If you have ever owned a dog or known anyone with
a dog, you know that dogs need to chew. Period. Puppies,
generally between 2 and 8 months of age, chew
primarily to relieve the soreness of their gums. Adult
dogs chew for different reasons. For many
dogs, it is an enjoyable pastime, while for others,
chewing is a way to relieve boredom, frustration,
or anxiety. Dogs vary in the amount they
need to chew as well as how destructive they
are when they chew. For example, if I give
my 15lb. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Jade,
five minutes with a “typical” stuffed
squeaky toy, he will likely pick it up, squeak
the squeaker, and then bring it to me to throw. Given
the same five minutes, my neighbor’s lab
will have the toy in pieces and be curled up
on the bed contentedly squeaking the squeaker
she managed to extract.
It is vital to differentiate between products
that are designed to be chewed, and toys that are
meant to stand up to aggressive play. Bones or
a frozen Edible Chilly Bone are
great treats you can give to a dog when the dog
has a desire to sit and chew. The Everlasting
Treat Ball is also good to give a dog
looking for something great into which to sink
his teeth. The treat caps are great for chewing
and gnawing.
In conjunction with great chews, dog guardians
are frequently looking for toys which will not
be destroyed in the first five minutes of play. Products
like our Wild Thangs, Pawtrack Tires, and
Rumble Ring have been designed specifically
for dogs who like to engage in an intense game
of tug-of-war, or a three hour game of fetch. They
are not meant to be given to dogs in place
of bones or other chews.
So the next time you wonder “what should
I get for an aggressive chewer?”, purchase
a mixture of chews and long-lasting toys. Everyone
will be the happier for it.
