I have a similar problem with my puppy cody (5 months) he loves rocks, not big ones, anyones and when we walk it is really a problem to keep his head up so he won't swoop down and grab some. We have over 1/2 an acre and all our property is very rocky, I have tried bitter apple, he enjoys bitter apple, so I may try the hot sause, another thing I thought of in summer the rocks will be boiling, maybe just the heat may deter him. But I am looking for ways to train him, I have trained him to spit and when he picks up a rock I say spit and most of the time he will spit that rock out like a rocket. And then he gets a treat.
When you find a method that works, let me know I would love to hear it. My dog does try and eat them and he is well taken care of. So that is what worries me.
You say you got a puppy, watch out, your older dog doesn't influence your puppy to pick up rocks. My other dog Bindi doesn't like rocks, but when Ihave to correct Cody so much, she wants the attention and will gently pick one up too. SO they can influence one another.
Hope you find the solution to your dogs rock problem.

Well, a quick update. UPS couldn't have had better timing I came home to see that my box of new training toys arrived. I just got a few things for the pup, and only 1 thing for Link: a new large Jute tug. All of his other tugs were made from bite suit material.

Usually my play routine has been going like this: Go outside, bring a toy he has interest in, try to get him to pursue it, which sometimes he could care less. If he does, work on his bite, try to build more drive. Do this for 3-6 minutes until he doesn't care any more. Throwing usually results in me fetching while he goes to find rocks. After he stops showing interest, I let him run around on his own to burn off some energy since he doesn't seem to be interested in what I'm trying to get him to do. Is variety a big issue?

I'm not sure if its the Jute, or just being something new, or maybe competition from when I was giving the pup lots of attention earlier with her new toys, but wow! He hasn't worked so long and so hard since I can remember! Today is also the first time he has ever seen snow (maybe 1.5"... its Atlanta), which might have been a factor. He did probably about a dozen retrieves, was getting airborn on strikes going after his tug over and over, was dragging me through the snow on his bites... this went on until I had to call it quits cause i was soaked, cold and exhausted... and he wanted more in the house. maybe I should watch what I wish for

I also kept him on a line, which he didn't seem to like at first. But he minded me after the first use, with just a snap collar on. Before I got the tug out, I let him approach his favorite rock hunting spot once, snuck up and stepped on his line and approached. He tried to avoid like always, but the line caught him off guard. One good jerk and a NO! and he just followed me around, ignoring the rocks I have no idea what factors went into all of this (especially the intense drive increase), but I'll try to keep it up. I just hope the solution isn't to buy a new tug every week I'm also hoping the snow cover wasn't the major deterrent to looking for rocks, as I sure cant count on that very long.

Btw, awesome toy for puppy drive

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I also let the two interact so the adult doesn't get jealous of her.

Dogs do not get "jealous" as we view the word. A dog can love affection and attention and a human is capable of neglecting one dog in favor of another, but you as pack leader give attention and affection as you see fit.

At this point, she is 10 weeks, she does not need socialization with other dogs. She just came from being with her mom and littermates. Right now is your bonding time with her and I do think that exposing her to things is a good idea and not keeping her shut in.

When I bring a pup into the home with other dogs they are completely seperated for a couple of weeks, usually a month. I formally intro and have limited play after that initial strong bonding period. It does not surprise me at all that she stopped whining by having her crate near his - can she see him? I keep the pup seperated so that the bond sit has is with ME and not my other dog(s). Dogs will naturally like other dogs more than people, that is why it is important to keep them away from other dogs and bond and build trust and respect with a new pup.

I am very sorry to hear what happened to your GSD and it does shed light on your current situation. Thanks for the details, We all make mistakes When I first started working with dogs and being serious about training I know I sure did.

I would work on his focus and drive for his tug/ball on a string away from the rocks. If you have an area you can go to, a front yard, or in the house etc that would work I would start there. For the rocks, when you find them, don't throw them in front of him. If you have a trash can etc, put them in it versus taking it from him and throwing it - you can dispose of them later. Or just put him in the house out of sight and then throw it. Throwing it creates more frustration. What do you do with a ball or if you play fetch, etc? You throw it .. he might just consider these rocks another toy and when you throw them it creates more frustration and begins his search for another toy(rock)

You can try the jalpeno paste, it is the only pepper stuff I've had success with. Regular powdered peppers and spices and such I have not had success with. The jalepeno paste is pretty potent and occassionally I'd throw in a habanero if I make a big batch, but I grew both peppers in my garden so it was easy. You have to remember that it only lasts so long and rain washes it away. Some dogs like spicy stuff and others like bitter stuff, some like both. Wood does better to soak in the scent and hold the taste longer than a rock would.

Edit: Just read above post - phone call delayed my post. Good to hear that he enjoyed the new equipment! A good start.

Thanks again, Jen! I'll cut back on the exposures. Seems like I was on the path to go from 1 extreme to the other, totally missing the middle ground. I have noticed that the pup seems to compete for attention from my other dog more than from me, when given the choice. I didn't see that as problem until you explained it that way Reading about all the concepts doesn't teach application, i guess.

oh, one factor I didn't mention: I recently switched him over to a raw died. He's been on kibble all his life, but after doing some research, talking to my pup's breeder and a few other breeders, and working with a new pro-raw vet, I decided to make the plunge. I did it gradually, and hes been on 100% raw this week now. Its been about 10 days since I started. The pup was on a raw died from birth (duh) until 6 or 7 weeks, then transitioned to kibble to prepare for new homes (typically kibble). So I just had to transition her back I decided to transition both while in the process. I'm to sure if thats a major variable or not, but if anyone wants another pro-raw reference, feel free

Jason - That's GREAT! You are lucky to have a pro-raw vet. I am struggling to find one closer than 2.5 hours away. The Raw Diet is excellent, good for you and better for your dogs. It does have that increased energy effect that some people don't think about until they see it first hand. I love raw, been kicking myself for not being able to feed it (zero storage space) for a while and going for Evo and Canidae. Raw is always best IMO.

Good to know you are on the right track and good luck with your pack!

I never sought a solution to stopping my dog from chewing rocks but it was a gsd and by the time he was 10 all his teeth were worn perfectly flat from the rocks, so if i had to do it over I would find a way to stop him, thanks

Peter Campbell