I am a new to the site, so please bare with me - my apologies for such a long thread!
I have a 4 month old pup, her name is Roxie
- she is the best and cutest puppy I could ever ask for!!! She was a very quick learner to house-training and even a few tricks!! However we have some small downfalls - whenever she is outside, she tries to pick up/eat EVERYTHING IN SIGHT! (She has been going to the Vet for her normal check-ups/shots; he doesnt pay any mind to her habits and reassures me she is of good health.)
Whenever she is outside she always goes to eat the grass, leaves, or sometimes even dirt. Ive read all over that they sometimes they eat these things in order to settle their stomachs, however she does not throw up afterwards, so I dont think it is to settle her stomach. I have also read that sometimes they eat it for nutritional value; they lack some type of nutrient from their commercial food so they go for the grass. ( i don't know how true that is, but i did read it). And also high anxiety or stress may cause them to eat grass, leaves, dirt outside. Is there any way I can lessen her anxiety or stress??
Secondly, I am from New Jersey, and do own a home at the Jersey Shore, like most homes there, I do not have grass, I have small stones surrounding my home. It is costly to change the stones to grass, as for my last sheltie had no issues with the stones, but again SHE TRIES TO EAT THEM. So, at first I was worried for her bathroom needs, but I actually trained her to go on a patch of cement of the driveway. However she ALWAYS GOES TO EAT the stones, even if she sees one out of the corner of her eye, she will go to get it. I am in the process of teaching her "drop it" and rewarding her with a treat - in hopes that it will teach her to drop it. But I am more concerned of her not evening wanting to pick it up to begin with then to have her put it in her mouth to then have her drop-it.
She is now trying to go after and eat her own stool, I have never owned a dog that would ever (even puppy years) go after their own stool. I make the "ahhh" noise at her to deter her from eating it, which helps so then I can quickly pick it up. She is beginning to make me nervous that this will be a never-ending habit. That whenever she is outside, she will put whatever she can find in her mouth and try to eat.
My main concerns are: (1) will she outgrow all of these on her own? (2) should I stay on top of her and do the "Drop-it" method TO ANYTHING she picks up, grass, etc. forever? (3) If it is due to anxiety/stress: how can I find out if it definitely one of these or if it is anxiety/stress, how can i relieve her of those in order to lessen the chances of her eating everything in sight outside!?
Other than these few things, she is a great puppy and i love having her!!! Sometimes can even make me stressed
knowing the epidemic it will be to simply take her outside! LOL I just need some advice as a new owner!! 
Thank you!
I have a 4 month old pup, her name is Roxie
- she is the best and cutest puppy I could ever ask for!!! She was a very quick learner to house-training and even a few tricks!! However we have some small downfalls - whenever she is outside, she tries to pick up/eat EVERYTHING IN SIGHT! (She has been going to the Vet for her normal check-ups/shots; he doesnt pay any mind to her habits and reassures me she is of good health.)Whenever she is outside she always goes to eat the grass, leaves, or sometimes even dirt. Ive read all over that they sometimes they eat these things in order to settle their stomachs, however she does not throw up afterwards, so I dont think it is to settle her stomach. I have also read that sometimes they eat it for nutritional value; they lack some type of nutrient from their commercial food so they go for the grass. ( i don't know how true that is, but i did read it). And also high anxiety or stress may cause them to eat grass, leaves, dirt outside. Is there any way I can lessen her anxiety or stress??
Secondly, I am from New Jersey, and do own a home at the Jersey Shore, like most homes there, I do not have grass, I have small stones surrounding my home. It is costly to change the stones to grass, as for my last sheltie had no issues with the stones, but again SHE TRIES TO EAT THEM. So, at first I was worried for her bathroom needs, but I actually trained her to go on a patch of cement of the driveway. However she ALWAYS GOES TO EAT the stones, even if she sees one out of the corner of her eye, she will go to get it. I am in the process of teaching her "drop it" and rewarding her with a treat - in hopes that it will teach her to drop it. But I am more concerned of her not evening wanting to pick it up to begin with then to have her put it in her mouth to then have her drop-it.
She is now trying to go after and eat her own stool, I have never owned a dog that would ever (even puppy years) go after their own stool. I make the "ahhh" noise at her to deter her from eating it, which helps so then I can quickly pick it up. She is beginning to make me nervous that this will be a never-ending habit. That whenever she is outside, she will put whatever she can find in her mouth and try to eat.
My main concerns are: (1) will she outgrow all of these on her own? (2) should I stay on top of her and do the "Drop-it" method TO ANYTHING she picks up, grass, etc. forever? (3) If it is due to anxiety/stress: how can I find out if it definitely one of these or if it is anxiety/stress, how can i relieve her of those in order to lessen the chances of her eating everything in sight outside!?
Other than these few things, she is a great puppy and i love having her!!! Sometimes can even make me stressed
knowing the epidemic it will be to simply take her outside! LOL I just need some advice as a new owner!! Thank you!
My fingers are crossed that this is just a phase and will definitely be on top of the training in hopes it will help as well!! 
.
