We have a lot of landscaping pebbles in our yard and whenever we take our puppy out in the back yard, she takes a few in her mouth. Sometimes she swallows them, sometimes she spits them out. We're already finding them in her poo. How do we make her stop eating them? We're already taking her out on leash only, but the rocks are difficult to avoid. We need help!
Hi Glenn, welcome to the forum! Pippa has written about puppies who try to guzzle pebbles on our main site, in this article. It should be of interest to you! One of the most straightforward solutions, if you have the space, is to set up an outdoor playpen in a stone-free spot. Then carry your puppy straight to that when it's time to use the toilet. Good luck and let us know how you get on!
Sam used to try to eat people’s. He out grew it at about 10 weeks. My only suggestion would be to avoid area with the pebbles until he loses interest. You may have to clear a spot before you take your pup out again.
David, Your Sam looks like my Lily does now. ☺ Thank you for your advice. I think she partially eats the rocks because she thinks it's a game since I am trying to remove them from her mouth. I am worried since I am finding the pebbles in her poop. I hope she out grows it because there are too many pebbles to remove and it is difficult to keep her away from them.
She won't outgrow it easily unless you prevent her access to the pebbles - habits form.... Puppies need to be kept contained within a puppy-proofed area and taken out of that area on a puppy house line so you can keep them within an area outdoors where they can't pick everything up. IF you can prevent bad habits, they go away... If you give your puppy too much freedom, then you give her too many choices - and she will make 'bad' choices (in your book) and these may well become habits...
Great pic David. Yes, eating stones is not a good thing especially if it results in intestinal blockage. That's a $3000 bill I probably would not pay.
