Best plush toys for dogs according to redditors
We found 332 Reddit comments discussing the best plush toys for dogs. We ranked the 48 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 332 Reddit comments discussing the best plush toys for dogs. We ranked the 48 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
The thing that causes this behavior is that he is a working breed dog who is extremely energetic. You basically described almost every lab I have ever trained. His owners need to give him a lot more mental and physical stimulation.
Since he is a lab, a chuck it ball thrower would be a great way to play fetch. A flirt pole is another really great toy for tiring dogs out.
For mental stimulation, mealtimes are a perfect opportunity. Have them get either a Bob-A-Lot or a Kong Wobbler for daily feeding and get rid of his food bowl. I recommend the Bob-A-Lot because you can make it easier or harder. This gives him ~10 extra minutes of brain work every day and you don't have to do anything extra.
Then basic obedience and chew/puzzle toys (kong marathon ball, nobbly nubbly, squirrel dude) will also help.
I love that he has the face and head of a dog way bigger than he is. Good boy!
My pup knows yellow duck and it makes me so excited when I tell him to get it and he does. I should work on some others.
BTW: Yellow ducks have survived three of my aussies. One for each of them. The only toy none of them have ever destroyed. I replace them because they just get gross after a couple years. They aren't tough toys. I don't have any idea why they last. But none of my pups have ever town theirs up. Each of them coveted theirs.
It looks like you just got your puppy four or five days ago, and crate training isn't going to happen that fast. I would take a deep breath and see if you can remove yourself from the situation for a bit if you can, you being stressed and puppy being stressed is not conducive to getting pup to like her crate.
It sounds like you're doing everything right, doing it in steps, making the crate a place of fun and treats. The puppy is still very new to you and her environment, and has lost her family.
My big suggestion for you is to keep on plowing through, making sure you have time to come home from lunch to check on pup, and know you are doing almost everything right. This will pass.
In the meantime a lot of people have vouched for the Snuggle Pup which warms up and emulates a puppy that may make your dog feel less alone. I did not use it, but ended up putting in a sturdy heating pad (since my corgi was not a fierce chewer) into the crate, and it seemed to keep him calm.
I say this with all the love in my heart - this situation is a hot mess. I am really sorry that this has exploded into such an unmanageable situation and I hope you can get in to see the behaviorist soon!
>She is destructive. She has hundreds of dollars in toys and a variety of them; however, she would rather chew the walls, the paint, the furniture, etc. or find something to get into (newspaper, trash, toilet paper, closets, shoes) than play with her toys.
>She barks, ALL THE TIME, for NO reason, whatsoever.
Is she barking at you? Out the window? AT something? Just walking around and making noise? Is she in heat? Has she always done this or is this a new behavior?
>She is cage fearful and CANNOT be crated or confined in a room.
If her reaction is that bad you may want to speak to the vet about getting her some medication to help her relax so you can train her - doesn't even have to be in a crate, it can be in a puppy safe room blocked by a high gate. Closed doors ARE really stressful for some dogs - you are basically locking them in a room where they cannot see or get out of it (so I get the anxiety). Crate usually work better as they can still SEE out of them. You need to work on getting her comfortable alone in a space - large or small - or you are going to have huge problems for an extended period of time.
If she never likes crates, that is fine, many dogs dont really like them, but if she can't be in a room by herself, even, that is an issue. Medication, thundershirts, very slow methodical introduction to these new situations can all help you get you where you need to be.
>Temper-tantrums- If she is not getting what she wants, she bites people, she scratches them, she barks at them, she jumps on them, etc.
Dogs don't really throw 'temper tantrums'? Unless it is effective in getting her what she wants.
If she is doing something you do not like, you need to be very calm, level headed and firm (but not forceful or intimidating). She does NOT get what she wants when she is acting inappropriately. Help guide her to more desirable behaviors to get what she wants (ask for a sit or down or settle before she gets anything). See Nothing in Life is Free.
>Tendency for food aggression- She has on four occasions gone after the other dog in our house during meal time; again, this is for no reason, the dog will not be anywhere near her and she will run across the house and attack the other dog.
If she cannot be crated for meals, crate the other dog. Physically separate them. If there is another dog in the house it may be contributing to her added anxiety (some dogs just DO NOT get along well with other dogs in the same space). If she is going out of her way to attack the other dog, I would start to suspect that this is more so the case than simple food guarding.
>She is not spayed, she has demodectic mange and cannot be spayed until this is treated. She came down with a fever on Saturday and threw up. She has had several bouts of conjunctivitis and my boss (a veterinarian) now believes she may be suffering from an auto-immune disorder. Bloodwork will give a more definitive answer tomorrow.
Has she been healthy with you for extended periods of time since you have had her? It is very possible some of this behavior is related to being in a new place and sick. It is a bit extreme to blame it all on that, but I would not be surprised if she calmed down to some extent once she was back up to 100% health and had some time to settle in more. (I see she has only been with you 2 months). Spaying may also help as, at 7 months, that is around the time she should be getting her first heat (which can have a significant impact on behavior).
>Exercise
You need to be doing a LOT more with this. Your dog sounds anxious and crazy and pent up. At 7 months old it is not unheard of for puppies to still not really be 'into' walks (partially because they don't 'get it' partially because they are going in and out of fear periods). Socializing and walks can be good - but there are a lot of other ways to get your dog exercise.
One of the big things is going to be training - especially considering how out of control she is. Do more training - 5-10 minute sessions 3-5 times a day (or more!) keep them sort and focused and start with things she already knows. Look into clicker training and have her earn her meals this way. Be sure to crate or remove any other dogs from the area before you start working. Alternate rewards between treats and play. If she knows a skill REALLY well, fade treats all together and focus on other rewards.
Play training games like hide and seek (have her sit/wait and move to another area - call her and reward for finding you. Start out really easy at first then increase the difficulty to where you are hiding behind doors or other objects) or 'find it' (hide treats under cups and have her find the cup with the treats - if she guesses wrong, shuffle and try again. If she guesses right, lift up the cup! There are lots of variations of this game out there, too, that uses toys or other objects).
Try doing some free shaping training and work on reinforcing 'going to bed' on a mat or pet bed if she is afraid of crates.
Play games in a safe area - like an empty baseball diamond or wide open area. Get a very long lead (30feet) so you can still control her if you need to. Play chase games, get a flirt pole, teach her how to fetch, work on obedience or just let her smell and explore. Going on 'hikes' on wooded or unpaved trails can also be very engaging and tiring for dogs.
>What I have tried (consistently, for 2 weeks consecutively)
This is not enough time. Pick ONE method and stick to it. If you are getting ZERO results after 1 month of consistent training (again, 5-10 minute sessions, 3-5 times a day) then you can make small modifications, but do not change the rules completely! Your dog is just going to get confused and frustrated if one day she is working to earn rewards and the next she is being rolled on her back for not recognizing that what you were saying to her was a cue.
>Give her a job, a project, a responsibility, a schedule: Not a thing.
You MUST be consistent with this and it should be a part of WHATEVER training method you go with - full stop. Again, Nothing in Life is Free is a really easy way to get your dog working to earn things (aka "a job") and a schedule is ideal for ANY dog (meal times, bathroom times, play times - most dogs thrive on routine).
>Positive reinforcement: Bribing her with food has somehow taught her to beg for food and harass people while they are eating.
This means you are doing it wrong. Positive reinforcement is not bribing - it is encouraging a dog to repeat behaviors by giving them things they want when they do specific tasks. Check out our training basics. If you are always using obvious food (e.g. "loaded lures") to get her to do things then she is going to become more focused on the food then learning actual behaviors.
>Negative Punishment/ "Alpha" Training/ Dominance rolling: Nope, doesn't give a sht
Avoid these things with a dog with behavioral issues to this extent - it can just prove to them that you are, in fact, dangerous and unpredictable and cannot be trusted. At this point, you REALLY need to foster trust with her! Check out What not to do to your best friend, Comments on "alpha" dominance theory, and The Culture Clash
-- to be continued --
Oh Lordy I have a ton...I'll try to categorize them...
Best for Puppies
These are all easy toys that dispense a lot of kibble with very little movement. Perfect for baby puppies or really low-confidence dogs. These can also be upgraded in difficulty later by stuffing them with wet food and freezing, or stuffing with a large, hard to extract treat (like a slice of lunchmeat).
Easy Rollers
These basically just dispense kibble by rolling. Not particularly complex, but good for the dog that prefers to solve puzzles by brute force.
Wobblers
These require a more finessed rolling motion to empty, so they're the next step up from just batting a toy around.
Complex Action Toys
These need movement in more than one direction (or very specific movement) to get kibble out of, which makes them pretty challenging.
Soothing, Low Energy Toys
Along with the stuff n' freeze toys, these are good for dogs on crate rest or who need some extra help relaxing before bed.
My dogs (and cats!) eat all their food out of puzzles so I am constantly on the lookout for new challenges! I'd be happy to provide more details on any of the toys I have, or buy and review any toys people have been wondering about :)
EDIT: btw this Jackson Galaxy Asteroid is my favorite cat puzzle toy. They really need to make one for dogs because it is kinda quirky with its bounciness and super quiet.
https://www.amazon.com/Duckworth-Large-Dog-Assorted-color/dp/B000084E7Y/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1523192356&sr=8-3&keywords=stuffed%2Bduck%2Bdog%2Btoy&th=1
This was my Yorkie’s “lover” for his whole life lol.
My terrier mix puppy rips every single plush to shreds within minutes or hours of getting it except this stuffed duck which has lasted two and a half weeks so far and is still fully intact. I don't know if it's the texture of it or what. Clearly by the reviews, some dogs are still destroying it, but I've been super impressed with what it has survived so far and it's her go to toy and gets roughed up a lot. I've also heard good things about the softer toys from the Bark Box Destroyers Club.
Multipet Duckworth (Assorted Colors) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000084E7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-JrTCbAH7Q16S
It’s the most ridiculous phenomenon. I saw a thread of everyone talking about how great it was. Had to try it myself.
Edit original post
Lots of big dog stuff here! Here's some nice things for the little guys (~25 lbs and under). Many of these items are good for big dogs, too; will note them with a * sign and list them first in each section.
Treats
Toys
Harnesses, Collars, & Safety
Grooming
Edited to add more+formatting!
Beware of imposter ducks !
Puppy Update!
Sleep is much easier to come by now that her snuggle puppy came from Amazon. The thing has wildly exceeded my expectations. The puppy went from having crying/howling sessions 4-5 times per night to sleeping the entire night without making a peep with it.
See this duck here? https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000084E7Y/ref=psd_mlt_bc_B000084E7Y this duck has amazingly survived my dog since she was a puppy through her teething. He's her favorite toy and even though the constant squeaking makes me tear my hair out I'm glad she has at least one toy that she can chew and dig her teeth into and not have it fall apart. It's not even soft anymore and we've washed it dozens of times.
Hopping on here, I have a 5 mo Goldendoodle who did not do well with crate training at first. The woman we got him from suggested that many people had great success using Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Toy and it was an absolute game changer for us. Ollie has slept through the night (minus nights with belly aches), every night since. I would also recommend keeping the crate in your room with you, as others have suggested.
I also highly recommend Zak George’s videos on dog training, I read his book too, but the YouTube videos are extremely informational and worked really well for me when I needed help training Ollie.
For the puppy energy I took Ollie for lots of short walks, I live in Florida so the heat was a definite issue and I didn’t want to keep him out for too long, however, once he was walked he would nap for hours.
Apart from that, just give your puppy lots of love and patience and know it does get easier with time. I was pulling my hair out for the first month, almost two months with Ollie, but now, at month three, it’s like a switch has flipped. I can tell what he needs much more quickly than the first month and he’s much better about trying to communicate what he needs. Good luck OP!
Six weeks is really young. I'm assuming a rescue since any breeder would know to not separate a puppy from it's mom and littler mates at that age. 8 weeks minimum, 10 weeks better. There is still a lot of learning needed to be done there. Not sure how to over come that. As for the potty training 6 weeks is too young to expect much. Figure they can hold it for about an hour for each month of age. So, he's at an hour. You can start crate training. Use it for when he isn't supervised. Like when you're at work. Don't use it for punishment or as a place to put him while you watch TV, etc. Get him outside regularly. It's easier to potty train successfully when they never get used to peeing in the house to big with.
You might want to look into a heartbeat "toy" to keep in the create with him. My friend used this one. Someone else might have a better recommendation.
https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pet-Love-Snuggle-Behavioral/dp/B000C9YHFS
If he has a hard time with separation, you might want to get him a snuggle puppy (they make snuggle kitties, but the puppy is usually cheaper and kittens can't tell the difference...). It has a heart beat and it will make him feel like he has someone alive to snuggle with.
/u/8armstohugyouwith describes it well. I bought mine on amazon, you can also make your own for cheaper.
Firstly, get your dog neutered. There are places that will do this at discount rates (look for mobile spay/neuter clinics in your area) or local shelters/humane societies. Google it. There is no reason to not neuter your dog (unless you are a certified breeder and you intend to breed this dog).
This is something that my trainer told me that I found really helped - by the time you've seen a dog or person on your walk, your dog has likely been aware of them for some time, either through his superior sense of smell or hearing. This means that as soon as you see a person, you need to start looking at his body cues (See Here and Here) and then react appropriately by redirecting or distracting. My own GSD (female, spayed, 1.5 years old) is almost always in the 'alert' or 'unsure' stage when she sees another dog while we are walking.
As for the other stuff, it sounds like you need to go back to basics. Find a treat or a toy that he really likes and use that to train and only to train (meaning he will not get it unless you are walking/training). For my dog, training treats consist of boiled chicken, string cheese, or hot dogs (depending on what is at hand) but sometimes even this doesn't work. The only toy that she goes consistently bonkers for is a flirt pole. Start off by training a heel command indoors. When he heels consistently inside (without being lured by treats) you can move it outside. Stick to just in front of/behind your house at first, then move to longer walks as he gets more and more consistent with the behavior.
Other than that, consider getting a 30 foot leash (like others have said) and play play play right before going for a walk. Use play time to train cues such as 'drop it' and 'stay'. I also recommend looking up some trainers on youtube (Zak George, Kikopup, Victoria Stilwell). Its not the same as having a professional trainer, but it does help a lot.
I have had good luck with the Outward Hound Invincibles line. They have lasted quite a while for my beagle. Plus they have squeakers that keep squeaking even if they get holes in them. I have some of these that are months old.
I've also been happy with the goDog line of toys that have "ChewGuard Technology" These don't last quite as long as the Invincibles but will work for a decent amount of time.
There is the KONG line of toys as well but my beagle has never liked to play with them. He gets the treat out in about two minutes and quits using it. They will last basically forever though if your beagle will play with one.
I adopted two older, female ferrets a long time ago. Luckily, neither of them were bad at chewing/ biting, nor were they climbers, but they still managed to teach me a few things;
Buy dirt-cheap (ie Walmart) bathmats, preferably ones with rubbery undersides, to line wire cage floors. You can cut them to the right size pretty easily, toss them in the wash when they get peed & pooped on - it *will happen - and you can replace them when they get shredded - this will also happen.
Ferrotone is your best friend when it's nail-clipping time. A few drops on their belly will distract them and leave their feet available. Lay them in your lap, their back resting against your stomach.
Don't buy clay-based litter, the dust will give your ferret a respiratory infection. Yesterday's News is your best bet and buy in bulk!
Buy a dish that attaches to the side of the cage for water - bottles are meant for small rodents, not longbois. Also, no matter how large, hamsterballs are not appropriate for ferrets. It hurts their spines.
I've posted about this before, this dog toy is amazing. My girls would hide all the squirrel-babies then sleep inside the log. I pulled the whiskers out of the toys just because they were kinda pokey: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005VS9WO6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_hRhBDbHZKGN5R
You can feed him exclusively through food dispensing toys which will help occupy him and drain some energy. I'd pick up a couple different ones like this and rotate their use. See the recommendations below that, most of those toys are pretty good. The Bob A Lot is nice because you can put a decent amount of Kibble in before you have to refill. For hard puzzles, there's one called the Tug-A-Jug which lasts a long time. Freeze creamy stuff or wet food in Kongs to make them last a bit longer. If you can find a type of bone he really likes, keep a bunch in stock; chewing can be great for tiring him out.
And like other posters have suggested, practicing a little training every day will make a difference. Teach new tricks or mix in some basic obedience cues with a game of fetch or tug, using the toy as the reward.
They don't have squeakers but I've had good success with rope toys. Not all dogs like rope toys, and some dogs shred them, if your dog shreds them then they shouldn't be allowed to play with them. For dogs that just chew the rope and try to untie the knots, I've had them last 5 or 6 months. An XL 3-knot like this could work (I usually get the large for a 40 - 60lb dog).
If you really like squeaky toys, you might try duckworth (the yellow one). There's nothing special about the materials or construction of this toy (meaning he'd delicate) of but for reasons I do not understand dogs that have destroyed all squeaky toys at my house have played with duckworth without damaging him. If you do try this, cut off that black thing on his head. He didn't have that when I bought him, but if he did I think it would be his undoing.
Overall though, I don't think dog toys are BIFL items. They're generally pretty inexpensive and given that your dog's jaws are strong, their teeth are fragile and you expect them to use their strong jaws and fragile teeth to chew on the toy, it's just not a recipe for a long lasting toy (or the toy lasts but the dog's teeth don't, which isn't a win overall).
Like others have said, crate train. Wrangler hated his crate the first time I put him in it, so go slowwww. Tips:
I read a good crate training guide online, but I can't find it. When I do I will post it!
Something interesting to get is a [bob-a-lot.](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_JiVwxbF4BKWQC
) Or a flirt pole!
Both are fun, interactive toys that you don't see too often and I would love to get them at a dog birthday party.
I ordered one for myself and it sits with my other collectibles.
https://www.amazon.com/Multipet-Bill-Plush-Model-16715/dp/B002P9KOWI/ref=pd_nav_hcs_bia_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BRGKDA7BWXRVKJCHTKPG
http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-PP02290-Exercise-Training-Replacement/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1419028105&sr=8-2&keywords=flirt+pole&pebp=1419028113252
Honestly, I would not risk it and switch to a flirt pole. Mine looks like a little squirrel and I imagine your dog would very much like that.
Toys:
Jalousie 12 Pack Dog Squeaky Toys... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CSG684C?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
UEETEK Squeaky Dog Toys for Small... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZJBH52?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Marshall Ferret Sport Balls Asst, 2-Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ENGOP8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_c8tyDbBXQWQ6M
Marshall Ferret Fun-N-Games Blanket https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OE5H54?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Kaytee FerreTrail Flex-E... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ASBEK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Marshall Ferret Bed Bug Play Center https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MIU5HI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Marshall Ferret Krackle Sack,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARPSI?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Marshall Ferret Octo-Play https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EFV9YM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Marshall Pet Turtle Tunnel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004VVY49M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_BLdeGqpB9Nl5j
KONG - Plush, Low Stuffing Squeak... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IVGBFY?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
EocuSun Kids Ball Pit Large Pop... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KUHQZG0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Click N' Play Pack of 200... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PYLU3GG?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share x3
D.Y. TOY Weazel Ball - The Weasel Rolls with Ball https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PKFJKG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_7.tyDb0YSNMVT
Bonka Bird Toys 1745 Chandelier... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015RSD7JA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
ZippyPaws Burrow Squeaky Hide and... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007X7FJAO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
ZippyPaws - Zippy Burrow Interactive Squeaky Hide and Seek Plush Dog Toy - Unicorns in Rainbow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N8GCB7V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pjuyDbWY6CFSW
JW Pet Good Cuz Rubber Dog Toy (2... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0113J85JO?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
3Pack Molar Clean Teeth Rubber Toy, Bagvhandbagro Clean Teeth Rubber Pacifier Chew Toy, Bell Chewing Playing Training Toys, for Pet Puppy Dog Cat (Color Random) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XJNGWMK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_okuyDbTBM8HB2
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Squeaking-Dog-Toy-Hamburger-or-Hot-Dog-Assorted/54273866
https://www.chewy.com/zippypaws-zippy-burrow-crayon-box/dp/206190?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=ZippyPaws&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwIPrBRCJARIsAFlVT8_JjfKpnKxdVtL4DtsY7-ld2qS-_7r6PVUG1k0afX9p0jvSthjMAbkaAknVEALw_wcB
just disclaimer some of these toys should only be played with under your supervision so use your best judgement. Check any rubber or stuffed/fabric toys daily for wear and if you see it starting to come apart throw it away as any loose pieces can be swallowed and cause a blockage. My ferrets aren’t chewers they just like to have toys to stash so I’m not as worried but everyone’s ferrets are different so be careful. Also you could make a dig box with rice (never instant) or dried pasta which is a lot of fun for them. They love tunnels, they love to dig, and they love to steal and stash small objects so the toys meet that criteria they’ll be happy lol
Hey man two weeks ago I was in the exact same situation you are. My GSD is a male and 14 weeks now. Since two weeks ago his mouth has gotten extremely softer. He still has an outburst here and there and I do lose my temper sometimes, but if its one thing this little guy has taught me, it's patience. I was at the end of my rope just like you guys and figured I would give it just a little more time and I have seen a huge difference in him in those two weeks. They don't call German Shepherd puppies land sharks for no reason. Now potty training is another thing....
Also, he does try to assert his dominance over me but thats become less frequent as well. He just wants to be a leader, you can tell. He used to hump me, got his first red rocket at 10 weeks, started marking at 12ish weeks (doesn't even lift his leg yet), so I can tell that if I'm not confident and assertive that he's just going to be a hassle to not only myself but others. You have to show him that those are your children and are more important that he is. One nice thing though is that he rarely barks and when he does I remove him from the situation.
Oh and I don't exercise him every day because of those damn hips, but I do play with him a lot. It helps that I currently stay at home all day but that's not going to last for too much longer so we'll see what happens afterwards.
Anyways, this turned out into a bit of a rant but if you want to talk just shoot me a PM or something.
Edit: Get her one of these! http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042I5G2I/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It's like the best thing in the world to him. I'm also using it to teach him drop it so it works out. Only thing is he loves to chew on the chew toy and the rope so be careful with that or it'll come apart. Nothing some duck tape won't fix though, I hope.
I wouldn't recommend fishing line. It can get caught up in the dog or you and would be more painful than something thicker. Well, if you are as clumsy as my dog and I are, it can. My dog uses her paws and the cord on mine caught on her carpal pad. It gave her a little burn :(
She also once knocked my feet out from under me while chasing, which shocked us both but luckily we were both ok. I am really careful now to not have her cross behind me!
I have this one. I like it. The toys that came with it didn't last very long, but I just use other toys that I already had.
We've just abandoned any stuffed toys for Joe, because what is enjoyable for him is methodically ripping them apart. The first thing he goes for is the tag, because he knows that comes off easily, and after that he goes for the seams :)
Anyway, best toys for him are ones that we play with together: this flirt pole is great and I'm surprised how sturdy it is; we have a rope tug toy (it used to be a snake but the head was stuffed and so it got ripped apart within 24 hours!); and we have a Hol-ee roller ball which he enjoys chewing occasionally and chasing even more rarely! The holes are a little big to put regular treats in, but once I put the end of his rawhide chew in there and he had a LOT of fun with it, and another time I stuffed it with socks and an old dishcloth for him to pull out the holes because I thought it would replace stuffed toys a bit more safely. Then he tried to eat my sock, so I haven't done it since :P But it's fine if you're going to supervise!
We also have a rawhide chew for him and an antler. He really likes the antler; I think next time I would get the antlers that are split down the middle so that it's even more attractive to him.
Yes! I second this. I just got a different version of this toy today and we all LOVE it! We live in an apartment and I'm not comfortable taking my puppy out on walks since she still needs to finish her puppy shots. The toy in the model we got squeaks and rattles! Plus it comes with a second replacement toy to attach when the other gets worn out.
outward hound tail teaser
Hi! We adopted a four/five-year-old frenchie a few months ago and have had great success getting her yeast infections, fur, and overall health under control. She was in literally the same situation before she was rescued.
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Our vet prescribed us ketoconazole wipes, which you can get on amazon (for less than the vet price! and it's the same thing!). These have done wonders for her face, paws, and bottom end. If he has yeast on his feet, he probably has it in his tail crease as well. At first, we were going through a pack of these every 3 weeks. Yikes. You can find them here: https://www.amazon.com/Mal-Wipes-Support-Healthy-Dechra/dp/B01IO9563E/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia?hvadid=178372316526&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9002006&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=10651630771226582108&hvtargid=aud-647006051489%3Akwd-33682989493&keywords=mal-a+ket+wipes&pd_rd_i=B01IO9563E&pd_rd_r=17b03f45-b65a-4d10-915a-5f2d282f3f38&pd_rd_w=LhGqy&pd_rd_wg=7jM7d&pf_rd_p=23754a30-606a-4e0a-ba42-b43d14507217&pf_rd_r=NP7E26CJCVV82H56D8V6&qid=1554385994&s=gateway
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She came to us on a grain free diet but the vet put her on a grain-included diet for her heart murmur. We give her Honest Kitchen food and it's been working incredibly well. If you want to remain grain-free, they have an option for that. I linked her favorite flavor. Her tear stains have been clearing up, coat is all shiny, and yeast is more manageable since switching from kibble to this. Also, they have a great intro offer on prime. https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/dog-food/meals/dehydrated-grain-free/dehydrated-grain-free-chicken-dog-food
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Our Phoebe is big for a frenchie (30-35 lbs) and loves walks. She and I do 3-4 miles a day. She also loves to go for hikes and once a week will do a short run. People will tell you that these are "lethargic apartment dogs" but it completely depends on the particular dog. As yours gets healthier, his energy level will increase a lot.
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Also, Phoebe loves clothes. She did not have clothes before us. She will pick out a shirt to wear if I give her options. Her favorites are the Hanna Anderson dog pajamas (here: https://www.hannaandersson.com/discontinued-product/50902-AH1.html?dwvar_50902-AH1_color=AH1&cgid=). I think it's because the fabric is super soft. She also wears sweaters when it's cold, and will pick out which one she wants to wear. She has learned how to help get herself dressed.
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Frenchies should wear harnesses, not collars, because of their lack of defined neck and general lack of skill at breathing. If you're looking to spend money, the canada pooch ones are double adjustable and comfortable. Before she got that one as a special present, she had this one that my parents' beagle used to wear. She loved it, but the elastic was getting old! link here: https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-EasySport-Harness-Adjustable-Reflective/dp/B00HY6TFKE/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=dog+harness+with+handle&qid=1554386488&s=gateway&sr=8-7
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Phoebe loves her toys and is a big chewer. Strong mouth. The toys that have held up best to her are these strange platypus ducks https://www.amazon.com/Multipet-Large-Dog-Toy-Yellow/dp/B000084E7Y/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=duck+dog+toy&qid=1554386781&s=gateway&sr=8-3 and her trash panda, which she picked out at home depot https://www.homedepot.com/p/Loonies-Raccoon-54021/307751080.
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I have lots of opinions and recommendations so feel free to ask me questions! I love to talk about Phoebe. You can also follow her on instagram at @phoebephilothefrenchie.
If she’s having issues sleeping at night, we got our pup this heartbeat dog toy. I thought it was a total gimmick, but holy hell it is awesome. Totally worth the $40
https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=asc_df_B000C9YHFS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198076665015&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5067980424931547813&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008335&hvtargid=pla-352722601139&psc=1
Invest in one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5KRrybP8ATAGN
I've been there. My pup screamed like she was being murdered all night and I couldn't sleep. 99% sure the neighbors would have called the cops on me, honestly.
Your puppy is scared. Puppies cry like that to alert the rest of their family that they're lost. He has NO idea where he is and he has been separated from his littermates and mother and all he's ever known. So it'll be like this for a couple of nights.
If you get your puppy from a breeder (or even a rescue where he/she was part of a litter), ask them to provide you a blanket or towel that the other puppies have slept with - when it's time for the puppy to come to your house, he/she will miss his littermates more than anything else. We combined that with a Snuggle Puppy and it helped him overnight a lot (remember - it's a HUGE change to go from spending every moment in a squirmy, warm, heartbeat-y pile of pups to sleeping alone in a crate).
Puppy blues are real. Know and prepare.
Read Before and After Getting Your Puppy and Perfect Puppy in 7 Days - 90% of the advice I could give that saved us came from those books. They're wonderful.
As others said, the biting is insane. Have realistic expectations. Potty training takes a long time. Growing out of biting takes a long time. Sleeping through the night takes a long time.
Parvo risks vary from area to area, so ask your vet whether you should take your pup out in public - and if they say don't go in public, understand that they mean your pup shouldn't walk where unvaccinated dogs have possibly been (for instance, we didn't go on the trail near our house or on our front sidewalk because our house is directly on the route to the trail). But you CAN and SHOULD do playdates with vaccinated dogs, have lots of puppy parties at your house and friend's houses, meet TONS of people of all genders/races/ages/etc., take him/her to dog-friendly places like Lowes (I used the cart when I was nervous about him getting parvo from the floor - it's more about socialization than exercise!), etc.
Every dog is different! This is just a rough list, but hopefully some of these things will entertain your puppy:
If you have an Alexa enabled device with voice ordering enabled you can get $1.75 off a squeaky toy.
Deal info:
http://i.imgur.com/zc9sVMH.png
Source:
https://www.amazon.com/b?node=16924218011
Product page:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000084E7Y
It looks like Duckworth?
Along with what everyone else has said, I would recommend this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_s_awd_d_YawFxb1PW070M
It's a stuffed animal that has a fake heart inside which vibrates like a heart beat. My puppy loved this! It gave her a little "friend" to snuggle with in her crate. It even comes with a hand warmer you can shove inside too, to simulate a warm puppy to snuggle with. That and treats, a toy, anything to make it a happy place! Try to feed meals in the crate too. Start with the door open, as the pup goes inside further and is more comfortable you can shut the door and let him out when he's finished eating.
8 weeks is very young, so being separated completely from the litter can be very trying for a pup. They make plushes that have a "heartbeat" (simulated w/ a battery-operated pack) that may ease that kind of anxiety: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pet-Love-Snuggle-Behavioral/dp/B000C9YHFS
I personally have not used it and I think YMMV, but it may be worth checking out.
I agree with that- and it may sound a little 'over the top' but they make [[https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS\]](https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS](https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS)">stuffed) stuffed animals (dogs) that have a 'heart beat'. When I worked at a shelter, we used these when puppies were brought in alone or had to be separated. Could be a good idea to purchase one and set up for the puppy when you need to leave (showering, going to work, etc.).
I would also add a shirt that smells like you to the crate, and a heartbeat dog toy like this one http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pet-Love-Snuggle-Behavioral/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1449847346&sr=1-1&keywords=heartbeat+dog+toy
He is used to sleeping in a warm pile of other puppies, and misses it.
That might be the problem. You're with her all day every day and then leaving her completely alone at night time. It sounds like you aren't able to set her up in your room with you, it might be worth trying heart beat stuffies (Puppy Snuggle Behaviour Aid) or to make a similar set up yourself using a ticking wall clock and setting a blanket and stuffy over so it simulates the steady heart beat.
I would suggest that you definitely keep up the crate training. Are you putting treats in his crate when he goes in? Sometimes it's best to associate the crate with these types of positive reinforcements so he is more inclined to think the crate is a great place. If he has separation anxiety, I heard this heartbeat toy works quite well for young puppies.
My other suggestion is, the meantime, while you are crate training him, why don't you get one of these playpens if you have to leave him in the kitchen. That way he is at least away from the walls and in an enclosed space. If he starts to chew the playpen, you could spray it with this bitter spray which really helped my dog when he was teething.
Good luck!!
This literally saved us our first week. Now our puppy doesn't need the heartbeat but still LOVES to snuggle up to it. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C9YHFS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Mine loves this. I put treats in it and he has to get all the squirells out. He loves it: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HHQ3AM/ref=twister_B07V8VTLBR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
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He also likes those little flat unstuffed animals that he can whip back and forth.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P0YQZ28/ref=twister_B00PCJK2QG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
1.) Something that is blue.
This Neblua Funko Pop is not only cute, but also BLUE.
Because Mother's Day is around the corner, how about this gorgeous necklace?
Not only that, but are you a fidget kinda preson? Then this is the perfect thing for you!
2.) Something that says summer (literally or figuratively).
Gotta love summer! You know what comes with summer? Sunflowers!
For some reason, pineapples really remind me of summer. I can't really say why. They just, like, SCREAM "summer" to me.
Summer, to me, also means relaxing with a good book. And what better book than the next one in the Mara Dyer series by Michelle Hodkin?
3.) Something food related that is unusual.
Not sure if this counts as unusual, but I thought it was quite abnormal...
Also, I can't say I've ever seen a water melon cake-topper, though I'm no expert on cake toppers.
Also, if horror movies and the undead are your kinda thing, how about a side-dish of zombie?
4.) Something you want to gift to someone else, and tell me why.
I really want to gift this beautiful Pop moment to my brother, because he's amazing and deserves all the things.
I also want to gift this soundtrack to my sister because she's always singing, and I know it'd makes her happy.
5.) A book I should read! I am an avid reader, so take your best shot and tell me why I need to read it!
Oh my gosh, you are totally asking the right person. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is one of the best books that has ever existed. Not only that, but it's a series! Also, my username is taken from the first page of the book, so that must mean that it's good. It's got suspense, kids with powers, and some horror themes. It's just overall a great book. PLEASE check it out!
Another good book series is the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard. The final book is coming out this year, so I'm excited!
Why stop there? Another great book is All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. It will break your heart, but in a good way. It's a beautifully written book. I'm not sure what genre you like, but it reminded me of the genre of books like The Fault in Our Stars and Everything, Everything.
Another great series is The Darkest Minds series by Alexandra Bracken. Not only is a great series, but there's also a movie coming out in August that's based off the books! Better get reading. ;)
6.) An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related!
These are totally adorable AND affordable! Talk about a deal.
Like writing? This notebook would be the excellent choice for the writer within! Or just someone who likes taking notes.
Have a cat? How 'bout some good ol' catfood?
7.) Something related to dogs. (Bonus point if it works for my GSD)
I don't know what GSD means I'M SORRY! But here is the cutest alligator plushie. Like if I was a dog I would legit want it for myself.
I stumbled across this adorable squirrel set thing and I am internally squeeing at the cuteness.
Okay by now I really want a dog. Somebody send me one pronto. Here's an adorable taco plush, because heck it's cute and funny and I really want a puppy.
8.) Something that is not useful, but so awesome you must have it.
Oh boy, you shouldn't have asked. It's the most expensive thing on my wishlist, and it's beautiful. I know, I know, it's a book, but it's more than that! It's a HUGE book with photographs from my favorite, most-loved movie series! Seriously. Words cannot describe how cool of a book it is. And there's a limited number of them made, and there's only 3 left in stock. But I digress. It's not what one would consider useful, but it sure is awesome.
Wait, what's that? I haven't mentioned Kylo Ren in 2 minutes? Oh boy, better change that. Yes, I love Kylo Ren. I'm aware that is a touchy subject with people. I don't care. I have a shrine in my room for Kylo Ren. This pillow is not what most people would call necessary, though honestly I would probably beg to differ.
Pretty much everyone can agree that Funko Pops aren't necessary, but they are so much fun oh my gosh. Like, for instance, this somewhat expensive yet cool Darth Vader Pop.
9.) A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why?
I love movies. With a passion. But my favorite movies of all time, are The Hunger Games movies. If that wasn't evident by the massive expensive book above, then I don't know what is. But honestly, they're great movies. I know they're not for everyone, but they hold a special place in my heart.
Someone recently gifted me Moulin Rouge, and honestly it is so good. So, I also, of course, recommend that. It has singing, great vocalists, great songs, and a great plot. It also has Ewan McGregor, so what's not to like?
I saw Logan (the final Wolverine movie in theaters, and it is such a beautiful movie. Very sad, but very beautiful. The best Wolverine movie in my opinion. 10/10 would watch/cry again.
Another great futuristic movie is V for Vendetta. It's a well-known movie, and it's very good.
If you're into horror, I love the most recent Carrie movie. I know it's not for everyone, but I really liked it.
10.) Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain.
I mean, I think it's pretty self-explanatory, but this bat would make a great weapon in the apocalypse. Also, if you're into leading an army and "saving" people, this bat will probably get you there. (Ahem I totally didn't just buy this bat for myself cough.)
Not sure if bright green is the way to go in the apocalypse, but I'm sure a bow and arrow set would keep you alive for a little bit. Especially if you happen to be Daryl Dixon (though I guess he technically has a crossbow... I digress).
Don't try and tell me that in the apocalypse you won't get peckish. Everyone knows that snacks will be the first to go. Better stock up on those sweet, sweet snacks.
We got our puppy one of those snuggle buddy things when we brought her home. She didn't love the heartbeat but she does love to sleep on top of it, so the toy has been in her crate ever since. She isn't much of a chewer though.
When we give her a new toy we watch closely how she plays with it before making it available to her when we aren't around. If she gets too intense, it only comes out when we are around, to avoid her destroying it and eating its stuffing or something else she shouldn't.
I recommend this: http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pet-Snuggle-Behavioral-Golden/dp/B000S753WK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457383190&sr=8-1&keywords=heartbeat+dog+toy+for+sleep
It simulates the puppy's mother's warmth and heartbeat and could help calm your puppy to sleep.
Try getting him some toys that will keep him occupied while you're gone as well as crate training! He is bored, has separation anxiety, or both and would benefit greatly from crate training and toys to keep him occupied. We feed solely out of "puzzle treat dispensers", the Starmark Bob a lot being Lucy's favorite, and give her a bully stick to chew on as well. Most people seem to use filled frozen kongs since it will hold the attention of the dog longer. Another thing that would help would be to exercise more before you leave.
Address the problem of destructive behavior now before it gets worse and it will solve a lot of heartache for you and your pup!
I am thinking of getting one too! Found them on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-Lot-Interactive-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4)
Here is a food dispensing toy. Here are some treat and puzzle toys. Kong wobbler is also pretty good if you have larger treats/kibble.
I recommend looking into crating until she can be trusted alone
One of my favorite things to buy myself some time is what we affectionally call Bob (or the bob-a-lot by StarMark). I had my eye on one of these when I first brought my puppy home and didn't buy it for awhile but when I did it revolutionized my life. This keeps my pup busy and entertained forever. We will give her some food in the bowl for meal times but we put aside a lot of the daily food to be fed out through this. Our pup is incredibly food motivated but sometimes is super selective about what she'll chew.
First of all, thanks for saving those babies! I've never actually raised a piglet, but I know there's an underage pig Facebook page and they're very helpful. I do think piglets can start eating very milked down pellets pretty young, but, again, they would be your best resource.
When your pigs start getting older--please find a vet and get them fixed. I cannot tell overemphasize how important this step is, so I'll just leave it there. When they're old enough to get fixed, GET THEM FIXED!!
I would also recommend harness training them early on, since my 4 year old thinks his harness is the devil and won't go near one for all the cheerios in the world. Ditto car riding. Give them lots of praise (and, more importantly, treats) so they want to wear their harnesses/go places.
As far as toys go, our pig is super lazy, but he loves this for indoors and he has one of these for the yard. Either of those can keep him occupied for an hour at a time, though you might need to check in on them from time to time to make sure their ball hasn't gotten stuck or they haven't knocked anything else. (I once got out of the shower to find my entire living room rearranged because of the path the ball had taken...)
Good luck! Your pigs are lucky to have you!
As long as you tire her out every day you will not be disappointed! Welcome to the club.
It took me a few months of pushing myself to get more comfortable trusting our adult adopted ACD (adopted in Feb this year) but after I realized he's not going to take off sprinting when he's off his leash, the bond really solidified.
They are very smart and have a lot of personality. I've only been able to find one toy that mine wont destroy within a half an hour.
Above all other advice make sure you get pet insurance (I think we have healthy paws). Within a couple of months we had to have a few teeth extracted from ours before we enrolled. $700. They are hearty pure breeds, but they're still pure breeds and have genetic issues sometimes, or they just play hard and tear their ACLs often (my vet recommended fetch with a ball rather than a frisbee).
I also highly recommend agility training. My ACD loves it and can do a full hour before getting brain drain. I've been tempted to try taking him to a dog friendly sheep ranch but I don't want to unlock his heeling instincts, I'm fortunate to have an ACD that is more of a retriever than a nipper.
My less intelligent dog gets this [Starmark toy] (http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-A-Lot-Interactive-Pet-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4). I like it better than the Kong wobbler, it's much quieter.
The top end has been gnawed on a lot because I am not great about picking it up, but the toy is still more than functional, if a bit raggedy. He's not the brightest, but he's crafty and loves to dismantle things. You can adjust the difficulty if you like, which is nice.
The smarter one gets the [Kong satellite] (http://www.amazon.com/KONG-Satellite-Treat-Dispenser-Dogs/dp/B00BJZ5DMU/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1420219968&sr=1-1&keywords=kong+satellite).
It took him 3 months to destroy this one, but I bought a spare because I know him. It's a really difficult toy to solve. The hard plastic was worrisome at first, because his default solution for a new puzzle is to carry something to the top of the stairs and fling it down. He grabs the little satellites and flings this thing all over the house.
I tend to feed them in the morning with these and pick them up when they have gotten all of their food. Most of the hard plastic toys will be destroyed pretty quickly without supervision.
For a longer lasting puzzle toy to pacify them when we can't go out, I like softer toys. [This] (http://www.amazon.com/Cycle-Dog-Consumer-Recycled-Material/dp/B00FIWCJNQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1420220254&sr=1-1) one was a bit difficult but I accidentally got the big one, and they can't get their mouths around it to crush treats small enough to get out. We got [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Buddy-Squeak-Treat-Booya-Large/dp/B00MPE5FJU/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1420220442&sr=8-2-fkmr2) in a bark box and they love it. I don't love it as much because of the squeak, but squeak > stir crazy dogs.
And when all else fails, a 2 L soda bottle with a small hole cut in it is awesome. It's too big to get a good grip on, especially if you cut 2 of them in half and duct tape the bottom halves together, so it lasts a long time. And if they tear it up, it's no big deal.
Greyhounds love slumberballs! I got my 60 pound girl a extra large one since I knew she'd like a lot of room to stretch out on it, so you could either do that size or size up to a giant one to allow him to be more comfortable. Either size would work though.
Did you get toys yet? How about a raised feeder? In my experience with fostering and owning my girl, they don't seem to be too big on chew types of toys, but love squeaky toys. Mine loves this squeaky toy since the squeaker is super loud and strong, and this plush toy. A little while after we got her we also realized that while she wasn't into small balls like tennis balls or anything, she really loved big balls like soccer balls. I was sick of her destroying soccer balls quickly, so I got her one of these since it was recommeded to me by someone at the dog park, and that thing is seriously indestructible. As far as feeders go, if you haven't gotten one yet then I'd recommend this one. $20 and comes with two bowls. I've had it for a year now with no problems.
I bet he would chase a flirt pole.
I've got a high energy lab mix too, and as many people have said here, walking just doesn't cut it. Several people have recommended fetch, which has been a huge help. Additionally, this thing has been a lifesaver. Basically, anything that gets him running hard and will help you drain his excess energy quickly.
Have you tried a flirt pole for him to chase?
Also, what kind of training have you tried? He's only a puppy, so I'd hate for you to write him off as "dim" when really he just might not be...properly motivated. Check out Kikopup's puppy training videos and start clicker training to get him thinking, which should help tire him out (and training is always good).
Additionally, maybe look into an interactive feeder for another mental challenge. I use the Kong Wobbler to feed my dog her meals, and I think that might be the best thing I've purchased for her yet.
Edited to add: Hide and seek is also a great indoor game to get your pup moving and thinking. You can hide yourself and have him find you, or I just hide little treats around for my dog to sniff you. I can really tell her gears are turning and she's actually working when she plays this game! I'd also look into what kind of group training classes are in your area and talk to local trainers--he's definitely not to young to do basic obedience, and from there he may be able to start with classes like agility or flyball which will really wear out an active adult dog.
I don't think I've been "formally" introduced to you lovely people even though I've seen some of your contests going on here before ;)
For gift one: Either [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Neff-Womens-Cupcake-Beanie-Velvet/dp/B005HSWZNK/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=39B8AKCSDRT5J&coliid=I1UFRCZ07903KE&psc=1) or [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Ticket-Stub-Diary-Eric-Epstein/dp/1452114226/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=1NPR8WP3XYH58&coliid=IXBG9Y68EXA72) both I've been wanting for a long time because I saw that hat on a little girl at the school I used to work for and have been obsessed but can't find it anywhere, and I collect tickets from everything I go to... so having a way to organize them would be awesome!
For gift 2: Also decently under $20 is [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-Tail-Teaser-Dog-Refill/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2IR97ZBE8XCJR&coliid=I27I9XMHLTKH2U) which I would absolutely love because I just moved (again) and need to spend more time with my pups!
So c'mon...gimme something good! :b
(I don't know you, but I love you, you wonderful and beautiful people, you!)
Looks like you have a good list going, remember to update your pups microchip with your address and get him/her a tag with your details.
We got a 36 inch crate and it's plenty big for our boy (he's around 30 pounds).
Puppia harness is a great starter harness, it's soft and doesn't have a bunch of metal jingling pieces which our puppy HATED on his harness our breeder gave us.
Kibble, check out dog food advisor for reviews and ratings of foods content, we were using grain free salmon and sweet potato from chicken soup for the soul, it's decently priced and well rated I can't find it anywhere atm so we're switching him back to their normal kibble.
Salmon Oil is a lifesaver in the winter, our pup gets terribly dry skin and extremely itchy without it.
Start out with a puppy kong, they sell kong fillers that are cheese and peanut butter flavored, our puppy was pretty picky at first and only ate the cheese one, didn't like frozen kongs either.
I'd start with a Basic Collar here's a Dog Tag Silencer and a Break-away collar for outdoors or dog park. A dog was choked unconscious at our park so I typically just keep our guys ID tags on his harness and don't use a collar, but if you do I definitely recommend a break-away if you are primarily using a harness with it.
Items we found useful: Bed Liner, Crate Fence, Kong, Stainless Steel Bowls (highly reccomend US made do not buy any made in China for health reasons), Zippy Paws Hide and Seek toys, Potty/accident cleaner, Potty Bells, Anti-chew Bitter Apple spray, 50 ft Leash, Retractable Leash, Soft stop Leash extender, Car Seat Belt, Car Booster Seat, Gentle Shampoo, Comb, Travel Water Bottle, Flirt Pole, Special Treats, Chew Stick, Greenies
Sorry for the HUGE list lol, feel free to ask any questions!
Oh and if your dog likes Kongs, these are great:
http://www.amazon.com/KONG-Wubba-Large-Colors-Vary/dp/B000MD57ZI
And they do squeak. Annoyingly so. I mostly use it when playing fetch, because I can't stand the squeak indoors. No stuffing.
And flirt poles are also great for supervised play and getting puppy energy out... I can't recommend them enough. They do rattle as well as squeak. Not super "tough", but thought it deserved a mention.
http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-Tail-Teaser-Replacement-Squeaker/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1413941779&sr=1-2&keywords=flirt+pole
Chuckit! Large Ultra Tug https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008APMO7E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_j2uNDbB4J6KPQ
They're great for two-ball, targeting, tug, and should work with the Chuck it throwing arm too. Aren't bad for their teeth like regular tennis balls.
ACDs are quite the toy destroyers aren't they? Although my guy isn't quite as esteemed in the destruction field as an ACD, he is pretty bad. Here's what has survived him:
Reading my list, god damn my dog is spoiled. Keep in mind, these are just the toys that have made it. I'm not even counting the ones he's destroyed!
Let me know if you have any questions!
Lastly, I don't own a husky, but man do I respect the destruction a husky can wreck. I would recommend going to a husky group on facebook or a subreddit to see what toys they would recommend. If it's husky approved... it should last.
https://www.amazon.ca/ZippyPaws-Woodland-Friends-Interactive-Chipmunks/dp/B008PFB3HG
Something like this? My pup loves this style of toy, I'll stuff some kibble and other random toys in as well. (Forgive my mobile formatting)
I’d be interested to see if he was actually being “aggressive” or if he was just playing. As stated earlier pits have extremely high pain tolerances. (But they do in fact feel pain). I have bruises and one pretty gnarly scar from playing with mine who is about 80 lbs. Mostly, it happens when we go out to play fetch. He gets over worked and extremely excited and starts to come at me instead of the toy.
My suggestion: shut it down quickly. Simply grab the collar and get him to sit down, and don’t let him move until he is calmed down. The more you push, hit and kick, the harder he is going to try to bring you down, because that is how pits play, by trying to pin each other. Hitting your dog is never the answer.
Get or make a flirt pole , as it creates a greater distance between you the dog and the toy, which will help keep his attention focused on the toy and not on you.
In addition to the hol-ee ball idea these things are pretty cool and come in various sizes!
We like this one because it has multiple levels for bones to fall through: Our Pets IQ Treat Ball Interactive... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKU0?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
And this one too: JW Hol-ee Roller Size:Small... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BWF0AR4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
She loves her interactive little piggies and their hiding holes (the squirrels were all I could find on amazon): ZippyPaws - Woodland Friends Burrow, Interactive Squeaky Hide and Seek Plush Dog Toy - Chipmunks ‘n Log https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008PFB3HG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sE8LBb51HF9D1
One really neat thing you can teach your puppy with a ball is precision heeling. There are quite a few steps you have to take first before using a ball. You start off teaching your pup with food. I highly recommend looking at this video to get started. Once your dog has the basics with the food down, you can transfer to putting a ball under your armpit and having the dog heel for that. I recommend getting a ball attached to rope so you can immediately reward by playing tug with the dog, because that will ultimately become a greater reward than food. I recommend a ball like this or this. Let me know if you have more questions!
the perfect ball is one that is tough enough to be durable but soft enough that the dog can satisfyingly chomp on it. it also depends how intense your dog is and how hard he bites. after going through tons of balls this is my choice.
https://www.amazon.com/Canine-Hardware-231301-Chuckit-Large/dp/B008APMO7E/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1482260499&sr=1-1&keywords=chuckit+large+ultra+tug
its durable and has a handle so you can choose to either play tug or fetch with the dog. get one large enough that the dog can't accidentally swallow it.
Hahaha! Well I'm still working on my 2008 resolutions so you're way ahead of me. My dog (Echo) is doing great - other than pulling on the tether. But OMG - the energy - and so smart! I work from home so several times a day he'll come in my office and just look at me and cry - like "let's play". Mother guilt never goes away, I guess! He's very quiet - have only heard him bark a couple of times. I have a snuffle mat that he enjoys - maybe get him engrossed in that before you walk out the door. He also LOVES those toys that laugh and shake https://www.amazon.com/Hyper-Pet-Doggie-Wiggly-Interactive/dp/B0054C9B1I/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3IFABC6GU5T7A&keywords=interactive+dog+toys&qid=1570510557&sprefix=interactive%2Caps%2C367&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExMFpTV0ozQldMTFhRJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzA0MzY1MVlaWlFRSDVIUEk4UyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDIzNjE3MkhWUEhWNTgzM1VXJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ== . I live right on the river and near the mountains so he gets quite a lot of exercise - although we're a little more cautious as it is bear season here! I took him to the ocean for the first time last weekend and he absolutely loved that as well. He is learning how to catch (and not eat) a frisbee as well. And yes - I'm exhausted. Cat people have it so easy..... ;)
Hyper pet doggie tail - it's a bouncing, noise making dog toy.
https://www.amazon.ca/Hyper-Pet-49484-Doggie-Tail/dp/B0054C9B1I
LambChops are just the right size for doxies. After our dog took to one we bought a bunch of them.
Another great toy is the Doggy Tail. It's powered by batteries and makes little doggy noises.
I got it on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008PFB3HG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It came with squirrels in it but he didn't care about those lol
here are toys that simulate this a bit...
I got mine here!
Maybe this thing? http://www.amazon.com/Hyper-Pet-Doggie-Wiggling-Interactive/dp/B0054C9B1I/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1G23R7SE7JQDFC57Z114
Lol this Gumby dog toy. Reminds me of my childhood 🤣
Multipet Gumby Plush Filled Dog Toy, 9-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A80X19E/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XLGvCbEZ9QBF4
Came here to say west paw. My dog is a CHEWER.
We’ve been getting him the super chewer bark box for the last couple of months. Half of the toys don’t last 5 minutes (we like the treats). They sent us a benebone as a replacement and he liked it a lot. It’s about halfway gone after about two weeks. Nylabones get shredded. Soft toys are basically non-starters (though the duck toy is doing pretty well a few days in... feet are gone but no fluff out yet!)
The West Paw toys we got him MONTHS ago are still fully intact and he loves them.
I don't know why it works, but this big yellow duck toy has outlived any of his compatriots:
https://www.amazon.com/Duckworth-Large-Yellow-Duck-Dog/dp/B000084E7Y
I think it's something to do with the texture of the fur?
Also I have no idea why this works, but I watch my dog when she's chewing on toys and I can tell the difference between a chew that will rip the toy and one that won't. When I see her starting with a ripping motion I tell her "be gentle" and she listens. I have no idea why or how to train it, but at this point she understands she is supposed to be gentle with soft toys and only very rarely rips them. So...you could try that?
I got my shiba inu this duck and he has yet to put a hole in it. It is played with nearly every day and has lasted. Also got him some Kong Cozies that have lasted as well. Check the sizing on all toys to make sure you don't get any too small for a lab to swallow though.
My husband bought one for our lab puppy on amazon! Came here to say we had that duck for a little while, but my boston mix is VERY determined and adept at defluffing
Multipet Large Dog Toy 15" Yellow https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000084E7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BgsxCbQMNAEME
This big hedgie is one of my dogs favorites. They have smaller sizes too!!!
Not only is this.... duck/google/schmoo one of my doggos favorites, it has tons of reviews from people saying for some reason their dog really loves it.
My 2 cents, skip the raised dishes, and definitely skip the create.
Realistically you need at a minimum, a bed, food and water dishes, food, I strongly recommend sweet potato chews. It'll help with the stress induced diarrhea, a few toys and a Duckworth (see link below) I have yet to meet a dog that doesn't love them.
Multipet Duckworth https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000084E7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_8T4QDb0BKC3DQ
Edit: obviously collar and leash, but those should be supplied by the rescue
I would love dog toy cause playing with your dog in mud is the best! And it's raining for me in oc too! My poor dog is terrified of the thunder though.
The old man is snoring
Just an FYI - this comment was auto-removed because referral links aren't allowed. If you want to post something from amazon, it needs to be chopped down to just the item number, like this:
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000C9YHFS/
Look into getting a stuffed animal with a heartbeat to put alongside them in their crate, such as this:
https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=sr_1_3?crid=POEPM14MF4GV&keywords=puppy+heartbeat+stuffed+animal&qid=1565801743&s=gateway&sprefix=puppy+heart%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-3
Maybe try a Snuggle Puppy? It really helped our pup during her first week home. She would fall asleep right on top of the snuggle pup, comforted (I assume) by the simulated heartbeat and source of warmth.
My 8 week old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (closely related to Goldens) was not a fan of the crate at all. We'd put her in there, even if she was tired, and she'd start whining up to a half hour.
I read about the Snuggle Puppy and the reviews on Amazon seemed too good to be true, but I wanted her to have an easier time and $30 seemed worth a shot. So, we got her this and honestly, it helps so much. The newer model comes with a heart that has an 8 hour setting, a continuous setting (runs until battery dies) and off.
So, what we do now is throw in some Freeze Dried Beef Liver Treats (the Ferrari of dog treats) in her Kong, top it off with some peanut butter and put that in the crate with her Snuggle Puppy. She'll go in there, work on her Kong and lay down. Once she lays down we cover the front of her cage with a blanket or towel to reduce some of the light and she goes to sleep with nary a whimper. It's been working day or night. It definitely comforts her. I highly recommend it.
I’m sorry I don’t have advice but that is so sweet! I just found this thing and thought it was so cute! Maybe she would like it!
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy, Brown Mutt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_2giODbGRJ7JDK
I can't offer you advice on everything, but definitely try the snuggle puppy. I've heard other people mention it on this sub and it apparently replicates the sound of a heartbeat and has heat inserts that your puppy might want to cuddle with.
I'm new to puppydom but my 11 week old Westie loves:
I also bought him a little tunnel thing to meet his lil' terrier heart's burrowing needs.
You said he avoids squeak toys and you're trying to stay away from plush, but there's a Hide-A-Squirrel toy on Amazon that has really high ratings. I haven't tried it myself, but I've been interested. It sounds like it's pretty durable, so hopefully it wouldn't end up all over your house. I know you can take the "stump" and hide treats in it to make it more of a puzzle.
Jumping in to recommend the Bob-A-Lot that I got my dog a few months ago. It seems to be a little more work for her than the Kong Wobbler since you can adjust the hole that the food comes out of. If I don't feed her out of that, I use this dog bowl. Another good way for me to wear her brain out is to take the meal with us on our walks and train a little as we go.
Just recently my friend got me this toy and she loves it. She'll pull all the toys out and play with them for a while, then wait while I stuff them back in again.
Good luck!! I really hope you get to keep your pupper!
There are dolls that have a heartbeat designed for puppies. When they feel the heartbeat, they relax.
http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pet-Snuggle-Behavioral-Golden/dp/B000S753WK
I'm going through the exact same thing right now!!! A note on crate training, what I've been doing (and PLEASE if someone more experienced wants to correct me on this I want to learn) is leaving the crate open all day in whatever room we're in (stays in either the corner of my room where it stays for bedtime or the corner of my boyfriends living room when we visit I there). When we play with a toy, about every third throw is into the crate. Beau is getting the hang of climbing in and out of it and isn't associating it with being locked up. I'm lucky in that he only whines for maybe 10 minutes before going to sleep. I make sure the LAST thing we do at night (or anytime before crating) is a potty break. Then I put him in there with a Kong that he mostly ignores and ignore him. I tried talking to him from my bed and that seemed to only prolong the whining. I also purchased a [snuggle puppy](Smart Pet Love Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy, Golden https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000S753WK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_15oMxbGYBS4VM) which has a little motorized heartbeat and a place for a heating pack. It's supposed to remind him of mom or his pack. I got it yesterday so he's only used it for one night but I feel like it cut down the whining for a bit or two. When we got up at 5am for a potty break (he can't sleep through the night all the way but he can make it from 11:30 to 5am, I'm so proud) he only whined for maybe 3 minutes before falling back asleep. I also try my best to tired him out as much as possible for crating. At bedtime this means I have to wake him up from a nap and rile him up a bit which is frustrating when I'm tired but it makes the difference before 3am and 5am. I really want the crate to work out cuz he's so small (under 4lbs) and I need him contained so he doesn't hurt himself overnight or on car rides. Plus I was told that eventually the crate becomes a safe place for the dog, like a bedroom for a teenager. Pretty much you don't bother the dog when it goes into its crate and there's a chance it'll take its own timeouts when it's overwhelmed or scared. That's the goal at least.
this product will help with long howling nights
Crate is the best weapon. I just got another puppy last weekend and he cries a lot for the first 5-10 minutes he's in the crate at night. If you get a break, wait 2 minutes then treat. Keep it up until she falls asleep. I also bought the Snuggle Puppy at the suggestion of another redditor. He seems to really like it.
Second vote for the Tug a jug, Buster Maze also the Mushroom are also good the Bobs A lot Also works great as it has variable settings for difficulty. Puzzles like this are great but they tend to be useless once the dog figures it out.
My Blanco did not eat so fast that he seemed to be getting sick, but knowing that he would enjoy being engaged for his food, we bought him this: https://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob---Lot-Interactive-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469221369&sr=8-2&keywords=dog+food+toy
I won't say he loves it, but he knows how it works and never leaves a piece behind. I've heard of dogs getting bored/frustrated by toys like this and refusing to eat if that is how their food is served, but he has been using it for a few months now and nothing has changed yet.
Plus it gives me like twenty minutes of me-time where I don't have to worry about entertaining him.
This.
It's interactive, and it's fantastic. I put Yumi's daily serve of dry food in it, and she is far more interested in it than she is when it's in a bowl.
I second toys, toys and more toys. I actually tend to buy her Ikea toys cause they're cheap so I can replace them when she destroys them (toys will be destroyed), they're made for babies so there's nothing she can rip off and swallow, and some even have squeaky things which she loves.
Give them more toys than you can poke a stick at. Thus far, they have saved my furniture and house from destruction. Well, except for the computer chair. For some reason she's obsessed with the wheels.
Dogs need two types of exercise, physical and mental. Although what you are doing with him does have a lot of mental stimulation it's mostly physical. Spend some time every morning and evening doing some type of training, either a new trick, or reinforcing the things he already knows.
Also get toys that will keep his mind active. I feed my dog with this every evening. You could also try a Snuffle mat.
I've found that most dogs chew because they're either bored or they teething. Keeping them active both physically and mentally will help cut a lot of unwanted chewing. After that just keep consistent and when you find them chewing on something they are not supposed to chew give them something they can.
It's up to us to teach them what is or is not allowed, they eventually catch on, but sometimes it can take a bit.
I have this post saved from u/manatee1010 and have tried several:
I keep this list of brain toy links handy to send to friends who get dogs. It's getting pretty long...
Toys that get stuffed with food and frozen:
Kibble dispensing toys, hard material (good for carpeted areas)
Kibble dispensing toys, soft material (good for hardwood/tile/laminate)
Time-release kibble dispensing toys (good for work days)
Lastly, there are also these two that I haven’t tried yet, so I’m not positive how to classify…
ETA: If you have any others you like (or don't like) that I've left off this list, please chime in!
We got ours a Bob-a-lot; she gets all her meals that way and loves it!
We have three not including Kongs! She gets bored easily lol.
This is my favorite one because it's really easy to change the difficulty and it's too big to get caught under the furniture.
You can change the difficulty on this one too by closing it more tightly but is pretty easy
And this is the easiest one out of the three we have but she still really likes it.
There are like hundreds more to choose from! Someone posted this and I'm probably going to pick a couple from there, too.
I would agree that settling into a routine seemed to help the most with our grey. It took about 3 months for her to settle and for the separation anxiety to fade. We also got her some puzzle toys that we give her only when we leave. She now knows that we give her a toy before we leave and we always come home. The best one I've found is this one but we also have this one and this one.
Bob-a-lot is one idea. http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob---Lot-Interactive-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4
But I recommend that you practice his training for a few minutes every couple hours and then give him a toy to play with. The training will burn off mental energy and the release from training will make him eager for the toy.
We have the StarMark Bob-A-Lot and our puppy LOVES it - though it took him a while to figure it out.
I've read in a couple of places that using it for all meals is fantastic; I haven't tried doing that yet, we usually have our puppy eat all but one meal from the bowl.
StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Pet Toy, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vzztyb0MZ25AN
I got this one from amazon. It's pretty big, so unless you have some really high couches it should be okay. It has little sliding doors to make the food easier/harder to get out too.
I haven't had it long though, so I can't vouch for durability or anything.
My dog gets her dinner in this. She loves it!!
It keeps her busy for a bit and helps get some of her her wiggles out at night. She does "protect" it from one cat, though. Any time Tobey comes in to the living room, she picks it up and sets it on her bed. Tobey has never shown any interest in the treat ball, but whatever.
Oh, Premier Pet makes a bunch of them - [on Amazon] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_n_3?fst=as%3Aoff&rh=n%3A2619533011%2Cp_4%3APremier-Pet-Products%2Cn%3A%212619534011%2Cn%3A2975312011%2Cn%3A2975413011&bbn=2975312011&ie=UTF8&qid=1427303947&rnid=2975312011) but most pet stores carry a few of them too.
I use the Kibble Nibbler Ball for his meals, and other toys for some kibble throughout the day - he loves squirrel buddy, but I also have the waggle bone, large twist n'treat, the mushroom, and the barnacle. He figures them out fast, but it does slow his eating and make him think!
He also [loves this toy] (http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob---Lot-Interactive-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1427304091&sr=1-1&keywords=bob+a+lot), which is way better than the similar Kong Wobbler in that its slower to dispense and better balanced (he figured out how to get the wobbler to balance on its side and just dump the kibble out in on big pile!)
We have a beagle who is highly food motivated (doesn't play with toys unless food is involved) and the bob-a-lot is a great toy: http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-A-Lot-Interactive-Pet-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4 It is a bit heavier, and difficult to pick up with dog teeth, so probably less incline to be thrown.
I've had success with a Bob-a-Lot
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JQLNB4/ref=oh_details_o06_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Just put regular kibble in there and it can last a few hours
This is what I used to slow my dog down: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JQLNB4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
He is really terrible about eating so fast he forgets to chew. Been using this for a year and have been slowly starting to phase it out as he's been doing a lot better. He got good at this toy but it still prevents him from getting more than a few pieces of kibble at a time.
You might get one of the treat dispensing balls like this one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001JQLNB4/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001JQLNB4&linkCode=as2&tag=k9ofmine-20&linkId=I6W6RIYKDEMUWFI6
The dog really has to work at it, gives the brain a workout too, and that might divert her for one meal. And the antler is a good alternative because it takes awhile and gives teeth and tummy a workout too.
Kong is good. Get two: one to keep in the freezer and one to give to her. The frozen ones will take longer for her to get through. Put some peanut butter and treats in there and she'll be occupied for awhile.
I also have one of these things for my smart dog and it's great for her meals. I put her full serving of dry food in it and it takes her a good half hour to get everything out. It's also great because you can adjust the size of the release points to make it harder or easier for her.
my mini wigglebutt has the same problem. He likes to be chased and chase things but doesn't like to return the ball. He thinks it is funner to drop the ball wait there and make me try and go get it and then he will pick it up and run. He gets nippy so its hard to play with him because he gets so amped up. i got him a tethertug that he will play with. https://tethertug.com I get him different squeaker toys to put on the end and he will latch onto it which is good. Although the toy is meant to be able to play by himself he does not like that. So I stay on the other end and get him amped up and swing it at him which he likes. He wont nip at me cause he will go after the toy and i don't have to go after every toy because it is in the ground. He will get tired pretty quickly which is nice. If you don't want to hammer a metal stake in the ground, I also have a flirt pole. its like the same thing as the tether tug but instead of it being in the ground you hold it and fly it around and my wigglebutt will hold on and likes to be dragged. https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-41001-Exercise-Replacement/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469571753&sr=8-1&keywords=flirt+pole something like this. I would recommend getting a flirt pole first to see if she likes the idea of having a toy on a pole. Hope this helps. it certainly has helped me not get nipped at, herded, or pull my shoulder out from playing with him.
I switched from normal bowl-feeding to [this food dispenser toy] (https://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Treat-Kibble-Dispensing-Puppy/dp/B01CP7B9L4/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468270533&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=bobalot+feeder) and my dog LOVES it. It's hilarious to watch him knock it around and he just about does cartwheels at meal times.
Is it possible to start taking your pups for walks to tire them out? Or teaching fetch to tire them out quicker in the backyard, or tug of war?
I've also been thinking about getting a [flirt pole] (https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-41001-Exercise-Replacement/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1468270723&sr=1-1&keywords=flirt+pole) as my dog got to play with one at our training class this weekend and about crapped his pants (he really liked it). I think the trick is to figure out what activity your dogs likes best – chewing? squeaky stuff? chasing? digging? nosework? and then finding more focused activites related to that. Good luck!
We adopted our Yorkie at 7 months and I didn’t realize adolescence was a thing until about a week later. He’s 8 months now and still has his moments. We started clicker training with him via a group class and it’s helped eons. What I’d recommend most is what you seem to be doing—longer walks to help with excess energy. You may also want to look into mental stimulation. Our trainer recommended taking Amazon or any sort of packaging boxes and playing scent games using them. They seem to tire out our guy.
One more—this lure toy or anything like it. it helps SO MUCH with excess energy.
Flirt poles are god send especially on a rainy day. Dogs will chase that thing until they're ready to pass out. May want to get the "off" command down before getting the flirt pole just so it's not so annoying getting the dog to let it go. Flirt poles don't hold up as well as I would like.
I have always bought my dogs this one
I absolutely second the flirt pole if you can get your backyard fenced in. Hell, I use it in my house for Charlie (though he's only 8 lbs and I have a decent sized living room.) I also take him in the backyard with a flirt pole and long line attached to his harness. You might look into those too. Long line and Flirt Pole
My dogs favorite are her flirt pole and "Find it". You can also ask for some more tips on /r/Dogtraining
Shibas play differently than other dogs. The best way we kept our girl interested in playtime with a ball was to get a cat toy - had a stuffed bird inside and made noise when it rolled. She loved it and it spurred her prey drive. We also got a dog-hearty flirt pole and it’s still her favorite toy.
For the biting - he’s probably never been taught how to mouth rather than bite down and doesn’t realize what he’s doing. The trainer should be able to help with that.
I have a very high energy dog as well. He has separation anxiety and can be destructive when bored as well.
Crate training was hard and took more than 6 months but gives him a safe place while we are gone. He’s even gone into the kennel on his own one time when he saw me getting ready to leave!
Establishing a morning/daily routine also has helped a ton with that. That would also help with the house training!
As far as the energy goes, both mental stimulation and physical exercise are important. We take Benji to the dog park almost every day. If we don’t make it there, he gets a long (2-4mi) walk in the morning and evening. The exercise is good for me too! We got a martingale collar and that has helped a ton for the pulling! Highly recommend. We also got this toy which may help you as well- he loves it! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_9ldRBbTG31S4F Mental stimulation can be new smells or behavior/clicker/treat training.
Good luck!
Amazon! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000084E7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Hes4AbSRBJ7ME
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017JDGZO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kr6-zb8PX80P6
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000084E7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Av6-zbS52SFWB
These are Penny's favorite toys, and they are super cheap. Feel free to link your pup's favorite too! Christmas is coming!
Duckworth
I'll make a plug for this [yellow duckie] (https://www.amazon.com/Duckworth-Large-Yellow-Duck-Dog/dp/B000084E7Y/).
Is Duckworth a character of some kind?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000084E7Y?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd
This is the dog toy I have.
Multipet Mallard Migrator Bird Plush Dog Toy https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00027ZVLY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_90xTyb0KQ0SM6
This is the toy?
/r/hailcorporate
Hey this might help you:
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy, Brown Mutt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_HfAlDbXZDAV21
I have a 7 week old Goldendoodle and bought a SmartPet Suggle Puppy (Smart Pet Love Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy, Brown Mutt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_LDuExb6FDJ7J1). They have a heartbeat and a place for a warming pack, really helped my little guy I think. He snuggles with it every night and seems to love it. It was expensive, but I feel it was worth the splurge!
I did towels in the crate since I worried about potty training, but my guy has been awesome and had no accidents. Just make sure to take them out often (I do every hour when he's awake!) and take away food/water at least an hour before bed.
Good luck!! Stay patient with crate training, it's been my biggest obstacle so far.
Have you thought of getting a snuggle puppy? It is a plush toy with a battery powered heart beat inside it. The sound combined with the plush toy are supposed to mimic another puppy or mom they can snuggle up against to reduce anxiety.
There is already a lot of good advice in this thread. Don't give in, feed her meals in her crate, etc. But here is something else you can try as well.
Before I got my puppy, I was browsing this sub and someone recommended this behavioral aid toy.
I ordered it and I think it worked great. At the very least, it made me feel better about tearing her away from her mom and litter mates! I used the heart ticker for a long time afterwards too just to calm her down for sleep time.
A MUTE BUTTON
Ok, but seriously...It's expensive, but I've heard of some breeders sending this home with their puppies. I bought one myself and left it with the breeder during our last visit before pick up so she could let the puppies play with an sufficiently rub their smells all over it (which resulted in us getting a photo of our puppy snuggled up to it a few hours later). It's a great transitional device for them leaving the litter.
Something I do with all my dogs, and maybe something that would be nifty from a breeder, is having a binder with important information pertaining to the dogs, and dividers for different categories. I keep their health records in there, the 3 page document with information we get when I bring them home, registration paperwork, print outs from class, certificates, etc. I think getting a binder to neatly store all important information on my dog is very useful, and getting one from the breeder with suggestions on training, expected puppy behavior, etc. would be pretty useful.
But really, I've never had a lot sent home with me after getting dogs, beyond a gallon bag of food to transition with and a toy that smells like mom.
I got a stuffed toy with a heartbeat:
https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS
She just snuggles with it when we go to sleep... Well until the time she destroyed it! But at that point she didn't really have the separation anxiety anymore.
If you can't get it or its too expensive you can DIY with a stuffed toy and an old times alarm clock... Just any watch or clock with a strong tick.
Never used the heatpack though
https://www.amazon.ca/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS
Nothing wrong with laying next to the crate, but if he's coming from a situation where he was with a lot of other dogs, this might be a good tool for you. If that's too expensive and he's small enough, this should be sufficient and it's a lot cheaper. Our dog had the same issues, but the latter option was much too small for her. I hope that helps. :-)
For the first while you should sleep with her in same room or area.
At night have her on a potty schedule, set an alarm and get up and wake her up to take her out before she cries to ask to go. Do not let her associate crying with you taking her out of the crate. Assuming your pup is 8 weeks - you should be taking her out at least twice overnight - example - 11:00 pm bedtime potty break - set alarm for 1:30 am potty break, set alarm for 3:30/4:00 am potty break; up around 6:30 am. As she gets older you will be able to spread out and eventually eliminate the nighttime breaks. The important thing is you get her out before she asks. When you take her out, do not speak to her a lot, just be very quiet and soothing and tell her to do her business. When she is done give her a treat pick her up and put her back in crate quickly and quietly. She needs to learn night time is not play time or fun time. I would not leave a lot of toys in her crate during the night for playing.
For at night, you may want to try one of those stuffed dogs that has a heartbeat https://www.amazon.ca/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS
We got a snuggle puppy for our 11 week puppy and it has been a life saver!! You can find them on Amazon - Smart Pet Love Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy, Brown Mutt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_AYGyybQW2BN5X
Has a heart beat in it and heating pad that will make him feel like he's with his litter mates. We used the heating pads at first but found them unnecessary and expensive to use on a daily basis since you would have to buy replacements often but may be good for such a young puppy to have the heat aspect as well. Recommend watching him with it first because there is velcro at the bottom to get where the fake heart it is so just make sure he can't chew it. Our puppy treat his like his littermate and loves it.
https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=asc_df_B000C9YHFS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198076665015&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=15468377802100250732&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9002296&hvtargid=aud-643565131866:pla-352722601139&psc=1
Best purchase I ever made.
OMG. so cute. Something like this may also be comforting. I am getting one for my golden when she comes home.
He's a baby - the crying is normal, the first week or 2 you can expect crying as he gets used to the crate. It took my girl about a week before she stopped crying in it. I also bought a sound machine off Amazon for cheap that I put on loud so she doesn't hear noises and get distracted and cry.
The toy was not the cheapest, but it works great. Here it is: https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pet-Love-Snuggle-Behavioral/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1526918487&sr=8-3&keywords=puppy+toy+heart
Sure! http://m.imgur.com/gallery/YIVgM
If you're finding it difficult to get through the night, this helped us a lot. It's a toy dog with a heartbeat and you can add heat pads as well. It kind of feels like another puppy, which reminds them of their littermates. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000C9YHFS/ref=ox_sc_act_image_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Meatball is absolutely ADORABLE! And this basket of goodies sounds delicious! I think Meatball would like this very stylish doggy sweater, this hide and seek toy kit that keeps my puppyboys busy for hours and even though it's crazy expensive, I think this is rather fitting for his name. Happy holidays to you and Meatball, from me and Doug/Yoshi!
Someone on reddit, posted snuggle pet
They said it really did help their new puppy as well, it has a heart beat, and it can keep warm. It helped calm their puppy! In looking at the reviews it helped a number of people. May not work for really large dogs, they'll chew it to bits in no time. It might be worth a shot, just a suggestion! He's a cutie. :)
How big is the crate? It needs to be small and cozy for a puppy. It's hard for them to settle down if it's too big. If you can't adjust the size, try putting a box in the back and covering it with a blanket to make the crate feel smaller. You might consider one of these stuffies that has a heating element and a heartbeat. It helps with the adjustment going from sleeping with a litter to sleeping alone. I don't use the heater or heartbeat anymore, but my pup still cuddles with it in his crate at night.
Other than that, try putting her in the crate a bit during the day. Make sure she's tired when you put her in her crate. I would wait until my pup was falling asleep at my feet before I tucked him into his crate. I also gave him a small treat every time he went in the kennel on command. I fed him his meals in there occasionally so he would associate it with good things. You may also want to set your alarm so that you wake up and get her out of the crate before the morning panic starts. If she tends to wake up at 6:30, you start getting up at 6:20 so you can wake her up cheerfully.
I bought one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Pet-Love-Snuggle-Behavioral/dp/B000WD6UA4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00 I'm hoping it will help my transition too.
I have a pup who occasionally gets in a picky mood so I got one of these wobbler feeding balls to mix up his mealtime routine.
If he still seems disinterested, sometimes I throw in one or two pieces of a small treat that I know he will smell and go after. It's a lot of fun to watch, too!
Edit to add: Since you mentioned that she sometimes eats it when scattered on the floor... have you looked into a Snuffle mat? They are basically small fringed rugs that the food "hides" in and they have to sniff it out.
We have one of these and our dogs love it! I put kibble in it and they'll roll it around for hours, even after all the kibble has been dispensed (hoping that more will suddenly appear!).
kibble dispensing toys:
goop/cheese/mush holders:
Puzzles:
random combinations of other toys. For example,
* fixed a link
not sure if you are referring to the flirt pole or the kong wobble:
I built my flirt pole:
its most similar to the first link, but I drilled holes in PVC caps for a more finished look
https://bullymax.com/flirt-pole/
https://notesfromadogwalker.com/2012/04/24/flirt-pole/
For the feeding toy:
kong
starmark bob-a-lot
Good news is the more food-motivated a dog is, often the easier they are to train.
In addition to making sure your dog does whatever "calm" behavior you want before giving the food (sit, lay down, go to a special place) - I'd strongly consider feeding her via a Bobble, Kong, or puzzle toy.
This will slow down her eating process, help digestion (so she's not scarfing food down in a single gulp, and if she's super-active may provide mental stimulation akin to a long walk or session of fetch.
When my dog was a puppy we used the Bobble and puzzle toys on rainy days when he couldn't get a lot of exercise outside and they worked wonders on exhausting him without physical exercise.
Sure!
The Buster Cube (I have this) is an awesome puzzle toy (this is the "large" version, be sure to check sizes). This is a little bit more difficult to use, as the hole that spits out the food is pretty small, and as the kibble gets to be lesser and lesser inside of the Cube, it's harder to get it out. It's cube-shaped (obviously), so pushing it around isn't all that easy, and your dog needs to be firm with it in order to get the food out. This isn't a good toy for linoleum, or hardwood - it's really only good on carpet.
The IQ Ball is awesome too! It is adjustable, which is cool, so you can make it easy at first, and more challenging as your pup gets better and better at it. This is probably a better choice for tile, linoleum, hardwood, etc.
The Bob-A-Lot is another good one. It's more challenging than the Kong Wobbler (again, check the size, I believe this one is a "large").
I also have this Busy Buddy toy for my dog. It's really really challenging for her. The rope has to go inside of it, and then the dog has to pull it out in order to get the food out. This one takes a bit of effort on your part, unless you think your pup can figure out how to push the rope in and then pull it out again.
There are also plenty of food dispensing toys like this one that force your dog to move "puzzle" pieces around to get the food underneath them!
Lots of options!
[This food toy ](StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Pet Toy, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_9lN9ybXY00DZT) I love everything about it: pup learned how to use it quickly, it's easy to clean, holds enough food for each meal.
I can change how fast it dispenses the food depending on kibble size and how difficult I want to make it. Keeps my pup entertained for about 20 minutes which is great in the morning while I get ready for my day. I've recommended it to many friends and have never had a complaint.
I got this for my dog and he loves to play with it. You fill it with treats and hes has to knock it around to work them out. Keeps him entertained for awhile.
http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-A-Lot-Interactive-Pet-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1418248676&sr=1-2&keywords=dog+toy+treat+dispenser
You can put her food in this and she'll be distracted for a while. Also, maybe try an alternate walking route?
Game and maze toys are great! They also help to get my pyr to eat since she isn't usually inspired by the food in her bowl. My pup loves these two toys and will nudge them around the house until they are empty. Congrats on the new pyr :)
OurPets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Food Dispensing Dog Toy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-hrMzb3WWTK2W
StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Pet Toy, Large
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RirMzb483MJ7Z
What was your last one made of? Was it plastic coated wire cable? I have one like /u/tokisushi linked for potty breaks and my dog has broken 2 collars (running after cats/squirrels) but never has hurt the tie-out.
Better than a stationary tie-out might be one of those zipline tracks that you string between two trees, especially if your intent is for the dog to get some exercise. Dogs generally do not "wear themselves out" like you are hoping for but it would at least be more conducive to running than a regular tie-out.
I read your other comment about how the dog is not yours and all that, and I totally get where you're coming from. Just thinking out loud, mental stimulation is usually a lot more tiring (especially for puppies) than physical stimulation. Since he's confined to the kitchen a lot, he'd probably benefit from something like a puzzle feeder.
I agree with mental stimulation. I'm always home with my corgi and give him lots of exercise and socialization outside but he loves food toys for mental stimulation and it makes his meals last so much longer.
We use these for kibble: http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Tug-A-Jug-Dispensing-Medium/dp/B000KV7ZGQ
http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-A-Lot-Interactive-Pet-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4
http://www.amazon.com/Buster-Food-Cube-Large-Colors/dp/B0006G54OU/ref=pd_sim_199_6?ie=UTF8&dpID=41NL87Y8KbL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1N6FCHDFXGVVTQFF7HAG
and we use these for treats:
http://www.petsmart.com/dog/toys/martha-stewart-pets-treat-dispensing-bone-dog-toy-zid36-19474/cat-36-catid-100118
http://www.fordogtrainers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5245
http://www.amazon.com/Starmark-Treat-Dispensing-Jack-Medium/dp/B00L61279E
Absolutely! I usually do training for half of the meal and give the second half in a puzzle toy - we have a Bob a lot, an erratic ball and a weird strawberry thing on rotation at the moment.
Is she getting enough mental and physical exercise? It sounds like she’s bored and is getting into things. Even if you have appropriate chews for her, make sure she’s getting enough physical exercise and that you’re engaging her brain with puzzle toys and training. Both of my dogs eat their meals from Starmark Bob-a-Lot toys because it engages their brains. Nina Ottosson makes tons of great puzzle toys of varying difficulties that are relatively inexpensive. Working on trick training and obedience commands also helps tucker them out - do “commercial break” sessions, as short as 90 seconds and no longer than 5 minutes, a couple times a day.
When it comes to physical exercise, make sure she’s getting walks or that you’re playing fetch with her. Plenty of dog owners just toss their dogs out in their backyards and call it “exercise” even though most dogs aren’t going to actually expend much energy in a yard by themselves. Walks around the neighborhood are also a great opportunity for sniffing new smells, which is great mental exercise. If you don’t have the time or energy to walk her, consider hiring a dog walker, or sending her to doggy daycare one or two days a week. We also play with a flirt pole some evenings when my dogs seem restless despite multiple walks... best $15 I’ve ever spent! You can use it indoors in an open space or out in your yard (if you have one).
If your dog is getting plenty of physical and mental stimulation and still chewing things up, management is your best friend. Crate her when you can’t watch her closely or confine her to a puppy-proofed room. Or use the “umbilical” method - put her on a leash and tie it around your waist so she goes everywhere with you and isn’t out of your sight. You really can’t train a dog out of behaviors you don’t witness, but you’re setting her up for failure (and a dangerous intestinal blockage) if you leave her unsupervised in a room with tons of things she can (but shouldn’t) chew. A 15 month old lab is still effectively a big puppy and labs have an affinity for chewing things up. It might be that the best you can do is manage it now and hope she grows out of it in the coming years.
I'll check those out! Thanks for the recommendations. I already have the kong for her and I'll freeze PB with some of her kibble in it, which takes her some time to get through. She has an insane amount of energy, so the others will definitely help! She also loves the Bob-A-Lot, if you're looking for something else for yours. But this one is also incredibly loud because of the hard plastic.
First and foremost I definitely recommend seeking a professional or asking advice from a breeder as well.
If you have a two year old husky/mix it needs EXERCISE. What are you doing to help release her energy? A walk a day wont do it. Our (nearly two) year old goes for about 2-3 long walks a day and we try to run her 2-4 miles when we can. I tired husky is a happy and lazy one.
Also toys to help stimulate her mind and make her work for her food will keep her busy and distracted. We have several types of kings and big ass roller type toys that we put ALL her kibble in. She rarely eat out of her food bowl because of this. I will show a milk bone in a kong and she will work on that for a while, or i'll stick 1/4 cup of kibble in a roller ball that has a tiny opening and plays with that for 30 min. Usually she naps after.
The key to these dogs is to outsmart them. They will own the house if you let them. Do not be afraid to dominate them. I do not mean abuse btw, i mean just using your body and frame of mind to assert that you are the alpha. Dont greet them until they are qquiet and this may be done by putting them in a crate.
Is she crate trained? When we got our husky as a puppy it was much easier since she was small. However, it can be stressful for rescue dogs who arent used to that. You want to make the crate THEIR safe place. Anytime you stick peanut butter in a kong, put in the crate and wait for them to go in there and get it. Reward them with a simple "good girl". Put a tshirt of yours in the crate that has your scent on it also. Never use the crate as a form of punishment. they will just destroy it.
On accidents in the house. Female dogs (especially huskies) do not completely empty their bladders once they go outside. We usually for ours to relieve herself at least three times before bringing her back in. Another think that may be causing her to keep having accidents is anxiety. Are you yelling at her when she has accidents? Whenever she has one, do not yell at her, but just immediately stop her by touching her. Put on the leash, then immediately take her outside. Wait for her to relieve herself again and then reward her. This will take the anxiety out of it.
This is my schedule with Lucy. 6-7 AM wakeup call from her letting me know she needs to go out. Walk her and wait for her to completely relieve herself and poop on the neighbors lawn. Then put 1/4 cup kibble in a kong and stuff a medium milk bone in there. Get ready for work. By the time I come out it's nap time for her. I take her out again 10 am before I leave. She goes in the crate with another 1/4 kibble in a different kong (variety is important). She sleeps the whole time. I come home for an hour on lunch break and she goes for a long walk. Usually right after I leave to go back to work, my SO comes home and takes her on another walk. She will get play time, scratches and belly rubs, and cuddles. She goes out ever 2 hours after that generally and then goes to bed around 9-10 pm and she's tuckered out. She sleeps on the bed until lights out and then she just hops off and goes into her crate on her own.
So I know this is a wall of text, but you can see how having a husky takes a lot of effort and attention. It was more than we bargained for but we made it work and everyone "ooooh's" and "aaaah's" when they see her.
here are some of the types of toys to look out for:
she gets two cups of kibble a day and she works for most of it with the toys we have
Edit: alsp go to petsmart and get some bitter spray (anti chewing). Get their brand because its the most offensive tasting one. Whenever she has chewed or where she might chew, spray. Then spray once in her mouth so she knows how disgusting it is. When you catch her chewing, stop her and spray in her mouth and then spray the area she just chewed.
OH MY, interactive dog toy!
I use this and this to keep Hokkaido occupied in the mornings - it's how I feed him his breakfast. He's got the bottle figured out (bottle in paws, lay on back, prop rope on floor, dump bottle), but the second one he can't do much with other than use it as designed.
To keep him from waking you up, you'll either have to crate him or out-stubborn him. The way he sees it, he just has to wake you enough times and he'll get what he wants. For him to stop, he'll have to consistently not get what he wants (you awake) from the undesired action. If possible, set up a routine or trigger that he can associate with you arising and paying attention to him. A very natural one is an alarm clock. If you set it as a routine, he will learn that the sound of the alarm means you will wake, perform some set of actions, then pay attention to him. Routine and redirection are your friend.
You've gotten a lot of good opinions, I'll throw mine in for fun :-)
First. I think you're a good dog owner and I think you can make this work.
Many people have suggested a dog walker - I think that is a great idea. I have a coworker who has a dog walker who gathers up a few dogs from his neighborhood, drives them to a park and they have 3+ hour adventures! Plus they get to spend some time riding around to pick up and drop off the other dogs, I think it really fills their dogs day. My coworker does this M-F but even one day a week would be awesome.
Second. Work his brain. I'd start feeding all his meals in a food dispensing toy he enjoys. I used all of the ones I'll link below either for the dogs I work with or my pets.
[Bob-a-lot] (http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-A-Lot-Interactive-Pet-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4) This one is pretty tough and can be left alone with some dogs
[Tug-a-Jug] (http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Dispensing-Medium-Large/dp/B000KV7ZGQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1426890582&sr=1-1&keywords=food+dispensing+bottle+rope+toy) This one can be dangerous if they eat the 'rope' but I love how ease it is to fill.
[Tricky Treat Ball] (http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Paw-Tricky-Treat-Large/dp/B0002DK26M/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1426890517&sr=1-3&keywords=food+dispensing+dog+toy) This one takes my dog FOREVER but holds her interest well. The plastic is really soft so I supervise her using it (while I watch TV or brush my teeth) so she doesn't just lay down and chew at it to get her food. The other thing I like about the soft plastic/rubber is that it is pretty quiet for her to use unlike the other options I've listed.
[Buster Cube] (http://www.amazon.com/Buster-Food-Cube-Large-Colors/dp/B0006G54OU/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1426890999&sr=8-9&keywords=food+dispensing+dog+toy) Not sure if the buster cube was the first of the roll around style food dispensers but it was the only one I knew about for a long time. They're pretty sturdy and challenging.
There are a LOT more food dispensing toys out there but I think the ones they have to move can be a little more exciting than a tightly packed kong they lick at. Kongs are great too, I'd just include them in a rotation of feeding devices.
Another thing you can do to make life more exciting for your dog is to rotate toys. If he has a lot of toys only leave out 2 or 3 on a given day and swap them out for toys you've kept hidden and occasionally introduce a new toy. Some dogs really love novelty.
Finally I think trick training is great. A few 5 minute sessions a day of learning a new behavior, or building on an existing behavior is a great way to beat the boredom.
Some fun tricks you can teach that you can use to make really complex behaviors are take it (hold in mouth), paw target (touch with foot) and nose target (touch with nose). You can use those behaviors along with others tricks to teach him to close doors, open doors, turn lights on and off, put things away, cross his legs, ring a bell, limp, pretend to pee (targeting with a back foot) etc.
Lastly, I'd teach him to search for hidden items in your house. I like to hide something while my dog is out going potty, then watch her search for it while I brush my teeth.
Hope those ideas for easy entertainment help some! Keep the dog, do what you can, you're doing SO MUCH MORE than so many dog owners already. I think he'd be fine if you kept him and just did what you're doing now. :-)
My pup loves this similar toy. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001JQLNB4/ref=pd_aw_fbt__petsupplies_img_2?refRID=1RERHBZZFNNP7ZF0SAFK
Basically, never feed your dog out of a bowl again. Every meal is an opportunity for mental stimulation!
Use:
Frozen Kongs - these are super easy to prep in advance. I usually have 3-5 in the freezer at any given time.
Puzzle toys like these are good for treats: 1, 2, 3
These are good for kibble: 1, 2, 3
For training, an easy way to get started is to go through the 101 Dog Tricks book. It's 101 tricks/skills to teach them with step by step instructions. Super approachable, and the tricks range from simple stuff like sit and down to more advanced skills like leg weaves. Any of the Do More With Your Dog series is good. I think they have a puppy specific book as well.
If your dog likes learning new tricks or skills you might consider getting into a dog sport like agility or nosework or even obedience. They're fun and challenging for both you and your dog - plus it's a great way to strengthen your relationship in general.
Here are some we've had luck with:
Hyper Pet Lickimat Slow Feeder Dog Mat & Boredom Buster there are a ton of recipes out there. I've learned Maisey prefers savory more to sweet recipes.
StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy This seems pretty darn sturdy. Ours has small teeth marks on the top from when Maisey pushes it into a corner and picks it up to move it, but otherwise she uses it exactly as intended and no destruction involved. Our blue heeler, on the other hand, knew where the treats were coming from and would actively paw at the opening to try and dig them out. She would NOT push it around. Dot was special though. Being a blue heeler, she was a stubborn, intelligent dog who wasn't playing anyone's games.
VARRAM Pet Fitness Robot Pet robot that cracks me up to see Maisey play with. It has an app on your phone that you drive it around with. It's like a sphero that dispenses treats.
Starmark Everlasting Bento Ball I highly recommend this. Maisey can spend so much time on it, we've started setting a timer.
Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole You'll see a lot of recommendations for flirt poles. They require training (for both you and the dog) to use properly - there are a ton of videos on YouTube about how to use it - don't get me wrong, it's pretty easy. Maisey didn't really go for it. It wasn't her thing. Her prey drive isn't very high.
We also have a Kong but it isn't my favorite. I don't like squeezing the toy in, I have problems every time. I know people will put in food and freeze it, but I don't have that kind of forethought. They are great for destructive dogs though.
You can also look up indoor games. You can put a treat or toy in a blanket and have them dig it out. You can setup obstacle courses. Just google something like indoor dog games or something similar.
Hope that helps!
A Mr Bill dog toy. When you squeeze him, he says OHHH NOOOO!
http://www.amazon.com/Mr-Bill-Plush-Toy-10/dp/B002P9KOWI/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1374804975&sr=1-1&keywords=Mr+bill
Because Tuxedo loves lambchop
These are great for tiring doggos out, too: https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Tail-Teaser-Flirt/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=pd_sim_199_4/132-4569949-6685960?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0042I5G2I&pd_rd_r=e8c95331-a39a-11e9-90e7-f1525924e8b2&pd_rd_w=2YowG&pd_rd_wg=Z1oEo&pf_rd_p=90485860-83e9-4fd9-b838-b28a9b7fda30&pf_rd_r=JKXZE9X74A2KWDS9SE0X&psc=1&refRID=JKXZE9X74A2KWDS9SE0X
I'm guessing you don't have a backyard?
Flirt pole! A tired dog is a happy dog. Also, use all that space for training/tricks! Mental exercise is just as important.
We use this (our dogs know "drop it" so they don't pull/destroy the toy when they catch it too much), but you may need a sturdier version - broom handle, rope, duct tape etc.
http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-PP02290-Exercise-Training-Replacement/dp/B0042I5G2I/
This saved my life when I got sick. ( Here is the one I bought: https://www.amazon.com/Exercise-Training-Replacement-Outward-Hound/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510181209&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+toy+pole&dpID=21tiCKznadL&preST=_SX300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch ) Could play with my new puppy more or less from the couch, and I used an app called Wag! that offered cheap walks and felt comfortable when meeting the walkers.
You might try something like this chase toy, seemed to really give my puppy a target to aim all his 'zoomies' at.
I believe I used this one: https://www.amazon.com/Exercise-Training-Replacement-Outward-Hound/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499884677&sr=8-2&keywords=flirt+pole
The included squeaky toys definitely don't last, but you can just tie your leather rag on when you get that.
Yeah, don't think your suppose to use the laser pointer a lot. They need to be actually able to catch the thing occasionally otherwise it is really frustrating for them. :(
Learned this in puppy class a few months after we got our pup. They recommended this: https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-41001-Exercise-Replacement/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1478206471&sr=1-2&keywords=chase+toy
I get his on Amazon! Sometimes I find them at TJ Max or Marshall’s...ZippyPaws - Woodland Friends Burrow, Interactive Squeaky Hide and Seek Plush Dog Toy - Hedgehog Miniz, 3 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009PEZ5SY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_0-ZiDb6T6PD3F
We got our puppy at 7 weeks and I spent the first 2 weeks sleeping on the floor next to her because she was really distressed at night. A few weeks later we got her a stuffed animal with an ❤️ beat and it seemed to help. One of those: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0722XGRMB
GL with your puppy.
https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Biscuit/dp/B0722XGRMB/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=snuggle+puppy&qid=1558811718&s=gateway&sprefix=Snuggle+&sr=8-3
I'm farrr from you, unfortunately.
Is this what you're talking about? https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B0722XGRMB
I am worried she might chew it, but I'll probably end up giving it a try, seeing as how she is being let out to pee every hour and a half at this point and we'll catch any chewing.
Glitter is shiny, but this isn't.
That’s great! I’m so glad you’re hanging in there and seeing better results :) keep it up! We had to play with our puppy’s toys too before he got the hint. One of the first ones he got really into was this plush log with plush squirrels inside he had to dig out, maybe you can try it!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008PFB3HG/
Overstimulating sounds right to me. It’s almost like a human, if you run 3 miles every day, you’re going to be a bit stir crazy if you don’t get your 3 mile run in for a day. Your Aussie is dependent on that stimulation everyday because he’s been so active.
Try rotating between focus training and problem solving some nights and exercise other night. Aussie will literally never tire if she’s playing with a dog or chasing a frisbee. She does get drained from activities like hide and seek because its mentally draining. We’ve started to hide a toy and while she’s looking hide another toy, then give her commands like “warm, hot, cold” based on proximity to the toy and when she find Squishy we tell her “Good job, now find Bear” and she goes searching for her bear.
Instead of toys that will just get destroyed, look into toys that promote problem solving.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0798K86LR/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1536457543&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=Pupper+Pamper&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=51HL1EmZOoL&amp;ref=plSrch <— You can make these with 2 liter bottles but this is a good way to switch up dinner time. Don’t let your pup chew through these, he has to solve the puzzle. No brute forcing.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0711Y9XTF/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1536457614&amp;sr=8-5&amp;keywords=dog%2Bpuzzle%2Btoys&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41uG8OG2guL&amp;ref=plSrch&amp;th=1&amp;psc=1 <— Same sort of thing, just changes it up so it’s a different puzzle.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0038WP1YC/ref=mp_s_a_1_15?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1536457667&amp;sr=8-15&amp;keywords=dog+puzzle+toys <— I have a friend that ditched the food bowl and went with this for feeding. Just don’t let them brute force his way through it, keep your dog focused on the puzzle.
https://www.amazon.com/ZippyPaws-Woodland-Friends-Interactive-Chipmunks/dp/B008PFB3HG <— Toys like this are great for “Find the toy, then go put it in a bucket” then when the bucket is full, give a sign and you set the toy back up for him.
I got one of these to work my dogs when they need it. Only had it since Friday but they love it.
Kyjen Tail Teaser with Refill https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_z8GXCbK2VEC40
Update: here’s a link to the flirt pole I have. I posted a link to the snuffle mat in another response in case you’re interested. Good luck with you pup!
After reading your other comments it seems to me that your pup needs more exercise. Having herding breeds myself, this is something I have to make sure to do if I don't want a wound-up and destructive pup on my hands.
If you have a yard and you're not in the mood to go for a walk, I would recommend getting a Flirt Pole for him and tiring him out that way. A tired dog is a happy dog and a tired dog doesn't cause problems.
Be advised, that Flirt Pole I linked is strong enough for my 25 pounder but neither toy survived her wrath. The one made by Squishy Face Studio is higher quality and the toy holds up fantastically. So far the only issue we've encountered is the toy gets a bit dirty but that's nothing that can't be easily solved.
Also try giving him some frozen kongs when you leave or treat dispensing toys filled with his food rations so he will have something to keep himself busy while you're not home.
In a similar vein, the hedgehog version! I have the squirrels for my dog and he loves them. But the hedgehogs are SO CUTE
Two things that saved me my first few months:
She's still obsessed with the second. It is so great for getting her attention focused on something (but is loud, just to warn you). Anytime she's ancy and I can't play with her, I let her play with the tail. If you keep it away from them and give it to them at certain points, it'll hold their attention better.
Good luck!
Since your dog doesn't eat the stuff he rips up, maybe this can also work with him. I collect junk mail papers you typically get in your mailbox. I wrap some treat multiple times with those paper. Then I stuff those paper balls into a large toy with pockets such as this and this (or even a small bag would work) to make it more difficult.
Then the dog 1) tries to get the paper balls out of the pocket/bag and 2) uses his nose to locate the treats and shreds the paper to get to them. He will probably eat only the treats and leave the shredded paper alone.
You have to clean up all the mess afterwards, but I think the dog has fun doing it.
May I ask what part of the world you are in? Just out of curiosity of where you have adder snakes. :)
You might ask the vet for a tranquilizer for her. Or even morphine to keep her doped up, even if it means boarding her with the vet for the period of time she needs to stay quiet.
Prednisone (corticosteriods) will give them a euphoric feeling, make her drink and piss several gallons a day, but make her slightly drowsier than normal, too. You may want to ask your vet about this.
Something that you can do right now that will make her happy is to brush her and brush her. She would soak that up like a sponge. And maybe the additional love will help to offset her energy.
You may want to put her into a giant crate to keep her confined, but them give her stuff animals to nurture as "babies. I got my oldest son's little pit one of these hide-a-squirrel toys, because she is bad about kidnapping babies. Stuffie babies, neighbor's dog's puppy babies... I thought she would extract all 6 babies, and be happy for a week or two. Come to find out, her greatest joy in life is to go through the same actions as a dog that is digging a flea on the log part of it. My son said she is spending about 4-5 hours a day, digging fleas on that log. It is too hilarious to us. But what I find works best for me is to find toys on Chewy, and when my order is going to be less than the free shipping amount? I get them off of amazon. But keeping her mind occupied while she is crated, so she can't elevate pulse and breathing rate, might be of some help.
The reason for my first question. I live in an area where we actively have rattlesnakes, copperheads, and cottonmouths. They don't call them adders, so to speak. My middle son's ex-girlfriend was watching the farm for me while I was gone out of state for a year. She had a little doxy-cocker cross that kept getting bitten by copperheads over and over. And over. The first few times, we were in an absolute panic, and didn't understand why the vet just laughed (as we called her... first time at 1 am, the second time at 3 am), when we told her the dog had been bitten. She just told us to give benedryl, and bring him in, in the morning. But after the second bite, she explained that in our area, that the snakes would do dry bites. That only a few drops of the venom would get into anything bitten. But out in west Tx for instance, the Mojave rattlers out there would inject so much venom into anything it bit, that all of the antivenin in the world would not help. So just the benedryl, and about a week's worth of antibiotics were all we ever needed to do.
There’s this item: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00J63AAAM/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1550377198&amp;sr=8-2-spons&amp;keywords=bow+tie+dog+collar+formal&amp;psc=1
This is also supposed to be a really good toy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005VS9WO6/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1550377247&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=squirrel+dog+toy&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=51biFtYvRsL&amp;ref=plSrch
My puppy goes nuts for any GoDog toy. The pig, rooster and rhino are her favourites. This rhino from Kyjen however, is a lot more durable as the material is thicker and the shell thing (not sure why a rhino has a shell) doubles as a frisbee. My dog tore the horn, but I just removed it and sewed the wound shut and the rhino is back in rotation. Also, the GoDog range have really funny squeakers.
Well, you can surely find a store that sells pet supplies in Athens. I would get a small toy for the dog from Greece, if possible. If you’d rather order online, that should be fine too. I don’t think anyone would expect a major present for something like this. Anything cute and cheerful looking will do. For ex: hedgehogs
I saw your wish list and you don't have any waste bags! I know toys and beds are important, but you have to think about hygiene as well. I bought waste bags similar to these and they're really important, so I would recommend getting them:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NABTGY2/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1550399181&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=Dog&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41wU8IMCLcL&amp;ref=plSrch
I thought these were pretty cool as wel, in case you wanna groom your dogs:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01N9KSITZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_27?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1550399482&amp;sr=8-27&amp;keywords=Dog
And lastly this toy looks really nice. I remember I used to have one of these Gumbys(kids toy), and the dog version looks pretty good:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00A80X19E/ref=mp_s_a_1_21?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1550399610&amp;sr=8-21&amp;keywords=Dog&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41IhHv4douL&amp;ref=plSrch
Get your doggo one of these!!!! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000084E7Y/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B000084E7Y&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=regory-20&amp;linkId=bca94afdc761f3b7a27e2f60c33e46a8"&gt;Duckworth Large Yellow Duck Dog Toy
Grand Pyrenees are super active dogs that are incredible escape artists. So in addition to a really good crate you should make sure you fix up your fence. Make sure you install a dog proofing system or consider a dog specific fence. Invisible electric fences are useless on them when they get older. They definately need to run around. They are crazy diggers.
Other than that make sure you get dog food toys like this. They have lots of energy. More than regular pups. They also will get annoyed of you crate them for 10+ hours a day like some people think they can do.
The biggest thing with them is to remember that they need to play a lot. Puppy play dates in your own yard will help them out a lot.