eating habits

Question
QUESTION: I make my chocolate lab sit and wait until I pour her food in her bowl and then give her the command to go ahead and eat, but she drools while waiting and then eats so fast that she doesn't even chew and sometimes chokes a bit, it's ridiculous and I can't get her to slow down. She always is insanely hungry and will immediately rush to and eat ANYTHING dropped on the floor. She also actually eats clothing items and vomits them up later,I'm afraid she will choke on something if I can't break her from this. I thought it could be worm related,all her tests from vet are normal. Is this ridiculous appetite normal for this breed? Can I do anything about it?

ANSWER: Unfortunately yes.  I once knew a stud named Hoover named for his eating habits.  I never saw him eat, but some of his puppies and grand puppies were even worse than most labs.  Some of them were named Kirby and Eureka.  

I have no solution for the drooling.  There are not one, but 2 easy, tested, effective ways to control rapid eating. You can spread the food out on a cookie sheet or something. Some of my friends just throw it on the floor of the crate. You can put large rocks in the food dish, much to big to swallow. Either way, the dog can't gulp down one big mouthful after another.

Don't let her appetite lead you to over feeding her.  That is a common mistake.  Don't follow others poor practice.  Your dog definitely should be narrower at the waist than the hips and chest. You should be able to easily feel the ribs, but not see them. Each dog is different. Standard recommendations are a good place to start, but each dog must have its food and exercise adjusted to its individual needs. Here is a link to a good illustrated guide, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx

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QUESTION: I can't understand why my chocolate lab eats socks and underwear, even brand new out of the package without my scent on them. I do try hard to keep all clothing out of her reach but she will claw at the laundry hamper until she knocks it over and gets into it, etc...I just can't seem to break her from it and I am so afraid she may choke at some point.

Answer
Perhaps I should have commented on that.  That too is quite typical of young Labs and you are correct to be concerned about choking and digestive blockages.  The only thing you can do is supervise her better and control her access to clothing.  Yes dirty socks are best, but laundered ones or new ones will do.  

When you are around you need to keep a close eye on the dog. Use closed doors or gates to keep it in the same room as you are, and perhaps as I do, a short chain fastened to the computer desk.  When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys. In a quiet, but firm voice give it an ''Ah, ah, ah!''. Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of her toys, or hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.

A mousetrap is very effective in making a dog leave something alone. Most dogs will stay away from anywhere they were surprised by a snap. The best part is that it is not you that is correcting the dog. It works whether you are around or not. The mousetrap is very patient and is always on task as long as you reset it.

Better than mousetraps when you aren't around is the crate. Other dogs may not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with. Still your house and dog will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away. The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. They are harder for dogs to open too. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys. Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter. Don't leave anything in the crate the dog might chew up. It will do fine without even any bedding. You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work. Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going in. If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate. Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding time for more than one dog.

If you are leaving the dog home all day, consider doggy day care.  The dog that spends all day playing with other dogs is not chewing things, and may be too tired to get into things in the evening.