Treats/Bones To Occupy, Part II - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Lovestruck304 · 01-18-2009, 06:25 PM

I made a thread last week asking about what treats or bones you would recommend to keep yorkies occupied for when we need "me-time", and I got a lot of answers for the bully sticks... So, I went to the pet store and got one of those and also a Nyla Bone, both unsuccessful and definitely a wasted $8. For my little one, anyway. She could care less about the bully stick. I even try to put it in her mouth to start it out but she just sits there. And she doesn't touch the NylaBone, either. She seems to enjoy the Pedigree Jumbone Mini's most, but she eats them too fast--prob less than 10 minutes to eat one--and you're only supposed to give up to 5 a week so that is a disappointment when I've just sat down to get online, sew, read, do crafts, or other things I don't want her to be around. And locking her out of the room is out of the question for her, she will just claw at the door and whine. She is like my shadow, I swear. Wherever I am, she is there growling up at me. I try to play with her often, getting down on the floor with her and horsing around but I am tired after so long but she still wants attention. So yeah, I was hoping to try once more for some really good products to try to keep her busy. Thanks again!

Erin · 01-18-2009, 08:10 PM

What about a puzzle toy like a Kong or Busy Buddy? Stuff it with peanut butter and freeze it to make it harder to get out.

I'm surprised she didn't like the Bully Stick. I know my little Sammy will wait for Loki to get it started and then steal his, she doesn't like to start them, but she's just spoiled because Loki will do it for her.

We like bully sticks but the very best way is to just wear them out. Walks and car rides really wear them out

I take them with me when I run errands (post office, etc) and when i get home they just want to nap.

BTW this gets better when they get older. Sammy is super hyper crazy but she still naps half the day. She's just crazy when she's awake. Can't you keep her in the room when you are doing stuff? Maybe put her in a crate or playpen if it's not safe for her to run around the room. Mine don't tolerate being locked out of a room so I totally understand that! But if I let them in they generally behave themselves.

NewYorkieLover · 01-18-2009, 09:04 PM

Lexi loves bully sticks, but what she loves even more are Flossies!

Also, after reading about it on some threads, I went and bought the Hide a Squirrel toy yesterday. She is really enjoying that!

amandawash · 01-19-2009, 08:41 AM

Before I even considered there being a difference in bully sticks, Ranger wouldn't eat the ones from the pet store either. Not to mention they are just plain gross and smelly and lots of them have artificial flavoring or are made in China. We were given some from West Brook as a gift and they went CRAZY for them!!!

Before you give up completely on them, order one or two from Westbrookdog.com. Mine LOVE the braided ones. It's worth a shot and they are so good for their little teeth!

Good luck!!!

deb22 · 01-19-2009, 09:42 AM

Penny absolutely loves her Antlerz.....and her hide a treat ball...Keeps her occupied for awhile....

AMD · 01-19-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandawash

Before I even considered there being a difference in bully sticks, Ranger wouldn't eat the ones from the pet store either. Not to mention they are just plain gross and smelly and lots of them have artificial flavoring or are made in China. We were given some from West Brook as a gift and they went CRAZY for them!!!

Before you give up completely on them, order one or two from Westbrookdog.com. Mine LOVE the braided ones. It's worth a shot and they are so good for their little teeth!

Good luck!!!

(Lovestruck304)- If you're interested in trying my Bully Sticks, I send samples (free) to YT members. PM me if you're interested.

amandawash · 01-19-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AMD

(Lovestruck304)- If you're interested in trying my Bully Sticks, I send samples (free) to YT members. PM me if you're interested.

I ordered ten or something crazy like that for my 2 boys last week

Lovestruck304 · 01-19-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

What about a puzzle toy like a Kong or Busy Buddy? Stuff it with peanut butter and freeze it to make it harder to get out.

Whenever I have seen these in the store they are always so pricy and the only place that sells them around me is an hour away, which isn't even worth the gas to get there and I don't have my own car anyway.

Quote:

Walks and car rides really wear them out I take them with me when I run errands (post office, etc) and when i get home they just want to nap.

My yorkie is terrified when my fiance and I take her in our truck so that never works and we have so many inches of snow right now that I can hardly get myself outside to walk let alone bailey.

Quote:

Can't you keep her in the room when you are doing stuff? Maybe put her in a crate or playpen if it's not safe for her to run around the room.

I do keep her in the room because she cries and whines like crazy if I close the door, same with being in her crate which drives me insane so I don't even bother with that thing anymore .. it was a waste of money. Whenever she is in it she shakes like a leaf and makes this choking noise so dramatically that she almost makes herself throw up.

I seriously almost give up and feel it's a waste to spend the money on pricy dog treats/chews that don't last for her. She tears them up in minutes and barks and begs for more and I don't want to give her more treats than is good for her.

Thanks for the replies!

Lovestruck304 · 01-19-2009, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amandawash

Before I even considered there being a difference in bully sticks, Ranger wouldn't eat the ones from the pet store either. Not to mention they are just plain gross and smelly and lots of them have artificial flavoring or are made in China. We were given some from West Brook as a gift and they went CRAZY for them!!!

Before you give up completely on them, order one or two from Westbrookdog.com. Mine LOVE the braided ones. It's worth a shot and they are so good for their little teeth!

Good luck!!!

I went to the site and they are listed for $106 which I think is ridiculous and unfortunately unlike a lot of others I don't have that kind of money to spend on doggy treats. I am lucky to have an extra $10 sometimes. =/ I know a lot of yorkie owners are lucky enough to have the money to buy these kinds of things to spoil theirs with but I have to struggle to get my little Bailey everything that she does have. Are there any inexpensive things for her to chew on that would last?

QuickSilver · 01-19-2009, 03:45 PM

I think you might have looked at the bulk rate for 100 sticks. They are usually only a few dollars a piece.

I personally like the Merck flossies - I believe one is about $3. Also, the Hide-A-Squirrel is $14 online, I just bought one myself.

Did you pup lick the bully stick at all, or did she display no interest whatsoever? I bought Thor a whole bunch of bones, which he would lick for a bit, but he only tried chewing once.

Recently I started soaking the flossies in water to make them softer and he ADORES them now. They are probably not as good for his teeth, but he still gets all the chewing enjoyment out of them.

You sound a bit discouraged with your pup. Is there a yorkie / small breed club in your area where you could meet other yorkie owners? Try googling your city and "yorkie meets". Maybe you can find someone to do toy exchanges with.

QuickSilver · 01-19-2009, 03:51 PM

Also, that choking noise you refer to is probably a goose honk, nothing serious. Did you acclimatize your pup to her crate slowly? If you do a search on threads here, you should find some good tips on how to introduce the crate.

amandawash · 01-19-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lovestruck304

I went to the site and they are listed for $106 which I think is ridiculous and unfortunately unlike a lot of others I don't have that kind of money to spend on doggy treats. I am lucky to have an extra $10 sometimes. =/ I know a lot of yorkie owners are lucky enough to have the money to buy these kinds of things to spoil theirs with but I have to struggle to get my little Bailey everything that she does have. Are there any inexpensive things for her to chew on that would last?

Oh goodness no! I just purchased 10 for $32 including shipping. The braided ones are only $2 something a piece. They last the boys weeks because I only get them out when I want to keep them busy for a bit.

Erin · 01-19-2009, 04:12 PM

I'm sorry you are having such a tough time. A small Kong is about $8 and if she likes peanut butter or cream cheese, you can be pretty sure she will lick it out of the Kong. I just freeze them so that it takes them longer to get the PB out.

Sammy did not like her crate or riding in the car when we got her. We took her for short trips in the car and made sure she always got a reward, like going to grandma's house or going for ice cream

Once she got used to it we could take longer trips no problem. She still gets restless after a few hours, but she isn't afraid any more. She still doesn't like being put in her crate when she knows we are going out, because she wants to go with, but she quiets down eventually. She likes to lay on top of pillows so we got some fluffy pillows with fleece pillow cases and put those in the bottom of her big crate (she and Loki share, it's a huge crate) and she actually sleeps in there by choice most of the day. It was just a matter of making her comfortable and rewarding her for going in there. They will race to their crate if I say "crate" because they know they get a cookie!

It's possible she will just adjust to your routine after a while. Like I said, Sammy is quite hyper but she has fallen into our routine with a few exceptions (like standing on me with her fishy in her mouth at midnight last night

) But I just went to pick up a pizza (like 15 minutes away) so I took them with and now they are just chillin. If I had left them here they would be running circles around me right now! So it's worth trying to get her used to riding in the car.

Lovestruck304 · 01-19-2009, 04:36 PM

PB & cream cheese? Is that healthy for them?

QuickSilver · 01-19-2009, 04:45 PM

A couple tablespoons of pb or cream cheese should be fine unless she has dietary restrictions. You can actually put her normal food into it too and just feed her that at meal times. That's what they do at the shelter I volunteer at. It gives the dogs mental stimulation. If she likes the kong, you can get very creative with it and layer treats with kibble, cream cheese, freeze them, etc.

01-18-2009, 06:25 PM	#1
Lovestruck304 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: WV Posts: 93	Treats/Bones To Occupy, Part II I made a thread last week asking about what treats or bones you would recommend to keep yorkies occupied for when we need "me-time", and I got a lot of answers for the bully sticks... So, I went to the pet store and got one of those and also a Nyla Bone, both unsuccessful and definitely a wasted $8. For my little one, anyway. She could care less about the bully stick. I even try to put it in her mouth to start it out but she just sits there. And she doesn't touch the NylaBone, either. She seems to enjoy the Pedigree Jumbone Mini's most, but she eats them too fast--prob less than 10 minutes to eat one--and you're only supposed to give up to 5 a week so that is a disappointment when I've just sat down to get online, sew, read, do crafts, or other things I don't want her to be around. And locking her out of the room is out of the question for her, she will just claw at the door and whine. She is like my shadow, I swear. Wherever I am, she is there growling up at me. I try to play with her often, getting down on the floor with her and horsing around but I am tired after so long but she still wants attention. So yeah, I was hoping to try once more for some really good products to try to keep her busy. Thanks again! __________________ Bailey, Boo, & Romeo

01-18-2009, 08:10 PM	#2
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	What about a puzzle toy like a Kong or Busy Buddy? Stuff it with peanut butter and freeze it to make it harder to get out. I'm surprised she didn't like the Bully Stick. I know my little Sammy will wait for Loki to get it started and then steal his, she doesn't like to start them, but she's just spoiled because Loki will do it for her. We like bully sticks but the very best way is to just wear them out. Walks and car rides really wear them out I take them with me when I run errands (post office, etc) and when i get home they just want to nap. BTW this gets better when they get older. Sammy is super hyper crazy but she still naps half the day. She's just crazy when she's awake. Can't you keep her in the room when you are doing stuff? Maybe put her in a crate or playpen if it's not safe for her to run around the room. Mine don't tolerate being locked out of a room so I totally understand that! But if I let them in they generally behave themselves. __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

01-18-2009, 09:04 PM	#3
NewYorkieLover Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 418	Lexi loves bully sticks, but what she loves even more are Flossies! Also, after reading about it on some threads, I went and bought the Hide a Squirrel toy yesterday. She is really enjoying that! __________________ momma to ♥ lexi ♥ and the two best skinkids ever!! whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about puppies

01-19-2009, 08:41 AM	#4
amandawash Lovin' my R & R Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Middleton, Idaho Posts: 2,152	Before I even considered there being a difference in bully sticks, Ranger wouldn't eat the ones from the pet store either. Not to mention they are just plain gross and smelly and lots of them have artificial flavoring or are made in China. We were given some from West Brook as a gift and they went CRAZY for them!!! Before you give up completely on them, order one or two from Westbrookdog.com. Mine LOVE the braided ones. It's worth a shot and they are so good for their little teeth! Good luck!!! __________________ Amanda 's Ranger & Ryder

01-19-2009, 09:42 AM	#5
deb22 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: us Posts: 1,500	Penny absolutely loves her Antlerz.....and her hide a treat ball...Keeps her occupied for awhile.... __________________ Deb and Penny (aka Miss Picky Pants) Member of the Spoiled Rotten Club

01-19-2009, 03:45 PM	#10
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,929 Blog Entries: 31	I think you might have looked at the bulk rate for 100 sticks. They are usually only a few dollars a piece. I personally like the Merck flossies - I believe one is about $3. Also, the Hide-A-Squirrel is $14 online, I just bought one myself. Did you pup lick the bully stick at all, or did she display no interest whatsoever? I bought Thor a whole bunch of bones, which he would lick for a bit, but he only tried chewing once. Recently I started soaking the flossies in water to make them softer and he ADORES them now. They are probably not as good for his teeth, but he still gets all the chewing enjoyment out of them. You sound a bit discouraged with your pup. Is there a yorkie / small breed club in your area where you could meet other yorkie owners? Try googling your city and "yorkie meets". Maybe you can find someone to do toy exchanges with. Last edited by QuickSilver; 01-19-2009 at 03:47 PM.

01-19-2009, 03:51 PM	#11
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,929 Blog Entries: 31	Also, that choking noise you refer to is probably a goose honk, nothing serious. Did you acclimatize your pup to her crate slowly? If you do a search on threads here, you should find some good tips on how to introduce the crate.

01-19-2009, 04:12 PM	#13
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	Sorry I'm sorry you are having such a tough time. A small Kong is about $8 and if she likes peanut butter or cream cheese, you can be pretty sure she will lick it out of the Kong. I just freeze them so that it takes them longer to get the PB out. Sammy did not like her crate or riding in the car when we got her. We took her for short trips in the car and made sure she always got a reward, like going to grandma's house or going for ice cream Once she got used to it we could take longer trips no problem. She still gets restless after a few hours, but she isn't afraid any more. She still doesn't like being put in her crate when she knows we are going out, because she wants to go with, but she quiets down eventually. She likes to lay on top of pillows so we got some fluffy pillows with fleece pillow cases and put those in the bottom of her big crate (she and Loki share, it's a huge crate) and she actually sleeps in there by choice most of the day. It was just a matter of making her comfortable and rewarding her for going in there. They will race to their crate if I say "crate" because they know they get a cookie! It's possible she will just adjust to your routine after a while. Like I said, Sammy is quite hyper but she has fallen into our routine with a few exceptions (like standing on me with her fishy in her mouth at midnight last night ) But I just went to pick up a pizza (like 15 minutes away) so I took them with and now they are just chillin. If I had left them here they would be running circles around me right now! So it's worth trying to get her used to riding in the car. __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

01-19-2009, 04:36 PM	#14
Lovestruck304 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: WV Posts: 93	PB & cream cheese? Is that healthy for them? __________________ Bailey, Boo, & Romeo

01-19-2009, 04:45 PM	#15
QuickSilver Thor's Human Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 5,929 Blog Entries: 31	A couple tablespoons of pb or cream cheese should be fine unless she has dietary restrictions. You can actually put her normal food into it too and just feed her that at meal times. That's what they do at the shelter I volunteer at. It gives the dogs mental stimulation. If she likes the kong, you can get very creative with it and layer treats with kibble, cream cheese, freeze them, etc.