Our backyard has rocks that line the house and the front porch, we can't change this because it's a strata complex. How bad is it that she is always putting rocks in her mouth? I feel like I'm constantly picking rocks out of her mouth or the back of her throat. My mom said our lab when I was a child swallowed rocks and eventually threw them up. Id like to avoid an obstruction! I know they say labs put everything in their mouths and eat everything but this habit is getting old quickly!
Re: Obsessed with rocks... Oh dear, not good I`m afraid Apart from being terribly bad for teeth ( chipping and wearing down ) theres a risk of swallowing whole small ones . I remember seeing an Xray of a Labs tummy , it was full of stones and pebbles My Lad used to do this too when he was a puppy, it terrifed me so I started offering a trade , a beloved toy or kong , quickly taught him the Leave command , I really would start this now before he ends up with a broken tooth, good luck
Re: Obsessed with rocks... Sympathies.....Ive got one that did this .....we had to get rid of the ornamental stones in the garden ,although he would still find some to dig up : While I was still working on Leave it and Drop...we just traded for a treat ,he would spit out no problem.I also fed him ice cubes because he seemed to like the clacking sensation on his teeth as much as anything else,that might be an idea to try? Beware,they get clever,Dexter would pick a pebble up in the park and carry it in his mouth without chewing then run in the house and dive into his crate to try and have a good crunch thinking I didn't have a clue! Funnily enough,only today ......I've still got 2 pots outside my front door with 2 really spikey plants in and some white pebbles for decoration.....bold as brass he manoevred round the cactus and licked up one of the pebbles...he spat out quickly of his own accord because it's 42 degrees now and the sun had been on the pots,they weren't scorching but they were warm enough to give him a surprise!He hasn't done it for ages so hopefully he's cured himself with his own aversive method ;D
Re: Obsessed with rocks... Darnit. I immediately was concerned about her teeth, and swallowing them. It's like the second she's outside she goes for them, my 1.5 year old daughter does the same! I have been working on leave it for 2 weeks, I'll have to get on the "drop" it command. I'm tempted to put her on a leash until she has learned those cues because she is constantly doing it, and then bolts if I try to get them out of her mouth. Either that or start planting cactus!!
Re: Obsessed with rocks... How old is she now? Charlie used to do this - was a nightmare because I hate lawns, so had them dug out and replaced with slate chips. He would constantly put the slate chips in his mouth and chomp. He grew out of it around 5 or 6 months, I think (although I would remove the chips and distract him, I don't think I "taught" him not to do it).
Re: Obsessed with rocks... Jasper likes the pea gravel at the side of our driveway although he's become less interested in just a few weeks. I had planned on replacing it with block paving anyway but put it off for years due to other more pressing jobs. I think I'll be doing it sooner rather than later to avoid a big vet bill though, or just make that his pooping place and he'll replace it for me with stinky brown concrete! !
Re: Obsessed with rocks... I wish it were only rocks! Edsel is obsessed with rocks, moss, sticks, plastic, paper, cloth, dirt, sand! Actually anything he can get his mouth around! Provides lots of "leave it" and "drop it" practice opportunities. I'm pretty sure my neighbors hear "Edsel , leave it!" In their sleep! Lori & Edsel
Re: Obsessed with rocks... I empathise, we have one who does exactly the same thing. At least you know you're not alone. His other favourites were small terracotta flower pots he'd steal out the greenhouse (we removed them) and the corners of breeze block ( they've all gone as well now) It's a real pain but you just have to persevere, take it away, substitute it with something else until they grow out of it. For us it was empty plastic milk cartons - but they have to be removed if he manages to chew a corner off. It eventually stops!!
Re: Obsessed with rocks... [quote author=lorilou61 link=topic=6357.msg84399#msg84399 date=1401712884] I wish it were only rocks! Edsel is obsessed with rocks, moss, sticks, plastic, paper, cloth, dirt, sand! Actually anything he can get his mouth around! Provides lots of "leave it" and "drop it" practice opportunities. I'm pretty sure my neighbors hear "Edsel , leave it!" In their sleep! Lori & Edsel [/quote] Oh it's not just rocks! It's everything. But rocks are my most worrisome right now. I think my neighbours hear the same thing haha! Julie she will be 12 weeks wednesday. I'm hoping she outgrows it but I am finding the stereotype that labs putting everything in their mouths to be true so far. I worry about her teeth!
Re: Obsessed with rocks... She will grow out of it for sure , just barter with her for now , I remember being paranoid about Sam munching away on our gravel patio , but he suddenly stopped, good luck
Re: Obsessed with rocks... [quote author=Aburns link=topic=6357.msg84456#msg84456 date=1401725821] Oh it's not just rocks! It's everything. But rocks are my most worrisome right now. I think my neighbours hear the same thing haha! Julie she will be 12 weeks wednesday. I'm hoping she outgrows it but I am finding the stereotype that labs putting everything in their mouths to be true so far. I worry about her teeth! [/quote] Charlie was a horror at that age for putting stuff in his mouth. But once he learned about the world a bit more, he stopped needing to explore things like rocks and so on. Just keep deterring her, it'll probably get better in a little while. Hang on in there!
