Give a dog a bone... (when?)

BackToLurk · 2024-04-08T15:43:42+00:00

I've bought my dog an ostrich bone, but I haven't got around to giving him yet because (and this may sound mad) I'm not sure how to. Do you literally just give the dog the bone and leave him to it? Do they finish them off in one sitting? Do you take it away? For context, we gave him some camel skin braid thing that was very long and he would not give it up. If he eats the bone is that his dinner? Give me your bone wisdom

Devilshands · 08/04/2024 16:48

For context, we gave him some camel skin braid thing that was very long and he would not give it up.

When you say 'would not give it up,' do you mean he growled? Or he just ran away with it? If it's the former, I'd strongly suggest that you do not give him any high value rewards until the behaviour has been addressed as, typically speaking, resource guarding escalates.

If it's the latter (i.e. he's just a bit of a tosser who likes to run away but gives it up eventually), than I always find mid-morning to be a good time. Leave him to it, but keep an eye on him - both for his own safety but also for anyone who wonders past. Even the nicest more chilled dog can, on occasion, turn a bit territorial over a high value chew!

The bone wouldn't be his dinner but rather a mid-morning snack to entertain him.

fieldsofbutterflies · 08/04/2024 17:22

Mine gets long-lasting treats when we leave him home alone, for the most part, but occasionally he gets them in the afternoons or evenings too. He gets those on top of his dinner/meals.

When you say he doesn't "give it up", do you mean he growls and guards it?

Original poster

BackToLurk · 08/04/2024 17:29

Thanks both. Yes he growled once or twice, but he did give it up as a swap for something else. He hasn't done this with any other food or toys - although he has a football that we sometimes need to be sneaky about getting back. Just play with him and whip it away. He has never got aggressive with that, just treats it as a game - albeit a slightly disappointing one.

I think we may wait.

OP posts:

InfoComet · 08/04/2024 20:01

What sort of dog is he? How big is he?

My labradors occasionally get an ostrich bone. They will last many sessions/weeks. They would typically get them as afternoon snack, I don't really adjust their food.

fieldsofbutterflies · 08/04/2024 20:05

If he growls over high-value treats then you do need to be careful giving them - make sure he's in a safe space away from people, and make sure you have a safe way of removing him from the treat.

As PP said, ostrich bones last weeks (if not months) so it's vital you can remove it from him safely when needed.

Unluckycat1 · 08/04/2024 20:21

Watching with interest. I gave my dog a dried cow's leg (specifically for dogs), it said to keep an eye on the dog while eating, which I was, but clearly not closely enough as she managed to start eating the actual bone which had cracked into super sharp splinters. I was so worried, but luckily all was ok. It's really put me off bones, other than some raw chicken wings. I'm really confused when people say they properly feed their dogs bone. Are the bone splinters not dangerous?

fieldsofbutterflies · 08/04/2024 20:25

Unluckycat1 · 08/04/2024 20:21

Watching with interest. I gave my dog a dried cow's leg (specifically for dogs), it said to keep an eye on the dog while eating, which I was, but clearly not closely enough as she managed to start eating the actual bone which had cracked into super sharp splinters. I was so worried, but luckily all was ok. It's really put me off bones, other than some raw chicken wings. I'm really confused when people say they properly feed their dogs bone. Are the bone splinters not dangerous?

Bones should always be completely raw. Dried/smoked bones are really dangerous and shouldn't ever be sold (but sadly, they are).

scruffydogstinks · 08/04/2024 20:35

Hi op, it won't replace his dinner, it's more an enrichment treat as most dogs enjoy the chewing and licking of it.

Get the hoover on standby though! Ostrich bones are like honeycomb in the middle and make a right old mess! 😆

thenewaveragebear1983 · 08/04/2024 20:39

I’d like to get bones for my lab but I also don’t know where to start
she’s had duck feet and chicken feet but they last 2 minutes!
I bought some lamb feet and they seemed to splinter (maybe as above, they were dried?) so anyway I took that off her quickly much to her disappointment

where can I get proper raw bones from? Can you recommend anyway reputable?

Hoppinggreen · 08/04/2024 20:40

We dont.
Our daft soppy loves everyone Retriever turns into Cujo if he gets a bone.

Olddognewtrick · 08/04/2024 20:41

My dog loves to chew stuff but won't manage to actually eat an ostrich bone. But he'll enjoy chewing it for weeks. I can take anything away from him at any time though.

My old dog, we very quickly learnt not to give him anything high value and longer lasting because he was horrendous at giving them up.

fieldsofbutterflies · 08/04/2024 20:42

thenewaveragebear1983 · 08/04/2024 20:39

I’d like to get bones for my lab but I also don’t know where to start
she’s had duck feet and chicken feet but they last 2 minutes!
I bought some lamb feet and they seemed to splinter (maybe as above, they were dried?) so anyway I took that off her quickly much to her disappointment

where can I get proper raw bones from? Can you recommend anyway reputable?

The butchers is your best bet, but Morrisons sell raw meaty bones for dogs too.

lotsofdogshere · 08/04/2024 20:44

The butcher gives me small marrow bones for my spaniel and lab.
They have one or two a week. I leave the dogs with their bone for about half an hour, then take it. They only have them raw and when I’m around to supervise.

it’s important to train your dog to drop/leave it before giving them something as good as a bone, avoid resource guarding
their teeth are pearly white

Jennyjojo5 · 08/04/2024 20:45

thenewaveragebear1983 · 08/04/2024 20:39

I’d like to get bones for my lab but I also don’t know where to start
she’s had duck feet and chicken feet but they last 2 minutes!
I bought some lamb feet and they seemed to splinter (maybe as above, they were dried?) so anyway I took that off her quickly much to her disappointment

where can I get proper raw bones from? Can you recommend anyway reputable?

I get raw marrowbone from either Morrisons and pets at home. He loves them and keeps him busy for about an hour. Does wonders to keep his teeth clean too

DogDream · 08/04/2024 20:54

Unluckycat1 · 08/04/2024 20:21

Watching with interest. I gave my dog a dried cow's leg (specifically for dogs), it said to keep an eye on the dog while eating, which I was, but clearly not closely enough as she managed to start eating the actual bone which had cracked into super sharp splinters. I was so worried, but luckily all was ok. It's really put me off bones, other than some raw chicken wings. I'm really confused when people say they properly feed their dogs bone. Are the bone splinters not dangerous?

Ostrich bones are like crumbly honeycomb so shouldn’t splinter (but you should still supervise).

BigBundleOfFluff · 08/04/2024 20:55

The ostrich bone is great. It won't replace a meal. My champion chewer takes her chewing very seriously and is still working on her ostrich knuckle from Xmas. It's not bad smelling either but it does crumble and is quite messy.

YeahComeOnThen · 08/04/2024 20:55

thenewaveragebear1983 · 08/04/2024 20:39

I’d like to get bones for my lab but I also don’t know where to start
she’s had duck feet and chicken feet but they last 2 minutes!
I bought some lamb feet and they seemed to splinter (maybe as above, they were dried?) so anyway I took that off her quickly much to her disappointment

where can I get proper raw bones from? Can you recommend anyway reputable?

Our butcher does them. Sometimes he just gives me them & sometimes (his staff) charge for them, but they're so cheap.

given when I'm going to be home & he can have it outside at first, until he's 'cleaned'
It!!

After that he spends time destroying it. He's a big lab with a very strong jaw & teeth. We end up with tiny chunks left.

I don't take them away, he just looses interest for something more tasty and then when I'm fed up of them all about the place I round them up & make an MN STEW! No, just bin them!

Replace a meal 😂😂😂Nope, more like a piece of bubblegum!

he's never had an ostrich bone though! I think he'd destroy one if those very quickly!!

What breed is he?!?!

RickyGervaislovesdogs · 08/04/2024 21:01

Pets at home.
Our Lab adores his treats, but you can just walk up and take them off him. He only growled once and that was at another dog, who was approaching his chew and he stopped when I told him to shush.

We have DD so if he got possessive he wouldn’t get them at all. I’m not sure I’d give a dog treat if I couldn’t get it off him/her- in the event it splintered. Dangerous for the dog.

It’s a snack not a meal replacement.

bluetopazlove · 08/04/2024 21:04

I have always offered a high value treat in exchange for anything our dog has .Usually done from a young age . I would just lay on old towel on the rug . Let her make a mess for a little while then when she gets distracted by other things offer her something tasty and put it away for next time (in the fridge) .I would always watch her though .

bluetopazlove · 08/04/2024 21:11

thenewaveragebear1983 · 08/04/2024 20:39

I’d like to get bones for my lab but I also don’t know where to start
she’s had duck feet and chicken feet but they last 2 minutes!
I bought some lamb feet and they seemed to splinter (maybe as above, they were dried?) so anyway I took that off her quickly much to her disappointment

where can I get proper raw bones from? Can you recommend anyway reputable?

You can get raw beef bones for free from a butcher ( usually free) I just ask for one when I'm getting something else .

OldSpeclkledHen · 08/04/2024 21:53

@BackToLurk so my dog is still working his way through his first ostrich bone, just for context...
He's had it about 3/4 weeks, twice a week for about 30/60 mins
He's a serious chewer
I give it in the evening after he's had dinner, wouldn't feel comfortable leaving him with it unsupervised though
It's messy! And crumbles everywhere
The first time he had it, I guess for maybe 20 mins? (Like you I worried
😉) he gave it up ok - I did give a treat biscuit to reward - and then he crashed out (so it wore him out!)
Bloody love MN for this sort of thing (never heard of ostrich bones until popped in the Dog House!)

Unluckycat1 · 08/04/2024 23:19

Thanks @fieldsofbutterflies I wouldn't touch dried again (except maybe the ostrich bone as no splinters??), but it's good to hear I'm not being ott. The splinters were so so sharp, really awful that they're sold (to idiot first time dog owners like me that stupidly presume they will be safe).

thanks @DogDream I'm going to try ddog with one!

I'm also going to visit the Butcher tomorrow. Sounds like I just ask for a marrowbone? Glad I saw this thread!

Blanketpolicy · 08/04/2024 23:31

Our lab loved raw bones, but we had to watch him and remove after he had gnawed an inch or so.

Twice he ate the whole thing (just a 6” marrow bone from butchers) and it resulted in vomiting, diahorrea and an overnighter at the vets.

Both times no blockages, vet thought they were just too rich for him so after that he was rationed.

DiscoBeat · 08/04/2024 23:35

My vet told me never to give my Lab anything that is too hard to give when you you press it hard with your finger. He actually damaged a tooth on a bone so I wish I'd had that advice from the start. His toys are all made of hard rubber now.

bluetopazlove · 08/04/2024 23:47

The funny thing is if you have spoilt brats like all ours have been . It's so funny after you have been at butchers , you have to get it and put and in the fridge pretty quick . I did have one (all) dog who liked to have rummage in the bags and wandered off with a colourful pkt of pegs , as it was so colourful it was obviously a toy mum and dad had bought for her 😄