[jlm]

Hi guys! Please bear with me. I'm a first time dog owner and I'm a bit worried to get it wrong.

We've adopted a puppy - probably a shepherd/boxer mix. She's about thirteen weeks old and probably 10 lbs.

I'm getting conflicting advice and I hope I haven't done anything bad. The foster family was giving her rawhide. When I got her, a friend who's had a dozen or more dogs in her time exclaimed, "No! Never give her rawhide! It's terrible for her. Give her pigs ears."

So I gave Brinn a pig ear this morning, because she's really chewing just now. Her teeth seem to be driving her nuts. She loved it (of course) and ate it in decently dainty bites. There were no choking issues.

Now my neighbor is freaking me out because I let her eat a pig ear and acts like I may have caused serious harm.

Did I? And if there's a problem, how long before I realize it?

Ack!

[Yogi]

each to their own. I have owned over a hundred dogs in the past 50 years or rescue, raising and breeding and have given both to me dogs with no ill effect.
Found both to be helpful, especially during their teething period. If you have a real concern question your vet as to whether they have had any issues seen from either. Otherwise the decision is yours. Granted these are the only two I give my dogs. Good luck and don't panic when someone has a fit over things like this.... in most cases they read something somewhere but have no real proof or first hand knowledge.
to note: this is not something the dog should have everyday but moreso as a treat. Finding teething toys for the in between time is most essential.

[jlm]

Thank you so much for your reassuring answer. I don't want to go all neurotic! I'll try decaf and try to have fun.

[Yogi]

as a new dog owner, de-caf is a good idea
you are going to continually get advice from people regarding what is right and what is wrong. If I had listened to all of this over the years, I never would have had one dog let alone over a hundred. It comes down to your gut and common sense. Putting those two together you will find it much easier to determine the correct thing or things for your dog. Good luck.

[Lunareclipse]

I know some people flip out about rawhides and pig's ears, but I buy them by the bulk for my dogs. They all chew them in small pieces. I don't really worry about it obstructing their bowels because the pieces they chew off are too small. If you are really worried about something like that though, you can always buy a Kong and fill it with peanut butter or get (this is ironic) a Buster Cube, or buy Nylabones. My dogs hate the Nylabones so I never get them.

[chiclet]

My daughter is trying to get me to buy pig's ears, but I am not keen on it. I bought an edible nylabone which disappeared in about 20 minutes. A pressed rawhide bone has fared far better. Perhaps you could try each and see how your pup manages with each.

[CorkyMax]

I would not give rawhides or pig's ears. I use to and one dog would chew on it till it was soft/gummy and then attempt to swallow it and choke on it! There is a reason that you are suppose to supervise while the dog is chewing on one of these--AND THAT IS IT!! I will never give another dog either one of these chews! Some dogs may not attempt to swallow big pieces but no more chances for me. I put words:--dogs/rawhide/pig's ear treats/dangers in my browser and a lot of sites came up---I suggest you do the same. I am giving you one link here (Others have had the same thing happen with their dog!)---> Do you know doggy CPR/dangers of rawhide - Dog Health Forum

Okay, so here are more links: [B]Dangers of rawhide chews

This is the best site! Please read!-->Danger Rawhide

[angiesample]

No matter what you choose to give ur dog as far as treats make sure they are supervised. Personally when it comes to my dog and something i am unsure about i ask other dog owners opinions, ask my vet, and do my own research and then i make the most educated decision for my dog.

I hear some ppl swear by all sorts of things that i wouldnt dream of giving my dog. But that doesnt make me right or wrong. We are all trying to do the best we can. Good Luck!

[Jenn]

Everyone has their own opinion, so it's really up to you. I personally wouldn't give them to my puppy because I'm a paranoid freak, but my father has been giving them to his german shepherds for many years without any problems. If you are worried, just supervise your puppy..get to know if he's the type to swallow it whole or chew on it for months, decide if its a high risk. It's really up to you. You could always just put your mind to ease and find a safer chew toy

[Ruby Saphire]

Hi my name is Barbara and this is all new to me, the Internet etc... I mean not having dogs.
I have a crossbred border Collie/Kelpie/Heeler a very typical combination for a farm dog, differing from farm to farm in breed percentages.
I got "Ruby" at 12 weeks and instantly fell in love with her and so the love affair begun. It was October and my husband and I are farmers but also have a business baling hay so Ruby came with me in the tractor every day for many hours at a time. She learned to do "Tiddles" when asked to do so and I'm pretty strong on a dog comming when called and staying put when told so all this was taught from our mobile home (tractor). I'm also a great believer in treats, little pieces of Smacko's or liver treats as a reward every time Ruby did as she was asked and lots of kisses and cuddles to go with it too.
Five years on and she still can't wait to hop in and go however, when she was a pup I knew I had to keep her amused for long lengths of time as there would be no chewing of the apolstery or computer connections heaven forbid!
When Ruby became bored that is to say looked for something to do I would give her a pigs ear and she worked on it for what seemed to be hours and then fell asleep absolutely exhausted after a pretty pathetic attempt to eat the ear.
It would usually last at least a week but now about 15 minites. Once the baling is finished for the year it would be a long spell between pigs ear treats and that's only because they are expensive and pork is fattening so less is better.

Ruby is healthy and happy and I can't see that this treat has harmed her or could harm her in any way after all it's just a piece of pork or meat so to speak. Living on the land I have seen some things that dogs try to eat like a bone that they bury and exitedly exume when you wish they were never able to find it again. It can be truely gross!! I would have thought that this digusting meal could do them more harm than a pigs ear that's for sure.
The bottom line is dogs in the wild eat an amazing erray of food and they do O.K.
Having a dog from my experience should be fun first and foremost and if a pigs ear works then it simply works so forget about all the scare mongerers out there just do what works for you.
cheers
Barbara

[DoggieVogue]

Personally I don't see anything wrong with the occasional pig ear as a special treat. Dogs love them and as long as it doesn't cause any digestive or health issues then why not? Of course remember not to go overboard and in the meantime you can provide teething toys and other treats such as greenies to help with the chewing! But don't worry about what everyone else says, you'll figure out what's best for your own dog. Good luck with the puppy!

[OreoCookieMom]

The key point to any chew or toy is that it be appropriate for your dog, his size, and behaviour. Supervision is critical when you introduce something new to your pet. That way you can see how he uses the toy or chew and can determine if he can be left alone with it in the future, or if it is appropriate for him.

It seems your dog had no problem with rawhide or pigs ears. And clearly seems to love them! So maybe just give them to your dog when you're around to supervise.

congrats on the new member of your family!

[Gingersmom]

I just wanted to add you could also try raw bones they last a long time and sometimes you can get them free at your local grocery store if they have a meat section were they actually cut the meats.

[Monkey Dog]

I feed my puppy nothing but Bully Sticks since he was fair young. Now at 6 mos, it's the same. No chance of obstruction w these yokes. I won't give my dog rawhide or similar for fear of bowel obstruction as it does happen. W the Bully Sticks (dried bull's privates), the dog is entertained for hours, they last longer and they go quite soft and claim to run no or little risk of any issues.
I learned of them from reading the Dog Whisperer books and I am so pleased w them. They mesmerize my dog! If bull's dried phallus puts you off due to "its content", consider they are really just a muscle type of a thing. they also, do not bear any resemblance to a bull's privates when they are set for market.
Cheers to all of you whom have good luck w pigs ears or rawhides etc. I simply am not comfortable w them and didn't want to chance it w a pup. Deer Antlers would be my 2nd choice to bully sticks.