Eats EVERYTHING outside

[Natalie Van Roekel]

Hey everybody! I have a 10 week old Goldendoodle, Walter. He definitely is in biting/nipping mode currently so working on that (like some others here, we call him Jaws!). But also, we absolutely dread taking him outside because he tries to eat everything!! Rocks, grass, wood chips, sticks, bark, plants.....there is really no way to avoid this as no place in our yard is "stick-free" because we have a tree there.  We've tried "leave it" and "drop it" (with treats) and sometimes works and other times doesn't depending on his mood. He listens great when inside for the most part, but outside, he's like a completely different puppy..... (also won't come when called when outside)

Has anybody else experienced this? Any tips??

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Good News...Bad News! The good news , is you have a very typical and normal puppy on your hands! The bad news is, it will take take lots of patience, consistency and time, before he is through this stage. " Drop it" and " leave it" are the two very important commands to learn at this point. We use to call Enzo, a vacuum cleaner, as she walked. She could scoop up anything, quicker than any dog we ever had.
As far as coming when called...as he grows older and more confident, this will only enhance. In order to have full control and for him to return to you when called, you will have to start leashing him. This will also help in his " vacuuming up " the yard.
Have someone hold him....with the leash in your hand, walk a few feet away and call him to come. Make it a game and be overly enthusiastic . Pull the him towards you with the leash. Reward with lots of praise and treat. REPEAT, over and over, gradually making the space between you larger and larger. Recall is is important for his safety...think about a dog getting loose on the street or the frustration of a dog at a Dogpark that won't come . Good luck! And remember: patience! ;)

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Yes, very normal! 

Even though we have a fenced yard, when Winnie was that age I rarely let her out without being on leash. The times that I did, I would pay for at as she would be in to everything- digging in the garden, eating mulch and sticks, ignoring my pleas to come in, etc. It wasn't good for her or me! So, I went out with her all the time on leash. It was a great way for her to learn that she needs to follow me. And, it taught her that the yard wasn't a "free for all" area where she can ignore my commands.

Like Ro said, the recall takes some time, patience and lots of practice. We played a lot of "recall games" when she was young. She is very food motivated, and it worked best to practice it right before supper. My husband and I would go to opposite sides of the yard (or inside the house) and alternate calling her to us. Treat and lots of praise, then run to the other person. She'd get a lot of great exercise, and it really reinforced the recall.

You might also want to practice "leave it" and "drop it" in the house first, where you have more control of distractions.  

Best wishes!

  

 

[Shawn And Calvin]

I don't have any advice. We are going through the same thing with Calvin. He eats everything! The worst part is he WAS coming when called and now he doesn't when we are outside, especially if he has something in his mouth. We started going to training with him. (He is 14 weeks so a little older than Walter.) He is generally really well behaved too. I think it is just their way of exploring the world, kind of like a toddler. We keep him on a leash so we can grab him easily!

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

This is also extremely common. Wish I had a nickel for every person said : " my puppy is so good...follows me everywhere!" And then finds out down the road, the pup isn't quite as good as they originally thought! As they age, they become more secure in their surroundings and a whole lot braver! They aren't As quick to follow and listen. Same advice as above : time to leash !

[Natalie Van Roekel]

Thanks all! Good to know this is so common. We do always have him on a leash already -- unfortunately that doesn't prevent him from getting things in his mouth. But does make it easier to pick him up if we need to!

[Laura and Angus]

I agree with everything that was said here. I think we had our hands in my puppy's mouth 100 times a day because of this. We still (at 1 year old) don't let him out of our sight since he'll find paper to eat. But he definitely complies with "drop it" at this point and "leave it," as well. He still grabs sticks when we're out on walks to chew them up, but otherwise he's quite good at "leaving" things. I think we saw this behavior decrease significantly around 6-8 months (after being neutered) and then decrease even more 8-10 months. I think keeping Walter on a leash is a great idea solely for the purpose of control and access to his mouth. Continue to practice "leave it" and "drop it" during this time. I promise you that your hard work and consistency will pay off as your puppy gets older and better and focusing on you!