Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Within the last month, Spazz has been tearing up everything.  He doesnt do it when im around but when he is by himself he tears up any and everything around.  Is this normal.  He never used to tear up stuff.  I leave toys out for him and rawhide bones and he still will tear up, the Dirty clothes hamper, My toothbrush, the liner in my leather coat (yes i wanted to kill him), Ive tried to let him in different parts of the house and he found things to tear up that i didnt even think about.  I was wondering is this just a phase? 

Is it good to give your dog left over bones.  Say you have a BBQ and you have ribs and steaks, are they able to eat those bones.  I hear bones are not good for your dog but ive seen bones for sell at the pet store.  I mean they even sell a HUUUUUGE bone i mean its monsterous, like a mammoth bone.  Well i was just wondering.  I had some Ribs last night.  (hehe and they were off the chain  )  and spazz was being good yesterday.  I wanted to give him one of my bones.  I know he would love it.  What are some of your views on Bones?

How many of your puppies/dogs play fetch?

Is this a game that is taught or is it in their genes?

Spazz is really bad at this game.  He loves to play Tug of War and Keep Away.  I would like to be able to make Spazz run without having to chase him or run so he will chase me.  Fetch would be perfect.  I will throw a stick and he will chase it, then want to play keep away.  Or he will just take it and lay down and chew on it. (see pics).

What kind of games do you guys play with your puppies/dogs to get them to run out all of that energy. 

How many of you guys pupper's actually play fetch?

there a lab next door and if you even think of throwing a ball he is there sitting and waiting.  He is a ball fanatic.  it's really crazy how he gets when they throw that ball.

Hello everybody.  Spazz is coming up on 6 mo on the 6 of July.  I will definitly post some more pictures here soon. 

My lil baby is growing up so fast.  When I look at Spazz I still see a little innocent puppy.  He really doesnt look big to me at all.  Maybe because he is mine, and I LOVE HEEEE.    Im in Germany, and most restaurants allow dogs.  It is very comman to see a dog laying next to his owners chair in a nice restaurant. 

Spazz is still in his puppy-I love people-phase.  So he wants to run and see and talk and get touched by all Everybody and everything that moves.  When spazz was small everybody wanted to touch him and see the little puppy.  Now he has put on a couple of pounds and a few inches and people are actually afraid of my Little Puppy.

Where I see a little harmless puppy people see a big scary dog.  Am I the only one?  Is my perception all messed up, or does this just come with being owned by a Big Paw.  ;-)

Also Spazz is almost 6 months, should i be able to have his full attention when there are distractions like people and or dogs around or is it still to early. 

Hello everybody.  Spazz is 5 months old today.  He just dug his first hole in my yard yesterday.  Hopefully I can deter that in the future by paying more attention while he is in the yard.  But that’s a later discussion.  Spazz is now 65+ pounds and is still growing.  He has a extra large kennel that I make him sleep in at night.  When he sleeps he likes to sprawl out with his legs and head spread our or on his back.  The vets said that kennel is good for him but when he is sleep his head is cocked on the gate door.  He can stand and sit in the kennel and can turn around.  The Giant kennel doesn’t seem that much longer.  Should I be forcing him to sleep in it at night.  I know he can hold his Bathroom urges till morning, im just not sure if he will decide to.  My room is carpeted so if he pee’s I’d never know.  (until he soils the spot and the smell comes out)  I would love to let him sleep where ever he feels comfortable at night (except my bed).  Any suggestions.  Is 5 mo to young to trust him not to pee in my room?  Is that extra large kennel to small for him?  Do you guys let your pups sleep where they want, or in a kennel?

Hello you guys.  Im just wondering what other dog owners thoughts are on these subjects.  Ive read a couple of books. ( Puppies for dummies, Dogs for Dummies, Rhodesain Ridgebacks today, how to live with a happy Puppy.  and a few others)  Im living in germany and they treat animals and environment a lot different then we do in the states.

Alot of Germans do not get there pets Nuetered.  But I read in these books that if you dont get your dog Nuetered it's bad for there health, and they will be harder to handle and little things like that. 

Treats?  Spazz-Malik Loves the pig ears and pig skin stuff.  So ill give him atleast one a day.  Two if i need to keep him quiet and calm for a bit.  Are these healthy?  Am i giving him to much.  I give him alot of treats when we train.  and he still eats 3 times a day.  He 4 months old and i feed him way more than it says on the bag.  He is 50 pounds, the vet says he is not over weight.  I feed him about 2 cups of Science Diet three times a day and he eats this in a good minute flat, if that.  My vet is German so communication is kinda hard sometimes but she is real good with spazz.  Says he looks good. and to try feeding him carrots to curb his appetite. 

So i guess what im asking is can i give spazz to many bones and ears and stuff to chew on and eat?  And if he always seems hungry should i feed him a little more?

And last question ;-) the heel command.  I cant really get him to understand.  stop and sit by my leg.  then walk with me and then stop by my leg.  He wants to sit everywhere else.  he wont walk right beside me and if i have a treat out to keep his attention well thats all he focuses on.  So he's jumping and butting trying to get this tasty treat.  The dog in the book is just looking at the treat walking calmly.  That just wont work for Spazz.  Any Suggestions. 

LOL I know this was a long post.  I got a little carried away.  next time ill break it up.

Im new to BPO and to Forums in general.  I have a 4 month old Rhodesain Ridgeback. His name is Spazz-malik.  (I call him spazz)  Im not sure if he is even concidered a BPO.  Im in the military, stationed in Germany.  I am single so my baby is home by himself from 7-5.  I have friends that come feed him and walk him at lunch.  He is adjusting beautifully.  Im getting a ferret on Friday.  Hoping it can be his playmate.  He tears up his little stuffed toys i get him.  Is it possible to socialize him with a ferret at 4 months?