rufus Posted July 19, 2003 Posted July 19, 2003 Rufus is 4 months old and has been eating flowers, mud etc from the garden since I got him 3 weeks ago - today he brought me in a lovely carnation (at least he doesn't have hay fever!!!) and while I keep my eye on him and stop him if I can, I've decided that I'm not going to make a big thing off it as I'd spend more time telling him off than petting him and I don't want to make him unhappy. Since I first got him it has been very hot here in the UK but it rained the last two days and this is where the *YUK* started..... he has now taken to getting the snails and crunching the shells - he then spits the body out and comes in for a drink (I don't think he likes the taste too much), he then goes back to the body and starts 'pawing' it around the garden. He's also discovered the joy of slugs. :eating: He is fed on: Hills Science Plan - Natures Best - Large/Giant Puppy. He loves this food and at the moment the vets are all raving about how good it is in vitamins etc so I don't think he's lacking in anything with his diet. I am concerned that his new past-time is not good for him and would appreciate any advise / thoughts anyone may have?? :help1: **Plus I'm too keen on the thought of his licking me with his 'snail' tongue** :D Quote
imported_Cassie Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 Your pup is still very young...little pups love to get into every thing...this is how they learn about the world around them....pups do not have hands so they experiment with every thing via mouth. Like human babies you will go through this stage where you will have to be very observant (which you sound as though you are watching what your pup is getting into... :lol: ) and provide lots of toys for your pup to play with to keep that active mind busy...a really good play toy is one of those kong balls with the holes in it...stuff with assorted treats and if your pup likes peanut butter then stuff that or cream cheese to close the holes...this will give that mind some thing to focus on. I would try not to scold the pup, instead if the pup has a bad substance in his mouth then offer some thing better...you can start training "off" and "take it" which is a wonderful training tool and will help in the future if your dog picks up some thing really bad and is too far away to remove from his mouth. I would always pratice positive training with your new pup...and always give your pup a chance for success.... success builds confidence..removes confusion... Always train a young puppy completely without scary or hurtful techniques..use postive training , the goal is to help the pup do the right thing and then reward him for it, rather than punishing him for doing the wrong thing...some people have found clicker training to be very rewarding (I myself have never used this method) Good Luck! :wink: Quote
mouseatthebusstop Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 he is just being a puppy. Check all of your flowers out to make sure none are poison to him and the same with any bushes Quote
Marble Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 definitely what cassie and mouse said. i have found with dresden that the more attention i spend on training her not to do something the more she does it when she is in one of her bratty moods. like cassie said, give him something better to do and if you can, and if they are not dangerous, try to ignore the bad habits and eventually, if they are not given attention, they should go away.......... Quote
ellieangel Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 Ellie used to do this and she grew out of it too but I agree it is gross :shocked!: Quote
Guest Anonymous Posted July 21, 2003 Posted July 21, 2003 My dog used to always find used chewing gum on the ground and I was left with the task of getting it out of his mouth. It is very gross when you think about it. I've yelled at him enough that he doesn't do it that often anymore, but :x yukk He knows he better "Drop It" or else. Quote
rufus Posted July 22, 2003 Author Posted July 22, 2003 Thanks for the great advice (again :) ) I read in another post here about teaching the 'off' which I am now introducing. I've checked all plants etc and they are not harmful to him so I am not going to stress over it. He has his last jab next week so he'll will be allowed out for walks in 2 weeks time which will help as I'm sure he is getting bored. He has lots of toys which he plays with but he must be getting fed-up with the same surroundings. I now have some pics of him http://groups.msn.com/Woofit/shoebox.msnw and you can see him under 'Rufus' Thanks agian :D Quote
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