Dog and Puppy Chewing  Indoors

Dogs Chewing

There are an infinite variety of things in pet supply stores that are intended for our dogs “chewing pleasure”.

They provide jaw exercises as well as massaging a dog’s gums.

Synthetic Bones dog chews

Synthetic bones – Nylabones were one of the earliest synthetic bones produced. In the manufacturing process, natural meat flavors are incorporated right into the nylon. Nylon based bones wear down slowly and won’t splinter.

Rhino bones dog chew

Rhino Bones – are very hard bones that are made of a rubber composite called Dental Flex.

Booda Velvets- Nubbed bones

Booda Velvets- are nubbed bones made of cornstarch and vinyl copolymer, are odorless and won’t splinter or stain.

Bone-a-mints Natural grain-based dog bones

Natural grain-based bones -are completely edible and digestible.

These bones come in flavors from traditional beef, chicken, mint, carrot, peach, watermelon.

Knuckle bones- Are real beef dog bones

Knuckle bones - are real beef bones . They are quite large and are likely to splinter

Pigs ears – Animal-based dog chews

Pigs ears are animal-based chews are dried to a level of brittleness that seems to invite internal injuries when the shards are crunched into small pieces and swallowed.

Rawhide - cattle skin dog chews

Rawhide – Is made from the skin of cattle and has been a popular dog chew for a long time. It can be a good choice, but you must be careful in the type of rawhide you *purchase.  Some rawhide that comes from outside the USA is contaminated with chemicals.

Owners who give their dogs rawhide should watch carefully as the dog chews it to prevent the risk of choking or bowel obstructions. Take it away from him if it starts shedding pieces. Some dogs chew very nicely working off small pieces, others attempt to sallow an entire strip of rawhide.

*  Look for chews that are made from a single thick sheet of rawhide.

Don’t buy chews that smell putrid, or that have no odor at all.

Avoid rawhide products that are unnaturally white – this indicates extensive chemical treatment.

American Kennel Clubs “S.T.A.R.” Puppy program

Photos of three puppies

It’s exciting bringing a new puppy into your life.

Your new puppy now depends on you for everything – food, water, exercise,  training, good health and hygiene practices and above all, lots of love and attention.

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program rewards responsible owners who take the time to train and socialize their new puppies.

“The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program also provides dog owners with the tools they need to raise and train their dog responsibly and prepare their puppy to become an AKC Canine Good Citizen,” said Dr. Mary Burch, AKC CGC Director.

“S.T.A.R.” stands for

S ocialization
T raining
A ctivity
R esponsible owner

… these are all of the things a puppy needs to have a good life.

To get started, owners enroll in any puppy or basic training class that is at least six weeks long and instructed by an AKC Approved CGC Evaluator. Classes will include valuable training tips for puppy owners – such as:

• how to housetrain your puppy
• lessons on practical skills for puppies -such as coming when called

The program is open to all dogs.

Puppies can begin training as soon as they have the necessary vaccines and they can enroll in AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy at any point up until their first birthday.

For more information go to

http://www.akc.org/starpuppy/about_the_program.cfm