Non-Toxic Chew Toys for anxious dogs

[CatherineM]

1. Smudge, 4-6mths (?), Male
2. Not Neutered
3. Unknown breed (found abandoned)
4. 45lbs
B - Highly intelligent, fast learner, likes to chew
E - Lively with frequent naps (after meals)
A - Loves a variety, eats all he’s given
M - Generally affectionate
6. Homemade celery/apple/wild blueberry &/or
veggie mashes, whole carrots fir teething, and
some Honest Kitchen meals
7. Medical history unknown (found abandoned on
a road). Appears healthy.

8-12.
We found Smudge about a month ago on a roadside and since had an appt with an animal communicator. Smudge is teething, however, he expressed in general he “likes to chew” and asked for a variety of chewing options. (Question #1) To minimize any accumulative exposure from toys, can you recommended a brand of non-toxic and non-scented, chew toys (hard & plush)? Non-scented is also important for my personal medical reasons. He grabs sticks/wood chips when outside.

(Question #2) Knowing Smudge was abandoned, the first thought was he had separation anxiety. With time, we’ve noticed it’s not separation anxiety, as much as he notices emotional/energy shifts and is expressing that to us. Sometimes this looks like chewing, nipping, zoomies, sounds, etc…. Do you have any suggestions on how to socialize Smudge (in person), when me getting on a phone/zoom call with others has been hyper stimulating to him?

@Dr. Jeff, @Dr. Christina

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Thanks for rescuing Smudge, Catherine!

It sounds like he's one lucky, and happy fella.

Yay for already having had an animal communicator connect to find out more about his backstory and what he likes the most.

brand of non-toxic and non-scented, chew toys (hard & plush)? Non-scented is also important for my personal medical reasons. He grabs sticks/wood chips when outside.

Maya loves her Bark Box toys. They get delivered every month and our big, young active rescue pup loves getting new ones.

All I know about their toy safety is what they say here:

generally non-toxic, BPA-free, and phthalate-free.

The toys are indeed scent free and typically last (tho Maya loves de-stuffing and de-squeaking toys!).

Do you have any suggestions on how to socialize Smudge (in person), when me getting on a phone/zoom call with others has been hyper stimulating to him?

Yes! Start associating the house with a calm, parasympathetic state. You can teach him the "relax" command. And to lie quietly in his place.

It's a bit of BEAM shaping (aka training) that will help moderate the sympathetic states that are currently getting triggered in his nervous system.

This is a process that takes time so your using a few of the Ps may help him be the best possible companion!

This "relax" process takes Presence, Patience and Perseverance to apply, but it's worth it.

 

[CatherineM]

Thanks for rescuing Smudge, Catherine!

It sounds like he's one lucky, and happy fella.

Yay for already having had an animal communicator connect to find out more about his backstory and what he likes the most.


Maya loves her Bark Box toys. They get delivered every month and our big, young active rescue pup loves getting new ones.

All I know about their toy safety is what they say here:



The toys are indeed scent free and typically last (tho Maya loves de-stuffing and de-squeaking toys!).


Yes! Start associating the house with a calm, parasympathetic state. You can teach him the "relax" command. And to lie quietly in his place.

It's a bit of BEAM shaping (aka training) that will help moderate the sympathetic states that are currently getting triggered in his nervous system.

This is a process that takes time so your using a few of the Ps may help him be the best possible companion!

This "relax" process takes Presence, Patience and Perseverance to apply, but it's worth it.

Thanks for the Bark Box recommendation, I’ll look into that! Is it harmful for dogs to chew on sticks outside? I’ve heard dogs need to be watched while chewing raw bones to not swallow small pieces.

A “relax” command, this makes sense, thank you! Are there any HA! links or posts on training/calming dogs with sensitive nervous systems?

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Is it harmful for dogs to chew on sticks outside?

Not usually.

I’ve heard dogs need to be watched while chewing raw bones to not swallow small pieces.

It's a good idea to monitor a young dog whenever he's chewing something that can get stuck in his mouth (as sticks occasionally do) or in the rare case that he starts choking.

Just as you would do with a toddler.

Are there any HA! links or posts on training/calming dogs with sensitive nervous systems?

Yes, all of the talks in the HA! archives by trainers like Sarah Hodson, Irith Bloom, Jesse Sternberg, etc. talk about the importance of teaching nervous system "settling", the importance of sleep, etc.

Here's a nice YouTube about settling: