Expert: Alan J Turner, SATS LL1 - 12/27/2006

Question
My 4 y/o male springer has started eating the bark off my tree in the backyard.  Within the past month I have added another dog to my home, so now I have 3.  He started this habit about 1-2 weeks ago.  He is very "agressive" about eating the bark everytime he goes outside.  He is currently fed Science Diet Sensitive Stomach due to him not being able to keep down most other foods (meaning he would vomit).  Any suggestions???

Answer
Dear Kylea,
Thanks for the question. I can help. My first suggestion is to have your vet check him out.  There are several medical issues that can stimulate a dog to eat non-food items most aggressively! The fact that he just started is a "flag" for a possible medical issue.

If the behavior is not related to medical health, then we should try and determine why he is eating the bark. To determine why, I need to have more information.

Exactly when do you let him outside? Are there any particular reason(s) times, occasions (other than for normal exercise or to eliminate) that you place him out side?

When does the behavior occur? when he is alone, with the other dogs, both when alone and with other dogs?

How much time does your dog spend in the back yard? Does he start eating bark the instant he is outside or does it take a while before he starts?

Does he get along with the other dogs?

Are you present or absent when it occurs?

What have you done to prevent or stop the behavior? what were the results?

Does he ever ingest any other non-food items? If yes, what, when and where?

Does he eat his food "aggressively" as he does the bark?

How often do you take him for walks?

Does he know any tricks or obedience commands? If so, which ones?

Please answer the questions and I'll do my best to give you helpful advice. Thank you.

Alan
http://www.howsbentley.com
Memphis, TN