Eating bark

[Mojave's Mom]

Do any of your Rotties eat the bark in your backyard? Mojave has just recently earned the privilige of spending time alone in the back yard while we're inside and can watch him. I'm hesitant to leave him out there even for short periods when we're NOT around because he insists on eating the bark that covers the ground around my flowers! At first he was eating dirt, so I sprinkled some tabasco sauce around that area and since the smell alone keeps him away, he doesn't go back there anymore. But I can't exactly cover the entire back-yard in Tabasco Sauce! (before anyone gets upset, I never spray or put this stuff ON Mojave. Just on stuff that I can't get him to leave alone after trying other methods; the tabasco sauce smell gets him every time and has worked the best- he's never even had to taste it.)

Can anyone offer any advice on how to train him OUT of this habit?? I worry that he may hurt himself or get sick but want to start leaving him in the backyard alone when we're not around. I've caught him in the act and sharply said NO! and managed to pull the stuff out of his mouth, and on occassions when I've seen him carrying some back to his dog-house, I've said "drop it/leave it" and he obliges, but how can I eventually leave him alone if I'm not around to correct??

Thanks in advance for any info/advice! :D

[ May 04, 2001: Message edited by: Mojave's Mom ]

[Ethár]

I think it depends on HOW MUCH bark he is eating.

Is he actually swallowing it? My Ambrosius also "eats" different things but it isn't all that he swallows - just likes to chew on it.

Sometimes he eats dirt also - and swallow some of it.

Sometimes he eats grass (ofthen when feeling bad in his stomach)

Dogs DO things like this and I think it is nice if they are allowed now and then to be just dogs (we humans think it is disgusting though haha).

Keep an eye on him and when he has eaten bark for a few minutes you can go out and say "it is enough" and activate him with something - throw a ball or train on a command or make him search for treats that you hide in your garden.

If your dog doesn't know the command "it is enough" you can use the learning of that instead of an activity.

Good Luck and activate your dog every day.

For good tips of brain activities please go to my website:
http://w1.421.telia.com/~u42121894/totte/english.htm

[Monika Malow]

Both of my dogs eat the rotted bark under the trees in the forests. My friends dobies do too. There must be something in the bark that they need or like???

[Judi W]

Unless the bark has been treated with a preservative or some chemicals, it seems a harmless enough thing. Dogs enjoy chewing, rummaging, carrying, and sometimes eating things that we don't consider all that terrific. Hey, you're the one who redirected him from the dirt! :D Better bark than couch.

I'm not crazy about the little lawn divits that appear now and then, but I just add dirt periodically. Many dogs are into gardening, some enjoy excavation and others are amature carpenters. Unless you think he's eating a large amount of something and spoiling his dinner.......... ;)

[lblax]

i dont remember where i read this but some types of oak bark is toxic. it might be worth resurching

[Burnsway]

HIYA

My pup loves to chew on huge sticks she gets from our walking area in the woods......I always check the stick make sure its not rottin or has bugs. She doesnt eat it although Im sure a few lil pieces get in her mouth....living in apartment it keeps her occupied for hours.....and my vacume too
I never leave her un supervised doing this because of chokeing hazards ....but I think that health wise chewing on stems, sticks and bark probably wont hurt them any. But there are always "THOSE FEW CASES"

Did I mention the last one she drag all the way home from these woods was bigger then her and has now lasted 4 weeks....teehee!

[delila]

Yes, both of my rottweilers do this too (a male and a female).

They sort of peel the bark off, chew it up, and spit it out. They also do this to sticks, they peel the wood off than chew it up and spit it out.

You should see my backyard - they make mulch for us!