Hello everyone,

So, our puppies are thirteen weeks old today and it seems like they've decided to become giant brats! We're not first time or second time dog owners. However, we are first time husky owners.

We made sure to move things they could chew and changed things around to make the temptation a lot harder. What I didn't know is that these dogs are part cat, I swear!

I use positive reinforcement and distraction training. (No this doesn't mean that I don't tell them "No." And it doesn't mean that I just toss treats at them all the time. Everyone trains differently and I totally respect that.) When they started chewing the ends of the couch I got a laugh out of it and then started correcting them and giving them a chew toy every time they attempted to chew on the couch. It worked. They no longer chew the couch. However, I didn't expect them to climb on top of chairs and the table and shelves. No seriously, Nanook climbed on top of a shelf to nab my wallet and started chewing on it. When I took it from her she actually growled at me. I corrected her with a "No," and gave her a chew toy and showed enthusiasm when she took it.

I realized some of this stuff would happen but geeze I had no idea how quick these little pups would be.

I'm looking for more chew toys but I'm running into an issue. I need something that will keep their attention but also the material can't be too hard. They're not interested in kongs because they're just too hard. I have several rope toys and about four chew bones, four different types of bone shaped toys, and some tennis balls. The tennis balls don't last too long. At one point they were really interested in a cat toy. It's a plastic ring with a ball trapped inside. The cat never plays with it.

Any ideas? I think they're a little too big to put in an exercise pen. They're just so quick. I could start leash training inside but I'd have to buy much longer leashes and there is two of them. So, I'm not sure it would be worth it with all the tangles that will happen.

Thanks

Shortly after this I had an epiphany! I tried to upload a video here but apparently, the only option is to upload it to youtube. Meh, no thanks. I can't believe this worked. I have a cat toy:




So, they have these treats that I break up. Instead of breaking them up I dropped them in the open holes. It took them about twenty minutes to figure out that all they have to do is dump the toy over. It kept them entertained, and I really am hoping it works again.

Still always looking for other suggestions though! Please.

When you say “the tennis balls don’t last too long” I hope it is not because they are chewing them apart? I have heard that some dogs had to have surgery from eating tennis balls...
My dog liked to gnaw on them and I realized that he was easily puncturing and breaking them!
so I got alarmed and put them away to use only when i am playing/watching.

@Shepsky13 they don't last long because as soon as they start taking them apart I take them away. No chance to eat them. A friend gave me some tennis balls and I figured I'd just use them for some quick play. We're getting some more kong balls later this month. I don't normally buy tennis balls. Balou, our Saint, will eat them in like two different parts and quickly.

On the same note, be very careful with the rope toys. I know you are not a first time dog owner but I've been seeing so many tradgedies from these toys, the latest a young Malamute on Instagram, and none were from inexperienced dog owners either. A piece comes out, the pup swallows it and within a short time, the pup is in surgery. The young Malamute didn't make it, she passed in surgery, just two days after swallowing the piece of rope toy. A little while back, it even happened to one of our members in here.

@Artic_Wind, I know you're concerned and I do appreciate it. We do watch them with the rope toys, when they fray they get tossed into the trash. About to toss one today already. We've taught Balou that he can have his toys but to leave the pup's toys alone. Balou is an extreme heavy chewer. He is not allowed rope toys, period. Rope toys do not go in their kennel with them. The chew bones do. Nylabones, not rawhide. We don't do rawhide too many potential issues. I want to toss the knuckle of a "dino," bone into the kennel but I need to do a bit of research before hand. Balou can have dino bones, not sure about the pups.