Eating inappropriate stuff outside

[Cherri Lynn Kading]

We planted a new tree in our backyard and the tree nursery told us to keep bark around it. The problem is, Jacki won't leave that bark alone! If I let her out without her leash on she heads right for that bark and chews/eats it! Does anyone know if those products you buy to spray on things like that to keep pets away actually work? Any other ideas how to keep her away from it?

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Is Jacki a pup? They do outgrow the bark eating. Mine ate it all the time and never got sick. I used to spray bitter apple on it but gave up after awhile. You can also try to put a small low fence around the tree to keep her out. I have those 18" fences you can buy in segments and put together at Home Depot. I put them around anything I don't want them to get in to.

[Stephanie and Jellybean]

Jellybean did this also. Our trainer suggested using the startle method to stop this. We tied 3 large empty soup cans together and when the dog would start this, we would throw the cans to land behind her, but not let her see the cans were thrown by us. It's like the cans are falling from the sky. Startles the dog and she stops whatever the behavior is. We only had to do this 2 times with the bark eating, and we actually used it again for barking at the fence line. Worked like a charm. The trainer said we could also use bean bags to do the same thing for unwanted behaviors, but since we had the soup cans here we went with those. The trick is to not let the dog know that you are the source of throwing the cans. Good luck!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Gotta love the can trick ... these have been a lifesaver for us. 

[Lynette Main]

Nothing works at our house.When Shea was a baby he ate everything.All of mine enjoy eating tree bark. I have a small wood pile for my fire  pit and every day the pile looks like it was hit by a high wind.So I go out and straighten the stack and the bark is always off of some wood. I don't know if something is lacking in their diet or they just think its fun.I think they enjoy watching me restack wood all the time. Just like kids ,you know. Good luck.

[Roy Henderson]

Try plastic drain tile it is cheap you can get it in 4,6,8, 10 or any diamiter and cut it to any length it works to protect those juicy trees from rabbits dogs etc...