I have a major puppy problem! Can anyone help?

Question

I have a major slug problem! Can anyone help?

I have a small but rugged garden. We have a small puppy who is obsessed with eating slugs and snails, as puppies do! I know its odd. How can i get the slugs to go away , or die in a puppy/dog friendly way. Any advice is welcome. I have tried putting beer into a bowl, that did attract alot of slugs but not enough. Please help - our puppy is driving us mad and its not his fault!

Answer 1

This is very important that you train you dog to stop this because Slugs and Snails can carry lungworm which is passed on to your dog.

For more information on Lungworm please read the URL in the source.

I would try getting out in the garden with a load of treats in my hand teaching the dog to leave. Once he has this mastered this, I would then introduce him to as many slugs and snails as possible until he understands that slugs = bad and that leaving them means a treat.

We have had to do this with our puppy with bird feathers which he finds amazingly ediable but make him sick when he can't digest them.

Good luck

Rich

Answer 2

As what one of the answerers stated above, you can get rid of these slugs in a friendly way, yet if you're not willing to do so, here are some suggestions:

Did you know that caffeine is toxic to snails and slugs? Hence, coffee sprays are used to repel them. Coffee grounds aren't really effective so perhaps use a cold caffeinated spray to repel them.

There are more methods to thwart snails and slugs:

-ammonia and water

-vinegar and water

-wood ashes

Visit the site below for more ways to thwart snails and slugs:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/6-ways-...

Why don't you buy some treats for your dog? Buy a treat that will satisfy your dog, and probably in a few weeks, his obsession in eating snails and slugs will gradually disappear.

I hope this helped you. Good luck!

Answer 3

Slugs are dangerous to your dogs health, even the slime they leave behind is dangerous. I can't remember what worm you get but it's not good.

My vet practice recommends advocate to combat this as the area where we live is a high slug presence everywhere.

I would say try the "pebble filled bottle" rattle ( i use in extreme cases only) and shake it behind your legs at the puppy whenever he tries to pick up a slug.  You will only need to do this for a few days after which he will no longer be interested in the slugs because of the horrible noise that "happens" each time he tries to pick one up.

As for getting rid of them, i don't know any dog friendly ways and really you want to stop the habit because you cannot control the slugs everywhere.

Answer 4

The best way to get rid of the slugs in a pet friendly way, and you'll not like this, is to pick them up and dispose of them. Wear gloves to do this though, they're slimy, sticky beggars and it's a swine to remove it from your fingers! also remember that their eggs remain in the soil, so you'll have to be vigilant to get rid of any new arrivals.

Eating too many snails can cause blindness in a dog - I forget the exact details, but the snail carries a worm (I think) that can infect the dog.

Answer 5

put salt on them it kills them and there u have a slug free garden

Answer 6

To be honest, it isn't going to cause any harm if he is eating them. In fact i actively encourage my dog to eat unwanted insects etc that may have gotten into the house.

Go to you local garden centre thingy and buy some animal friendly slug killing stuff. Takes a week or so but you should see a reduction.

Answer 7

Yuck, I never had a puppy or dog that ate slugs or snails.  Put a fence around your garden to keep the dog safely out and use Deadline snail and slug bait.  Otherwise, you'll be forever hand picking off the snails and slugs with your dog chomping them up right before he gives you a big slurpy kiss.  EWWW.