Toys. chewing, and two dogs

**margamelia** · 11-02-2011, 01:06 PM

Hey Everyone,

We just got a black lab puppy (Hendrix) and at home we already had a 5 year old Dachshund (Hemi). So far they get along well, but I am having an issue with the toy situation.

You see, whenever I give Hendrix a toy to chew on (because as you all know - he definitely enjoys chewing), Hemi wants the toy and tries to take it. We tell him no, but that works for all of 1 minute or if we aren't looking he just takes it and Hendrix takes to trying to chew on our hands, clothes, etc... We have other toys but it seems this one squirrel is a favorite. I thought about getting two squirrels but I just don't think that's going to help.

I wanted to see if any of you had experience with keeping toys exclusive with your dogs.

Thanks!
Margaret & Andrew

**Sophiesmama** · 11-02-2011, 07:43 PM

It is probably a territorial issue with Hemi....he figures he was there first, therefore all toys etc (including you) belongs to him! I would make sure Hemi doesn't feel left out with a new baby in the house. Were the toys at your house before you got the new pup? Are they new toys you bought since Hendrix came home? How long have you had the new puppy? Do you crate train? I would keep reasurring Hemi and swapping out toys. Take the Squirrel away for a few days, that way they won't fight over it.

**BigBrownDog** · 11-02-2011, 07:52 PM

I'm not quite sure why you would want to do this? I have 2 dogs who share the toys in the house. I usually get duplicates of things - or similar items. I never give a toy to one dog and not the other - that would surely start trouble. They do take notes!

I'm not sure what kind of chew toy the squirrel is, but I used nylabones for my Lab puppy and I would simply bring home 2 Nylabones at a time - hand one to each and then go about my business. Usually the puppy would lose interest and my older Lab would instantly snatch up his much more desirable Nylabone - but in the end there was always a nylabone for each.

**margamelia** · 11-02-2011, 09:30 PM

Thanks for the advice, Pam. you're probably right about it being territorial, that makes sense. We did buy new toys for Hendrix, we've only had him for about a week, and I think that so far the two dogs are doing really well together. We have been crate training Hendrix, too. They sleep in the same room together. Hemi sleeps in his dog bed though and Hendrix in his crate. Do you think the crate training could make a difference in the Hemi's territorial issue?

Sharon, it's also a good idea to get them two toys, too. The only reason I wanted to try and keep the toys separate though is that Hemi destroys every toy he gets his paws on (I guess I should have mentioned that before). Rips the animals apart, and ruins the nylabones in just an hour or two. He's always been like that with his toys, so usually we got him ropes and more durable toys. With the puppy though, he doesn't really show interest in those toys that we could duplicate. I think they just aren't soft enough for teething...although I'm not sure.

**Sophiesmama** · 11-02-2011, 10:06 PM

Hahaha! Hemi tears up toys! You haven't seen nothing yet!! Sophie can destroy a toy in 10.2 seconds! Labs are noted for it! You'll learn really quickly that you'll need to buy toys for extreme chewers. I buy Dogzilla or Kong. She tore up a Hartz stuffy in under 2 minutes! She ate a hunk out of her frisbee...This is her favorite toy, and she's had in over 2 months!!!!

**BigBrownDog** · 11-02-2011, 10:32 PM

Nylabone Original Durable Dog Chew at PETCO

I can't imagine how a Doxie could destroy a nylabone. I am not talking about the soft/edible nylabones. My adult Labs can't destroy their nylabones. The above linked item is what I am talking about.

**kassabella** · 11-04-2011, 06:37 AM

Gems used to take Erns toys. Sharon she could demolish those nyla bones very quickly. These tookk longer.
Nylabone Big Chew Bone for Big Dogs at PETCO

Pam they last Gems about 5 mins.

They each have their own with their own toy box. Funny how they get to know what is theirs. Gems would run in and go straight to her and get her things.
Erns is a chewer so has toys to suit him and Tesssa loves stuffed toys in her mouth. If I see Erns chewing on hers I take them off him as they will be destuffed in seconds.

**Samson** · 11-04-2011, 09:37 AM

I found that my pups destroyed toys too until I eventually purchased enough toys so that they couldn't decide which to chew ! I now have toys that die of natural causes ( Like being left in the garden ) !

**margamelia** · 11-10-2011, 10:38 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I went out and got more toys that matched so now we have duplicates and lots and lots of toys! It seems to work out okay. Hemi still likes to horde the toys, but there are so many that Hendrix can always have one too. Your advice really helped us out!!! Thanks again!