He is becoming a vacuum cleaner

[Blair]

Zeus is 5 months old and he eats everything, not chew. If anything is left on the floor, food or kids toys, Zeus will literally suck it right up. I had a baby wipe on my computer desk and Zeus just walked by and sucked it right up, I got it out of his mouth in time but he almost had the whole thing swolled. He is acting like he is being starved to death, he is by far not underweight. He is 5 months and 55lbs. I am feeding him a good food and twice a day. He does get a lot of excerise, having a German Shorthaired Pointer for a buddy. I readlly dont have a problem with him chewing on things, its more of a problem with him wanting to eat everything in my house. Me and my husband were joking around one night and said Zeus is going to eat our house before we know it. Why is he acting starve and eating everything in his way?

[rumcrook]

its a rottie thing.

ive yet to own a rottie that leaves any food in thier bowl. I took one of my rottie's for a walk years ago, and went to the 7eleven, tied her off to a pay phone while I went in for a snapple.... ....when I came out she had eatin every single cigarette butt within the arc of her leash, probably 30 or 40 butts!

my perception has been that a gregarious over the top apetite is normal.

[Judi W]

Well, you all had better be putting some $$$ away for vet bills because a dog that eats everything and much of it non-food items is a prime candidate for intestinal blockage, perionitis, or poisoning. Don't know why such an extreme problem, but I'd get real busy and do some teaching by keeping that pup under supervision with the same dedication you gave to housebreaking.

[Blair]

He is always under supervision, he is never left out of my sight. He will do this right in front of me, so most of the things he tries to eat comes right back out by me. I was just wondering why he was "trying" to eat everything in his way. Its not like I sit there and let him eat everything or leave him alone in a room all day. He is not allowed in a room unless some one is in there with him.

[babybluetx23]

Blair,

I have the same problem with Harley. I have gone so far as to have him on a leash in the room with us and Watching his every move and he still seems to get a hold of something he should not. We have now learned that if we dont want him to get a hold of something it either needs to be put away in a container or a drawer he cant get into or it needs to go on a VERY high counter in the kitchen or on top the fridge. I have also learned what signs to look for when Harley is about to get into something. I can tell him NO before he even does it now.
Rest easy, there isnt anything wrong with zeus, but I would DEFINATLY try your best to watch zeus to make sure he isnt getting into anything he should not or sucking up anything he should not. I hate to see him have to be rushed to the vet because of poisining or a blockage.
Send lots of pets and scratches to zeus from me and Harley!

[jasper's_mommy]

Perhaps he is going through a growth spurt? Heidi is a pretty finicky eater, but she has gone through phases of eating voraciously. Luckily though, it was mostly food items...

[Patty1231]

Rocco is the same way - always has been so I learned early on to make sure nothing that could hurt him was left within his reach (as he grew - I realized that reach had to be extended ). When we go for walks, I still have to be ever-vigilant to make sure he doesn't pick up anything he shouldn't. Thank God I spent a lot of time teaching the "drop it" and "leave it" commands! Perle, on the other hand, doesn't pick up anything of the non-food variety. She did once scarf up a discarded powdered donut on one of our walks so I do have to keep an eye open for any upcoming food when we're out.

[Brooke&Ryan]

Also, at 5 months old Zeus is now able to see things that before were not in his reach. Now that he's bigger a whole new world is opening up to him.

We have a tall garbage can in our bedroom that is beside the computer desk. That is now put up because once Julius got tall enough he wanted to check out what was inside.

Like Judi said, devote mucho time to cleaning the house & puppy proofing it yet again for things that he can reach that he hadn't been able to before now.

Good luck!


Brooke

[Denise L.]

I thought I had my place dog proofed...Remember the old cartoons and the characters would do a funny kind of sneaky walk?

Yesterday I noticed Cyrus do that dramatic "cartoon walk" from my bedroom into the dining room...I knew he got into something! He was hiding something under his chin and front paws...my bra!

I had left my bottom bureau drawer open just a crack!

Knucklehead!

[Patty1231]

Haha! I think there are probably many of us who have seen the "cartoon walk"!! Do-di-do - pay no attention to me, I don't have anything, Mom.....

[Judi W]

That supervision is when you teach "ahhahh, leave it". This holds you in good stead when walking in the park and your dog discovers a chicken bone tossed on the ground during someone's picnic or something else you do not want the dog to pick up. At the same time, concentrate on teaching the dog to bring you things which you then reward them for and return (if it is something they can have) or trade for a treat. Pups who swallow immediately usually do so because they think this is the only way to "keep" their treasure. Often comes about because of their wonderful "finds" being rudely pried out of their mouths. Instead, "wow, what did you find? that is terrific, can I see it?, great, good clever dog"............ trade or return.

[Brielovesmrbootie]

Mr. Bootie swallowed a hacky sack (lil bean bag thing you kick around) whole. He has swallowed numberous socks, pennys, YOU NAME IT, he has tried to eat it when he was 2 years and under. Now we are going on 4 and he knows the "drop it" command, thank goodness b/c all of the eating stuff was costing me a fortune in vet bills. He has gotten less interested in eating anything he can find through training. But, he still does the "cartoon walk" with my undies, mostly I laugh because I think he wants me to.