We have a Dogue de Bordeaux who is now 6 months old... we have had many problems in the past of which we have received lots of good advice so im wondering if anyone can advice us on this problem.

Winnie eats everything she shouldnt... It started off with tissues, and has progressed to letters, socks, flannels, dishclothes, brillo pads and the list goes on. We try our best not to leave things hanging around, but she picks things up from anywhere like other peoples houses or in the field when she is out walking. She swallows all of these items which is giving me concern. The items normally get sicked up, but being a dog she quickly eats it again until such a time as we catch her and the object. (Sorry to sound disgusting!!) Any thing we can do other then muzzle her when she is out of our house??? i thought it was something she would grow out of ...

First off please do NOT muzzle her when you aren't in the house - the risk of her getting the muzzle hooked up on all sorts of things is just too great........

What YOU do when she gets hold of something like this could be very important - you should be offering to trade what she has for something more interesting that you have (like a piece of hotdog sausage or cheese) - the idea is to make the idea of giving it up more rewarding than swallowing it. If you feel that she might think she is being rewarded for taking things then ask her to 'sit' before you give her the treat - then she's being rewarded for the sit, not the stealing.

You might also consider getting a crate for her to keep her (and your possesions if it's impossible for the family to put everything away) safe.......

I was thinking of putting a muzzle on her when out walking or when she visits friends with us. Im not sure that i like the thought of this now, but it cant be doing her any good eating things like this. Generally, me and my partner have had to learn not to leave things in her reach from the first day we got her home. (Not that accidents dont happen at times). We have tried to avoid a crate, she does not have the run of the house only certain areas. She picks things up when we walk her off lead and visit friends and relatives with her.

The problems is that she runs and will only return when its eaten, we try to entice her back to us with goodies rather than chase her but its all very quick and often too late.

Thanks for your advice, hopefully she will realise that what we want to give her is far tastier than an old sock.... Ive certainly reconsidered the muzzle!!!... Thanks again