This means that we have to keep a close eye on him whenever he is playing with his toys. We also have to inspect his toys frequently to make sure he won't bite off any large parts and eat them. And when a toy starts to show signs of wear, whether it be a stuffy with a hole in it or an antler with a large piece of exposed marrow, we retire it or relegate it to "Mushroom only".
When we choose toys for Badger, we tend to "size up". We almost always buy a size larger than the one that Badger's weight falls in. (For example, Badger uses an XL Kong made for dogs in the 60-90 lb weight range, and he weighs just under 45 lbs.)
We were eager to try out moose antlers from Acadia Antlers because their website says that moose is the hardest antler. We purchased two of their XL antlers (for 70+ lb dogs), and the owner, Carol, even allowed us to specify tynes as opposed to splits.
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| Not to toot my own horn, but I'm pretty awesome |
So far, the moose antlers have held up much better than the deer antlers have. They've held up so well, in fact, that poor Mushroom hasn't been able to make a dent in hers. She'll just lie forlornly next to Badger and clean up any marrow crumbs he leaves behind. We do have a stash of "Mushroom only" toys, but as we're transitioning to having both dogs out together, they now spend more time in the closet.
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| Excuse me, I can't even fit my mouth around this |
Do you have a power chewer? What toys do you give him/her?
haha I feel your pain! My Titan (80 lb.) is a power chewer for sure. I buy Jones Natural Chews Slammer bones and he'll break them in two. Sheesh! Let me know how that moose antler works!
ReplyDeleteThat's crazy that he split a antler in half! I found out my dogs only like the elk(I think they're the softest?) antlers that are cut on 2 sides so there are 2 sides of exposed marrow. And they are abandoned after the marrow is gone. I wish they liked them as much as your pups!
ReplyDeleteHank is the same way as Badger. I stopped buying the stuffies, I'm tired of throwing them away 5 minutes after buying them. He once had a toy last 2 minutes before he ripped the feet off, I wasn't even out of the store parking lot! Hank has a lot of Kongs/Kong toys, I am surprised by the JW Cuz toys, other than the feet they held up quite well. I love the ReBounce Chuck-It balls, Hank is a tennis ball eater and he hasn't managed to get them apart. He has a lot of real bones, antlers and he loves a good cardboard box/paper bag to destroy.
ReplyDeleteI have a funny story about tennis ball eating. Badger was happily chomping on a tennis ball, so I took the opportunity to tell L about how some other bloggers had dogs who could destroy tennis balls, and weren't we lucky that our dogs were too small to do that. And then we looked over at Badger, who only had half a tennis ball left.
DeleteWho would expect that from the little guy? We are lucky Miss M must have the dullest teeth ever. She cannot chew anything. I make her the cloth toys and we could have them for years. Mr. B used to be more of a power chewer (he tore apart a baseball mit the first time we met him!) but he gets his feelings hurt so easily...we taught him to be gentle with toys. And now he has had many of his stuffies for years!
ReplyDeleteThat are MASSIVE antlers. Seriously....they are amazing. I love how Mushroom is trying so hard to make a dent in hers.
ReplyDeleteEmily @ Our Waldo Bungie
www.ourwaldobungie.com
*Those are* not "that are." I promise I can speak proper English. ;)
DeleteWow, I thought Ray was a power chewer, but Badger just might have him beat. Ray prefers the burr of the antler and also the marrow. Once the marrow is gone he will only chew his antler if he has no other options.
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