What to do?

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Not sure what the problem is but it is keeping me a bit concerned.

When Meg is outside she can find any stick that has been blown into her play area and wants to eat them.  I take them away but two nights ago I spent my time cleaning up foamy (hope you don't 'hear' in visuals like I do) vomit in the guest room the hall and the stairs.  It is an ongoing thing and I am hear to tell you she probably has more chew things available than any other dog I know but goes straight for the sticks.  The second half of the problem is the bark on top of the soil for my fiddle leaf fear.  She gets in there and chews up bark all over the carpet, not sure how much she ingests, I covered it with plastic and put artificial greenery around the dirt to distract her but I will be darned if she didn't do it again today.  I know she gets good, nutritious food.  I treat her with dried sweet potato plants and dehydrated chicken for training and treats.  Is she missing something that I am not feeding her?  I am worried to death about all the splinters she must get when this happens.  Any help out there?

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

Luna is OBSESSED with sticks, wood (she has chewed 2x4's before) and leaves.  Thankfully she doesn't ingest them (or barely any of it) - she just likes to shred.

If Meg is actually eating it you'll have to get very good at trying to get rid of any wood in her area (probably not possible) or do some "leave it" training.  She may eventually get the idea that those are things not to be chewed.  I'm hoping some of our training gurus will chime in :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The solution to this is not to allow her outside unsupervised, and to take her out on a leash every time. That will allow you to correct her when she tries to eat bark, sticks, etc. and work on her "leave it" and "drop it" training as well.

In my experience, a dog alone outdoors will not do much exercise or playing. What they will usually do is get bored and get into things they shouldn;t, like digging and eating inappropriate objects.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Meg is NEVER alone outside but once we close the gate on her large yard we let her off leash.  In house or on leash Meg is perfect at "Meg Come" but once off leash she gets nuts and it becomes a game to her.  I refuse to chase her with a stick (I know I will lose) so I do order drop it (again she knows she is not on the leash) or I toss another toy so when she gets it I can snatch up the stick and get rid of it. 

I don't have a problem taking her out on a leash, I just like to let her have time to run and play as well...it just seems there always is some stupid stick that got past inspection.  We spend a lot of time in the yard so she can get fresh air and exercise.

I did just purchase a 50 foot leash to put on her in the yard so I can enforce the Meg, come command when she gets crazy, I guess it is time to get serious about that and add the 'leave it' to that as well.

 

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I think the 50 foot leash is a great idea. Getting her solid with the come command should put an end to the stick issue because you can call her and have her bring it to you. The "leave it" command would be icing on the cake and is always a good command to have available. We use it a lot with Tara and it has come in handy many times.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I totally agree....I think training her to listen even off leash is the only answer here, and the 50 foot line is a great way to do that training.

[BG and Gavin]

I was going to suggest a long line for her to drag.  Awesome!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

...and know that many garden mulches are Toxic to dogs.  So, be careful what she is chewing as this may cause serious health issues.

You can find more information about Garden Mulch in the Danger Group here on DK.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Tiny update, we started with the "leave it" command in the house today and she caught on very quick.  If the treat is in my open hand and I let her come close and then say leave it as she stretches to see it she stops and just lays down.  I put the treat on a foot stool and when she comes up I tell her leave it and she stops, if she starts to put her nose close again I say Awh-oh and she stops and just stands, staring at me until I give her a different treat.   This afternoon we will start again and I will toss a treat close to her and use the leave it command.  I am always fascinated at how fast she catches on.  Again, she is always good about these things in the house, I will give her another day of reinforcing that and then start on it in the yard as well.

Thanks for the feed back.