my 12 week old is home alone three times a week for about 2 hours while I am at work. He is not crated, he has a cratein the kitchen with a door kept open, and he is gated in the kitchen I would like him to have something to chew to occupy himself. He really isn't into a stuffed kong unfortunately. He likes a bit of cheese in a king bone but it only lasts 5 minutes. He LOVES his bully stick, but the one time we left it with hum we came home to a house that stunk so badly I nearly puked. He isn't able to get pieces ofg of the bully yet - it is exactly the same length as it was 3 weeks ago (measured!!) But I'm not letting the bully in the house again! Are there any suggestions on things for him to safely chew unsupervised for a couple of hours until he decides he will accept a kong? Ive read mixed reviews on nylabones and they are quite expensive for something that is 50-50 iykwim. What are some other options? He has a herd of toys but I would like specifically a chew toy for when he is alone?
Rice bones are good for tiny pups but, by twelve weeks old they often don’t last long! I would build up his enjoyment of Kongs by using softened food or tasty fish. They soon learn to love them and, by about 16 weeks, you can start to freeze them so that they last longer I can’t really think of any other chew toys which are safe for them to be left alone with. If you find one let me know! .
I'm not happy to leave my dog alone with any chew at all. I think I'm in the minority as I wouldn't even leave him alone with a Kong.
I'm like @edzbird and don't leave chews to keep dogs amused, even Kong's. Kongs are not indestructible and I wouldn't take the risk with a dog that is a 'chewer' .
Not a chew, but I leave Quinn (and did since a puppy) with her breakfast in a kong wobbler type toy on days she's alone in the morning. She rolls it around with her nose and hits it with her paws and eats up the kibble from the floor. I have no concerns leaving her alone with it and it entertains her for quite awhile.
Mine loves pressed rawhide shaped like a bone and will chew one for ages when in the mood. He doesn't bother with Nylabones at all. He also loves a Buster Cube, but it can be tricky to find treats that are the right size and consistency not to come out too quickly. It works a bit like a Kong Wobbler, but we only put treats in it as his food pieces are too big.
My pup just slept at that age when left alone (she still does actually!) so you may find your pup does too. You could also freeze a rice bone which would make it last a bit longer?
Ours love the knotted or rolled rawhide. The Pressed rawhide bones only last a few minuets, while the rolls are good for an hour or more.
I used to leave a hoof smeared inside with peanut butter that he could lick and lick in all the crevices. A raw meaty bone is also good. But yes I also wouldn’t leave a young pup unsupervised with a chewy thing - choking hazard. I’d walk my pup before leaving home and he’d be too tired thereafter to stay awake. Altho we never left our pup alone until he was six months old - there was always someone babysitting him till he was six months old.
I've always thought rawhide is not okay for dogs? I will have to read about them again. I will look for rice bones, Ive never seen them before. Yes he does sleep but I doubt the entire time. He is too young for a decent walk if we go by the 5 minute rule.... is that rule realky important? I've been doing about 10 mi.utes of practicing walking to heel in the garden every day and a short trot down our street to the corner and home every afternoon. Ive been trying to avoid much more but tbh we would like to do more! There are times I can tell he is just desperate to get out more!
Rawhide can be a problem, it depends how they eat it. If your dog gnaws it into little pieces that’s fine. But a lot of dogs swallow long strips of it which then is a danger of becoming a choking hazard or may become entangled in their intestines. So, if rawhide is given, close supervision is sensible. Also, be sure it’s not processed with horrible chemicals - which some is. I use it when the pups are tiny and in my arms, when they can’t get anything off it, great for crocapups! But I’m very wary of it otherwise. .
I keep to the five minute rule with all my pups - much better safe than sorry. But a good 15 minute training session will tire them easily as much, if not more, than a long walk - especially if you are introducing new skills.
