[Elizabeth P]

Test message? Got it….

[Elizabeth P]

Dori, I’m afraid I’d have to disagree with you based on my own experience. If what you do works for you, though, great. I teach an obedience class, and just tonight I gave my spiel on high value treats for training. I said don’t use your dog’s kibble. Go for something that really floats their boat. After all, if someone offered you a rice cake or a birthday cake as a reward for completing a task, which one would YOU choose. 🙂 For some dogs, that birthday cake is string cheese, for others it is green beans. My dogs usually work well for really smelly stuff, or things they rarely get in other contexts. Tonight it was tiny pieces of stew beef.

[Elizabeth P]

I spent a lot of money on a canine dentist when my dog broke a tooth. The dentist told me that dog teeth are much softer than ours, and that very hard chews (Nylabones, Himalayan dog chews) will break their teeth. Now, I know I often looked for the hardest chew so it would last, but it turns out that is not good for a dog’s teeth. Dr. Modrcin (DVM, Kansas City) says if you can’t score it with your thumb nail, it is too hard. Yikes, that knocks out just about everything. I use stuffed Kongs a lot. I also think bully sticks are okay, because as soon as the dog’s saliva hits them, they get soft. But yes, you have to watch carefully that they don’t gnaw down to a stub and swallow it whole. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) recommends Busy Hearty Hide by Purina, and this is the only “hide” product I use. And of course, like anything, you have to be sure your dog doesn’t swallow it whole. There just isn’t one-size-fits-all product, because it depends on your dog and your willingness to supervise.

[Elizabeth P]

How hard they get depends on how long you bake them and what shape they are. I like my discs kind of chewy, not hard. You’ll just have to play with it. They do stick, so use parchment paper or Pam sprayed on a wire rack.

[Elizabeth P]

I won’t pay the high price of sweet potato treats. I microwave a sweet potato, slice it (skin and all) and dry it in a low oven for a couple hours. Cheap and easy and keeps well.

[Elizabeth P]

For Margaret H: I do brush my dog’s teeth and his breath was still awful. The vet could find no cause. So, very skeptically, I tried the OraPup. Darned if it didn’t work like a charm. And I don’t need to use it often, so the licky stuff lasts forever. They send a human-sized one, too!

[Elizabeth P]

Candice S.: I found this interesting http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/blog/-20869-1.html

[Elizabeth P]

I am feeding Wellness Core Reduced fat, too. I have no issues with it, except the price. My dogs tend to do well on just about anything, but I like it when there are facts to back up my choice of foods for them! 🙂

[Elizabeth P]

Thanks, Candice. The reply, however, is what I call “squishy.” Very nice and thoughtful, but the answer is no, they do not do feeding trials according to AFCO standards. Darn.

[Elizabeth P]

Please post how to access the research paper. All I am finding are summaries by folks I don’t know.

[Elizabeth P]

His research showed that moistening dry foods that contained CITRIC ACID increased the risk of GDV.

[Elizabeth P]

Sorry, it is http://www.vohc.org. Having spent a considerable sum on a dog’s broken tooth, I listen to my veterinary dentist.

[Elizabeth P]

My veterinary dentist says that things like Himalayan dog chews are too hard for dog teeth. That is how dogs break teeth. If you can’t score it with your finger nail, it is too hard. Go to http://www.vohc.com (Veterinary Oral Health Council) for treats of appropriate hardness.

[Elizabeth P]

You might look into chew products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Most chew treats are too hard and are harmful to dog teeth, which are surprisingly soft.

[Elizabeth P]

Aimee makes a good point. General treats are different from training treats, at least in my mind. Training treats need to be very small, like the tip of your little finger. And if the treat isn’t that small, it needs to be dividable. Zukes are a good size. I like training treats that are smelly and very, very special to the dog, although I draw the line at fish. Because my dogs get such small amounts, I am not fussy about ingredients and, luckily, my dogs will/can eat anything.

[Elizabeth P]

I want treats that can be broken up into little pieces easily and aren’t super hard or mushy. I train for competition and need things I can conveniently carry in my pocket or hand.

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