Canine Pica; My Dog Eats Socks, Rocks and Blocks!

     

What is Pica?

Your dog stops eating, they vomit or look cramped and uncomfortable.  They may pooping too much, they may not be pooping at all.

Your dog could have something stuck in their intestines.  Dogs, particularly puppies, are notorious for eating just about anything they find.  If a dog eats non-food items habitually the dog has pica.

  

The cause of pica is somewhat mysterious.  In some cases, it is caused by mineral or vitamin deficiencies; other dogs develop pica because they are bored or anxious, some just seem to eat what they find.  Pica may become habitual, just like finger nail biting in in humans.  This behavior is an abnormal manifestation of normal dog behavior.  For most of history dogs lived mainly outdoor lives and they foraged and hunted for a substantial portion of their food.  If a dog found a dead squirrel, it ate that squirrel.  Our modern homes have a dearth of dead squirrels, but a sock left on the family room floor sure looks a lot like squirrel to a bored dog.

It is very important when you have a new dog, particularly a puppy, that you supervise them closely, make sure they have a variety of appropriate chew toys, and redirect them in a firm but cheerful manner when they put inappropriate things in their mouths.  (Sounds a lot like having a toddler, doesn’t it?)

Yes, this is work.  But a sock lodged in the intestines can cost thousands.  A friend of mine lost her small dog to zinc poisoning when that dog ate a penny. Supervise, use gates, especially for kids’ rooms and pick up your shoes and socks. If your dog's experiments with eating the wrong things become a habit you will need to make the following changes.

What can you do if your dog has a pica problem?  Do all of these!

1.     Veterinarian support.  Check for physical causes of pica, particularly nutritional issues,    parasites, poisoning and digestive abnormalities.
2.    Management!  Close doors, put up gates, use toy boxes, sweep the yard for rocks and other    items your dog may eat.  If they can’t get to it, they can’t eat it.
3.     Supervise!  Also have a dog safe area where your dog can relax when you can’t supervise.
4.    Exercise!  Exercise will make your dog tired and calmer.  A tired dog is not restlessly  wandering your home looking for things to do.  Lots of tug, fetch and play!
5.     Dog Daycare.  Can’t exercise your dog enough, dog daycare can be a lifesaver, literally.
6.    Use a head harness (gentle leader brand, snoot loop or halti) if your dog grabs things off the    ground on their walks.  Be sure to teach your dog to wear a head harness slowly, don’t just jam  the harness on their head and think it will go well.  This link may help.
7.   Toy variety.  You might think rubber bones are amazing, but your dog might want a tuff root or  ruff root, a  deer antler, a cow hoof a nylabone for tough chewers, or a bumper made out of  firehose.   
1.  If they eat fabric then plush toys may not be a good idea. Some dogs also swallow rawhide whole.  If you do get rawhide, be sure it is reconstituted or compressed rawhide
2.  Supervise when introducing new toys to be sure your dog does not demolish and ingest them.
3. Go crazy, get them EVERY kind of toy you can think of.  Rotate your toys.
   
8.   Stuff hollow bones, kongs, and other toys.  FREEZE these to make them last longer and make  your dog chew more.  Chewing is a naturally calming activity for dogs, probably one of the  reason anxious dogs are often chewers.
9.    Use NO CHEW Sprays.  Some I have had luck with are Bitter Apple, Phooey and Yuck.      Bring your dog to a pet superstore with a paper towel torn in several pieces.  Conduct an  experiment.  Douse pieces of the paper towel in various sprays and see which one your dog  really really hates.  Some people have had luck using essential oil sprays in lemon or  eucalyptus.
10.   Over the counter tryptophan supplements can help your dog.  There should be a variety  available at pet shops and on the internet.  Your veterinarian can also provide prescription  tryptophan supplements.
11.   Teach your dog LEAVE IT and a DROP IT.  Not a "He does it sometimes if he feels like it,"  behavior, but good, solid cues your dog listens to.  You may need a dog trainer for this work.
12.   Try something new and fun for you and your dog.  Hike, swim, jog, fly-ball, agility, herding,    tracking, scent work, barn hunt, lure coursing.  These will get you two out having fun and you  and your dog will both be happier, healthier and more likely to make great choices.
13.    As a last-ditch effort, if none of the above allow your dog to live safely, then Prozac or an      antidepressant may be appropriate.  That is a matter to discuss with your veterinarian.

Claudia Black-Kalinsky, CPDT-Ka

Train This Dog
Savannah, Ga
www.trainthisdog.com
https://plus.google.com/+TrainThisDogSavannah
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PUPPY CLASS @ TRAIN THIS DOG

Welcome To Puppy Training!


This brief overview will tell you:

• What to Bring to Class
• Where Class is
• Which vaccinations your dog needs to attend class
• Who can come to class

Thank you for choosing Puppy class at Train This Dog, LLC.   We look forward to working with you and your dog. The following information is important, please read carefully so you are prepared for class.   Classes are held at Catnip n Biscuits 2615  Skidaway Road Savannah  (next to Taco Bell near the intersection of Victory Road) Please show up five to ten minutes early to your class. Use the extra time for to allow your dog to potty. When you come to class you should bring Your SHOT RECORDS.  (you can take a clear photo with your phone and bring that in if you like).   A hungry dog!   Do not give your puppy breakfast if you have a morning class. Do not give your puppy supper if you have an evening class. (Note, this works for most dogs, if your dog is underweight or there is another issue, please use your best judgement) a collar or harness a six foot standard leash, no flexi (retractable)leashes permitted delicious low-fat treats.  Plain boiled chicken in tiny pieces works well - dog biscuits will probably not work well at all. A long tug toy. No hard ropes or plastic.  Something soft and fuzzy is good. A treat pouch or clothes with pockets for your treats Comfortable clothing and well behaved children.  (They will need to sit and listen sometimes, other times they are welcome to help you train your puppy.  They are not allowed to visit other people's dogs during class.) A check to Train This Dog or cash.  I do not take credit cards.  Class is $125.0 for the session! (if you have a One Love Animal Rescue Voucher, please bring that) If you must miss a class we can schedule a make up for $20.00 or I will help you catch up during the next class -  Don’t stress, this is puppy class, it’s supposed to be fun! The following link will direct you to my Puppy Packet.  It has lots of hints for things like house training and no jumping.  It also has a list of things to bring to your puppy classes: Please do not let your pup visit other puppies as you come into the building.  We don't want to teach them that the way to visit other dogs is by pulling on their leashes.     Please call or email if you have questions or need help. Thank you for choosing Train This Dog, we will work together to make your new family member the best puppy they can be! Claudia Black-Kalinsky, CPDT-Ka Facebook: Train This Dog! Website: wwwtrainthisdog.com 677-2861

Basic Training Level 1 Welcome

This brief overview will tell you:

• What to Bring to Class
• Where Class is
• Which vaccinations your dog needs to attend class
• Who can come to class

The Dates for the class you have chosen are on the 

Train This Dog Web Page

Welcome to Train This Dog Basic Training Class!

Thank you for choosing to work with me.

The following information is important, please read carefully so you are prepared for class.

Classes are held at:

Catnip ‘n’ Biscuits
2615 Skidaway Road
Savannah, Ga
912-677-2861

Please show up 5 to 10 minutes early to your class.  Use the extra time to allow your dog to eliminate on the grass near the entrance.

When you come to class you should bring:

1.      VACCINATION RECORDS indicating your dog is current on rabies, distemper, and has received a distemper vaccination in the last 6 months  

2.      A Hungry Dog.  Your dog will get plenty of food in class, and will pay better attention if they are a little hungry. 

3.       Good treats.  Good treats are soft, and have a smell.  I like boiled chicken breast cut into pieces the size of a pea; it is actually cheaper by the pound than packaged dog treats, and fat free.  Do not bring hard biscuits.

4.       A treat pouch or good pockets you don’t mind loading with chicken or hotdogs.

5.       A basic, well-fitting collar or harness.  No chokes, chains, or prongs, please

6.       A basic 6’ leash.  FLEXI (retractable) LEASHES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN CLASS.  Just get a plain old fashioned dog leash.

7.       A wonderful, long, soft tug toy.  NOT a rope or hard plastic thing.  I like the ‘road kill’ flat ones, personally, they have squeakers too.  Don’t let your dog play with their new toy until they get to class.  Hint:  The smaller the dog, the longer your tug toy should be, so you don’t get a sore back.

8.   We hope you bring your family, including children who are old enough to sit still and be quiet when requested.  We will allow children to join their parents as often as possible, but sometimes they will be required, for safety and training purposes, to sit in the audience.  If your children are too young to quietly comply please bring another adult to watch them, or make alternate arrangements.

9.   Cash or a check made out to Train This Dog for $125.00.   If you have a One Love Animal Rescue training voucher, please bring that. 

When you come into class have a seat, and keep your  dog close.  Please do not let your dog visit other dogs as they come into the room.

We would also like to invite you to go to http://trainthisdog.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2013-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&updated-max=2014-01-01T00:00:00-08:00&max-results=8

For new adoptions, http://trainthisdog.blogspot.com/2013/04/new-dog-in-house-tips-and-rules-for.html

Many of the questions you may have will be answered there.  If you have others please don't hesitate to contact me.  (Text messages work great!)

I look forward to help you and your dog become a wonderful team! 

Train This Dog                      Savannah Georgia

 www.trainthisdog.com
Train this Dog's Facebook Page
Train this Dog's Google+ Page              
Phone: 677-2861
Claudia Black-Kalinsky, CPDT-Ka