My dogs have started getting into things in the evening when we're all hanging out and giving a quick look around I've realized of course it's my fault. If I can't figure out where their toys are why should I expect them to? Biggest issue is I haven't bought more nylabones yet since they chewed down the last batch. With the three of them I like to have at least four so we aren't worried (much) about someone not getting one, but I find they are slightly expensive given that my dogs are 55-90ish lb.

With the nylabones I'm not getting food aggression issues from my girl lab.
I've heard that the cow hooves are often preserved with nasty chemicals, but they did okay with those before I was told that.
I've heard recommendations that turkey necks are great for them to chew (I'd have to give in their crates probably) but the only ones I can find are frozen and say they are "smoked; cook before eating" so would they be okay or not for the dogs?
The kong type toys are either dubbed as too difficult by my husky mix (Lady) or abandoned after they are emptied. When they were little though they would chew rubber toys and ignore the nylabones. I gave them each a konglike toy filled with kibbles last night and Lady got nervous and abandoned hers.

Anyone have advice for what I should get for peaceful evening chewing?

Best natural chew around:
http://leerburg.com/1182.htm

 Quote: Joyce Salazar

Best natural chew around:
http://leerburg.com/1182.htm

I agree.

Also, http://leerburg.com/1302.htm

 Quote: Elizabeth Laws

My dogs have started getting into things in the evening when we're all hanging out and giving a quick look around I've realized of course it's my fault. If I can't figure out where their toys are why should I expect them to? Biggest issue is I haven't bought more nylabones yet since they chewed down the last batch. With the three of them I like to have at least four so we aren't worried (much) about someone not getting one, but I find they are slightly expensive given that my dogs are 55-90ish lb.

With the nylabones I'm not getting food aggression issues from my girl lab.
I've heard that the cow hooves are often preserved with nasty chemicals, but they did okay with those before I was told that.
I've heard recommendations that turkey necks are great for them to chew (I'd have to give in their crates probably) but the only ones I can find are frozen and say they are "smoked; cook before eating" so would they be okay or not for the dogs?
The kong type toys are either dubbed as too difficult by my husky mix (Lady) or abandoned after they are emptied. When they were little though they would chew rubber toys and ignore the nylabones. I gave them each a konglike toy filled with kibbles last night and Lady got nervous and abandoned hers.

Anyone have advice for what I should get for peaceful evening chewing?

Kind of a side issue that I think I'm reading (lost toys, nervous dog with Kong):

The dogs should not have chewies and toys when they are not under supervision.

No matter how they have dealt with this in the past, it's fine .... until it isn't.

I put peanut butter in my dog's Kongs and then freeze it. Takes her a good 30 minutes to clean it out. I've also stuffed the Kong with canned dog food and frozen it.

I have a butcher near my house that will sell me cow femurs. I get them cut in half and store one half in the freezer. I let my dog have the other half for about an hour and then put it in the fridge. After about a week I throw out what ever is left and get the frozen one out and start over.

ETA; I only have one dog, not multiples. If I had multiples they would be in their crates with whatever they have.

Edited by Debbie Martin (01/23/2012 03:50 PM)
Edit reason: add eta

Do those Bully Sticks really last longer? I have only come across two brands before, one being Red Barn, that were 10-15 minute chews. I had thought about doing the antlers before, but I'm having some sticker shock on that.

Xi started food guarding after we moved. She's always been a butt with food though. High value chews like pig ears everyone gets crated to eat. She's started triggering off other things though. Like she's great around the container of kibbles near the crates, but if I set the bag down in the living room she'll get next to it and start growling. She started growling at the cat this weekend because it hopped onto the end table where my empty plate was from where I had just finished eating my snack. Now that I know what to watch for I tell her cut it out and she either quits or goes back to bed.
When she first started this Lady walked up to see what she was growling at and got jumped. After the smoke cleared (with a lot of intervention of course) I found that one of the cats had dropped a cat treat onto the floor and forgot about it, and because Xi couldn't get behind the couch to get it, she started a fight over it.
Anyways, now that I know what to expect I'm more diligent and am able to take control over the situation instead of not understanding what was going on.

In the evenings I usually spend some time on the computer and can let everyone out and for the most part they are all happy to lounge around and usually nap. Since they want to spend time with me there is always at least one of them by my chair and if they want toys I make sure Lady is nearby. The labs have started walking right up to the trashcan by the table and pulling out papers or tissues and then walking right in front of me where I take it back and put it right back in the can. I don't know how much more obviously they could tell me I'm done napping and want something to shred.

The crates are in the next room and if they don't get hang out time then they whine. Crazy thing is that I'll usually find after they all trade spots a few times at least one is back in the crate again. Having that door open just seems to make all the difference.
I was trying not to spend $60 on chew toys, but if they last more than three weeks it might be worth it.

Why are antlers safer than RMBs anyways? I never did get that one...

This description feels like an explosive situation to me. Hanging out maybe needs to become partly structured exercise and for me, hanging out off-leash with a food guarder (or even without one) wouldn't include chewies or uncontrolled (by me) toys.

JMO!

I feel like I hijacked my own post. If they have knuckle bones, anything digestible, or of much value they get separated. Actually, I think the nylabones are the only things they've had for chews outside their crates and they don't even stay in the same room to chew. I always make sure I have at least one of the girls.

So I should get some bully sticks.
Raw bones can get too hard but antlers are somehow safer.
The labs do like the peanut butter in the kong thing but if its hard to get out, Lady abandons it pretty quickly.
And smoked turkey necks probably aren't ok then?

My girl likes the elk antlers, and the raw marrow bones. She also gets a kick out of chewing her Goughnuts toys. They aren't "natural", but they get the job done, and they do work rather well.

Goughnuts instructional video

Edited by Ben McDonald (01/24/2012 11:48 PM)
Edit reason: added video