Poor Korben is teething. My daughter was the first to notice, she found some blood on one of his favorite toys. I took a peek inside his mouth, sure enough, he had lost one of his baby incisors.  So it begins, the teething process.

From experience I learned chewing on cold objects can help make teething more comfortable. Cold causes blood vessels to constrict, leading to a decrease in blood flow to the area, ultimately reducing inflammation, swelling, and pain.

When Leeloo was teething I found that chilled carrots, frozen fruit like strawberries, hard rubber chew toys and bones, all provided her a reprieve from the pain and discomfort. It was also then when we discovered the magical combination of soothing relief, chewing/crunching satisfaction, and mesmerizing fun of good ole fashion ice cubes.

 

Ice Cubes For Play:

My shepherds love playing with ice, and let’s be honest, is there anything cuter than watching a dog

chase a slippery ice-cube around the house? Leeloo will even sit in front of the refrigerator ice maker and wait for an ice-cube treat.

 

A favorite my daughter likes to play with the dogs is catch. She starts with having the dog sit two feet in front of her, then tosses underhand a cube up in the air for the dog to catch with their mouth. Korben usually drops his on the floor, pounces, then chases it around. Leeloo on the other hand crushes and eats her’s. Catch is not only a great bonding activity, it also helps reinforce training. 

 

My personal favorite is to place a bowl full of cubes on the kitchen floor and watch the shepherds have a free for all. I love watching Leeloo and Korben take turns snarfing a cube out of the bowl.  

 

Another fun activity that is also great for the warmer months is what we call “fishing for ice.” We put ice cubes in the water dish or a kiddie pool and let Leeloo play. Not only does it help keep her cool, it’s also fun watching her splash and bob the ice around until they’ve melted or have been eaten.

 

 

 Ice Cubes for Health:

According to the AKC, ice has many health benefits. When needed, ice cubes can “…be used to slow down the rate of ingestion of water by overly excited dogs or to adjust the rate and amount of water a dog takes in.

Veterinarians recommend offering ice cubes as a way to slowly introduce water to dogs recovering from surgeries or as a tryout after vomiting episodes associated with gastroenteritis…"

Recently when Leeloo was sick, we used ice cubes to help prevent dehydration. My husband made cubes out of 50/50 water and plain chicken broth - they were a hit! You can also make them with other clear liquids such as unflavored Pedialyte.

 Ice Cube Dangers:

In general, giving your dogs ice cubes is safe.

The biggest dangers with ice are:

• Broken Teeth:  Ice cubes, especially larger and harder ones, have been known to cause tooth breakage in dogs
• Choking: Large or hard pieces of ice may cause your dog to choke, same with extremely cold ice cubes as they can stick to their tongue

To minimize dangers, I recommend using smaller cubes, crushed ice or letting the cubes sit out and melt for a bit. 

Bloat: Contrary to what some may have heard, bloat is not directly associated with eating ice. However, drinking a large amount of water may. Like with everything else, moderation is the key.

 

Conclusion:

Bottom line, ice is nice. So the next time your furbaby is hot or in need of some relief give him some ice, he’ll appreciate it! Please note: I always supervise my dogs when giving them ice.

Does your dog love ice? Let us know in the comments section below!

 

Leeloo and Korben waiting patiently for ice.

 

I just don't have a German Shepherd, I have a mythological hybrid!

 

 

Image Credits:

Gargoyle
Alf
Scrappy Doo
Black Bear
Chaka

 

 

 



 

 The puppy chewing phase is not fun, in fact, it’s downright stressful! One minute puppy is playing nicely with a toy, and just like that, he turns into a furry monster on a mission to chew and destroy.

Sometimes it seems like they are an equal opportunity chewer! When there’s a hankering to chew, anything from their vantage point (furniture, plants, another animal) is fair game.

Other times it feels personal! In a room full of choices, the puppy goes to that one thing that belongs to you or you care about to chew on.

In all seriousness, there are many reasons why puppies chew. Usually, they chew when they are playing, teething, exploring or trying to ease anxiety or boredom. As for your personal items, your puppy loves you and because of this, they will often prefer to chew on items that have your smell, like the remote, your smartphone or slippers. So really you should look at as a term of endearment!

Yelling and/or spraying chemicals won’t stop your puppy from chewing.  Yelling will only make them fearful, which can lead to other behavioral issues.  As for chemicals, some are harmful, the smell/taste is temporary and some items can’t be sprayed – like the remote or your smartphone.

Here are guidelines I use to help correct and prevent inappropriate chewing behavior with my dogs.

1. Puppy-proof your house or the area puppy will be free in

For the next few months, years, or as long as they live, depending on the dog, anything you care about or is an endangerment, put away or high enough off the floor that your puppy can’t reach it. View puppy-proof your home similar as you would for a toddler.

 

For example, lay on the floor then get on your knees so that you can see the dangers from their point of view.  Tuck away electrical cords or other dangling items, keep cabinets or rooms with toxins or other hazards locked. Install baby gates to either keep your puppy in or out of a room.

We have one baby gate in our house, it’s a large walk-through gate in our family room where our puppy spends most of his time.



Korben inside the clinker!

2. Watch your puppy when he/she is out of their crate

I look at raising a puppy similar to raising a toddler. When my children first became mobile I never allowed them to run around the house unsupervised. Either someone was with them watching or they were in their playpen, crib, saucer, you get the idea.  

If you’re watching your puppy you will be able to stop them from chewing on inappropriate items early and take corrective actions before it becomes an issue. 

At our house, we have the following restrictions. I know this isn’t for everyone.  Puppy…

·         Can only come out when being watched, otherwise, he/she is in their crate. To make crate time a little easier, we rotate a few safe chews. It makes the crate more comfortable and helps combat boredom. 

·         Can only run free in the family room where it’s gated, on a leash everywhere else

Obviously, these restrictions loosen over time as the puppy matures mentally. Just like a toddler, the intent is to keep them out of trouble by restricting freedom until they learn what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior.   

Korben's current crate toys

 

3.       Provide plenty of appropriate chewing alternatives

It’s important that you give appropriate chews for your puppy and plenty of them! Durable toys last longer and a variety helps keep the puppy from getting bored.  Just remember, even the most durable toys wear out. Toys should be inspected often for tears, splintering, sharp edges, etc.

For aggressive or strong chewers I recommend products like a Kong or other hard rubber toys. Bones, bully/pizzle sticks, and antlers also make great, long-lasting chews – these are my shepherds’ favorite.  I don’t recommend using Nylabones or other similar products as they have a tendency to break into small sharp shards that can cause internal injuries. Stuffed animals are also a big no-no.  

We buy our shepherds a new toy or chew monthly. That may seem a little excessive to some, but I’d rather pay $50-$100 a month for dog entertainment than having to deal with destructive behavior.

Taking a break from one of their favorite pastimes, emptying the toy bin!

 

4.       Play with your puppy

Bored puppies = destruction! Just like us, puppies get antsy and restless, they need a certain amount of proper stimulation to release all that energy. I remember when my kids were young, they were always the most challenging on days when they didn’t get enough mental and physical play. You don’t have to for play hours at a time, but you should play often, incorporating a variety of activities such as walking, tug, basic training, chase, fetch or find.

Playtime is one of the best times to teach your puppy what is appropriate or inappropriate to chew on because you can distract and redirect their behavior while they’re in the act. It’s important to give timely feedback so that your puppy learns what is an appropriate chew more quickly.  Another benefit, it’s also a great way for the two of you to bond.

Bottom line: A tired puppy is a happy puppy (and owner)!

Leeloo playing with Korben so that I can capture this picture ;)

5.       Distract and Redirect

As soon as you see puppy about to chew on something it shouldn’t, use a vocal command (“hey!”) to get their attention, place a toy or a bone in puppy’s mouth, then praise them as soon as puppy plays or chews on it. In other words, you’re redirecting undesired behavior for desirable behavior without using harsh discipline. I’ve also heard people use:

For distractors:

·         tossing a shake can

·         using a noisemaker

·         touching the dog on the shoulder

For redirectors

·         treats

·         throwing a toy

I found that no matter what you use to distract and redirect, this technique takes practice and in some cases coordination to master. I’ve also found it to be the most effective at modifying chewing behavior.

My little land shark chewing on his

As hard and frustrating this chewing phase is now, do try to take some solace in knowing that it is only temporary.  It just takes patience, perseverance, and praise. Don’t worry, take one day at a time, you got this!

Korben chewing on an antler

 

Out of treats or looking for a healthy alternative? How about giving carrots a try. They have a ton of benefits and your dog will thank you!

Here are my top reasons why carrots make perfect treats. 

 

• They’re inexpensive. According to the USDA, the average cost of whole carrots is $.80 per pound, while baby carrots are $1.19. Far less expensive than my dogs’ other favorite treat, Truimph Salmon & Sweet Potato Jerky, which costs $5.50 per pound.

• They are easily accessible and stay fresh for weeks. Carrots are an American staple, in fact, you probably have some in your refrigerator now. Whole carrots can last up to 4-6 weeks, while baby lasts 3-4. Want them to last longer? Place the carrots in a plastic bag, put a paper towel inside to  absorb the moisture, and replace the towel when saturated.

• They help support oral health. According to the The Daily Puppy, “The minerals in carrots kill germs in the mouth and help prevent tooth damage.” They also don’t stick to teeth, like many other treats do.

• They don’t smell.  Let’s face it, dogs love smelly treats, but some of our guests don’t. I’ve seen people act reluctantly or just pass on giving my dog a treat because they don’t want to touch something that smells. Never had someone say no to giving my dog a carrot!

• They are easy to prepare.  It takes very little effort to cut carrots into bite-size pieces. Making them perfect to use in a Kong, treat dispenser, to hide when playing Find It, or to take with you in a Ziplock bag or training pouch.

• They are versatile. Dogs can eat carrots raw, frozen (perfect when teething), or cooked.  They can also be added to other foods and ingredients. Just search the internet or go to sites like Pinterest and you’ll find a million ideas or recipes for carrots.

• Most importantly, they’re healthy!  Carrots are low in calories and fat, and high in fiber and vitamins. Not to mention they contain Beta-carotene, an antioxidant shown to help reduce the risk of our fur babies developing cataracts. 

Paws down, carrots are one of the easiest and healthiest treats you can ever give your dog!

Looking for more? Check out Fruits & Vegetables Dogs Can and Can’t Eat
 

 

 

Photo Credit: Baby-carrots. Designed by topntp26. freepik.com

 

 

 



Trigger words, all dogs have at least one.  You know that word that sends your fur baby into a tissy. They can be in the middle of a nap, playing with a toy, or eating their favorite treat, and as soon as they hear that trigger word they are standing upright and running towards whatever it is.

Leeloo doesn’t have just one, she has several, Scarlett, Milo (or Francis) and Marie – our three cats. Of course the louder you are or the more emphasis you put on the word, the greater Leeloo’s reaction gets.   Saying Marie or better yet “Oh Marie!” always gets the best reaction from her. Leeloo will stop whatever she’s doing to find Marie and give her a little sniff or nip, or both!




You wouldn’t know it by this picture that but these are Leeloo’s biggest trigger words laying right near her, Marie, Scarlett, and Milo!