Lolli is 9 weeks old now and I have a question about treats...

[Jennett Pulley]

First, a bit of mommy bragging.  She is fabulous! 

She learned to come to her name, sit and shake all in one day.  She rings the bells to piddle and follows us around barking to make a "poodle".    She hasn't pooped in the house in since the second day after we brought her home two weeks ago and is down to one peeing accident a day, usually early evening -- totally our fault because we wind her up too much right after dinner.

Our biggest problem is chewing people.  She has tons of toys, she has left the furniture alone so far, she does have a fetish for the throw rugs that we are trying to break along with blankets, towels and any clothing that is on the floor.  She doesn't bite me, but the kids are having a hard time being firm because she has an awesome pout if someone fusses at her. 

I am sure we will have many backslides/new problems, etc, but so far, so good.

So to my question...

Antlers?  Too young?  Ok?

Sammy Snacks?  Dehydrated turkey ok?

Best way to get her to stop using my children as snacks?

:D

[Leslie and Halas]

She's adorable! That last pic cracks me up.

If you haven't already tried this, try redirecting her chewing. Always have something acceptable for chewing handy. If she starts to bite you, stick the chewable thing in her mouth instead, and then praise her if she chews on it.

I have to admit that this didn't work for us, but I think it's a good first thing to try.

[Jennett Pulley]

You think that's cute?  You should see her when she lays on her back with her feet up against the wall as if she was in a hospital bed.  She definitely knows how to get comfortable.  HA!

She doesn't bite me at all, unless I provoke it with too much pup wrestling.  The kids are having a harder time, and redirecting does little to nothing.  If I am in the room, it's better.  I am postive she thinks I am the alpha dog and she is second in command.  She will figure it out soon enough.  My kids are old enough (12 and 14) and patient. 

Thank you!

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

The redirecting and praise worked for us.    Hurley never became a big furniture chewer and I think that is why.  We found the bully sticks to work the best and those sticks can keep Hurley busy for hours.  

The puppy wrestling can bring on the mouthiness.  I have a few accidental nicks from playing with Hurley but what I found is when I do get a nick I usually slow the playing down and tell Hurley to be 'gentle'.  That seems to work so far.

She probably does look at you as Alpha dog (which she should).  It is cute to think of her putting herself in #2 position but probably not ideal for the kids.

Keep us up on how she is doing.  She is a precious one. 

[Jennett Pulley]

No, it is not ideal AT ALL.  HA!  The kids are figuring that out quickly and I've told them that they are not to allow it.  Her pouting little face wins them over for now, but when she is 50-60 pounds, probably not so much.

I bought a bully stick, but I was going to check with the vet tomorrow before giving it to her. 

We will cut down on the wresting because I think you are right, but she sure is a bouncy thing and the pouncing brings us all to serious giggles every time.  It must be the butt wiggle...  Her favorite game seems to be Monkey In the Middle, where each girl has a ball, sits on either end of the living room and rolls her ball to each other.  Lolli stands in the middle and tries to intercept the balls as they whiz by and this keeps all three of them entertained for a good half hour.  By the end, Lolli is absolutely zonkered and crashes for a long nap on the marble in front of the fireplace.  Love!

We are trying to utilize the sit command when she gets going to hard and it works, but only for a second.  I need to work on the be gentle as you suggested.  THANK YOU!

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

It might work for your kids to tell her to sit when they approach her, BEFORE they interact with her.  If they command her to sit, they are in a leadership position, plus she's less likely to nip at them when sitting.  They can also feed her, which will elevate them in the household hierarchy.  

I know that other DKers give antlers, but our vet has advised against them because they're too hard and can cause broken teeth.  You will surely get varying opinions on this, though.  Bully sticks are a favorite in our house.  Both my six-year-old doodle and puppy love them, and they make for quiet evenings around here.  If you do buy them, look for those that are odor-free.  Lots of luck.  

Oh, as for throw rugs, try spraying her favorite edges or fringe with Bitter Apple.

[Jennett Pulley]

Thanks!  I will do that.  I never thought about bitter apple for the rugs.

Looks like I need to find bully sticks!  Which size do you get?  No fears about them choking on the last bits?  I know not to put any digestible treats in her crate at night, but I have this choking fear that started with my firstborn.

[Shannon & Lily]

Ask your vet about the bully sticks... ours is not a fan

[Dawn B. Roy]

Jennett,

She is so sweet. It sounds as if she is fitting in with your family beautifully.
Since I spoke with you, the little boy we were going to get turned out to have
a severe heart defect. He is being treated at a vet college and will hopefully
respond well to surgery. We will, however, be welcoming a little girl to our
home in 3 weeks or so. You will have to share your bell and potty training tips with me.

Love the pictures of your precious girl.

Dawn

[Jennett Pulley]

Oh no!  That's so sad.  :(    I'm glad to hear that you will be bringing a baby home soon, though.  That's so bizarre.  A pup from our litter passed away at 4 weeks old, not from a heart defect but from being suffocated by the mother.

Can't wait to see yours!

[Emily & Wispa]

Sweet photos.  Wispa had antlers from a very young age, but she didn't like them all that much until about 4 months!  Now she likes nothing more (except for maybe a pb filled kong!)

The best treats to give any dog would be meat.  Actual meat.  Especially when training.  Actually, chews like stag bars are fine for anytime, but you should only be giving treats as rewards for good behaviour, and the best rewards are things like chicken, sausage (Wispa's favourite), sardines, etc.  I know it's tough to have all this fresh meat around, especially as rewards for potty training, which is so often, but we found it wasn't difficult to have a pack of store bought cocktail sausages or cooked chicken breast in the fridge for training.  and only use tiny tidbits.  Wispa also likes frozen peas as treats, or chunks of carrot!  meat and veg are the best!

A lot of commercial dog treats are filled with preservatives, grains, and sugars; none of which are good for dogs!  If you do go for a commercial treat, just read the ingredients label just as you would for dog foods!

Oh, and I almost forgot raspberries and banana!  Wispa loves them, too!

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

I had not thought about raspberries or frozen peas.  Hurley loves broccoli and apples, doesn't like carrots or bananas.  We experimented with a few store bought treats (even organic) and he seems to get diarrhea from them so we follow his trainer's advice and give him 'human' food for his treats.  We don't give treats as rewards for good behavior or as part of his training.  It is more when I am cooking and either before or after we have eaten but not off our plates.

[Jennett Pulley]

Nice!  I lovee the idea of frozen peas.  We keep those for ice packs, anway.  Clumsy kids, you know...