Too Big of an appetite!

[Bonnie's doodles]

Does anyone have a doodle that eats anything & everything?  My Goldendoodle Watson has a great appetite, which wouldn't be bad except that it includes sticks, stones, grass clumps, & even dryer sheets (which thankfully I was able to retrieve before he swallowed it)!  At this moment he is dealing with a bad case of diarrhea as a result, I'm sure, of eating something that he should not have eaten. He has learned the 'leave it" command very well, but it seems to work only if it's something he wants to leave!  Every pocket I have must contain doggy treats to lure him away from his undesirable yummies!  He must be under constant supervision outside & inside I have become an immaculate housekeeper, nothing in wastebaskets, on the floor or on counter tops (he is very tall & easily reaches for items left way back on the counters, pulls them to the side, and indulges to his heart's content!  He is 10 months old & I love him dearly, but I worry his insatiable appetite is going to get him into big trouble.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. 

[Lynda Kamrath]

Oh, we have all been through this.  My big problem is that the dogs (both of them) love to eat things on the trails when we are walking.  Of course they know the "leave it" command but sometimes they have it down before I can catch them.  They sniff everything and gulp down the things that really interest them.  Don't like coyote poop, but love cat poop (bobcat, cougar).  I tried putting muzzles on them when we were walking but they get wet from the breathing and drooling.  So, my defense is worm medicine monthly (heart and intestinal) and yearly worm testing.  So far they have been okay, but I still worry about it.  I also learned to put everything out of reach and behind closet doors.  Bathroom trash cans on the top of the toilet, nothing on counters that might be interesting to them.  They love garden areas where the local cats leave their treats also.  It is a never ending problem.  Even tissues cannot be left on the nightstand.  Everything tucked away.

I also would consider other food for him.  I sometimes cook for my dogs and they love bulgar with veges and rice.  I just put scoops of it in their dry food and they "clean their plates".  I know they should be satisfied with their dry food, but I would like a little variety also.  Yep, they are definitely spoiled.  In that Watson is 10 months old, he will outgrow most of this behavior, but you want to get on top of it now.  Also try substituting a toy you want him to have if he gets into other things.  Sometimes they are just bored and need something to do.

[Bonnie's doodles]

I hadn't thought of giving him a toy when he's exploring outside.  If I just toss him his tennis ball, he'll catch it and carry it with him everywhere.  I'm sure he'll still sniff around, but he won't put his beloved tennis ball down for anything hence nothing else would go into his mouth!  (That's why our games of fetch are extremely short, unless I use a bucket of balls!)