My pup is in the teething stage, and of course uses his mouth to explore his world. Nothing I wasn't expecting. However he is obsessed with eating/attempting to eat grass, leaves, dirt and sticks. I've heard from a few vets for the most part as long as he doesn't choke and I am watching him, none of these things are particularly harmful. The annoying part is, he has consumed so much grass that he can't digest properly that today he had trouble passing it. Strained to get it out for a good 5 minutes, put did pass it. He had 2 regular bowel movements before straining, and has yet to go again (just fed him lunch, and am waiting). This is the first time he's had a hard time of it, should I be concerned? I've tried so hard to get him to stop eating everything outside but it's at the point where he wouldn't be allowed out ever, he just loves to put everything in his mouth and I am focusing on getting him to not bite and chew on people that I have had to pick my battles. Any tips to either get him to stop, or is it a phase that he will grow out of? I'm at a loss

To an extent he will grow out of it. What toys does he have to chew on? Nylabones? His mouth is bothering him and he just wants something he can chew at. You may take a nylabone or some kind of mid density chew out with you and exchange sticks and grass for that chew you find more acceptable. Same with people. Exchange what you don't want him to chew on with something you do want him too. If you have a rope toy try getting it damp and freezing it for him to chew on. The cold will help his teeth and it's something he can chew at under supervision that shouldn't get his stomach all funny. Sometimes also when dogs are teething the extra enzymes and stress can upset their stomach and they will eat grass in hopes of settling it. If he's teething it might not be the grass causing issues so much as just the teething in general. A bit of pure pumpkin never hurts to help even out bowel movements or plain yogurt will help an upset stomach as well.

Every dog I have had was a grass muncher during the puppy stage. They all outgrew it. I completely agree with the pumpkin/plain yogurt. It was a life saver for me.

In the midst of playing the trading game that Jenn suggests, I would also start teaching drop it and leave it, they can be literally life savers when taught and no trade in available to you. It's simple enough to teach, when pup picks up rock have trade ready say drop it when he does reward with the trade and a good boy, now also I recommend having a small amount of kibble in pocket and if he decides he'd rather have rock a quick eheh leave it when he looks to you treat and remind him of the trade item. I also use a squeaky ball, most puppies love them Kong makes a tuff tennis ball that squeaks and it is a great attention getter. My girls ate their fair share of dirt, grass, munched on twigs, I will caution you on pebbles, stones, etc. The first three items may cause belly upset, constipation, rocks and pebbles will not pass and can break teeth, either of which is costly at the vets to correct. This is one reason why drop it and leave it is so important to teach. Two tell tale signs of a blockage is throwing up along with diarrhea that is almost liquid, that isn't to scare you, but more to be watchful in case he does swallow a rock. Some other chew items I recommend is cow ears, last long become chewy once they have been gnawing on, and bully (pizzle) sticks, both last a while, both are safe under supervision, most dogs can tolerate, they are all natural with some benefits. Make sure they are USA made, and stick to cow or lamb ears(lamb are crunchier wont last as long) but are far safer for a puppy/dog than pig ears. My gsd puppy lived on cow ears while teething.

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm working on the leave it, right now we are having problems with getting his attention, we are taking him to some obedience classes to gain help and make sure we are doing everything correctly. I watch him like a hawk and am quick to remove any rocks or stones. For the most part he just tries to chew them so i redirect with his tennis ball. My life saver has been soaking his favorite rope toy in water and freezing it. I'm heading out to get him some nylabone and other chew focused toys to help alleviate his teething pain. He has a cow hoof that he likes to chew on as well