Spoiling our Dogs and Puppies

[Parker]

Originally Posted by DapperButch

In terms of bones, the contradictory information out there makes me hesitate to give him anything, so he doesn't get them often. Right now, however, I have been giving him Elk Antlers, as they are not too hard (Linus, my vet said the one thing to never give a dog is soup bones because it can break their teeth).

I haven't purchased from this company, but just wanted to toss up a link so people know what I am talking about:

http://www.bestbullysticks.com/home/...k_antlers.html

Yes - these are exactly what I was talking about - my local pet store carries them so I cant give advice on an online supplier as I havent tried any - but they keep my Boxer/Pit occupied for hours at a time without splintering apart like bones.

Both my FMDs, who are smaller dogs (20-35 lbs) like them as well, but not as much as something softer, like a chew - but even if my big boy stops gnawing on one for a while, he will come back to it again and again and it will take him a few days to gnaw down to a little nub - which is when I toss it and get another.

[girl_dee]

Spoil the pups? i never do this so have no input.

Ahem

[Bleu]

My Mini Tonka, all 3.8 lbs. of her is under a blanket all winter. She has two beds and a special blanket that tucks into my covers so there is no question she remains toasty.

She gets a quarter of a large multi vitamin everyday and my mom, her Grammy, squirts a half teaspoon of salmon oil on her food.

Buddy the German Shepherd gets a full size multi and about two tablespoons of the salmon oil and he is just so spoiled too. In fact, my mom keeps a sheet on the other side of her bed so that when he comes in to greet her and snuggle he can get on it. Oh he's topped out at an even 100 lbs.

Everything is washed weekly and oh my gosh yes, they are our babies and are as spoiled as we are.

*sigh* J'adore my dogs! They are the most loyal and devoted of friends.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by Parker

Yes - these are exactly what I was talking about - my local pet store carries them so I cant give advice on an online supplier as I havent tried any - but they keep my Boxer/Pit occupied for hours at a time without splintering apart like bones.

Both my FMDs, who are smaller dogs (20-35 lbs) like them as well, but not as much as something softer, like a chew - but even if my big boy stops gnawing on one for a while, he will come back to it again and again and it will take him a few days to gnaw down to a little nub - which is when I toss it and get another.

Yes, I noticed after I wrote that you mentioned the Elk Antlers, as well. It is nice to get a bit of time out of a bone!

[Hollylane]

I always gave my big boy, Count Basie, raw soup bones, or knuckle bones. Since he spent a lot of time indoors, it was necessary for him to have a "chew rug", so that it wasn't a bloody mess (figuratively and literally). These bones lasted him at least 3 days.

My boys now, spoiled, yes indeed. However, giving them treats has become mostly a thing of the past (other than baked canned prescription food). Without the right diet, Obi ends up having surgery. He develops oxalate crystals that gather in his bladder, and then travel up to block his urethra. Once they have developed, they are only resolved by surgical removal.

Alas, the days of making the raw diet (which they adore), have ended. There is research out there that shows that a low oxalate raw diet will prevent, and even dissolve (something vets say is not possible) the crystals, but the diet is difficult to achieve, and it reads like a science formula. So, both boys (Lhasas) are now on the low oxalate prescription diet.

[SleepyButch]

My two kids are definitely spoiled. I prefer it that way and so do they... lol.

I usually have many beds and blankets all over the place. One of them is a whippet and the other is a whippet mix so they have short hair and get cold easily in the winter time. They really like the cozy cave. I don't know if anyone has a pup that likes to burrow under the covers but if you do, this bed is the best for that. They also have pajamas that they wear to keep them warm.

As far as food goes, I am currently feeding Natural Balance LID chicken/sweet potato but I'm thinking of changing.

These are not my dogs but you get the picture... literally.

Cozy cave:



Pajamas:

[girl_dee]

The chihuaha is very pissed off

1) it's winter

2) great dane puppy

[Sachita]

Originally Posted by girl_dee

The chihuaha is very pissed off

1) it's winter

2) great dane puppy

that new puppy is GORGEOUS! We have a puppy here now that is making everyone crazy. thats what puppies do!

[Jesse]

I'm a bit quirky about my dog(s) and their health too and one thing I do is to always clip the production code which is located by the scan bar usually. This way if they do a recall, you will know if your bag is a part of that recall. This way you'll know to watch your dog for changes and/or have them vetted. I just keep it clipped to the front of the fridge and change it out with each new bag. I also keep a watch for the recalls.

[Metro]

There are a few things I am a stickler about regarding my dogs in order that they remain happy and friendly:

1. Refrain from using dog's name when using corrections (so they do not associate their name with negative feedback). Example: I say "Drop it!" instead of "Drop it, _______!"

2. Refrain from any random teasing whatsoever -- I don't like to make my dogs nervous or manic without reason. Example: I never hype up my dogs with words or physical contact just to get them excited. This doesn't mean I won't engage in playtime... I will squeek their toys or toss their tennis ball to see if they are interested in play, and will always respond positively to their invitation to play if they present me with a toy. My dogs tease and seem to have a sense of humor too, imho, but during playtime is the appropriate time.

3. Refrain from encouraging barking. They bark or "huff" to alert me... that's their "job" -- but are not permitted to bark on and on or when greeting visitors.

Over the years these behavioral "rules" have worked well for me in that all 3 dogs brought into my home have been sweet, friendly, and calm companions -- even though they are a breed some mistakenly assume are hard to control. I feel that dog behavior can often be influenced greatly by how well (or not) they are treated by their human companion(s) in everyday life. They need to feel secure and have consistent and fair rules.

I love my dog and like to believe she loves me too!