pick up and chew - Ive also taken toys with me which Ive squeaked, thrown, kicked, wiggled and waved but he looks at me like Im stupid and carries on munching on his chosen twig.

Im glad that it seems to be something that he'll grow out of and I know not to chase him and make a game out of it but didnt know which was the bigger danger - chasing him or letting him chew and swallow whatever he wants.

Im going to try buying him a treat filled squeaky toy that he only gets to play with when on his walks so that hopefully it will be enough to convince him to leave the other stuff alone! If anyone has any other ideas, Id love to hear them!!

Thanks again!! :o)

Hi, you are doing the right thing by ignoring him when he has something in his mouth. My dog is just recovering from intestinal surgery after swallowing a stone. I have had to walk my dog on the park on his lead for the past few days and I have noticed that he is much more inclined to pick things up then then when he is running freely. I don't know if there is a connection here - the toy is a great idea, you just need something that will immediately attract his attention, then he just forgets about the other things. Good luck