Hi all, this last 2 weeks or so, Brodie is almost 3, has started the habit of picking up and chewing the ends of branches he finds on his off leash walks. This is something new, yes, when a pup we had the chewing of socks, shoes plaster walls etc which is all in the past now. Other than chewing his tug toy ropes we have no chewing at all. Where we are in W Yorks there has been quite a bit of rain and wind which has caused more branches to be down than normal, my main concerns are Why has he started this? I assume distraction is the best route to combat this habit? He only seems to chew, but I am worried about him taking bits of wood into himself? And any resultant complications.
Hi Neil, I would try to distract Brodie from chewing branches/sticks as they can do so much damage. My dog Charlie who doesn't even pick up sticks or chew them ran onto a stick impailing himself on it causing a lot of damage and he almost died this was about 3 months ago so it makes me cringe to hear anything stick related. Could you throw a ball or buy a Safestix which are plastic or use really good smelly treats? Also I think this can become an obsessive thing. I see a rescue Cocker Spaniel that carries small logs around and if his owner stops to talk to me this dog is like a Beaver, chewing frantically and spitting large splinters out all over the place, he too damaged his mouth causing an abscess but his owners still allow this behaviour so they are asking for more trouble and vet bills.
Thanks for the heads up Charlie. I had it in my mind it could be dangerous. I do always have him "leave it" which he does and yes distraction is my intended way forward. I always have treats and a ball to hand. Will try to get him out of the habit before it becomes obsessive.
While it is not desirable, lots of dogs chew up sticks with no problem. We think Cooper may be 1/2 Beaver. She chews on sticks and small pieces of wood, but does not swallow them.
@Neil You are doing the right thing avoiding sticks at all costs, good for you. @Ski-Patroller I know of two dogs in our village alone that have had surgery for stick related accidents that's not including my own dog Charlie. Why take the chance? There are lots of toys, food etc. a good strong proofed "leave it". Just not worth the risk in my view, ever. Also you can't be 100% Cooper doesn't swallow small pieces of wood. Dogs die all the time from stick injuries my own almost did and he doesn't even pick sticks up and had a freak accident x
For better or worse, Cooper and Tilly have free run of our house and back yard. There are probably 20 trees back there and they drop branches so the opportunity is always there. I don't have a lot of hope for teaching her to leave sticks alone, when we aren't around.
Lilly sometimes chews a stick. She systematically chews it into pieces and leaves them on the lawn. No swallowing. She likes the bramble sticks particularly
I have been teaching Vanilla to swap or give it back to me. She will carry it back to me which then involves a swap for treat while my foot goes on the stick. Gives me enough time to pick it up, while I distract her. She is worse on our morning walk, while it is dark. I have a Safestix in a nice pink, she loves it which is always a good swap. I never thought that sticks would be bad until I came on here.
My friends lab broke her teeth chewing sticks she had to have some out. We all stop Annie now if we see her get one. shes getting on a bit now can't afford to loose anymore teeth
Mollie too - she loves brambles! If she brings them indoors I swap them for a treat or a chew. Outside she's usually too busy playing to stop and chew a stick. My pups have all grown out of it at about 12 months so I try not to make it into a 'thing' which would make sticks even more valuable to them. @JulieT has an excellent method for distracting little pups without them knowing it's you doing it. I'll look for her description.
Oh well I'm very happy to remain paranoid where sticks are concerned as I have very good reason too. xx
I'm surprised at that. I would think bones and sheds (antlers) would be way more dangerous to teeth than sticks. Wood splinters, but it is not as hard as bone. We use nylabones and nylabone sheds now, instead of real bones most of the time.
Straight up matey broke 3 and had to have 2 out. She is about 13 and the vets thinks the old girls brittle teeth may have contributed to the cracking. Shes not allowed and bones nybones or anything hard at all. She's a lovely old thing just a bit gummy now. You'd love her she a retired guide dog and is determined to kick up her heals at any opportunity.
