puppies eating rocks

Question
We have 2 bull mastiff puppies. They will not quit eating rocks.  They are rarely left alone, fed well and never been abused. What can we do to get them to stop?

Answer
Dear Kim,

This is serious because it could cause problems that can only be solved with surgery.  Pour tabasco sauce on the rocks and see what happens.  If it rains a lot where you live, you'll either have to reapply regularly or find a taste deterrent which is more water-repellant than Tabasco.  I don't have any particular ones to recommend but I know there are several out there.  Look at gardening shops online for pet repellants and deterrents.

Provide these pups with good strong chew toys while they're outside.  Kong toys and other harder rubber toys are good.  You could even put an old tire out there for them to have fun with.  Puppies need to chew and if there isn't anything else out there they'll go for the rocks, so give them other more attractive options.

Do your best not to give the dogs attention for eating rocks.  Simply walk over, take the rock out of the mouth and walk away.  Dogs will repeat behaviors which are reinforced whether it's by shouting at them or otherwise giving attention.  Give attention for chewing appropriate chewables out there.  You can even stuff your Kong with treats and give them to them outside as their reinforcement, as long as they won't fight over the food.

If this doesn't work, you'll have to remove the rocks or remove the dogs' access to the rocks, with fencing or another method.

Good luck and thanks for writing.
Suzanne Harris, BSc, CPDT
http://www.dogdaysUSA.com