Remy the Destroyer!

Bill Porter

Bill Porter

Forums Enthusiast
Howdy Folks,

We have gotten a lot of great suggestions from these forums for our 48lb Remy. Everything from food to medication to toys. Speaking of toys, we have gotten the most use out of:

The Bully Buddy (bully stick holder)

The Ruffwear Pacific Loop (tug of war & throw toy)

Both of these have been fantastic for Remy even though he has shredded the outer layers of the loops on the toy, and has put many sharp/deep grooves in the Bully Buddy (that ain't easy :)

Considering how well the above items have worked out, I was wondering if y'all have any other great suggestions for our king of destruction?

NOTE - Just to add variety to his routine, I buy multipacks of various "indestructible" dog toys and give him one every week or so. If left alone, the toy will be completely destroyed within 2 hours. Also, we do have some nice hard rubber balls that he likes to chase down - he'll fetch but he won't release the toy/ball willingly when he brings it to you ;)
 
We have scratches in our Bully Buddy from Brodie - he likes to chew. Not as bad as what Remy has done but Brodie is less than 1/2 of his size. Brodie doesn't destroy his favorite toys, he seems to realize toys are for play fetch, but if it has something chewable on it, look out! The chewing keeps him busy, calmer, relaxed. The only other thing we use for him is a kong. I'm not 100% a fan of them, yes they do help with some chewing, but Brodie needs to have some reward as well. I stuff them with maybe a cookie and some of that horrid fake cheese Kong stuff - not too much, nor too often because they get looser stools from the stuff. Neither dog really gets the work/reward thing from a Kong - they give up most times before they get the whole treat which leads to me soaking to get the 'stuff' out of it, but it keeps them busy for a bit. I've never tried stuffing with peanut butter and freezing due to the high fat content, but maybe I will will. Do have to be careful with peanut butter - check the labels even on brands you trust for birch sugar or xylitol. I don't give often.

To train 'give' or 'bring', use a high reward treat - treat him any time he drops the ball or toy directly into your open hand and not anywhere else. Brodie tries to push the bar... he will bring and drop it right by my hand, by my foot, then bark at me like 'hey, you wanted it, I sort of brought it near where you wanted, I like this spot, where's my food?' but he does not get treated unless it is dropped onto my open hand. (My kids thought I was strict, Brodie agrees).

I've recently discovered Bixbi Pocket Trainers and LOVE them. 3.19 calories per treat, they are shaped like a B and easily break into 1/2 or 1/4 with your finger. Dogs are going CRAZY for them so we are using them strictly for training. Do need to be kept sealed in their baggy or they get hard as rocks. The boys love both the peanut butter and chicken flavors. I paid 7.99 at a boutique store for a 6 oz bag which provides LOTS of treats if broken up; Chewy has them online.
 
I forgot about the Kong. We've used that in the past and it must be in a drawer somewhere. We're an organic family for the most part so our peanut butter is nothing but pure ingredients (I miss Jiff!! Someone save me!) I need to find that and stuff some goodness down in it. Even when frozen, Remy makes quick work of the Kong.
 
SheepOfBlue said:
So get a second ball and once he is back show it making him drop the current one.

Get a large exercise ball for the yard. He can't bite it but if he tries it will scoot around the yard for fun. He might also try to leap on it but will bounce off.
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing that video. That's a beautiful Sheltie you have there. We have a variety of small balls for in the house fetch, etc. but I'm definitely buying a larger ball that Remy can't bite. I'm excited about what kind of entertainment that is going to bring.

Bill P
 
Bill Porter said:
Thanks for sharing that video. That's a beautiful Sheltie you have there. We have a variety of small balls for in the house fetch, etc. but I'm definitely buying a larger ball that Remy can't bite. I'm excited about what kind of entertainment that is going to bring.

Bill P
Click to expand...
That was Sca my flyball champion. Don't get the $1 ones or he can pop them. Exercise balls are heavier....can't remember Remy's size Sca was a bigger guy.

Of course if you do get a cheap one out of the ball bin at WalMart (or whatever) you can see how he likes it. They are lighter and scoot easier. IF he likes it and pops it upgrade. Obviously don't leave him with it unsupervised if he eats things.
 
SheepOfBlue said:
That was Sca my flyball champion. Don't get the $1 ones or he can pop them. Exercise balls are heavier....can't remember Remy's size Sca was a bigger guy.

Of course if you do get a cheap one out of the ball bin at WalMart (or whatever) you can see how he likes it. They are lighter and scoot easier. IF he likes it and pops it upgrade. Obviously don't leave him with it unsupervised if he eats things.
Click to expand...

Thank you for that advice. Since there's no more Toys-R-Us, Walmart was my plan. Remy's claws will tear through anything cheap so I'm going for something quality there. Remy is NEVER unsupervised. We'll give him a toy or something and turn our attention away but he's always within eye-shot - his choice. If we don't see him, then we know he's snagged something he shouldn't have off the counter and is devouring it in the bedroom. LOL.
 
48 pounds??? Oh my word. I thought Roxy’s 35 was a lot of sheltie!!

Have you tried the black Kong toys? They’re for super, power chewers. I wonder if those would hold up. I only now buy anything that at least claims to have some sort of bite guard liner. But I don’t know if that would help. You should design and sell Kevlar dog toys!:D
 
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