Why is she eating wood?!?!

• mary jane marrow Posted : 3/24/2006 3:47:11 PM Hi! I have a 2 1/2 yr old cocker spaniel. When we go out to potty we have to cross over a mulch bed. She absolutely LOVES it! Any opportunity she gets to get that mouth on a piece of that mulch she takes it. Nothing I do will stop it. Extremely annoying to me. I havent a clue what to do. Her nose is constantly on the ground looking for more after she "goes". What to do????                                            Mary Jane and Mixie ( the mulch lover...) She does not chew any other kind of wood. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• glenmar Posted : 3/24/2006 3:51:46 PM You can try keeping the leash short enough that she can't reach the mulch but I'd suggest either a halti or gentle leader...these are head halters that won't allow the nose to the ground unless you give her a loose lead.  Most mulch is chemically treated and could really cause health problems.   Its also important to teach a GOOD "leave it" so she doesn't ever pick it up, and "drop it" for the times she doesn't. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• mary jane marrow Posted : 3/24/2006 4:00:34 PM Hi Glenmar! Thanks for the halti suggestion! Why havent I thought of that?!? Fortuneately we make our own mulch so it doesnt have any type of chemical added to it. Just shredded trees. She is very good at the drop it/ give. I will try the head lead. I feel confiident it will work to be able to re-train. Otherwise we will make a rock bed......  Many thanks for the great idea. Seems so simple now. I guess sometimes we just have to bounce ideas out there! Appreciate your time!                                                         Mary Jane 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• glenmar Posted : 3/24/2006 5:21:02 PM Unfortunately, often the simpliest fixes are the ones we don't even think of!  That's why it helps to ask! 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login
• brookcove Posted : 3/24/2006 5:32:59 PM Keva, Northern VA is a GREAT place for dog sports. I know some great trainers in your area for agility, flyball, and even herding if you'd like to try that. There's a herding clinic next weekend in Leesburg (I'll be there) - it's full for participant dogs, but the clinician is well worth just coming and watching/listenng to. Also, there will be several there who know the all-breed trainers in the area. And, most of them do agility and/or flyball so they can give you lots of recommendations. PM me if you'd like to try to come to this event. 0 LIKE Like Share You have posted to a forum that requires a moderator to approve posts before they are publicly available. Hey, it's way more fun when you sign up or log in Connect With Connect With Sign Up Login