As promised a pic of my puppy!

[fit44]

2. Crate train. I got religion on crate training after my first Boxer ate my couch (not kidding). I like Kongs filled with peanut butter for occupying in the crate. I'm not a fan of bully sticks, pigs ears or raw hide, as my dogs have gotten these things stuck in their throats.

I'm so glad you posted this! Mercedes and Maximus were never crate trained(I know, my bad), but we are planning to crate train in the future. I was going to use Cesar's recommendation of bully sticks. I never thought about choking. That's scary!!!
Do you think marrow bones would be okay for crate training?


Poochy, I sent my DH a text asking him to stop and pick up a large, braided bully stick for Maximus for movie night. He text back....what's a bully stick? LOL My response was pretty crude . Dh responded...boy, they certainly use everything!

 

[Gayle]

Do you think marrow bones would be okay for crate training?

Hi Cynthia - I think it depends on how aggressive a chewer you have. I usually just stick with Kongs because there's nothing to really break off or splinter, and they just spend forever trying to lick the peanut butter out of it.

We give Rascal raw marrow bones outside the crate, and I think they tend to not break or splinter, but rather just wear down instead. Does this help? Are you getting a pup?

 

[fit44]

Does this help? Are you getting a pup?

Yes, helpful. Yes, we are getting a pup in June/July if the breeding goes as planned. Not a boxer, but in the same family....a baby bully(bullmastiff).

 

[janie1234]

Gayle, . . he's not a big time chewer but can I ask what other type of toys you reccomend. I don't want him to get bored of the Kong toy I have. I save it for special times when I have to crate him and leave for an errand, . .like picking up kids. I'll get him a rope toy. The squeaky toys worry me because I'm afraid he'll swallow something. Can I teach him how to catch a frisbee? Or am I asking too much? He's only been with us for 4 days.

 

[chachi]

Gayle, . . he's not a big time chewer but can I ask what other type of toys you reccomend. I don't want him to get bored of the Kong toy I have. I save it for special times when I have to crate him and leave for an errand, . .like picking up kids. I'll get him a rope toy. The squeaky toys worry me because I'm afraid he'll swallow something. Can I teach him how to catch a frisbee? Or am I asking too much? He's only been with us for 4 days.

Janie..we use Kongs as well for our boys but we also have these other treat toys that they love! Scroll down to the bottom of the page and it's the Waggle and the Twist N' Treat. They love the Waggle and we actually made the toy into two balls instead of keeping it a dumbell. We put some kibble in them and there's little rubber soft teeth that keep it inside and they have to dig them out. Keeps them entertained for a long time. We bought them at Target so maybe check there first. Also a tip when using the Kong..put the peanut butter in it and then stick it in the freezer for a bit..it helps keep them busy for longer!

https://www.premier.com/store/Products.aspx?cid=3&pid=34

 

[janie1234]

Janie..we use Kongs as well for our boys but we also have these other treat toys that they love! Scroll down to the bottom of the page and it's the Waggle and the Twist N' Treat. They love the Waggle and we actually made the toy into two balls instead of keeping it a dumbell. We put some kibble in them and there's little rubber soft teeth that keep it inside and they have to dig them out. Keeps them entertained for a long time. We bought them at Target so maybe check there first. Also a tip when using the Kong..put the peanut butter in it and then stick it in the freezer for a bit..it helps keep them busy for longer!

https://www.premier.com/store/Products.aspx?cid=3&pid=34

Great thanks! I saw this at Target I'll check it out.

 

[chachi]

You're welcome! Now that I'm looking at their website I'm resisting the urge to order a few other toys for my boys! They're so spoiled rotten! Their toy drawer is so full I can barely close it when I clean up at night! I always tell them that one day I'm going to teach them to clean up their mess!

 

[fit44]

Chasity, I like the frozen PB idea! I'll bet that feels really good to a dog that is teething. Very smart.

 

[Gayle]

Janie - Frisbees rock! We get anything that looks like it won't immediately be destroyed. I've found some made from a heavy canvas material that has squeakers, but it pretty sturdy.

I love this web site, it's a pair of Boston Terriers, and they did a bunch of toy tests: http://www.boston-terrier-challenge.com/tests/dog-toy-test.html

Rascal's favorite toys are the "Cuz's". They're not indestructible, but they are sturdier than most of the other rubber squeakers out there. We just make sure they're used under supervision. Warning: THEY ARE LOUD! There are a variety of them: http://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_id=324

He has a bunch of these Cuz-like toys, but his current fave is the Ruffian Chicken: http://www.amazon.com/JW-Pet-Company-Ruffians-Assorted/dp/B000HHHCR0

He also has this: http://www.alphadogtoys.com/tirebiter_pawtracks_tough_rubber_dog_toys.html

And a bunch of these: http://www.alphadogtoys.com/air-kong-squeaker-tennis-football-dog-toys-fetch-float-usa.html

And something like this: http://www.alphadogtoys.com/tough-fire-hose-dog-toys-tug-fetch-holiday.html

You'll probably need a toy box for all this stuff!

 

[chachi]

Chasity, I like the frozen PB idea! I'll bet that feels really good to a dog that is teething. Very smart.

I got the idea from a friend not too long ago and thought it was genius! I didn't even consider how great it would feel for teething puppies! My oldest Tanner can get the treat and pb out of his Kong in less than a minute so it's been really helpful for him.

 

[janie1234]

You'll probably need a toy box for all this stuff!

Oh my gosh, . . . now I want to go shopping. No kidding about the toy box. I started with a basket and now it is full. One more question if you don't mind. What kind of collar and leash do you prefer? Leather? Nylon? Prong? Prong collars scare me but it seems like all the German Shepherd owners in town use them. George is going to be a big boy. I'm pretty sure he is Shepherd and Lab because he loves to play fetch. Thanks again.

 

[janie1234]

I got the idea from a friend not too long ago and thought it was genius! I didn't even consider how great it would feel for teething puppies! My oldest Tanner can get the treat and pb out of his Kong in less than a minute so it's been really helpful for him.

I just put my Kong in the freezer with some PB. Love this idea too!

 

[Gayle]

Oh my gosh, . . . now I want to go shopping. No kidding about the toy box. I started with a basket and now it is full. One more question if you don't mind. What kind of collar and leash do you prefer? Leather? Nylon? Prong? Prong collars scare me but it seems like all the German Shepherd owners in town use them. George is going to be a big boy. I'm pretty sure he is Shepherd and Lab because he loves to play fetch. Thanks again.

No prongs! Those are for dealing with more serious issues that your baby doesn't have.

Get your baby a handsome Lupine flat collar. http://www.lupinepet.com/ They're guaranteed for LIFE! Seriously, you buy one and they'll replace it for free when it wears out. They also make matching leases. I have a leather leash because I liked how it looked, but also use a regular flat cotton one, too.

One really handy thing we got for Rascal was an Easy Walk harness. He's a puller and this handy dandy harness helped tremendously with that, and it's comfy for him to boot! http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/collars/easywalk/description

 

[fit44]

One really handy thing we got for Rascal was an Easy Walk harness. He's a puller and this handy dandy harness helped tremendously with that, and it's comfy for him to boot! http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/collars/easywalk/description

This is the collar our bully breeder recommends.

 

[janie1234]

No prongs! Those are for dealing with more serious issues that your baby doesn't have.

Get your baby a handsome Lupine flat collar. http://www.lupinepet.com/ They're guaranteed for LIFE! Seriously, you buy one and they'll replace it for free when it wears out. They also make matching leases. I have a leather leash because I liked how it looked, but also use a regular flat cotton one, too.

One really handy thing we got for Rascal was an Easy Walk harness. He's a puller and this handy dandy harness helped tremendously with that, and it's comfy for him to boot! http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/collars/easywalk/description

The Humane Society sold me a sensation harness.
http://www.softouchconcepts.com/
It does not look as solid as the easy walk harness.
Is that the same thing? It is a little big, . .but they didn't want to sell me the smaller size because they said he would be growing into it. It was expensive too. He still pulls a bit but not to much. Thanks again!
Glad to hear your thoughts on the prong collar. There is an obedience class that requires that you come with one, . . I thought that was strange. Thanks for the Links.

 

[fit44]

Janie,

Here is a youtube video using the harness with some training tips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QEM9zl4ngs

 

[Jonezie]

OK, dog and puppy lovers...watch this and tell me it's NOT the cutest thing you've ever seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv0wc_vg8w8&feature=fvw

Jonezie

 

[Gayle]

The Humane Society sold me a sensation harness.
http://www.softouchconcepts.com/
It does not look as solid as the easy walk harness.
Is that the same thing?

THat works with the exact same concept as the Easy Walk.

Glad to hear your thoughts on the prong collar. There is an obedience class that requires that you come with one, . . I thought that was strange. Thanks for the Links.

I would avoid a trainer that wants to immediately put a prong collar on a puppy. It sounds very strange to me, too. I would look for a trainer that uses positive reinforcement techniques.

Cynthia - I can't wait to see your Bully!!!

 

[Carmen829]

Thanks Carmen! How helpful. I do the same thing with treats and potty, . .but for how long do you give treats? He's only been home for 3 days. I don't think I should treat all the time because then I would have to limit his food intake? Right? Do you follow the food reccomendation on the bag? I have been but he's sorta skinny. He's got bones showing. Today I did that and tonight his poo was sorta on the soft side. Is that normal? What kind of doggie food do you use? What kind of treat? Thanks sorry to bombard you with a bunch of questions. I'd be happy to hear other advice or reccomendations from everyone else.

Yeah I'm going to get another crate for my room. I got all twitchy at the pound and that was the only crate they sold. They probably could have sold me dirty underwear and I would have bought it. They gave me a discount so it only cost me $50 which was not that bad. He'll go into it but he doesn't love it. He'll sleep in it at night with no protest.

One more thing, . .sorry everyone that I keep asking. What do you use for travel in the car? I don't have an SUV I have a honda accord 4 door and 2 kids so no space really for a crate. Thanks

For training treats I use Bil Jac. I dont give one every time they do something. If doggie does what I ask I give one or a piece of one (the are very small). If doggie does it the second time I ask I give small piece again and lots of praise. If doggie does it third time lots of praise and kisses. This is true for anything (sit, down, stay) Keep the training in short spurts. I feed my dogs Nutro Ultra Holistic food. They love it. Puppy needs little more food I'd go by what was on bag. Introduce any new food or treat small amounts at a time. If poop gets soft pull back a bit on the new food. To train Bella I used small (very small) pieces of chicken hot dog. Cut up one hotdog and put in baggie in fridge. Reach for 3 small pieces when working with dog. Guarantee attention getter. I dont feed my dogs any of the raw hide stuff. They get sick and not good for their digestive system. Also when piece gets small it could get lodged in their throat. I also did the frozen peanutbutter in the hollow bone. That keeps doggie busy for hours in the crate while your at work. I hope this has been helpful to you. Keep us posted on George's progress.

Carmen.

 

[Carmen829]

I recommend a crate like this http://www.walmart.com/ip/Midwest-P...or-Pet-Crate-with-Divider-Panel-Dogs/13417871
Mine has two doors. You move the divider panel as the dog grows. When placing the panel, give the dog enough room to get in and turn around. Any more space and he'll use part of it for a bathroom. My dog chewed the plastic floor tray that came with it. Chewed it to shreds. We would put down an old blanket but she chewed that too. Now she is more mature and has a nice crate mat for comfort.

Carmen.