First let me say it has been over 14 years since I have had a puppy. I usually get them 4+ years old. That being said, I am sure many things have changed since then.

I have recently acquired an 8 month old GSD who was having some aggression issues at her previous home. She has been doing really well with some training and daily structure. She is in a crate for about 5 hours daily when I am at work and then at night while I'm sleeping. She has been chewing on the bars of the kennel and if there is anything near the kennel she tries her best to pull it inside and chew it.

I am looking for any tips on safe chew toys and/or bones to give her. Currently she gets an assortment of nylabones that I rotate every few days, but it is not enough. Anything softer, she will rip up. I am concerned about her swallowing something she shouldn't or breaking her teeth on something too hard. However, she is a strong chewer. Bully sticks don't even last her 2 minutes. With hooves, she breaks off large pieces. With bones or antlers, I am afraid she will break a tooth.

Any advice? What are some of the things you use??? Thanks in advance.

Try a Kong and put peanut butter in it. The black ones are the toughest. Be sure and check the ingredients in the peanut butter. something in some of them that is bad for dogs. Connie?

I think the peanut butter ingredient Bob is trying to think of is xylitol. It is a sugar alcohol that is toxic to dogs.

Lauren, it's been 12 years since I had a puppy in the house, so I'm not going to be much help, but I remember using stuffed Kongs, too. I would make a mixture of peanut butter, bananas, and plain yogurt, and freeze that before giving it to the dog. Or you can use some kibble mixed in with canned food, or anything else that you feel comfortable giving your dog. Then again, you may have some concerns about him having food while he is in his crate for five hours with no potty breaks. You could try giving him a stuffed Kong some day while you're at home to observe him. For mine, it was never a long-lasting treat, but it did make them happy.

One thing I still do any time I have to leave a dog at home alone is leave a television on in the same room. If your dog is used to hearing a television in your home, leaving it on, if you're not already doing that, might possibly be helpful.

Thanks Cheri! That was it.