Chew Chew Chew & Introduction

[princetonbaby]

Hi All,

I've been browsing the forums and looking up topics for a few months now, but have never quite needed to post, because it seems that no matter what I have a question about, someone else has had the question at some point in time on here and there are plenty of answers and tips! It's been a great resource and so Ive just been a silent observer of the forum.

Although I am sure this question has been asked a bazillion times, I'd just like some fresh input.

I'm a first time yorkie mama. My little boy Princeton Anthony was born August 8 and I have had him since he was 8.5 weeks old (yes, I know many feel this is far too soon to have gotten him, which I understand now, but it is what it is)

He's been a pretty good boy. Busy of course and we are still working on housetraining. On the days where I stay consistent he does very well and has even recently learned to either scratch at the door or come and get me when he needs to be let out. Which I think is adorable, even if it's every 20 minutes and I can't get any work done (I work at home) lol.

He sleeps all night, knows how to "go lay down" in his crate when he's misbehaving or being annoying, has learned to sit, plays fetch and will "come here" when he feels like it (still working on this one and the next goal is teaching him how to behave on a lead, he's horrible with the leash still, and I don't know how to teach him to "stay" yet either but he's so young, so I know there's time)

Anyhow my biggest two "complaints" are how much water he drinks (then subsequently, how much he PEES. it is SOO Much and sooo often) sometimes I think its much too much but I don' want to restrict his water. If his bowl goes dry he will come get me, run towards the kitchen and then back to me over and over until he sees me with a bottle of water in hand, then he runs to his bowl and goes ape until I pour lol.

But my BIGGEST concern and the reason for this post is: when do they stop chewing every waking moment?!! lol. I understand he is in the puppy and teething stage but I swear this boys jaws are in motion NON-STOP. EVERYTHING goes in his mouth. He is constantly chewing. he has a million toys and has learned to mostly stop attacking hands and feet (that was SOO bad in the beginning to where I was feeling guilty for not liking him too much because of it (LOVED HIM THO) but thankfully I've been able to train him out of doing that, most of the time)

At what age do some of you guys who have older pups, did you notice the chewing ALL THE TIME has slowed down. He has become more calm as time as gone on, and since he taught himself to jump on furniture a few days ago, often will hop up next to me and actually sit with me some (he even took a nap next to me up there the other day, so cute) but he still has to CHEW most of the time. Sheets, toys, pillows, socks, flip flops, more toys, strings, CHARGER CORDS :-(, blankets, stuffed animals ANY and EVERYTHING he can find. I have to stay behind him like a toddler to remove things from his mouth that he shouldn't have or has half swallowed. Sometimes I wonder where the little guy finds the stuff as I pick up and vacuum so often now that he has to be materializing some of this stuff out of sheer will! LOL.

Does it ever calm down? Will he ever just play and chill? Or will he always have the need to CHEW CHEW CHEW CHEW CHEW??

I mostly worry about him getting a hold of something and choking or swallowing something he can't pass so I am constantly checking or digging in his mouth when he's chewing. I want to be able to let him play (he is still very restricted to only the living room and only while I'm in there with him) without having to stop and look at him or call him to me to check out what's in his mouth.

So sorry for the wordiness of my first post, haha. But basically just curious when some of you seasoned vets noticed a decline in the need to CHEW all the time, allowing you to relax more as a worried mama (or papa)

Thanks a bunch!!

[Deb1]

First of all he is probably teething! I offer my Teeka, a variety of chew toys, deer antler and American made rawhide bones. The last you need to monitor, he might choke if he gets a piece off. Teeka is 20 weeks and is a chewer at times, but also loves to use me as her bed. She is a cuddler when tired, scared or nervous. I try to keep everything puppy proofed and out of reach! He seems to be doing great with potty training. I have to watch Teeka closely or she will pee or poo on the floor! Good luck and congrats on your new furbaby!

[KendraE]

I have a 4 year old, 2 year old and two 1 year olds... 2 are chewers... Always have been!! But, they have learned what is ok to chew and what isn't! Your little guy will too! By the way, welcome to Yt!!

[gracielove]

Some dogs just need to chew. It is good for their teeth and it helps them to vent out some of their energy or frustrations. You have a puppy that just naturally needs to chew.
When my Gracie was a puppy she was also a chew monster. I knew that raw hide was a dangerous item for dogs so I was not sure what to do with her. When I found YT I found people talking about bully sticks. There are a variety of opinions about them but they were a real life saver for us. Gracie was much like your little guy in that she would search for things to chew. She would steal things from end tables and closets as well as out of purses and anything else she could get into. I was afraid she would kill herself by finding something dangerous and choking on it.
The bully sticks have done the trick for us. When she got her first one she chewed it for an hour. You do have to be careful about where you buy them. Some companies do not process them right and they are too soft. I buy them from Best Bully and have had no issues with them. I get her the 12" long regular thickness. They are bigger than she is but they last a long time. I throw them away when they get to be 3" to 4" so I don't have to worry about them being a choking hazard. Of course you should always be near by when your pet chews anything.
Rawhide can be a choking hazard and it has also caused some terrible stomach problems because it sits undigested in the stomach.
Gracie stopped chewing things she was not supposed to have once she had her bully sticks. I make sure we never run out. She is 2 years old now and does not chew as much as she did when she was a youngster but she still needs to chew now and then.
It sounds like you are doing pretty well for having such a young one. Exercise is one of the best ways to deal with an energetic dog. They may be small but they need to run off that energy. A tired dog is not much of a problem around the house.

[MandiesMom]

First, I wanted to say Welcome to YT!!

I think the above advice is totally right. He's just a chewer (he may grow out of it after teething or he may not). Just get him safe things he can chew and teach him what he can chew and what he can't. He'll catch on pretty quickly.

As for the drinking a lot thing...that's new to me so I don't know. If it is really so much that it concerns you to ask, though...I would strongly suggest speaking to your vet about it. May be some underlying condition making him thirsty all the time or something.

Also, since you've been reading a lot, you know how we gush over new pics of pups..soooo, post 'em if ya got 'em!

[waldosmom]

I had a boxer puppy, I got or Mother's Day this year... He drank constantly and peed so much it was like pure water.. We ran tons of tests and I can't remember what it was allied ill look it up but it was a rare disease and the vet said they had no quality of lifebetc, so at 10 weeks old we had to have him put down . If you're concerned call your vet! Hope it's nothing for you guys

[gracielove]

Puppies do not start to get the ability to hold back their urine until they are 16 weeks old so I would say you are doing very well for having such a young one. Small breed puppies have very small bladders. What they take in goes through that little body rather quickly and they don't have much room to store it. It is important that your puppy gets to drink as much as it needs to. It may be inconvenient for you but it is necessary to help maintain healthy kidneys.
If he seems to have excessive thirst it would be a very good idea to have that checked out by your vet. Also consider what he is eating. Could he be getting anything that would cause him to be extra thirsty? Some commercial snacks for dogs have some really unhealthy ingredients that could increase thirst. You may want to check out the ingredient list on the dog food container as well.

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by gracielove

Puppies do not start to get the ability to hold back their urine until they are 16 weeks old so I would say you are doing very well for having such a young one. Small breed puppies have very small bladders. What they take in goes through that little body rather quickly and they don't have much room to store it. It is important that your puppy gets to drink as much as it needs to. It may be inconvenient for you but it is necessary to help maintain healthy kidneys.
If he seems to have excessive thirst it would be a very good idea to have that checked out by your vet. Also consider what he is eating. Could he be getting anything that would cause him to be extra thirsty? Some commercial snacks for dogs have some really unhealthy ingredients that could increase thirst. You may want to check out the ingredient list on the dog food container as well.

Hello and welcome. I agree

[superchick8912]

Bully sticks have saved my house, my furniture and my sanity! Sammy used to chew everything and he loved to tear apart paper, books, anything that made a crinkly sound, until I discovered the bully sticks! He loves them and now when he wants to chew he will find one from wherever he hid it last and spend hours with it. He will even bark and whine at me to reach it for him if he can't get it himself, which is a little irritating but he completely stopped chewing things he isn't supposed to know which is amazing. Be sure to get ones made in the USA or Canada though and read up on the recalls and warnings on this site because some can contain harmful bacteria like salmonella. Good luck and your little one sounds amazing!

[princetonbaby]

Sorry for late reply! Thank you for the warm welcomes and the tips! I also have read about the Bully sticks so I want to make sure I order the right ones before I do! I'm just such a nervous one when it comes to what he chews because I want to make sure whatever he may happen to swallow won't hurt him in any way.

I've accepted he may just be a chewer, I just hope the days comes where I can trust he won't chew something that will harm him.

Right now he is giving me a run for my SANITY with his thirst and needing to be let out to pee thing. Poor thing was sleeping on my lap the other day and peed in his sleep! LOL. But he's otherwise doing very well - even if I can make it to the door blindfolded in my sleep now because I have to let him out so much (I sure wish I owned my home, so we could get doggy doors!!)

[princetonbaby]

Originally Posted by superchick8912

Bully sticks have saved my house, my furniture and my sanity! Sammy used to chew everything and he loved to tear apart paper, books, anything that made a crinkly sound, until I discovered the bully sticks! He loves them and now when he wants to chew he will find one from wherever he hid it last and spend hours with it. He will even bark and whine at me to reach it for him if he can't get it himself, which is a little irritating but he completely stopped chewing things he isn't supposed to know which is amazing. Be sure to get ones made in the USA or Canada though and read up on the recalls and warnings on this site because some can contain harmful bacteria like salmonella. Good luck and your little one sounds amazing!

That's reassuring. He did just chew up the edge of a new planner I'd just bought but that was my fault. I was letting him nibble the leather handle on an old messenger bag while he was next to me on the couch, and didn't realize he'd made his way inside the bag to chew up the planner. lol.

Anyhow...

Which brand did you purchase. The ones I looked up a little pricey so I want to order the best ones, and not just expensive ones (if they are the best and expensive, then so be it.) lol.

[princetonbaby]

A little off topic of this thread:

Can anyone explain why sometimes my posts go right through while others have to be moderated first? I didn't see anything in the new user rules that explained how and/or why!

Thanks a bunch :-)
---

I tried to quote and reply to a response here and it says it has to be approved/moderated first, but then the other posts came through right away?

[princetonbaby]

Originally Posted by waldosmom

I had a boxer puppy, I got or Mother's Day this year... He drank constantly and peed so much it was like pure water.. We ran tons of tests and I can't remember what it was allied ill look it up but it was a rare disease and the vet said they had no quality of lifebetc, so at 10 weeks old we had to have him put down . If you're concerned call your vet! Hope it's nothing for you guys

Oh no! I am so sorry to hear about that. That is sooo sad.

We're going in for the thirsty thing (among a couple other concerns on monday) I'm hoping maybe it's just a mixture of active puppy and now, with the weather and the heat on 24.7 or something. We'll see. I can't imagine what I'd do if he were seriously ill. I am so in love with his busy little butt.

[mimimomo]

Your posts are being moderated bc u're a newbie @ posting, it will stop.

Not to alarm you, but excessive thirst can be a sign of diabetes. If he's peeing in his sleep, I think he should be seen by a vet. Hoping it's just him being a puppy & it's nothing serious.
Increased Urination and Thirst in Dogs | petMD

Himalayan chews last a long time & mine love it.

[gracielove]

Originally Posted by princetonbaby

Sorry for late reply! Thank you for the warm welcomes and the tips! I also have read about the Bully sticks so I want to make sure I order the right ones before I do! I'm just such a nervous one when it comes to what he chews because I want to make sure whatever he may happen to swallow won't hurt him in any way.

I've accepted he may just be a chewer, I just hope the days comes where I can trust he won't chew something that will harm him.

Right now he is giving me a run for my SANITY with his thirst and needing to be let out to pee thing. Poor thing was sleeping on my lap the other day and peed in his sleep! LOL. But he's otherwise doing very well - even if I can make it to the door blindfolded in my sleep now because I have to let him out so much (I sure wish I owned my home, so we could get doggy doors!!)

I have brought several different brands of bully sticks and have found that the Best Bully brand is actually really the best. Some companies do not process them right and they end up being too soft. That can be a real problem. They come in different thicknesses. I buy the regular thickness and I always buy them in the 12" length. Twelve inches is actually longer than she is but she doesn't mind and they last a long time. I throw them away when they get short enough that they might fit all the way in her mouth. Best Bully has their own website but shipping is less on ebay.
Best Bully Sticks 5 Ct 12" Standard Natural Dog Chews | eBay
They also sell low odor bully sticks and they sell other sizes. You may want a 8" stick if your puppy is real small.

Having a puppy is much like having an infant. The baby stage does not last as long but it can be a very busy time that seems endless. In a few months he should be doing much better but right now he is just a baby.