Question about Nylabones and "Puppy Prints"?

Question

My puppy is almost 4 months old. So far hasn't chewed any furniture, mostly just me. So to help with his teething, I bought him some Nylabone. It was a variety pack. One durable, one flexible and one edible. He likes them all, but I just wanted to make sure that the edible bones are ok. I know my vet said some bones aren't good for dogs of any age and I was especially concerned because of the age.

Second, I bought a scrapbook at Petsmart for the first year. It has one area where you are supposed to stamp each paw. What would be the best way to do this? I think it would be cute, but I am a little concerned with him licking the ink off of his feet.

Finally, when we go outside, he tries to eat everything. Leaves, hair, grass, dandilions, etc. He even tries eating mulch and rocks. I am pretty concerned with the rocks. What can I do to stop him, nothing seems to help.

I really appreciate all your answers!

Answer 1

Awwww...your puppy sounds cute!

The edible Nylabones are fully digestible, so they are fine for dogs. They are considered a great alternative to rawhide or sterilized bones.
As far as the scrapbook goes, I would use non toxic ink and do it outside, so he doesn't track little pawprints into your house.
My dog used to eat rocks and other assorted stuff, too (until she had to have surgery to remove an undigested nutshell from her intestines!) She did grow out of this phase, though. If it really concerns you, you could always muzzle him with one of those soft velcro muzzles when you walk, so you don't have to constantly pick things out of his mouth. I've also heard that eating inedible stuff can be a sign of a vitamin or mineral deficiency, so you might try switching his brand of food to a higher quality. Personally, I love Nutro Natural Choice. My dogs have never looked better!
Hope this helps!

Answer 2

For the ink deal it will dry quickly so don't worry about it and here is some information about chewing. Enjoy your puppy and he'll be a great companion to you!
Stop Puppy Chewing - How To
Adapted from 50 Simple Ways to Pamper Your Dog, by Arden Moore (Storey Books, 2000).
Simple Solution
Your new puppy makes your heart melt--and your table legs wobbly! The need to gnaw escalates during the teething phase of puppy hood. But you can save your furniture and promote good dental habits with these great tips:

1. Smear hollow rubber toys with peanut butter, soft cheese, or even chicken fat or bacon grease. Any of these flavors is a whole lot more appealing to your puppy’s taste buds than bare wood. You can also use bitter-flavored chewing deterrents, sold in most pet stores.

2. Stop puppy chewing with chicken broth ice cubes. Roll a few cubes around on the kitchen floor so that your teething puppy can chew and soothe her sore gums.

3. Knot a clean old dish towel, wet it, and let it chill in the freezer. Give it to your teething puppy to massage her tender gums. Don’t worry: make the knot big and your puppy can’t swallow it.

Shop for Supplies
50 Simple Ways to Pamper Your Dog
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580173101/
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Copyright: Adapted from 50 Simple Ways to Pamper Your Dog, by Arden Moore (Storey Books, 2000). Copyright (c) 2000 by Arden Moore. Reprinted by permission of Storey Books.


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Answer 3

honestly, it sounds like you are a wonderful pet owner! I wish there were more people like you out there. Try non-toxic ink, you can find it in art supply stores, in the children's section. As for the Nylabones, it should be ok, but check with your vet any way. I know that rawhide isnt so good for puppies. As for the eating everything, well, he is a puppy and just starting teething (it gets worse. sorry! 4 to 8 months old when they are teething) so he will put EVERYTHING into his mouth. you just have to watch him closely and not leave him unattended. when he chews something he shoulnt, say "no" and put one of his new nylabones in his mouth and then praise him. that way he learns what is appropriate to chew on and what isnt. good luck!

Answer 4

The bones are fine. Make sure on the rubber ones to take them away as soon as they start breaking down. You have to be careful of rawhide since those get soft and can get swallowed and then block the throate.

I think they make washable ink. Stamp his paws, and then make sure to get it all off. I would be more worried about him "stamping" your floor than licking it off.

My do eats everything. He is a big chewer of all things. I came to the realization that if it is natural, I would not worry about it. If you can clear the area where he walks regularly do so. When you are on the move just keep him moving. If you really have problems and do not like my philosophy, carry a bottle of bitter spray. You can find it at an Petsmart. Then spray the items he is going after with it so he starts equating them with the bad taste. Ice is good for teething as well. Best I have for you...

Answer 5

Sounds like a normal active puppy. :) Good for you. First, the bones. Generally I don't like the Nylabones because they don't digest very well. Raw hide bones are my choice for a chewing dog. They are made to be eaten and digest well. Plus they don't break into bits that can get stuck in the intestines, they just get soft and the dog and chew off little bits. For the scrapbook try food coloring for the ink. That way if your puppy wants to like it off it's not harmful. As far as munching outside, this is a training opportunity for you. Sometimes dogs will eat grass when they don't feel well. It makes them vomit. If your dog is not showing signs of feeling ill then it's probably just curious. Our dog used to try to eat everything. You are going to have to keep an eye on him and tell him 'no' when he tries to eat hard things like mulch and rocks. That is a good time to introduce a ball or other play toy to distract him from the things he shouldn't eat. You will have to continuously teach him until he no longer wants to eat those things. Actually, if you give him raw hide bones regularly when he is little then he will be less inclined to chew on other things. That includes rocks. You can go to Sam's or Costco and get a bag of 20 or 30 for about $15.

Answer 6

Wow, the person who reccomended Rawhide doesn't seem too educated about the product they are reccomending. Your puppy sounds a lot like mine, and that means they're perfectly healthy puppies! I use that bitter taste spray for anything around the house she likes to chew,and it works. Good luck :)

Answer 7

First of all I do not recommended nyla bones, as opposed to popular belief they are hard for any dog to digest. I suggest going to www.sitstay.com for all your dog's treats as they carry only natural and digestable snacks for your pets.
On your second questions, please do this when your dog is asleep(only if he or she is not the do not disturb type). Just like a child they will wiggle all over the place when they are awake. I have done it this way with all my pets through the years and really the best is to use clay(like in kindergarten) it is less mess for you.
Also on the eating, as long as your dog does not display any symptoms of vomiting or such and does not eat rock or other hard things, I wouldn't worry to much, my one dog (sheperd/lab mix) eats just about anything and as long as it's not sharp or hard I tend not to be to concerned.
Enjoy your bundle of joy

Answer 8

washcloth, ring out the warm water, clean the whelps' back ends As a responsible breeder, you aren't sleeping much for the next two weeks. This is just part of raising a litter.