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Original poster

Stoned! Urgent request for help from dog owners

19 replies

BernieBear · 17/08/2007 09:59

Hi there, my puppy is nearly 10 weeks and is constantly trying to eat stones. I know this is a killer and am constantly monitoring him outside, but how do I stop this "need" he has? He has loads of chew toys, gets fed (obviously) plenty of exercise and play but how how how can I stop this. He is great other than this and I don't want to lose him to something which must be quite common.

Any ideas on how to stop him. Have tried distraction, loud noises etc but he is a very determined puppy.

HELP?

OP posts:
Piffle · 17/08/2007 10:03

we had to muzzle our JRT to stop him he ended up in dog hospital with blockages for days on end
nothing woul stop him except getting rid of the stone or buying big ones that he could bite but not break off and swallow

our jrt also ate our car bumper, dd's ride on toys and edges of the house bricks

he has since been rehomed due to a new baby here

Original poster
BernieBear · 17/08/2007 12:03

Oh dear, so this doesn't bode well then.

Anyone else???? PLLLLLLEEEEAAASSSEEEE

OP posts:
pipsqueeke · 17/08/2007 12:05

what size are the stones?

pipsqueeke · 17/08/2007 12:06

our GSD used to do it esp on the beach used to 'grate' them tbh it was a stage he grew out of. have you tried throwing sticks or something instead?

SixKindsofCrisis · 17/08/2007 12:07

I would have guessed that such a young puppy is very likely to put daft things in his mouth, just like a human baby, and that he will grow out of it. The importnant thing is to stop him doing it now so that it doesn't have a chance to become a habit. Close monitoring for a couple of weeks and then it might well get much much easier.

saralou · 17/08/2007 12:09

isn't this like a teething phase? so like kids needing to chew on everything puppies are the same? (i've only ever had grown up dogs, no puppies)

can you get rid of stones, a good sweep up, or are they part of your garden? chnge them to bigger stones if they are??

Original poster
BernieBear · 17/08/2007 12:17

Crickey that was fast - thanks all. The stones can be all shapes and sizes, and he does like to grind them up. But I have seen them "come out the other end" iykwim.

I have tried throwing toys and most of the time it distracts him whilst he gets the toy, then he takes said toy back to flower bed and swaps it for a stone.

I do so hope this is a stage he will grow out of. He is starting puppy training classes next week so will ask there.

OP posts:
HorseyWoman · 17/08/2007 18:07

My pet dog when I was a teenager, was mad on eating stones. The problem was we used to go to the beach which was a mile from where we lived, and throw pebbles to the water ffor him to fetch, and then when we moved and next to the house was some waste ground which was once used to store petrol, he kept his fascination with stones. It caused him to have fits and fever. He used to lie there for about 15 minutes just fitting. We managed to stop the stone eating but can't remember how; I will have to ask my mum.

HorseyWoman · 17/08/2007 18:08

Rex was about 3 when we managed to curb this so yes it may have linked to his puppy stage.

Charlie999 · 17/08/2007 18:24

Is he a labrador?

My lab done this, and as long as they are small, they will pass through .

My lab did swallow a huge one once and it came up the same way it went down a week later

That's why our dog is insured - blockages are expensive.

Sorry - not very helpful - ours just grew out of the fascination eventually

MellowMa · 17/08/2007 18:27

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Charlie999 · 17/08/2007 18:29

....mine does that as well...in fact shite that has come out of any animals bum - except fox shite...he rolls in that

MellowMa · 17/08/2007 18:31

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MellowMa · 17/08/2007 18:32

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MellowMa · 17/08/2007 18:32

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no1putsbabyinthecorner · 17/08/2007 18:36

hi.
I sympathise with you.I used to be a veterinary nurse and saw this problem quite a lot, so can appreciate how worried you are.
Firstly I do agree with six..they are like babies and tend to pick up anything laying around and may outgrow this.However i would make sure the puppy doesn't have too many toys that he not sure what to play with first iykwim. Also have you heard of clicker training. I tried this when i got my puppy to see if it really worked and it really does.Apart from the basics I taught lots of probably pointless but funny tricks.
If you see puppy pick up stone, immediatley distract with his toy,when he drops it and takes his own you click the little box and IMMEDIATLEY give a treat.Hope this helps

beautifulgirls · 17/08/2007 21:15

This is very very important to get stopped. Clear up stones as far as you can, but if he still can get hold of them you need to look to other options.A basket type muzzle while he is out unsupervised is essential until he can learn to stop this and be trusted with it. Invest in some bitter apple spray and spray the stones that he is getting at (if you cant remove them altogether) so they taste horrible in the first place. Teach him how to "drop" anything in his mouth on command - practice with toys and consider the clicker type training too like another poster suggested. If he does get hold of a stone, take it from him if he is not yet dropping them, and then get him really excited with a special toy and praise him for redirecting his attention to the new activity. Hopefully he will start to realise what pleases you and the want to take the stones will be much less.
If he continues to pick up stones there is the risk of swallowing one and getting a blockage - these can be life threatening, but there are also risks if he grinds them with his teeth too of fracturing his teeth or wearing them down severely. Muzzling may feel a bit mean at first but when it comes to the alternative health risks there is no choice really until that training is really well ingrained
Best of luck - you will need to work long and hard at this.

Original poster
BernieBear · 18/08/2007 12:17

Thanks all. no1putsbabyinthecorner - thank you very much for that advice, great to hear from someone "in the field". I am distracting with toys at the moment and when he drops the stone a treat. Sometimes though I do have to physically get the stone out of his mouth.

We start puppy training on Tuesday so will ask there about the clicker, I have heard of them as some of the dogs I walk work well with them.

beautiful girls - thanks again, I know how important it is to get him to stop which is why I am so concerned. Will let you know how I go.

Charlie - oh yes am deffo insured

Pee and Poo, my life is filled with pee and poo, both ds's and dogs. I'm doomed DOOOOOOMED I say

OP posts:
no1putsbabyinthecorner · 18/08/2007 14:19

Good luck BernieBear, let us know how you get on.

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