Do Labradors know when to stop eating

Much more fixated on the sausage: study sheds light on obesity in labradors

When it comes to greedy canines, labradors take the biscuit. Now researchers have shed light on why the breed is prone to a portly form.

Scientists previously revealed a mutation in a gene called POMC (proopiomelanocortin) predisposes dogs to obesity. The genetic variant is found in about a quarter of labrador retrievers and two-thirds of flat-coated retrievers, with the effect slightly larger in the former.

Now two explanations have emerged for the association: not only are dogs with the mutation hungrier between meals, but they burn fewer calories when at rest.

It means that these dogs have a double whammy, said Dr Eleanor Raffan, of the University of Cambridge, who led the study.

But canine obesity is not a fait accompli.

What we know is that there [are] loads of owners who manage their dogs really carefully, and do manage to keep them slim but they do it by putting a lot of effort in, Raffan said.

Writing in the journal Science Advances, Raffan and colleagues describe how their first test involved 36 adult labradors that carried either one copy of the POMC mutation, two copies, or did not have the mutation at all.

The dogs, which were all on a standard diet, were given breakfast and three hours later shown a transparent box with a perforated lid into which a researcher placed a sausage. The dogs were then allowed to approach the box.

The researchers found dogs with the POMC mutation spent far less time resting or exploring the room, and more time attempting to get at the morsel, than those without.

The dogs with the mutation were just much more fixated on the sausage, said Raffan, adding that it suggested they were hungrier.

However, a subsequent test with 24 labradors with either one or no copies of the mutation highlighted this was not because they felt less full straight after eating: regardless of their genetics, the dogs voluntarily consumed a similarly enormous quantity of wet dog food about 2kg on average when offered a can every 20 minutes.

The team also analysed the calories burned by 19 adult flat-coated retrievers when at rest by measuring their oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production in a specially modified kennel.

The results revealed dogs with two copies of the mutation burned about 25% fewer calories than those with no copies enough, the researchers say, to significantly decrease how much food they required to maintain healthy body weight.

While the situation is more complex in humans, Raffan said the study was a powerful illustration of how genes could influence behaviour around food.

Its a message about the fact that obesity isnt a choice, she said. Its a reflection of a background drive to eat, which is driven by a combination of your genes and your environment.

How To Stop A Dog From Eating Everything He Sees

I have had a few dogs over the years who seemed to have no limits or rules when it came to eating. They would put anything random, smelly or bite sized that they found at home or outdoors into their mouths, and swallow. This habit isnt just unpleasant, it can be really dangerous and needs stopping quickly. Today Ill share the most popular methods to stop your dog from eating everything they find, from muzzles to tried and tested training techniques.

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Dogs often do things that humans find disgusting, and scavenging is one of them. Its actually quite a natural behavior for a dog, but we still need a solution. Because scavenging isnt just gross, it can also be risky.

Owning a Labrador that has a passion for consuming everything he finds lying on the ground, can be a real pain. His favourite menu will often include carrion, human waste, socks and other items of clothing, and numerous other delectable substances. Labs have an astounding sense of smell. And until seagulls start dying conveniently out to sea, and all parents start taking their trash home, we are probably stuck with it.

Howto stop your dog eating everything

You have a couple of options for overcoming or at least managing, this charming habit.

• Physical prevention
• Training

Well look at training in a moment. First lets examine your options for preventing your dog from eating things off the ground

How to stop a dog from eating everything using a dog muzzle

Physically preventing scavenging usually means either keeping your dog on a short lead, or putting your dog in a muzzle.

Both these have their drawbacks

Unless you are a passionate long distance runner, it is going to be difficult to keep a dog well exercised on a lead.

Which leaves the muzzle.

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Now no-one likes to see a dog wearing a muzzle. But using a dog muzzle to stop a dog eating everything in sight is not an unreasonable thing to do.

A lot of people are reluctant to try it. Often because they worry what others will think.

Concerns about dog muzzles

Most people worry that a dog muzzle is uncomfortable, and they also worry that people will think that their dog is aggressive.

However, a well fitting muzzle should be comfortable for your dog. And it doesnt in all honesty matter what people think.

A dog I know, that treats every grim pile of trash as a buffet, nearly died from scoffing toadstools last year. A basket muzzle might have prevented her ordeal.

What type of dog muzzle stops a dog from eating?

Many muzzles were originally designed to prevent dogs biting.

Some people have a lot of success with using a basket muzzlelike the one above, to prevent dogs eating rubbish.

A few funny looks from strangers is a fair price to pay for your dogs safety. And a muzzle might just transform your walks.

Dog muzzles dont work for every dog

Some people do find that a basket muzzle is not the answer for them.

With very sloppy items, the dog just presses his face into the mess until it forces its way through the sides. A basket muzzle tends to be more helpful with solid objects than with gooey messes. (Dont you just love dogs)

Even with solid objects like stones, some dogs will learn to get at them through a muzzle

Fabric dog muzzles

Some people are tempted to try various fabric types of muzzle. These are designed to prevent biting and often work by preventing the dog from opening his mouth.

They are useful tools for dogs that have aggression issues if they need to be treated by a veterinarian or handled by a stranger for some other reason.

Remember that dogs need to open their mouths fully to pant and cool themselves. So if amuzzle prevents a dog from panting or drinking, it is not appropriate for a dog that is being exercised or left alone.

And if your dog can open his mouth wide enough to pant and drink, his ability to scavenge may not be impaired.

The best answer to scavenging is of course training. And well look at that now.

Training a Labrador to stop eating everything on the ground

People often ask How can I train my dog not to eat poop, or stones, or sticks. The best way of training a dog not to scavenge involves teaching your dog to come away on command.

Youll still need to supervise your dog in order to use the command.

Its also about building new and better habits. With practice, many dogs learn to look to their trainer for tasty snacks, instead of foraging on the ground.

Training takes time

Teaching a dog to recall away from something he regards as delicious takes time. You need to teach the dog a new concept.

The concept of moving away from something he wants in order to get it. Or at least in order to get something of equivalent value.

It is natural for a dog to move towards what he wants.

It is completely unnatural for the dog to move towards you when you are calling him if the thing he wants is in the opposite direction. So you need to teach this concept in stages.

Teaching a dog to come away

The training process begins indoors at home.

You can teach your dog to come away from some tempting food that he knows is on a raised surface for example, by taking the dog to the food and giving him a piece after he has obeyed the recall signal.

Make sure you can call him away from high value food like warm roast beef or chicken.

This kind of training takes time and patience, but it a really helpful skill.

Stop a dog from eating everythingoutdoors

Once you can call your dog away from a plate of lovely roast chicken, take your skill outdoors.

You will need to set up fake training scenarios in which you plant tasty items in an outdoor location and practice your new concept with the dog on a training line.

You can put a stick or some other marker next to your plant so that you can judge when the dog is close enough.

As soon as he smells the food and tries to approach, you will need to recall him.

Use the long line to prevent him getting the food, but dont reel him in.

You want him to learn to make that decision for himself, or he wont be able to do it when he is off lead.

Continue to use the training line until he is recalling really well, away from tasty items that you have left out for training purposes.

How to stop a dog raiding the trash

The dog that raids the trash can at home, or that picks up household items off the floor is a slightly different issue.

Because these are your things rather than just random things found outdoors, many people regard this as stealing.

Keeping your dog amused on walks

Finally, a big part of scavenging is often boredom or lack of mental stimulation.

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Labradors are intelligent dogs that enjoy being given tasks to complete. A dog that is busy retrieving a ball, or learning to jump, or to walk to heel, is far less likely to become fascinated with finding the next rock to swallow.

Engage with your dog on your walks and keep him amused. This will reduce a kinds of problem behaviors and help you build a better bond with your four legged friend

How to stop a dog from eating everything getting help

Sometimes people really struggle with this issue. Dont be afraid to seek advice. Scavenging is a problem that many people need a little more help to overcome.

So dont hesitate to contact a qualified pet behaviorist.

If you are already making progress they will encourage and support you. And if you need to look at alternative ways to overcome the problem, they will be able to advise you.

The Labrador Site Founder

Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall.

She is also the founder of the Gundog Trust and the Dogsnet Online Training Program

Pippa's online training courses were launched in 2019 and you can find the latest course dates on the Dogsnet website

Labrador Eating Sticks and Rocks? Heres How I Stopped It

What To Do If Your Lab Has Eaten a Stick or Rock

If find your Labrador eating sticks and rocks, the first thing you need to do is make sure theyre healthy and safe. Training and long-term solutions can come later, but your dogs health needs to be the number 1 priority.

Keep an eye on your Labradors poop for the next day or so. If theyve successfully passed the stone, then the problem is usually solved. However, if your dog ate multiple rocks and/or a particularly large one, these could get stuck in their digestive tract.

Gently feel around your dogs stomach to see if you can detect any bulges or hard lumps. Visit the vet immediately if your dog ate a large stone that you can physically feel in their stomach.

Sometimes its hard to be sure whether or not your dog has actually swallowed a stick or rock. We cant watch them every second, and its not always clear when they eat something. Monitor your dogs behavior closely if you suspect theyve been eating non-food items. Warning signs include lethargy, distress, vomiting, and straining/difficulty while pooping.

If you know (or at least suspect) that your Lab has rocks, sticks, and other items stuck in their digestive system, you should take them to a vet as soon as possible. These issues are treatable, but they could cause discomfort and long-term digestive consequences if theyre left unchecked. In the worst-case scenario, undigested rocks and sticks could kill a Labrador.

Vets will discuss the treatment options with you once you arrive, but it will often include an x-ray scan and a surgery.

Look For The Source of This Behavior

The best way to protect your Lab (and your wallet) from a pricey vet visit is to cut off this problematic behavior early on. If youve ever owned a Lab, you know they love to chew on anything and everything, This instinct runs deep and it can be amplified by several factors. To keep them safe in the future, you need to address the root of the problem.

Health Problems and Pain

Labs sometimes get restless when theyre in pain. This discomfort leads them to take comfort in familiar behaviors like eating and chewing. This serves as a distraction for them, but it can lead to even more pain in the future. Issues like Pica, tooth pain, parasites, and overheating can lead to destructive chewing.

Anxiety and Boredom

Dogs also turn to chewing as a source of entertainment or distraction. If theyre unstimulated, they can become restless, anxious, and bored. They may chew on rocks and sticks to gain your attention (whether its good or bad).

Curiosity

At the end of the day, some Labs just like to chew and eat strange things! They may be curious about the texture or just like the taste of it. Its not bad to be curious, but for their own sake, they need to learn what is and isnt okay to eat.

How To Stop Destructive Eating Behavior

Now that we know some of the dangers and root causes, the question is, how can we prevent this behavior in the future? Depending on the dog and the situation, there may be a few ways to keep a Labrador from eating sticks and rocks, as well as other dangerous items. Every Lab is unique, so you may need to try a few different approaches to get through to them. Try the following methods:

Address Their Chewing Instinct

Labs love to eat and chew on things! Thats just their nature and its impossible to fully prevent it. The problem arises when they turn to things like rocks, which can damage their teeth and digestive system.

To help them get their energy out, try to provide them with a variety of safe chew toys. Labradors may get bored if they only have access to one toy, so buy a few of them and rotate them so they stay interesting.

Rawhide bones are fine in moderation, but even these can be harmful to aggressive chewers. Toys made from rubber and nylon are good alternatives. You would also fill a hollow toy with peanut butter and let your dog go to town on that!

Dog-Proof Your Yard

Theres no way to keep your Lab away from all the sticks and rocks in the world, but you can limit their access when theyre at home. If your landscaping includes bark chips, river rocks, pebbles, or other bite-sized items, you may want to replace them or create some kind of barrier.

Keep your yard as clean as possible so your dog doesnt get into the habit of eating your decorative rocks and plants!

Stimulation and Attention Prevents Boredom

A lot of chewing issues happen because your dog is bored or feels lonely. They chew and eat things to distract themselves and find an outlet for their emotions. So one of the best ways to prevent destructive chewing is to give them enough attention and entertainment!

Playing with people or other dogs is a great way to help them burn off excess energy.

Train Them To "Drop it" or "Leave it"

All dogs can benefit from a bit of basic training. They can respond to their name, come when theyre called, and even perform some tricks! But some commands help keep them safe.

An important command for Lab owners to teach them is Drop it or Leave it. If theyre properly trained to respond, the dog will leave the problematic item alone. They cant learn this command overnight, so try to start training your dog as early as possible. Reward good behavior with treats and praise.

Check out the video below for more guidance on training your Lab to let go of rocks, sticks, and toys.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDZpz448uMU

Final Thoughts

There may come a time when you find your Labrador eating sticks and rocks - it happens more often than you think. With a little help from their owners, Labs can learn safe habits and curb this behavior. If you provide proper stimulation, remove temptation, and train them to obey, rocks and sticks will soon be off the menu!