My 8 week old puppy eats everything of interest when she's outside on a leash. I mean everything. Leaves, grass, weeds, mulch, stones from the driveway, etc. What to do? She's in a harness and about the only way to prevent her from eating all this stuff is to hold the leash tightly so she can't put her head down all the way. Would a muzzle work? Is there some sort of behavior deterrent that can be used?
I had hoped to build a dog run but at this point she's not able to be outside and unsupervised.

Thanks!

fredg

Hi, Zimbo,
Your puppy sounds normal! Some will try eating anything, so curious at this age.
Be persistent at holding her head up when you walk her. DON'T let her walk in front or behind you. Keep her at your side, with your hands on the leash, so you pull her head up when she starts to eat something. She will get the idea, sooner or later. Be consistent with this, and in no time, she will stop trying to eat everthing in sight.
Here is some information you might be interesed in:
As a new puppy owner, I highly recommend a video by Ceaser Millan, a Professional Dog Behaviorist. He rehabilitates dogs, and trains people.

He has his own TV program, the Dog Whisperer, on the NGEO (National Geographic) channel, on Friday nights mainly, but also comes on some other days. This video is available from:
Cesar Millan Center
I also ordered his new book, "Ceaser's Way", from Walmart online, around $15 US, and it's very good!

There are other good videos available on the web, but this one is really worth your attention.

I do wish you and she the best, and congratulations on having a puppy! They are wonderful.

howards girl

Here are 3 solutions, since I have raised many dogs these always work.

1) Provide plenty of toys of varying texture, rotate them as they will get bored.

2) Walk dog on a gentle leader. the (collar) goes around the dogs muzzle and you lead the dog as her mom would. her nose will always be up. this is not a muzzle

3) as a last resort a muzzle.

fredg

Hi, Zimbo,
Sorry I didn't suggest toys, but your question was about walking the dog, keeping it from eating everything he got in his mouth.
Toys are great! I have a whole bag full of them in the house. They are the best thing in the world to get the puppy use to playing with. It will then leave the furniture alone, hopefully leave electric wiring alone, too!

Zimbo

Yes fredg, walking the dog is the issue! My veterinarian suggested bringing toys on the walk around the yard to occupy the puppies attention when it shifts to eating bad things. So far there's been a bit of success doing this, the best was 3 tennis balls that I kept rolling past her. That kept her busy for a long stretch. So I'll keep trying that method and if it loses it's ability to keep her occupied then on to the gentle leader.

fredg

Great!!!
That is a really good idea.

Mandy Girl

When ever she goes to eat walk away from that spot