Why would my dog eat these things??

Question

First, I'd like to say my dog is OK! But here's what happened last night.

Long story short: my Rottweiler mix started gagging after we went up to bed for the night. First he threw up a chunk of sheer curtain panel, a piece of a sleeve from one of my nightgowns, and a huge mass of what appeared to be dryer lint. Then he puked up a plastic doggie poop bag (unused). For the life of me I don't know how he managed to eat these things without our knowing it unless he did it right after we went to bed for the night.

Thank God it came back up instead of getting lodged into his digestive tract or something.

Is there a reason why dogs do things like this? Is he not getting enough fiber in his diet? Is he insane? Is he just a big pig?

I've never had a dog do this either. My Rott mix has a tendency to eat weird things, but never like he did last night!He's 4 years old and he does have chew toys but I guess he was looking for a little variety....?

Answer 1

Dogs just like to chew and sometimes they ingest things while they are chewing. It is completely normal.
If he is still chewing things maybe he is not ready to have run of the house without supervision.

Answer 2

Some dogs, usually labs, are know to eat a lot of weird stuff from Christmas ornaments, to locks, to jewelry to fish hooks to rocks from the yard, plastic plants, medicine bottles, etc. Be sure to child proof your house. Anything he might eat, move it up. Keep a lot of chewable things for him. NO PIG EARS. The come off in sharp chunks and can damage the stomach and intestines. If you don't watch him and stop him eventually he will end up in the emergency vet hospital with a $1000. surgery. SO PICK UP EVERYTHING.

One thing that might help Get several items you think he might like to chew and put them out where he get them.When he heads for them, block him and with your body and hand and tell him no. Every time he heads for them block and say no. Eventually you can just point at him and he will back up. Spend at least 30 minutes and then put all the items away. Do again the next day. He should figure out right away that the items are yours and not to be toughed. Eventually he should not bother anything when you point and tell him no.

Answer 3

Dogs will give anything a try when it comes to eating, I know this, because my puppy ate my stocking socks..

It was the same as you, I was in bed, he was gagging and I could see something in his mouth, when I pulled the stocking sock came out to my horror..

He threw up and after that he was ok, until two days later, when the other sock came out the other end!! I have no idea how or when he got it, but it definitely has nothing to do with his diet or fibre.

Basically dogs are inquisitive and eating things is their way of finding out what they are - to date my dog has eaten, stocking socks, a bath towel, his bed, numerous plants, a feather duster, some wool, the leather on his soccer ball, and the list goes on.

You just need to make sure that anything that harms them is up and out of the way and that they have their own things to keep them entertained - bones to chew, balls to play with etc.

Answer 4

I have a GS that would chew on furniture and we'd be in the kitchen and a Beagle that tries to eat poop.
Unfortunately, some dogs chew and eat what ever they can and some do one or the other no matter what kind of attention you give them.
Is your dog crate trained? If so, then he needs to be crated when you sleep and are out of the house. Once he see's that this is happening (may not be fun for you because of whining/barking) he'll learn to understand that he can't be trusted. Eventually, leave him out for short periods of time when you leave but still crate at night.
He'll still mess up but eventually learn that his behavior is not acceptable.

Answer 5

Had dogs for years, never had one do what yours did to that extent. I would definately talk to your vet A.S.A.P.

Answer 6

maybe he just wants your attention maybe when you see him doing the wrong thing you mightr notice him.