Advice On Chewing Sticks

[AngusMum]

Our 6 month old Boxer keeps eating sticks. He will pull a bush apart and then chew on the branches. What can we do to train him not to do this as I think it is affecting his health as he has had some blood in his stools.

He has plenty of toys to play with and does play with them but seems to love those sticks.

[Ruftybear]

I'm not sure what to suggest, but years ago our GSD ate my mother's orange tree ..... it wasn't fully grown, but piece by piece he gradually ate it until it was at ground level .... she can laugh at it now, but she was furious at the time.

What type of bush is it that your dog is eating, and do you know if it is something toxic? It's funny how they do this even though you have given them loads of toys.

[poodlefan]

What does he have access to to chew other than sticks?

[persephone]

I would suggest the toys he has don't meet his needs.

To avoid serious injury- he and the trees/bushes need to be separated, if possible :nahnah:

Does he have lots of LARGE RAW bones to chew?

Does he have KONGS filled with food to attack and chew?

Does he have a strong soccer ball to chase and paw and chew?

You may find that he prefers some of these more than others .

if it is only one or two bushes which he favours- lightly spray the trunks/stems with a no-bite spray from the vets/pet store, or with water to which a few drops of either citronella oil or tea tree oil has been added.