We have got a lab pup who is 8 and a half weeks old, been doing alot of reading up on him etc, 1 of the books everyone seems to recommend is gwen bailey.

On the Subject of chewing she is recommending pressed rawhide bones, rasks, dental chews, rawhide twists, smoked bones, sterilised bones, now we have the kong and treat ball, a dummy, chew on a rope thing, on an assortment of other stuff, which we are rotating round for him. But from the things i've read opn these forums, you do not recommend rawhide is this right or not,

thanks

alix

Personally I would not feed my dogs rawhide chews, rasks (have you seen what is in them?), smoked or sterilised bones.

I give my dogs raw bones as that is what I believe is better and healthier for my dog (not to mention my bank balance).  But it is a free country and everyone is free to choose what they prefer.

No sorry, I was'nt asking whether this was a free country, I was asking whether people would recommend them or Not, as I have read on these forums that thay expand in the belly. And No I havent seen what is in them. But these Gwen Bailey books do seem to come highly recommended, I was just looking for peoples thoughts and opinions. Thats all, as I do not want to give something to a 8 and a half week old pup, if it is going to hurt him.

I am Sorry if i have offended you

You have not offended me at all, I was trying to respond in a magnanimous way (and failed obviously) :(

I have met Gwen Bailey, she is a very nice lady and so is her dog, Spider.  A lot of people give their dogs rawhides etc, I choose not to because I personally believe they are more dangerous than bones, others take the opposite view. :)

I don't give rawhide chews either - I got fed up of seeing & hearing my dogs wretching & gagging & bringing up slimy strips of raw hide (not nice when you are eating!!). Mine have raw bones - always under supervision & a heavy duty Kong (the only toy they don't destroy) & Nylabones when young. Smoked & sterilised bones can both break into the most horrendous sharp splinters. all the other things may be alright for "nice" breeds who aren't on a permanent "seek & destroy" mission like my thugs.

its ok tohme I forgive you LOL.

I'm just trying to make sure, we dont give him anything thats gonna harm him, Also how can someone who is so well respected, recomend giving something that can cause harm. But I suppose that is a judgement call, And we are better off sticking with the kong, and treat ball, for the time being, unless anyone can recommend anything else. I do want him to a variety so he does not get bored. And obviously he is too young for raw bones

Thanks

Alix

He's by no means too young for raw bones. Many pups are given them as soon as their baby teeth are through, certainly by 6 weeks of age.
:)

Hiya

As in raw bones from the butchers, big ones, small ones, do you ask for anything in particular

Alix

Hi Alix :) - I usually go for beef, weight bearing bones as recreational use such as marrow bones,  But, I also feed beef Rib Bones - my dog loves 'em.  I always supervise when the hound has a bone and sometimes prefer to scrape out the marrow and feed this when the bone is looking worn :)
Sarah
PS Some beef bones are massive, my butcher literally pulls out a leg and saw's bits off for me, luckily he doesn't charge me for this but some will charge for the bones and the cutting of them :rolleyes: