Taste of home

Hello Dogs Today,

I am moving to the UK from the United States with my standard Dachshund, Fritzi. Over here there are a couple of companies that sell very thick US-made rawhide that last my dog for several weeks and do not upset his stomach.

As well as stuffed Kongs, they are an excellent way of giving him clean indoor recreational chewing. Chews from China or outsourced US hides are too fragile and cause diarrhea. Are there any companies in Britain that sell sturdy British or European-made rawhide chews?

Thank you very much for your time.

Nicole Larson, by email

Chewing it over. And over. And over.

I have a three-year-old Collie cross and he has a habit of stealing items to chew. He doesn't do it whilst I am out of the house so I think it may be for attention. He does it when I am in the room, or in another room, and started after we had had him for about six months (aged two).

He has off-lead walks and games of fetch every day and he has his food in treat balls, Kongs or scattered. He has lots of toys and chews (stag bars/rawhide) but gets quickly bored. I've tried swapping for treats and other items but I think that has made it worse and am now putting him in his crate when he does it. I remove what I can but he will take cushions off the couch, clothing and newspapers.

Any ideas as to the best way to stop this behaviour? Should I just persevere with the crate/time out? He has also growled a few times when I have tried to take things from him.

Many thanks,

Jack's mum

Chewing it over. And Over. And Over.

Please can you help?

I’m at my wits’ end trying to combat my four-month-old puppy from chewing everything in sight, including my hands! We puppy-proofed our house before bringing him home – everything that needs to be is up high, and electric cables have extra cabling around them – it’s like having a toddler in the house again!

I’d prefer it if he stopped chewing my furniture! I’m around all day, so it’s not an anxiety thing I don’t think as I only leave him to go to the supermarket etc and he chews when I’m there. I do remember past pups chewing, but not this much!

Hope you can help!

Mrs Baker, by email

Hard as nails

Is it okay for my five-month-old Golden Retriever to chew horse hooves? My pup has discovered them at our stable. I've stopped him from doing it for now in case it's unsafe, but just wanted to check if he does it in future.

Donna Hotston, by email



Alison Logan, vet, advises...

Dogs really like hoof clippings! When we went on holiday last year, there was a stable block adjacent and there had obviously been a recent farrier visit. My Labs spent their time hunting for hoof clippings, and voraciously eating any they found. They came to no harm.

Possible risks to a dog from eating hoof trimming would seem to me to be:

-       Mould or bacteria on the hoof trimming;

-       Sharp edges -  may damage the mouth, oesophagus, stomach or intestines;

-       Treatments applied to the hooves such as for thrush - may be toxic to dogs.

Given that your dog is only five months old, I think you have been wise to prevent him from eating the hoof trimmings. He needs a balanced diet for optimal growth! Dogs brought up around horses have been eating hoof trimmings for years, but perhaps it would be sensible to sweep up the bulk of them. The odd trimming should be fine, although I would certainly be careful to clear them all away if you are treating the hooves with anything. 

Anxious of separation

We have recently given a home to a lovely little Tibetan Terrier. She is seven years old and an ex-breeding bitch, who has spent her entire life on a puppy farm. The poor girlie was so traumatised and timid when she arrived, but now after just five weeks she has settled really well and loves all members of the family. She has a particular affection for me as I spend the most time with her and, unfortunately, she cries when I leave the house even if she has another family member with her. This has started to improve slowly and I have faith that, in time, she will accept whoever is with her. However, the real problem arises when she is left alone in the house at anytime, she becomes totally stressed, pacing back and forth. She howls and cries, scratches at the door and rips at the carpet. The damage is not a huge issue, but the fact that she is so stressed is my real worry; her little heart races; she shakes and pants. I am trying to build up by popping out for short spells and making a huge fuss when I come back (if she has been quiet, which she will do for very short spells sometimes). The maximum that I would ever leave her is two to three hours and only occasionally. Incidentally, I can leave her strapped in my car and she is very happy.

Therefore I need some ideas please as to how best to deal with leaving her alone in the house.

She also has a habit of chewing and licking her paws; I read that the breed can be fussy about dirty feet, so I wipe them off when we come indoors. But the biting at her paws does worry me as this may have been a way of stimulating herself when she was stuck in a pen all day. She has no idea how to play and is not interested in dog toys; she does, however, love chews, but only if she has company and is happy.

I would really appreciate any tips on how to make life better for this darling girl, she has made such great progress with housetraining and walking on her lead, so we know she is a clever girl.

Many thanks.

Caroline Harris, by email