I need help! We're at our wits end!

So, DH and I have noticed that Daisy's baby teeth are really starting to come out and that she's biting at every little thing more and more now.

She's gone through two ropes, 2 sling shots nylabones, a handful of those rubber squeeky toys, and god knows other chew toys we've been giving her. We gave her a kong and she tore it to pieces, so we bought a sturdier one that seems to be holding up a bit better.

Then, today - DH came home at lunch and she ate a bowl of food and did her business. He came home from work about 3-4 hours later and she had eaten thew her harness. She literally chewed it off herself and left it in purple pieces all over her crate.

So, we have a temporary harness on her that my MIL let us borrow, but we have no idea what to do.

She keeps chewing through everything we give her, and I know she's hurting as she's teething, but what can we do to help her?

I'm sorry it's long, but I could really use some suggestions from dog owners who have been there, done that, or current puppy owners who are dealing with the same thing.

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Why was her Harness on in her crate. My dog is big and I never had a problem with the kongs. I also used bitter apple spray. He hated it so put it on anything you don't want her to bite!

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

hey i have a yorkie as well. best dogs ever actually yours looks like mine and i bet yours will stay dark like my alfie.

A trainer friend of mine told me when they are at that chewing stage all you can do is keep lots and lots of chew toys around(they get bored easy).. one toy that keeps them very occupied is this medium size ball with honeycomb holes and then a tiny blue ball inside.. boy does that keep him busy chewing.. I tried the bitter spray but my dog liked the taste of it..lol ....so what i would do is just say no and give time outs in a dark small room when he was bad..it has been the best form of training for us.

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Well, we got Oscar after the teething phase but he would still chew a harness off of himself if we left it on when we weren't home. For a long time, he wore just a pet ID necklace . Then he mysteriously lost that and now he wears a collar in the house but we still put a harness on for many of his walks b/c that is best for his back. It's safest if they are not wearing anything that can get caught on the crate anyway.

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

I agree, no harness in crate first of all. The dog can try to wiggle through and choke itself. Nothing on (not even a collar) in the crate. Dog could also scarily hang itself somehow with anything on, so nothing else on in crate!!!

Second of all, it will pass, just ride it out! And watch the pup when you are home, not out of your sight. Your little baby is teething and it hurts! Those little teeth will keep falling out. My two pups lost all their teeth and we managed to not lose any furniture or big items by watching them.

Also give safe toys for teething, Go to Petco and find SAFE toys for teething pups. But you really should not have the toys with the pup when the pup is alone, even if safe. I did used to leave my dogs with a large doggie teething/flossy rope (very safe) and a large bumpy bone (teething nylabone with bumps on it). NOTHING they can choke on!

Also there is a bone you can buy that you wet and freeze, called Chilly bone. But a dog should not be left alone with it, they can chew through it. But it was nice for hte pups, they liked that it was cold on their gums.

Hmm, what else. Just a lot of safe SAFE toys that you have to watch the dog with to see what he will chew through or what not that you can watch for a few days and if the toy makes it, it is fairly safe. But I never left my poor doggie alone with anything inthe crate, no harness, nothing but a bowl of water and a blanket. Main goal is keeping the pup safe from choking.

I have to see what else. Also you can try some Kong products that are pretty durable. I will try to look at my baby's old toys and see what I have. It will pass in a while, when most teeth have come through. Poor little babies!!!

Message edited 9/21/2007 3:05:34 AM.

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

I agree with Goobster...no harnesses or collars in the crate! Give her lots of sterilized bones and nylabones - both are safe and will help her teeth feel better.
This too shall pass, so don't get too upset about it. We lost a coffee table to teething, but she is fine now.

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

I agree with the other ladies, no harness in the crate...although its tough, just keep lots of toys in the crate with her to chew on...
Riley is teething very badly too now...she even chewed our molding by the staircase.
It will be over soon enough just gotta grin and bear it

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

The stage will move on but this is also the most important time for you to teach her what she is allowed to chew and what is forbidden.

Continue to give her the nylabones and other chew toys (they do make tougher toys, it will say it on the label - try Petco)

Anything that she should not chew should not be near her when she is home alone. If you are home, supervise her, if she is chewing anything she is not supposed to be chewing, tell her "no" take it away and replace it with a toy.

Praise her anytime she is chewing her toys.


The phase will def pass! Hang in there!

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. When we take her to Petco to fit her for a new harness this weekend, I'll see what I can find for safe chew toys.

I went there last night and bought a small harness and it was too large for her, so we have to exchange it.

Which Petco is better - the one in Selden or the one by Smithaven Mall?

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Message edited 1/30/2009 11:39:25 AM.

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Posted by PotofLuck06

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. When we take her to Petco to fit her for a new harness this weekend, I'll see what I can find for safe chew toys.

I went there last night and bought a small harness and it was too large for her, so we have to exchange it.

Which Petco is better - the one in Selden or the one by Smithaven Mall?

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Message edited 11/11/2011 6:44:57 PM.

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by PotofLuck06

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. When we take her to Petco to fit her for a new harness this weekend, I'll see what I can find for safe chew toys.

I went there last night and bought a small harness and it was too large for her, so we have to exchange it.

Which Petco is better - the one in Selden or the one by Smithaven Mall?

I would actually not get a standard harness, I would get a harness vest for such a small dog. It is also easier to get on & off. Check GW Little catalogue or trixie & peanut (both online). I also agree with the other posters. The chilly bones are awesome. Also call your vet to see if there are any other "tricks." I know when the Pug was teething we gave him frozen carrots to chew on.

This is the hardest stage IMO, because it has to just work itself out.

Good luck

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

i just bought my dog a bone that you can freeze. That might help sooth her gums.

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by PotofLuck06

We've done the carrot bit - she throws them up, so we haven't done that for that reason.

eek....so there goes that idea

Did you talk to the vet?

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Posted by PotofLuck06

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by PotofLuck06

We've done the carrot bit - she throws them up, so we haven't done that for that reason.

eek....so there goes that idea

Did you talk to the vet?

He just advised us to get hard toys for her to chew on, and that he'll examine her teeth in Nov when we take her in to get spayed.

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by PotofLuck06

Posted by MsMBV

Posted by PotofLuck06

We've done the carrot bit - she throws them up, so we haven't done that for that reason.

eek....so there goes that idea

Did you talk to the vet?

He just advised us to get hard toys for her to chew on, and that he'll examine her teeth in Nov when we take her in to get spayed.

Ah, so not much help there either.

You can even try freezing a small towel or washcloth, that helps too. I got cheap ones (white with no dyes) at Kmart.

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

I love those little teeth when they come out....

so cute!!!

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

You will find them. Esp the molars when they come out.

Trust me, they will show up mths later in the oddest places.

I know this may sound gross, my I saved my doggies..I wanted them for memories.

LOL

Re: I need help! We're at our wits end!

Sorry you are having teething troubles with Daisy.
We used the frozen carrot (yours is not a fan)
Chilly Bone works great but she ate through it and had to get another one.
Freeze wash clothes and give to her but with supervision they shred. She also gets frozen hot dogs on occasion as a treat. She likes to suck on ice cubes and lately she likes those big kong toys, I have a Rottweiler and she has yet to break that thing, YET!
Good luck!