Puppy Likes The Deterrents I Use

[blinx]

To stop my puppy from eating gravel, pebble or bark, I've tried spraying lemon and vinegar. Results? He loves it! Licks it all up and continues playing with whatever I'm trying to ban him from touching. I'm not too keen on using chilli.

My partner and I are in the process of teaching pup to leave things alone but until then, any other products someone can recommend?

[persephone]

Chili ... or pepper. yes, he may pull a face and run away ... but that means it's working ;) ..and he'll not do it again! You must provide something else for him to carry/chew though ... does he have a digging pit? Balls? It's very hard to 'teaqch' pups to leave things alone ... especially if there is no one home for long periods.

best to put shoes/etc well away .. use barriers on doorways ..all that sort of thing. It's a LOT easier to NOT start a habit .. than it is to stop it.

My choice would be to not have a puppy with all that sort of mulch /stuff around - but if that is all you have , you may need to get him an enclosure without that in it. A puppy with stones/bark in his tummy is not a happy puppy

I don't feel it's ideal to be continually saying "No" /"leave it" etc when outside .... makes it hard for puppy to just relax and concentrate on learning other things ....

Edited June 10, 2011 by persephone

[mumtoshelley]

Hi I've been told deep heat spray you get from the chemist works very well. I haven't tryed it as my guys aren't bad chewers.

[blinx]

Thank you! I'll try the pepper and deep heat spray. Chili isn't an option because we might get it on our skin (pebbles and gravel surround the stepping stones and clothes line)...that, and my man has chili with almost every meal and values them too much to be sprayed. :p

[Red Fox]

Hi I've been told deep heat spray you get from the chemist works very well. I haven't tryed it as my guys aren't bad chewers.

NOT a good idea!

Your best bet is either to pen off an area for him if he is left outside alone (alternatively you could pen off the rocks/bark but that may be more difficult), or keep him on leash when outside until he outgrows it.

You can buy bitter spray which may deter him - similar to this: http://www.vetnpetdirect.com.au/Stay_Away_Bitter_Tasting_Chew_Deterrent?sc=9&category=162638. It's available from most supermarkets and vets. Doesn't work for all dogs but it's reaonably cheap and may be worth a shot?

[MsKatie]

I mixed pepper, chilli powder and curry powder together to scatter where our dog was digging through the mulch - seemed to work OK - till it rained. ;)