Help puppy keeps eating the bark

ryanemma · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:36 pm Post subject: Help puppy keeps eating the bark

Our 9 week old puppy keeps eating the bark in the garden every time he goes in the garden for a wee etc.

Should we put him back on the lead untils he grows out of it or any other ideas as he gets bits stuck in his throat and has been sick before.

Please help it spoiling the fun

Topseyt · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:40 pm Post subject:

Can you maybe dog proof any of the trees by wrapping a fine grade chicken wire around them? I think the wire tends to hurt their teeth and discourage chewing.

As for whether they grow out of it, maybe some do but others don't, and my Charlie is in the latter category.

Helen.

LauraJane · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 5:42 pm Post subject:

what kind of bark is it ? if its cocoa mulch this is highly toxic to dogs.

fortunately we have a concrete yard so never had this problem.

_Mary_ · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 6:20 pm Post subject:

I have the same question as Laura, do you mean he`s pulling bark off the trees or he`s eating mulch?

To be able to answer our questions you`ll need to subscribe, its only £7.99 a year and is well worth it Smile

ryanemma · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 7:11 pm Post subject:

Sorry the bark is B & Q play bark mulch that you put in gardens under childrens play areas, we have swings and slide for the two children.

Any tips is this stuff dangerous to pets

_Mary_ · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 7:32 pm Post subject:

Don`t know the answer to that, it should tell you on the bag it comes in tho, ot hopefully someone here may use it and know.

Can you fence off the area where the bark is, if your using it for a kiddies play area, it`d be better I think, should Bobby decide to use it as a toilet area it`ll be hard to pick up his poo specially if he gets the runs Confused

ryanemma · Posted: Mon May 21, 2007 7:46 pm Post subject:

well its a big area so fencing it off isnt practical.

Any reason we cant keep him on lead while in the garden as a puppy ?

LauraJane · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 9:34 am Post subject:

I would give B&Q a ring & ask their advice..

There is no reason not to keep him on the lead, but when he is no longer a puppy he maybe still inclinded to eat it, and possibly use it as a toilet area as mary said.

I wouldnt tie him up & leave him alone in the garden tho.

ryanemma · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 4:43 pm Post subject:

This is looking like more of a problem than i thought. The bark was purchased last year, i dont expect B & Q to be able to answer if its safe but i guess it must be.

Maybe i should put a small mesh fence up but that would be a large job and besides im sure he would jump over it as he got bigger.

Maybe i should change the bark and put turf back down ?? but then i would be worried about the kids.

hilaryjp · Posted: Tue May 22, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject:

You just need to find out whether it has cocoa mulch in it. If it does then I would replace it.

H