Mitchlav
Newbie
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| 05/12/2008 10:53 AM |
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I've also recently gotten advice (from Murphy's behavior training class) to limit the number of chew toys he has to one so as not to confuse him. Multiple things that OK to chew on apparently make it harder for him to differentiate the right and wrong of it all. Anyone have thoughts on this?
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gwacie
Terrier Terror
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| 05/12/2008 11:09 AM |
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I've heard that before too but have never used that method. We have between 4 and 6 terriers here at any given time (fosters, transport dogs etc plus our own 4). I have a dog toy box which is full and as I mentioned in the other thread I rotate it every few weeks. New dogs are introduced to the dog toy area and watched closely (I saw you are leashing him which is really smart - about the only way to train is to be able to see what he is doing!). Any time a new dog goes to mouth something that is not appropriate the dog is given a dog toy or chew instead (take the one a way and say no, give the other and say "this is Murphy's toy or whatever your words are).
My guys like to be able to dig in the dog toy box and find something fun to play with. I think that is part of what keeps it interesting (they have to go get them out and can dig in there a bit). |
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gwacie (Bethany)
http://www.myadams.net/dogs/
Ratbone Rescue Home Visit Coordinator
and Foster Home |
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buttonbutt
Firehouse Big Dog
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| 05/12/2008 11:20 AM |
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I think this theory is correct. Multiples can let a dog know that chewing on "NEW" things is OK. Risky in my opinion. But I've heard multiples of the SAME chew toy is GOOD. That tells them only their TOY should be chewd on. Also, this allows you to have one of the "good things to chew on" handy in many different rooms for diverting inappropriate chewing/non-chewing behaviors. If they are all the SAME toy, the dog does not get confused. I used puppy Kongs only until I felt the dog(s) knew furniture and such were NOT chew toys! I invested in four as my girls only had access to the center 4 rooms of our house. Bitter Apple spray on furniture legs helped, too.  |
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Peggy
Mom to Button & Zipper
My sweet RatTexans
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rebelredneck71
Rat Royalty
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| 05/12/2008 12:08 PM |
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| I only use Pigs ears or rawhide bones for my dogs. I only allow them to chew those that way they know if it one of these items they don't chew on it. Lucky for me my 2 dogs don't chew on anything except those items. |
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Life is like a jar of Jalapenos what do you today could burn your butt tomorrow.
A.D.
daddy to 3 skin kiddos, and a dad to 3 fur kiddos
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Mitchlav
Newbie
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| 05/13/2008 9:51 AM |
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Thanks for the responses! The single chew toy concept makes sense to me, too.
I recently bought a Kong for Murphy because it seemed so strongly recommended as a tough chew toy for RTs. No idea where it is in the house now.... under furniture somewhere, no doubt. I guess I can buy several identical ones.
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melo
Rat Royalty
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| 05/22/2008 12:29 AM |
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| Hey, I am glad that I have read that--I think nora thinks eveything is up for grabs--I have so many toys and they mess up the house too. I am gonna toss most of them--I wish they made shoe toys cause that is what she REALLY wants!! |
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What a dump!---Bette Davis |
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lynnygal
Terrier Terror
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| 05/22/2008 12:35 AM |
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I have a basket full of toys.....all kinds.....hasn't been an issue here.....but having two dogs I tend to get two of everything.....kind of like if you had two kids the same age.....so I end up with one pink toy and a purple one of the same toy.....this is what works for us....but every dog is different.
Lynn |
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--------------------- lynnygal --------------------------------- |
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tiggarat
Rat-A-Tat-Tat
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| 05/22/2008 2:48 AM |
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Right now I have a handful of toys out for them, and a bunch more put away in my closet. Once they get bored with the toys that are out (or they have destroyed them), I rotate a few more toys out, and while they are "old" toys, the ratties act like they are brand new. 
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Lisabeth
furbabies: Lucy and Molly (1 1/2 yr old decker ratties), and Rosie (3 yr old dobie)
Buddy - gone but never forgotten.
"I don't think he has any idea he's a dog, really. Of course, he thinks he has a rather odd figure for a man" - Dodie Smith |
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rattytatty
Training Moderator
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| 05/22/2008 8:10 AM |
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Yes... I agree although I'm guilty about not following my own advice sometimes! LOL
I get SO many free toys from the dog trials I go to... so I keep many of them put away. But yes, it's good to focus on one toy at a time. |
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~Nora~
Mom to Hoss, Lil'Bit, Buster & Bailey, CGC, NA, NAJ |
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Mitzy's Mom
Pack Leader
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| 05/22/2008 8:27 AM |
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| I have a bunch of toys and chew things for them which they have to dig out of the toy basket. None of my own dogs or transport dogs or foster dogs have gotten confused. However, I can see that if you had a puppy you would want to limit it until they learned to tell the difference. |
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Mary Beth, mom to Mitzy, Mayfly, Skipper, Skeeter and Loco
RBR Foster Mom
www.ratbonerescues.com |
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