My 4 month old pup has started chewing small pebbles and sticks and seems to be ingesting some of the sticks and also is eating dirt. A similar issue, when given a rope toy, she will work at it to get the fibers off and then eat those.

We obviously stop her from doing these things when we catch her (she usually will drop it with a firm “drop it”) but she can be really quick and grab a pebble, for example, while she is just sniffing the ground and we often won’t notice for some time. When ever we see her interested in any of these things, we give her a leash correction with a firm “leave it” and praise (and sometimes treat) upon compliance.

My question is two-fold:
1) is ingestion of any of the following very dangerous: soil, chewed sticks or rope fibers from a dog toy? Is chewing pebbles (but I don’t think ingesting) dangerous?
2) How can I get this madness to stop?!

Whoaw... that could be dangerous.. i mean theres alot of bacteria on dirt..
you should really work on that one...

Sticks are okay...If humans were not here, Dogs would naturally chew on tree brances and limbs...Its in their nature to chew!

I own 5 dogs, All of whom Love to chew on sticks. I see not harm in it..Brings them joy, Helps their teeth and gums.

The eating of the rope and tiny shreds of toys...Most likey it will be passed through your dogs stool, But you might want to invest in more exspenive sturdy toys and Real Bones

Not rawhide bones either...I know some many people love them for their dogs, but for puppies, Have u ever seens a chewed on wet rawhide bone b4?? They swell...And if your puppy eats it(Which he will)...It swells in his little tummy...No good!

I recomend all natural Pig and beef bones, ham bones, Ham knuckels all basted and can be found at petco, walmart and petsmart.

It would give your dog an alternative of safe things to chew on.

The rocks....You need to be very careful because though most dogs have no desire to swallow the rock since they are only looking for a means to use their CHEW factor....Every once in a while it will happen and it can get lodged in your dogs stomach which could require surgery.

Always provide your dog with plenty of safe Bones to chew on, and when you seem him/Her chewing on a rock....correct them, but instanty replace the rock with a bone....Eventually the dog will loose intrest in the rocks knowing their are freash ham bones to be had!!!

Hope I was able to Help.