Toys and Bones

Don’t let a puppy’s innocent face fool you…

Harper B for Be Gone, Nap Interrupter and Capella, the Nap Interrupter

Harper B for Be Gone, Nap Interrupter and Capella, the Nap Interrupter

…trusting them to keep themselves safe is a Bad Idea. Puppies have no sense of self-preservation. This is why they are born in litters — so a few survive to adulthood. Our goal is 100%!

It is the job of humans to keep puppies safe from their own bad instincts. This means that puppies should not be trusted off-leash when cars and other dangers are present, and we need to be very careful with toys that have chewable pieces.

Exhibit A

Exhibit A

A puppy’s need to chew can be deadly and/or result in an obstruction surgery. But yes — they need to chew.

I let Capella have a frozen bone each morning, which is not easy on this squeamish vegetarian…

Yuck! I cannot even show in full bloody color.

Yuck! I cannot even show in full bloody color.

3 - 4 inches long seems okay for a puppy but I still supervise bone-chewing. High-end dog food stores often have suitable bones as do some grocery stores.

I also watch Capella closely with toys — if she seems too interested in chewing on one piece, I take it away (and pray she poops out any pieces she may have swallowed).

We cannot be perfect but we can and should be vigilant and aware.

Have a safe day!