Might have to give up Gunner - Owner keeping him

[GunnersMom]

Originally Posted by Judykaye

Thanks for the info about the beef bones. The ones we buy are so strong, I can't see them splintering...but, better to be safe than sorry...

Our girls have had their "bonies" for months and they look just like they did when we bought them...

What are bully sticks? I'll have to check them out...

I am SO HAPPY that Gunner is being a good boy...you know, GSD's are so smart...he'll figure out that the bully stick is a treat for when he's a good boy...Keep us posted on things...Judy

Oh, these probably aren't the same bones that you buy, then. These are pork bones. We didn't get this particular kind, either - we got the 'natural' bone (Merrick, I think.) I can't see Gunner doing that much of a number on it, to make it splinter, but it still makes me a little nervous.
Here's an article about the ones in question:

The FDA is looking into complaints about Real Ham Bone For Dogs, sold throughout the U.S., an agency spokesman said. If warranted, he said, it will take appropriate action and notify the public.
"We take very seriously any potential harm to pets from products regulated under the federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act and encourage consumers to report their concerns to the FDA," the agency said in a statement.
The product -- a smoked pig femur sold as a dog treat or chew bone -- is distributed under the Dynamic Pet Products label of Frick's Quality Meats in Washington, Mo.
"For 20 years or so we've been throwing these bones away," company president Dave Frick told the Washington Missourian newspaper in February 2003. "Then somewhere along the way we realized they could sell, and we started packaging them."
The company said Thursday in a statement that it was saddened to learn of the illnesses and deaths of customers' pets, and that quality and safety remain priorities.
"That is why every package contains a label that provides detailed instructions to owners on how they can help their pets best enjoy our products," the statement said. "We strongly encourage owners to supervise their pets with any treats or snacks."
It also told the Better Business Bureau of St. Louis that the product has generated far more positive than negative consumer response.
The bureau, which has fielded consumer complaints about the Real Ham Bone from throughout the U.S., said Thursday that concerns arose after the bones splintered, then ulcerated or obstructed the dogs' intestines. Consumers reported their dogs had become lethargic or were vomiting. One man came home to find his dog dead, bleeding from the mouth.
Some dogs had to have bone fragments removed surgically, the bureau said, and consumers reported that the company refused to pay resulting veterinary bills when asked.
A Richardson, Texas, woman said the company paid for a new dog after her bull terrier died after eating a bone, according to the BBB.
A warning on the Real Ham Bone package says the pet should be supervised while it consumes the bone, and that the bone should be removed if fragments break off. But consumers told the BBB they hadn't noticed the warning.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Statement released by company:
ST. LOUIS, March 11, 2010 – Rick Jackson, vice president of Operations, Frick’s Quality Meats, the parent company of Dynamic Pet Products, released the following statement today in response to the Better Business Bureau report regarding Real Ham Bone for Dogs.

“At Dynamic Pet Products, our goal is to offer the best pet products to owners and their dogs. We are saddened to learn of the illnesses and deaths of any of our customers’ pets.

“Dynamic Pet Products has been producing bones for pets since 2001, including Real Ham Bone for Dogs. The quality of our products and the safety of the pets that enjoy our products are our top priorities. That is why every package contains a label that provides detailed instructions to owners on how they can help their pets best enjoy our products. We strongly encourage owners to supervise their pets with any treats or snacks.

“For more than 100 years, the Frick’s have provided quality products to families and more recently to their pets. We will continue to provide quality, safe products to our customers.”
--------------------------

I'd never bought bully sticks before, either. From the looks of them, I guess they're some kind of rawhide, but they're supposed to be a lot safer than the regular old rawhide bones. I think just about every 'dog person' I know has given them at one time or another and I've never heard anything bad about them, so I figured I'd give them a shot.
Of course, I gave one to Gunner when I took Riley for his hike a little bit ago. His eyes lit up and he took it, but after we left, he never touched it. It was laying on the floor, bone dry (no pun intended) when we came back. I guess Mr. Fussy was in too much of a snit to be interested in it. He'll show me! lol. (But he still wasn't barking, so... whatever. )

ETA - I meant to mention earlier -- I've noticed when I'm out walking my guys that I hear quite a few dogs barking around here. So apparently it's not just Gunner. That's good to know.

[kshort]

I'd never bought bully sticks before, either. From the looks of them, I guess they're some kind of rawhide

"Bully Sticks are an all-natural, highly digestible chew made from bull penises"

I gave them to Sammy but just could not tolerate the smell (or the thought of what he was really chewing on...). They make odorless ones, but they're probably twice as expensive and they are already expensive enough!

[TMarie]

Originally Posted by GunnersMom

I'd never bought bully sticks before, either. From the looks of them, I guess they're some kind of rawhide, but they're supposed to be a lot safer than the regular old rawhide bones. I think just about every 'dog person' I know has given them at one time or another and I've never heard anything bad about them, so I figured I'd give them a shot.

Just wanted to add that I buy Bully sticks by the case, and normally don't have problems with them. But, as with anything else, a dog should not be allowed to chew them unsupervised. Although they are digestible, Jake would often swallow the last 2-3 inches of one, and even though he never ended up with a blockage, he did vomit them back up within 24 hours. (Thank goodness). We learned quickly to take them away from him, when they got that small.

I do know 2 dogs personally that did end up with blockages and had to have surgery due to the bully sticks.

Just a few words of caution.

[GunnersMom]

Originally Posted by kshort

"Bully Sticks are an all-natural, highly digestible chew made from bull penises"

lol. Thanks for sharing that information. Ew.

Originally Posted by TMarie

Just wanted to add that I buy Bully sticks by the case, and normally don't have problems with them. But, as with anything else, a dog should not be allowed to chew them unsupervised. Although they are digestible, Jake would often swallow the last 2-3 inches of one, and even though he never ended up with a blockage, he did vomit them back up within 24 hours. (Thank goodness). We learned quickly to take them away from him, when they got that small.

I do know 2 dogs personally that did end up with blockages and had to have surgery due to the bully sticks.

Just a few words of caution.

Eh... maybe I shouldn't leave him alone with those, either. He didn't want it anyway, so I should probably just leave well enough alone.

Kongs scare me too, though. I worry about him getting his tongue stuck in there. I know it's not supposed to happen with the brand name Kongs, but I see how it could. (Wouldn't know what to stuff it with, anyway, that would entice him. He doesn't like peanut butter and he's allergic to that goose liver stuff.)

[godiva13]

I have not read all the responses but have you tried when you are home not always having him in the same room as you . getting him used to being away from you and not always with you.
dogs with separation anxiety usully want to be next you but should learn to be away form you also,
try putting him in another room maybe even with a baby gate at first so he can see you and then with the door shut. use the procedure you use when leaving the house. give him something to chew. make it a good thing when you leave him alone. pick up the chew thing when you let him out of the room. he will start to associate you leaving with the chew thing.
Also dont always pet him when he comes over to you. you decide when you pet him and dont let him push your hand to pet him.
these things to try tend to make dogs a little more independent which is what dogs with separation anxiety need.
i have a dog that had bad separation anxiety when left alone. ;ate through closet doors and couches. he now can be left alone and nerver destroys anything .i did use a creat with this dog and it helped him.
hope this helps

[MaggieRoseLee]

Kongs scare me too, though. I worry about him getting his tongue stuck in there. I know it's not supposed to happen with the brand name Kongs, but I see how it could. (

His tongue will NOT get stuck in a kong. So that should not be your excuse. There are holes on both ends so their can't be the suction to cause the issue. Also the rubber is a grade and thickness to prevent that from occuring.

But there are TONS of other safe interactive dog toys to purchase. Many you can put their dinner in to entertain them. So kibble is something we all have.

Rubber Dog Toys, Vinyl Latex Dog Toys, Plastic Dog Toy has tons of good options, the large Purple Squirrel Dude is a particular favorite of my dogs (no, they have never gotten their tongues stuck in them).



Kibble Nibble Food & Treat Activity Ball Dog Toys

[aubie]

I love our Squirrel Dude, it has these little tabs in the hole to help keep things in...Anna will make short work of a Kong, but the Squirrel Dude makes her have to work for the goodies!

[GunnersMom]

Originally Posted by MaggieRoseLee

His tongue will NOT get stuck in a kong. So that should not be your excuse. There are holes on both ends so their can't be the suction to cause the issue. Also the rubber is a grade and thickness to prevent that from occuring.

But there are TONS of other safe interactive dog toys to purchase. Many you can put their dinner in to entertain them. So kibble is something we all have.

Rubber Dog Toys, Vinyl Latex Dog Toys, Plastic Dog Toy has tons of good options, the large Purple Squirrel Dude is a particular favorite of my dogs (no, they have never gotten their tongues stuck in them).



Kibble Nibble Food & Treat Activity Ball Dog Toys

"Excuse"? God only knows where you came up with that, but I'm not giving "excuses" for anything. If you'd followed this thread before responding to this, you would have seen that we're making some pretty fantastic progress.
He's been doing just fine when left alone. I'm simply trying to "add on" and find something I can leave him with so I can teach him that my leaving is not only okay, but that it means good things for him. I'm looking for the safest option to suit the purpose.
How that equates to an excuse is beyond me, but whatever. Thanks for the suggestions.

[GunnersMom]

Originally Posted by aubie

I love our Squirrel Dude, it has these little tabs in the hole to help keep things in...Anna will make short work of a Kong, but the Squirrel Dude makes her have to work for the goodies!

Oh, cool. I think I've seen those at Petsmart. I'll have to check them out.
Thanks!

[Kayla's Dad]

Originally Posted by GunnersMom

"Excuse"? God only knows where you came up with that, but I'm not giving "excuses" for anything. If you'd followed this thread before responding to this, you would have seen that we're making some pretty fantastic progress.
He's been doing just fine when left alone. I'm simply trying to "add on" and find something I can leave him with so I can teach him that my leaving is not only okay, but that it means good things for him. I'm looking for the safest option to suit the purpose.
How that equates to an excuse is beyond me, but whatever. Thanks for the suggestions.

Deni, MRL was not speaking to the issue of barking or your vast improvement dealing with it. She was just commenting specifically on your post (#114) dealing with being scared of using the Kong which she quoted at the beginning of your thread.

edited: here's one old thread: Kong & Peanut Butter

As far as what to stuff it with, there are many different things you could use (with the squirrel dude too). There are threads here and other websites devoted to different things to try. I'm at work and don't have the links here, but maybe some others will pipe in on this.