I am looking for advice on finding my over aggressive chewer some toys. Out of all of the toys we have bought for him only one has survived. Even advice to help quit or even slow down chewing would be great. He is a 1 year old English bulldog who hates the outside world so walking him isn't so easy, not to mention that he can tug me half way across the yard when he wants to. I am wanting to find a ball and a tug toy that when we play that can handle him. Any ideas or advice?

http://leerburg.com/toy.htm

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I've had good luck with holee rollers and the various orbee toys.

I've also had great luck with a solid ball called a Huck which has a free replacement if your dog manages to destroy it.

You should check out Ed's training DVD's too - especially the ones on being the pack leader and marker training. It sounds like you can't get him out for nice long walks. If you could get him a lot more exercise, he would get a lot of his aggressive chewing/frustration energy out that way too. Ed's DVD's really show you how to overcome a lot of the problems we can have with our dog's behaviors so that they and you are happier! It's not good that he hates the outside world (why does he hate it?), and that he pulls you half way across the yard. Life can be a lot more enjoyable with a dog you're feeling in control of - and he'll feel a lot more secure when you're the leader. Just an idea!

 Quote: Lori Hall

You should check out Ed's training DVD's too - especially the ones on being the pack leader and marker training. It sounds like you can't get him out for nice long walks. If you could get him a lot more exercise, he would get a lot of his aggressive chewing/frustration energy out that way too. Ed's DVD's really show you how to overcome a lot of the problems we can have with our dog's behaviors so that they and you are happier! It's not good that he hates the outside world (why does he hate it?), and that he pulls you half way across the yard. Life can be a lot more enjoyable with a dog you're feeling in control of - and he'll feel a lot more secure when you're the leader. Just an idea!

Can't be said better.:smile:

the pup tread large is a great toy. My 20 month old gs has yet
to destroy it. She runs around the house with it in her mouth
shaking and biting, pulling. Of course supervision is a must
but I'm glad I found something she hasn't yet destroyed. Give
it a try. I highly recommend.
Betty Reavis

The everlasting treat ball made by Star Mark!

 Quote: Michael_Wise

 Quote: Lori Hall

You should check out Ed's training DVD's too - especially the ones on being the pack leader and marker training. It sounds like you can't get him out for nice long walks. If you could get him a lot more exercise, he would get a lot of his aggressive chewing/frustration energy out that way too. Ed's DVD's really show you how to overcome a lot of the problems we can have with our dog's behaviors so that they and you are happier! It's not good that he hates the outside world (why does he hate it?), and that he pulls you half way across the yard. Life can be a lot more enjoyable with a dog you're feeling in control of - and he'll feel a lot more secure when you're the leader. Just an idea!

Can't be said better.:smile:

HUGE ditto. Toys are great stopgap measures and I have lots (put away until I take one out, one at a time), but this is really a big challenge that I'd urge working on. Tell us the main problems -- is it fear, or aggression? And how did you teach loose-leash walking (or if you don't know how, tell us that)?

Do you do any fetch-type playing outdoors?

This dog needs outdoor exercise. All dogs do, from 1-pound to 100 pounds (and up -- ALL dogs), and this is the real question here.

 Quote: Michael_Wise

 Quote: Lori Hall

You should check out Ed's training DVD's too - especially the ones on being the pack leader and marker training. It sounds like you can't get him out for nice long walks. If you could get him a lot more exercise, he would get a lot of his aggressive chewing/frustration energy out that way too. Ed's DVD's really show you how to overcome a lot of the problems we can have with our dog's behaviors so that they and you are happier! It's not good that he hates the outside world (why does he hate it?), and that he pulls you half way across the yard. Life can be a lot more enjoyable with a dog you're feeling in control of - and he'll feel a lot more secure when you're the leader. Just an idea!

Can't be said better.:smile:

HUGE ditto. Toys are great stopgap measures and I have lots (put away until I take one out, one at a time), but this is really a big living-with-a-dog challenge that I'd urge working on. It will be fun, and satisfying ... I promise that!

Tell us the main problems -- is it fear, or aggression? And how did you teach loose-leash walking (or if you don't know how, tell us that)?

Do you do any fetch-type playing outdoors?

This dog needs outdoor exercise. All dogs do, from 1-pound to 100 pounds (and up -- ALL dogs), and this is the real question here.

So ask away.

There is so much info here, including streaming video, free podcasts, and GREAT videos and DVDs to buy and watch (as a family) ... it would be a shame not to avail yourself of it and get this dog outside, draining off frustrated energy and improving mental and physical health.

I sanction what everyone here has said. People here are very wise and knowledgeable. Connie...well, her breadth of experience defies description.

Granted, your breed is not the most active of dogs, but all the toys in the world will not use up the excess energy he is displaying. He is showing you he needs something more--and the more is additional exercise and mental stimulation.

Spend time combing through the podcasts, articles, and videos here on basic obedience. Then get Ed's Basic Obedience DVD, and Training Your Dog with Food. You will teach the dog to walk properly, and while doing so it will also make him use his BRAIN. The thinking they do with obedience or other kind of training poops them out too. Mental stim together with a bit more exercise, and you'll likely see a big difference!

The prong collar works like power steering to get your dog to behave on walks. If I just want to "go for a walk," and we're just sniffing and grooving on the day, I use the "Walk Easy" harness. Both have their place, and work very well for my pull-like-a-sled-dog Lab puppy. But even at only 6-months, she is really making strides walking and obeying with only a flat collar. Albeit short distances! And that progress is all thanks to Leerburg.

I'll stop now.

 Quote: Marcia Blum

The everlasting treat ball made by Star Mark!

My male chewed one of those up at 6 months old! He also broke off a piece on a nylabone for big chewers when he was only 6 mo old. That was the fist & last one of those that I ever bought.

The ONLY toy that I trust my dogs with are the black extreme kongs. I have had a couple of BIG chewers (working GSDs) & they have not chewed them up. You can also stuff them with cream cheese or peanut butter & freeze it & then give it to them & keep they busy for a while getting the food out. These are the only 'toys' that I let my dogs have in crates without my having to feel that I have to watch themk every second.