Aggressive Puppy Training - Yes, It Only Takes 7 Days!

Pica - A Compulsive Disorder That Drives Dogs to Ingest Non-Food Items

Pica is a compulsive disorder found in many animals, including humans. It is the uncontrollable urge to chew and/or drive to ingest non-food items. It can start accidentally and also be random. There are three behaviors that constitute pica. There are:

1. Repetitive
2. Non-functional
3. Non-beneficial

There are several causes for pica. If your dog exhibits these behaviors, the first thing you need to do is get them to your veterinarian, so you can eliminate medial reasons.

Medical

· Dietary deficiencies (anemia)
· Esophageal dysplasia (pre-cancerous condition)

Have your veterinarian check your dog's blood with a Complete Blood Test (CBT) and/or check hematocrit levels with a Ht or HCT tests. The question may be as simple as anemia from hookworms. If those tests come back indicating no problems, then you should regard the situation to be more psychological.

Items dogs suffering from pica are attracted to include; but are not limited to:
· Rocks
· Dirt
· Rubber
· Plastic
· Feces (corpophagia)
· Vomit
· Grass
· Cleaning agents
· Anti-freeze
· Dentures
· Dental retainers
· Wood
· Wool
· String
· Ribbon
· Aluminum foil

Supervise your dog, when they are near these items, if they are driven to them.

Psychological reasons for pica include; but are not limited to:
· Boredom
· Lack of exercise
· Too much attention
· Lack of attention
· Bad habits from puppyhood
· Lack of socialization
· Stress
· Confinement
· Competition
· Endless punishment

Prevention and treatment may include:
· Change of diet if medical - may need more fiber
· Medication if medical
· Exercise
· Keep them leashed, and attached to you
· Mental stimulation
· Companionship
· Socialization with people and other dogs
· Provide plenty of adequate toys to keep them busy
· Ignore
· Spray inappropriate item with cayenne pepper, Tabasco sauce, lemon juice, Bitter Apple, pet repellent or cinnamon
· Manage their access to their object of compulsion
· Do not punish
· Do not chase them to get item. Do not turn it into a game!
· Divert their attention to an appropriate item
· Obedience training

Bottom line: Once medical problems are eliminated, then you have to work on the psychological issues.

It is not easy breaking bad habits. Change doesn't happen over night. Keep your dog physically and mentally stimulated. Give them quality attention. Socialize them as much as possible with other dogs and people. Enroll them in an obedience class.

Basically, keep them busy, happy and tired!