Chewing on stones leads to broken teeth, while swallowing them causes a life-threatening blockage in the digestive tract.
It happens rarely, but I have caught our puppies with stones in their mouths and made them drop everything before it was too late (one swallow can mean a trip to the emergency vet).
If that stone gets past the throat and into the stomach, you are looking at an expensive surgery. You cannot wait for the puppy to “grow out of it” because you are dealing with a serious risk that can turn fatal in a heartbeat.
Puppies usually pick up stones out of curiosity or boredom, but it can also be a sign of a medical condition called Pica. This happens when the dog lacks certain nutrients or has parasites.
To stop this, keep his area free of gravel, use a toy or a snack to trade for the stone, and teach him to ‘leave it’ or ‘drop it’. You must clear parasites and then improve his nutrition.
Start with “Leave it” and “Drop it”
To teach “drop it”, start with a toy that your puppy likes, but isn’t his favorite. When the puppy grabs the toy, grip it firmly and hold it completely still against your leg. If he tries to tug, do not pull back; just keep your hand dead still until the object becomes boring.
As soon as he stops tugging, say “drop it”, wait one second, and then put a tasty treat right under his nose. When he opens his mouth to take the snack, tell him “yes”.
For the “leave it” exercise, show your puppy a stone in your open palm, then immediately close your hand into a fist before he can grab it.
Your puppy will sniff and nudge your fist to get the stone he just saw. The moment he stops struggling with your hand and looks up at your face, say “yes” and reward him with a treat from your other hand.
You are teaching him that ignoring the stone and checking in with you is the only way to get the food.
Trade Stones for Toys to Keep Your Puppy Safe
When you don’t have time to play, you must give your puppy a way to burn energy on his own so he ignores the gravel.
Give him a long-lasting chew or a puzzle toy filled with food to keep him busy while you are working. If he spends his morning working on a tough rubber toy, he won’t have the drive to hunt for stones in the yard.
In areas where he usually “searches for rocks”, scatter safe chew toys on the ground.
You are giving him a better option to chew on before he even thinks about the stones.
Check the Bowl: Does It Have Enough Minerals?
If your puppy constantly “hunts for stones”, he might be lacking minerals. You must use food for puppies (age and breed), as it has the correct phosphorus-to-calcium ratio they need to grow.
Avoid adding random supplements to his meals, as too much of one mineral can block others and lead to bone growth issues.
When he gets everything he needs from his bowl, he will lose the urge to chew on rocks to compensate.
Check with a vet to see if a mineral deficiency is causing this behavior.
Training with Leash
Use a leash to catch your puppy before he reaches the stone.
The second he lunges for the rock, give a quick tug and say “no” in a firm, calm voice.
Keep this training in your yard until he is fully vaccinated. Wait for the final vaccine before you take him to public paths or dog parks.
Sarplaninac Puppies and Stones
Based on my experience, each puppy is a story in itself. I love watching how our puppy reacts when he finds the stone the size of his paw.
Some puppies see the stone as a toy and immediately begin to play with it, biting, chewing, or trying to move it around with their paws.
Other puppies may be more careful, sniffing the stone for a bit before deciding whether to touch it.
I asked my father about this, and he explained that one of the reasons is the pain puppies feel when they start teething.
As their baby teeth fall out and new teeth come in, they feel pain, and the stone helps them cool down their gums.
Watch the following video to see how Mila handles the unknown object.
Conclusion
Puppies will try to chew on stones at some point. Sometimes it’s because their teeth are coming in, and other times they are just bored.
You have to be there to take the stone away and offer the toy instead. It takes a lot of time and repeating the “leave it” command, but it is worth the effort when you see your puppy grow into a healthy and steady dog.
Thank you for reading. If you are also dealing with the puppy that picks up everything in the yard, please leave a comment below. I would love to hear how you handle it!
