7-month old lab, Comox, BC (Canada)

[Java]

This is Bentley. He’s a 7-month old lab, weighs 26.3kg (58lbs), and is awaiting neuter. The Comox SPCA description:

“Bentley is a young, energetic and happy young boy looking for his new family.

Bentley will need a dedicated owner who will help him with obedience training and impulse control.


Bentley's biggest challenge is that he loves to eat rocks, and he will get them down fast if not supervised. He has had surgery in the past to remove a large rock and will need someone who will be dedicated to muzzle train him with positive reinforcement.


Bentley is very playful and exuberant in nature; he can be jumpy and mouthy at times and will need a guardian who will be patient and willing to work with him through positive reinforcement training. Bentley would not be suited for small children due to his excitability - he would love a home with older children or a very active household.


If you would like to learn more about Bentley, please call the Comox branch at (250) 339-7722.“

How do you train a dog not to eat rocks once they get used to doing so?

[Java]

I remember taking things out of my puppy's mouth for my first dog (not a lab). He grew out of that. At seven months, is this a normal lab thing or something more persistent?

[SunDance]

Many years ago, a friend of mine at work had a GSD who ate rocks...his second surgery was after being "watched like a hawk". Both surgeries were prompted by a stomach full of smaller rocks.

My friend finally "just" had a large portion of her backyard dug/screened for rocks and fenced in...that was the only area Kaiser was allowed to go in off-leash.

[Snowshoe]

Friends were lucky, their rescue (actually he just showed up their rural home and no owner was found) only chewed the rocks, didn't swallow. Wrecked his teeth, badly wore them right down.

Poor Bentley, I hope he finds a good home. Honestly, I would not be keen on taking on a known rock eater, hoping he'd grow out of it.

[lovemylabby]

Poor Bentley...I wonder if this is why he ended up in a shelter..

He is still very young and hopefully will outgrow this behavior....gosh...I do hope he finds a good home.

[Java]

Adoption pending!

[Black Labbies]

Awww, my heart says yes, but right now we can't. Good luck to Bentley!

Ursa was a rock nut in her youth, swallowed a few small ones without incident, she still holds them in her mouth at times, but spits them out on command.

How do you train a dog not to eat rocks once they get used to doing so?

Tradesies, "give me the rock and you get this really good treat". Ursa knows these words all too well.

[SunDance]

Adoption pending!

Oh, good. I hope everything works out for him and his new human(s).

[Tanya]

Glad they have a pending adoption!

Awww, my heart says yes, but right now we can't. Good luck to Bentley!

Ursa was a rock nut in her youth, swallowed a few small ones without incident, she still holds them in her mouth at times, but spits them out on command.

Tradesies, "give me the rock and you get this really good treat". Ursa knows these words all too well.

yes tradsies. Ivy put EVERYTHING in her mouth but especially rock. But luckily i am paranoid of "keep away" and "gulping" behavior, so from the get go (to many who eyerolled at me) I traded. I always had food on me, and would toss and trade (which depending on where we were at in training). Unless it was life or death i never chased or yelled. I worked SUPER hard and never just taking but trading.

With bigger "safer" rocks, I literally sat down with her and traded back and forth. Usually she didn't even care for the rock by trade 3-4 cuz she just wanted the food.

Funny thing is now if she picks up a rock, i say drop it, and it comes flying out of her mouth as she waits for a treat :P It doesn't work quite as well for higher value stuff though :P

HOWEVER, I honestly would be wary to adopt a dog that has established this behaviour. Easier to prevent than deal with what has become an addiction (maybe).