Reptile & Amphibian Forums

my grandma had this german shepard who liked to chew up rocks. I think it was some bad behaviour traits of his....does anybodys elses' dog do this? i just found it really weird

My buddy had a chow that ate rocks. Big, little, round, sharp, it didn't matter. He got plenty to eat and got tons of attention. He just liked to eat rocks. The only other strange thing he did was every day he'd wait for my buddys step dad to take off his boots and socks, then he'd sit on his foot and fart. Funniest thing I've ever seen a dog do.

Scootter

If a dog swallows rock it can be life threatening!!!!! I know someone who recently almost lost their dog cuz she had swallowed rocks. Think about it.... rocks are not a normal ingredient of a dogs diet nor can they digest them. So the rock just sits in their stomachs causing all sorts of problems from irritation and infection of the stomach to bowel obstructions. Don't let your dog chew rocks!!! Teach him/her NOT to pick up rocks.....it CAN be done!
Nancy

My German Shepherd does not eat rocks BUT when ever he is outside he CARRIES a rock around. ANY size, he likes bigger ones the best. He loves for them to be thrown and of course he goes and finds them. A rock can be thrown in the DARK as far as possible and he WILL find the rock, every time!! Great noses they have!! I have known other Shepherds that have rocks with them all the time. I'd watch the "eating" of them, definately could cause an obstruction!! GOOD LUCK!!

My 120lb. Shepherd has played with Rocks since Day 1, he's presently 5 years old. I've taught him not to pick them up with his mouth or carry them around but, he will still play with them for hours at a time. I am talking about 30lb rocks which he tosses under his rear legs. He first starts by licking the rock clean and then proceeds to grab each rock with his front legs and heave them under his body. Like I said he will do this for hours, be it Summer or Winter. During the Winter his rock will eventually turn into a huge snow covered mass which he inevitablly cannot move but, will still lick it. Very strange to say the least, but it does keep his nails from needing to be clipped, not to mention the exercise he gets. I figured he would eventually stop as he gets older but as soon as I come home, weather permitting, it's outside to play with his rock. The knuckles on his rear paws always get cut up but it doesn't stop him from licking, heaving, and last but not least barking at his rock for hours. At least it's FREE! Is this normal GSD behavior?