Eating things he shouldn't

Hi all, I'm new to this site, but I'm at my wits end and am willing to try anything! My 8 month old akita mix, Ox, eats everything he can get his little paws on. I have pretty much put everything out of his reach, but now he's into getting onto tables to get into things. I have him crated during the day. It seems like whenever I leave him out of my site for any length of time, he has something new to chew on and eat. I have had him checked out at the vet twice for things he's eaten (I'd hate to have to put him through a foreign body surgery). Here's a list of some things he's eaten so far:

a bear claw (no, not the pastry), a comb, nail files, checkbook, the rim around his porcelain dish, plastic, fish tank heater holder, and a pencil.

I have had him checked out by the vet AFTER he had eaten this stuff, and he was given a clean bill of health. I have managed to keep him out of most other things (like the cat litter box), but it's becoming increasingly difficult for me to imagine him ever living outside of his crate while I'm gone.

I have tried dividing his meals up so that I am feeding him more times throughout the day, but this has not changed anything. I watch him like a hawk whenever he's not crated, and this seems to be the only thing that works. My next option is a behavior consult, but I was wondering if maybe you guys had any advice. ANYTHING would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Jamie

Miss Cinnamon once ate and entire chinese meal, pork fried rice, sweet & sour pork, chicken lo mein, egg rolls, and crab cheese wontons. Funny, she didn't like the white rice, little did she know that the vet would put her on boiled hamburger and white rice diet for a week!! She broke out of her kennel in the house and ate the leftovers on the counter, it was our fault for leaving it out. OOOOPS:(

I have 4 different breed puppies right now,all around 9-10 months and I know what you mean about eating things including the furniture.What I find that works best is tired puppies and lots of toys.We go to our local petco clearance bin and the dollar store regularly and buy tons of toys that are just a couple of dollars some only last 15 mins. but for $1.00 it keeps something else safe and keeps them happy.I find cheap things to tire them out.My shiba Inu for instance loves to chase and catch bubbles with my Goddaughter and Granddaughter.All the puppies love to chase and jump after peacock feathers and I have a friend who's mom has peacocks and gives us the feathers off of the ground.The dog park,trips to the pets store,walks,runs anything to tire them out.When I have to leave I crate them but they love their crates and have holves or something to chew on or cuddle and are usually tired out,or I make up a Kong stuffed with goodies either frozen or not and they have that while I am out.It has gotten much better and I am told will continue too.Plus we went to basic obedience and plan to continue so that helps and continueing to work with them always helps.Pupies chew and I figure if they get something I left out I should have moved it but at the same time they learn.I hope some of these ideas help.
Laurie

Welcome to PT! :)

I know this might be a little mean, lol, but I've heard this is a good tactic. Leave lots of food out. Leave it on the tables, counters, anywhere that your doggy knows not to take it from. Put hot sauce on all of it...I know it's not very nice, but atleast it's not drastic. :p

My German shepherd ate hot sauce one time, and boy, she did not like it! And that's the dog that will eat anything and everything! :eek: :D

Good luck! Do you have any pics of your pooch? :)

Welcome to Pet talk.
You got some great ideas.
Don't forget to puppy proof your place,
and try not to leave your pup
un-supervised as much as possible while
he is in that puppy stage.
I remember those days well with Rocky the destroyer.

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas. I do take Ox on runs every day or every other day depending on my work schedule. We play fetch, catch the laser, and he plays with the cats, but nothing seems to tire him out. I know for a fact that he loves hot sauce. :) He eats anything and everything regardless of how it tastes. I am going out tonight to buy him a kong toy, and will buy him some other toys as well. I cannot buy him any toys that are soft and stuffed because he tears them open and eats the stuffing. After the stuffing is gone, he then eats the rest of the stuffed animal. The first (and last) stuffed animal I gave him was a blue mouse with a squeaker. When I got home, the whole thing was gone. He then vomitted up most of it, but his poop was blue for a few days. :)

Once again, thanks so much for all of your suggestions. They are greatly appreciated!

Jamie

Does he have a ton of things to chew on? If not, get them. Lots. Get several different kinds. The best I've found that aren't dangerous and are totally digestible are Booda Velvet Bimples. Here's how they are advertised:
Booda Velvet Bimples are a new age dog chew made with corn starch material. Contains no animal by product and is completely biodegradable. Will not stain and does not have an odor. The unique nubby design massages dogs gums while they enjoy the many tasty flavors.

Also, when you're at home with him tether him to your belt. Make him go everywhere with you. This will keep him safe and you will also have the chance to stop the unwanted behavior by being right there when it happens. As I'm sure you already know, it's no use scolding him once he's already had his fun & forgotten it. :rolleyes: