Mad about Oscar

Thanks everyone. Have thought about fencing but it is just over 100m if I fence off the paths (gravel on both sides), and closing off the area means the space for Oscar to run around in is cut into two bits with only the smaller area where we can see him - so not really happy with doing that. (not sure how much it would cost to buy the temporary wire type fencing of a height he can't get over and a size he can't stick his nos or paw through to extract the gravel) - will go with the time-out option, frozen carrots, bones and chew toys - if all else fails will buuy the nasty tasting spray.

If you think it is attention seeking... the way I deal with any attention seeking behaviour is as soon as the undesired action is performed, take the pup straight to a time out zone (I use the laundry because it's boring and there is nothing they can destroy in there). Leave alone for 3 min then let them out again without fuss. Suggest to him at this point that he plays with a more suitable toy - offer one to him. Do this every time he touches a rock. Be consistent: it may take up to 3 weeks, and you may see an extinction burst (ie it gets worse before it gets better) but it has worked for me for a couple of attention-seeking things Leia used to do. Thanks Macka Will it still work if the behaviour is outside and he will have to be taken through the house into the laundry inside - ie more attention to get hime there? If so laundry will be a good option for us too - will have to train OH and teenage son too. It is a very annoying behaviour.

We now have a term for the rocks Oscar digs up out of the graden - they are the "Incidental Rocks" - as opposed to the "Regular Rocks" picked up easily from the gravel areas. I know it's not funny but - I too share the

If that's on lead, its a lot of walking for such a young pup. About 15mins walking, rest is training (with distractions) or sniffing.

Every day we do the following at least twice: Come, sit, shake, down, stay Hidden 'named' treats to find ('squeaky pig' 'lamb' toys etc) and 'bring' and 'drop it' Ball/rope toys thrown for retrieval and 'drop it' Kongs and treat balls when we are out 25-30 min walk every evening. He has 2 clam shells of water in different locations - and he loves these, but only seems to go in them when we are home. The rock thing is only when we are home too - I think attention seeking? He has decided one of his 'jobs' is to remove all dead palm fronds from the garden (when we are out) and we can live with this - he does not touch the green fronds.

We have gravel up against the house around about 1/3 of the house (termite deterrant apparently) he tends to pick it up around the same place each time, but not always. Can you get the bitter apple spray from "pet barn type" places?

Good luck with that one, if you find a cure please let me know, I hav a 4 year old that is like that, we have already spent lots of money getting stones cut out of his stomach. he has chewed so many stones he has worn his teeth down quite abit, I try now to replace the stones/rocks with a rubber ball. Oh that is what I am afraid of - will try Sticks 1977's suggestion - he has 'health insurance' but don't want to have to rely on that for a solution!!

I have a 5 month old yellow lab who picks up gravel from the garden and chews it, throws it, picks it up chews some more etc - he will drop it for a treat and allows us to prise it out of his mouth but even when told to "leave it" he continues to pick it up. He does it about 20 times a day and we have little piles of gravel around the place (kitchen bench, outside table etc) from removing them from him. Have tried to ignore it, make myself more interesting etc but he still does it - any ideas on how to stop him from doing it (apart from removing 2 tons of gravel from around the house??)

Bathing for us is stell a bit hit and miss - good one time - escape puppy the next - and brushing is still a game. Come join the lab thread!! The guys there are great with tips on managing our wonderful spirited and often naughty dogs!!