Let me preface this with saying, none of my previous dogs have ever been big chewers. Our 16-week old GSD, on the other hand, seems to be quite the avid chewer. She's not mouthy at all, but she loves her recreational beef bone.

I'm just curious, at this age, what is "too much" time chewing on a hard bone? Is there a rule of thumb here, or should I not worry unless I see teeth wear?

Alyssa, at 16 weeks she is at the start of the teething process. The hard chewing could be from teething or that she is just a voracious chewer. I would probably hold off on the rec bones/marrow bones and give her something with more give to prevent those loose teeth from coming out early. If she does maintain that drive for chewing/destroying things with her mouth I don't recommend giving any rec bones. The damage is not something clear to the naked eye until it gets bad, like serious cracks or breaks.

There are a few options for crazy chewing dogs. I found that tires and fortex rubber anything along with a rope bone that had been rubbed down with some ground meat did well for my insane chewing American Bulldog. That dog ripped apart Kongs O_O unless there was something filling them, and the first time he got a rec bone he ate it. First and last time he got one!

He really loved fresh tendons, also. I would get them from the butcher in varying lengths and sizes and wrap each one around a stick, let them set up and dry for a day or two(or a week) so they would hold their shape and he went nuts chewing it. Only natural thing that lasted longer than 5 minutes.

Hi Alyssa,
Cathie here from the SE side of Washington. I am getting a pup from Jean later this year and am really looking forward to it.

RMB's are really good but I would monitor the time on them. They are great for teeth cleaning and the marrow is good for them a little over time. Too much can cause teeth fractures or digestive issues, so just give a little time on them and take them away.

Rotate your chew objects and monitor her chewing. It is actually a good thing for you to give chews to her AND take them away when you want. I even put my fingers in my dogs mouth so they get used to it. Then if I have to take some object out I can or pill them at any point its pretty easy.
Just some ideas you might want to try. I Love reading about your pups tracking!! I track my older GSD and am hoping my new pup will have lots of tracking drive.
Cathie Best

Cathie,
What litter are you planning on? If it's a Lux litter, you are in for a real treat. His pups are incredibly drivey and intense.

I think perhaps I need to buy a few more Kongs for Danke, that way she has her work & play Kongs, as well as one to chew on.

 Quote:

RMB's are really good but I would monitor the time on them. They are great for teeth cleaning and the marrow is good for them a little over time.

For future viewers of this thread, RMB's and recreational bones are 2 COMPLETELY different things.:wink:

Question
Are beef trackia ok for dogs to chew on I bye the bravo brand and bruiser and phoenix love them.
Just asking

Hi Alyssa,
It will be the Dany vom Gräfental

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/518288.html

DDR Stud Ron vom Ludwigseck,

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/gsd/pedigree/517375.html

Litter is posted on Jeans website. I have not seen Lux in person but I have heard really excellent things about him!
Cathie Best

 Quote: Stephanie St Julian

Question
Are beef trackia ok for dogs to chew on I bye the bravo brand and bruiser and phoenix love them.
Just asking

I've never used them, but I don't see any reason beef trachea wouldn't be okay. If bullysticks are okay, why wouldn't trachea be?

Thank you Bruiser loves to chew on those instead of my furniture.
And in the mroning when I and feeling sore he will chew on that tell I get up