Eating snow...

[hmeadq]

With a couple good deep feet of snow on the ground we have a slight problem.

At 6 months old we had gone 3 weeks without an accident. But that was with removing his water dish at 6:30 and then giving him only couple cups right before bed. (He is still having a hard time ever leaving water in his bowl, we think this is because he was left without it as a young puppy

(He is a water hog, and will try to carry his water dish around, while its still half full! )

Anyway, now that we go out and play in the snow (GREAT FUN! ) we have found that he eats a TON of snow. He will also run over when we come in and lick the snow off of our boots and the floor mat... We figure this is why he had an accident and is having to go out a TON more! Is there anyway to control this? The snow is up to his chin so saying "Leave it" does not work, and one of his favroit snow games is to put his head down and run!. I'd hate to not let him play in the snow which we let him do for 5-10 minutes a couple to a few times a day.

[rottnelmo]

I am thinking if he is being a constant water hog...it could be a sign of a bladder or kidney infection. Does he pee a lot as well as drink a lot? Limiting his water after 6:30pm may be doing more damage because he may need it to flush out his system. So, my first course of action would be to take a urine sample to the vet for a quick test.

I, personally, never like to limit water. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times. I do, however, understand that it may be difficult with potty training...you may just have to be more vigilant on taking him out so he doesnt go in the house or in his crate.

Also, getting a water bowl that is heavy enough that he cant pick it up, as well as teaching the "leave it" command.

Elmo also loves to run and play in the snow and he too uses his head as a "snow plow". He will also bite and snap at the snow...but I think in your case, your pup needs more water to flush his system (guessing) so he is using snow as a subsitute to his limited water intake.

Anyone else have other thoughts?

[hmeadq]

His vet has checked him for this twice in the past two months we've had him, and he has been OK both times. I'll grab another sample though and have it checked, because you are right he could have an infection especially since we went traveling over the holiday and it was quite stressful for Doc (my father ended up in the hospital with a mild heart attack) I know he picked up the stress in the house, but was very well behaved.

He used to pee, (and did this last time) when he is just a couple feet from us. I'd say he is 95%+ potty trained as this is a first time in quite a while thing. We watch him close, so I don't know.

The vet told us to watch his urine color and make sure it is not REALLY yellow, which it is not, except for first thing in the morning. I am not kidding when I say that he will drink a couple GALLONS of water a day if we don't watch him and then throw it up. The vet thinks its behavioral because he did not have it as a young pup.

My DH is making a raised food platform that the bowl will hang in this week. Then he will not be able to pick it up.