Christmas came early for the Weims

I ordered a beautiful new bed from Orvis for the girls that came last week. I get only one bed because they really don't sleep in the bed, just lounge in it while they chew bones. And only one dog uses it at a time.

Might I add that almost every bed I have ever bought ends up having holes chewed in it and the stuffing pulled out in no time. I usually cover the beds in a throw so the dogs can root around and nest in the throw and chew on the throw if they must chew on something. And might I also add that I usually don't leave the dogs loose in the office when I leave the house. They are put in their kennels.

You can probably guess where this is going. I felt sorry for Steffi the other day when she balked at going into her kennel, so I left her loose in the office. When I came home, sure enough, she had chewed a hole in the new bed.

It had lasted a week, maybe two.

Fortunately, I can turn the pillow over and it's not noticeable. Until another hole is chewed. Oh well. I knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. I just wanted it to be later.

Orvis advertises a sturdy, "chew-proof" fabric covering for some of their beds. I might have to try that, even though those beds don't look very comfy.

Car Trips = Fail

I posted earlier about using the Thundershirt during car rides to alleviate Anika's excitement. I have also used a herbal calming medication provided by a friend. Neither works for her.

I have come to the conclusion that the barking is excitement, not anxiety. She doesn't like to sit still either, even though I have her in a seat belt. If I didn't use the seat belt, she would be in the front seat trying to paw at me, which is definitely a recipe for disaster.

I have more or less thrown up my hands in resignation to her barking and don't take her for many car rides. I think the only solution at this point may be to hire a professional trainer to come offer some help.

Something to Chew On

My Weims love to chew. I cannot buy them anything rubbery, like a Kong, because once the inside junk is licked out they chew the rubber Kong. Or anything fuzzy and squeaky because they will eat the fuzzy part to get at the squeaky part and in a matter of minutes the whole toy is destroyed. Tennis anyone? No. I can't use tennis balls because they eat them too! I can throw tennis balls and this other squeaky/bone/tennis ball material thing as long as I put it away when I'm done.

If I leave it with the dogs to play with alone, it's gone. I have had lots of scares, but fortunately I have not had to have emergency surgery to remove a chewed-up toy.

I usually look for toys for tough chewers. And most websites say upfront that the toys are durable and strong, but not indestructible. For example, this nice boomerang-type thingy: It's strong, but not indestructible.

So mostly all I buy them are Nylabones. And only the Wolf-sized kind. Here is the basket of chew toys for the girls. Those purple rubber bones are good, but they don't like the taste. I don't recommend them.

But, I came across some people on one of my favorite Internet forums: Weimaraner Addict, discussing the merits of antlers. So I ordered some elk antlers from Mountain Dog Chews. I got 2 of the Medium Whole, and although at over $15.00 a piece are pretty pricey, they are worth it. They seem to last a long time, and I know they are good for the dogs' teeth.

To say my girls loved them is an understatement! It gives them almost all the satisfaction of chewing on a real bone, but without the mess. They also don't smell or splinter. And although they chew on them for a long time, they haven't given up on the Nylabones, I'm happy to say.

This is not meant to be a product endorsement, even though I guess I am endorsing their product. I will definitely order more of these!

Meanwhile, happy dogs = happy life or something like that.