Definition by Wikipedia: Pica is a psychological disorder characterized by an appetite for substances that are largely non-nutritive.
Pica disorder: Is a psychological disorder that can be found in many dogs and even in humans.
Mostly you see this behavior as a psychological disorder and found in many dogs, anything they eat does not have to have a nutritional value. That does not necessarily mean that if your dog eats rocks and shells that it has psychological issues. It may be part of the puppy stage, teething, boredom, and pending what it is eating. It can also be an underlined issue that should be looked into.
This unwanted behavior can be triggered from anything or lack of certain nutrition deficiencies.
Our homes can be a dangerous place, as we try to attain a well obedient dog many other things must be addressed simultaneously. Almost everything in your home can become a hazard if not harmful to your pet. From loose wires to many items in your home; with loose wires many young dogs become entangled or chew on them. Why do puppies and some adult dogs chew on wires? Well pending on the age it could be a chewing stage, or a very sensitive pet with acute hearing. The acute hearing is when a dog hears the slight vibrations in a wire that attracts them to it, and the results pending the wires they chew will dictate the seriousness in it. To prevent that behavior try to hide the wires as much as possible. At times dogs will chew electronic items like cell phones, ipads etc… Some other reasons why a dog will chew on cell phones, or almost anything that their not suppose to is for your attention. Which as behaviorist we call it negative attention seeking behavior. Your pantry should not be accessible or anything you don’t want your pet to get into or destroy. Your garage is another dangerous place for them, with many toxic products like antifreeze, oils, pain, chemicals, electric tools and much more. Your backyard that has a shed should also be always closed well, even in the shed there are toxic or dangerous items they can get into.
Kitchen or bathroom waste baskets; with so many different odors it can easily attract your pet to it. We don’t realize the things that we throw in the bathroom waste basket that can result in a very bad adverse reaction when digested. The waste baskets should not be accessible to dogs, you have three choices either train them, don't let them have access to it or use the type of waste basket that has to be opened.
24/7 x 365 days Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435
Every month we will advise of which plants that are harmful or toxic, that can cause from sever sickness to death.
Azaleas: Symptoms: Oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea and a drop in blood pressure which can result into a coma, and even death.
Always contact your veterinarian
Till then have a woof woof of a month.
Harry Kalajian
M.D.T. With over 32 years experience
All Aspect of training, Behaviorist, Ethologist & Psychologist
Executive Dog Training Inc.
941-447-8234
www.executivedogtraining.com
