Hi everyone, I have a 12 month old English chocolate female. Since she was a puppy she eats everthing, ive talk to vets and other Lab owners and they all say the same, "its a Lab thing" What Im at my wits end about, is the grass eating. Its not just the blades, its the ripping out and eating the roots and dirt, making a hole in the lawn. Ive tried everything to stop her but have been unsuccessful. She had a couple time where she was constipated it was mainly grass in her stool. I fear it may become a more serious issue. I'm at the point I want to get her a cage muzzle to wear when she goes in the backyard. Oh, Its only in our backyard. Ive never seen her eat grass anywhere else. Does anyone have any ideas, tricks, suggestions on how to break her of this. She knows leave it and drop it like a champ, but not when she has that grass in her mouth. Also, is it horrible to put a cage muzzle on her for her safety. Thanks for any info!
Hi Beccilea, this sounds really hard for you. Pippa has written an article on why dogs eat grass, here, that might prompt some ideas for you. But as it's only at home I wonder if this is partly a habit, or a bit of boredom even? Is sectioning off a part of your backyard that doesn't have grass in, for her, to try to break the habit, an option perhaps? Sammie
It's certainly a Lab thing. My girl doesn't do it, but our breeder friends are constantly working to discourage their 6 from doing it. It comes down to supervision. A bit like toilet training - vigilance is the key. The second your girl starts, a sharp 'No. Leave it'. Be consistent. Labs aren't silly. She'll get the message. It'll be a giant pain for a while but it is a habit you can break.
Pulling up or digging up stuff, mainly to play with, then eating it out of boredom is a very common behavior in young labs. My own 9 month old lab has recently started pulling up the odd plant and running round the garden with them, so I am having to go back to supervising her more closely and not leaving her out there alone for more than a few minutes. It is frustrating when you think you have got to the grown up sensible stage, but it will pass if you supervise her more closely for a few weeks. Interrupt the unwanted behavior, distract her with treats or a game, or bring her indoors . In my case I’ll need to move the plant pots too!
My pup is going to be 11 months in about a week and has reduced the amount of ripping up of chunks to an extent (we have areas that look like bombs were dropped, there is so much grass missing there) but there are still days where it drives me nuts. What she does is sticks her nose in the grass and then does the fast pawing at the ground, then she grabs the chunks of grass and is off and going. It is at it's worst right after it rains or when snow melts - I figure that is when it is the softest and waterlogged. I have toys, ropes, balls, and normally, the best way I have found to redirect her, is the flirt pole. My pup isn't allowed outside by herself so when she grabs a mouthful, I am standing right there. She is visibly delighted (you see her grin) and does zoomies around me. My response is that I turn around and walk off and go to the back door. That seems to stop her behavior and if she tries to come in with grass and dirt in her mouth, I tell her to drop it before she is allowed inside. I am hoping my actions are showing her this doesn't work for me and she will eventually stop.
You might like to take a look at this article for some advice, too, Willsy. https://www.thelabradorsite.com/stop-my-dog-digging/ I hope it's helpful!
