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  1. #1
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    Bully Sticks for pups

    I will be asking the breeder, but wanted a little input too from the Board, with bully sticks (thanks to the post stating they are a bit rich) at what age would you give one to a pup? When bringing a new pup home, do you start right away with a bully stick? Or do you wait a bit, let the pup settle as you will get to know "poo" texture, then let them ease in to it? Keep a time limit?

    Appreciate any input!

    KAZ

  2. #2
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    I used bully sticks with Sophie, and had no issues with them. I started giving them to her when she was about 11 weeks old. I'd let her chew them until they were about half the original size, maybe about 5 inches, as I did want to take a chance of her swallowing them whole at that point. The bigger she got, the quicker she could go through one. I finally stopped using them as they just weren't cost effective. There were other things that were cheaper, and lasted longer. Cow hooves, pig ears, retriever rolls, antlers, stuffed kongs, marrow bones all lasted longer.

    Not all brands of bully sticks are created equal. I can't remember which brands were best, but some definately last longer than others. Sophie was a heavy power chewer, so your mileage may vary. Bruce has been a completely different story. He's not a big chewer, or anywhere near as active as Sophie was, so I don't constantly have to stick something in his mouth. He likes ropes, nylabones, and Sophie's old bones to chew. Of course he is just beginning to teethe, so that could all change!

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    ZRabbits (07-06-2014)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog Labradorks's Avatar
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    I never had any issues with mine and did not pay attention to brands. I always got the bigger ones, some are pretty thin and I stayed away from those. I probably started mine on them around 10 weeks. At eight and nine weeks they seem to sleep quite a lot, so not a whole lot of need to keep them quiet, but as they got older and I needed some peace, they worked as a great pacifier. I took them away once they got small enough to be a choking hazard, and around 5 - 6 months, that was the end of that. The pups went through them too fast for my comfort and my wallet.

    I've been buying raw beef bones for the boys that I keep in the freezer. They last them about 6 hours! I give them to them outside when I need to get stuff done.

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  6. #4
    Senior Dog Georgia's Avatar
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    We gave Sam bully sticks pretty much from the beginning. I would buy a giant one from my favorite pet store (I can't remember if it was 24 or 36 inches) for $15.99 and DH would use a saw and cut it into nice size puppy pieces. We also gave Sam rawhide chips and just kept an eye on him, taking them away when they got too soft or small. Sam had no interest in his kong or nylabone so I just kept an eye on him with bully sticks and rawhide. Also, when we first brought Sam home, he spent a lot of time sleeping. I don't know if that was his way of dealing with all the changes going on or if all puppies sleep a lot at first. I took a week off work when we got him and spent a lot of time admiring his cuteness while he slept. When he was first home he liked playing with soft toys like his stuffed duck or ball. Then it would be nap time again. I think the interest in chewing came after a couple weeks even though we offered bully sticks, an antler and rawhide chips from the beginning.
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    ZRabbits (07-06-2014)

  8. #5
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    Thanks to all who replied. Basic common sense advice, like the breeder gave me, about bully sticks and other chews. Around 10-11 weeks sounds like a really good age to start.

    Thanks for telling me about Sam as a pup, as it also makes me realize pup might not like bully sticks, To offer different chews at first, to find what he likes best and just observe.

    And regarding the sleeping, yes, think there might be a lot of sleeping at first, only took about an hour and I saw this,



    KAZ

  9. #6
    Senior Dog MightyThor's Avatar
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    We didn't give them to thor until he was already well underway with teething, but he loves them. His first few took several days to go through, but we later realized it was probably due to teething pain. Now he can knock one out in a couple of hours.

    We buy the bulk bags at Costco. 20 for ~$25. They sometimes smell pretty bad so they are an outside treat. We also take them away when they get to swallowable size.
    Mighty Thor, "So Much Dog", born 1/6/2014
    And baby Barley, born 3/9/2018

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  10. #7
    Senior Dog doubledip1's Avatar
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    A couple of hours?! You guys are lucky... we're lucky if a 12" bully lasts 20 minutes in this house! I would just warn you to watch poop and use common sense. Bully sticks were too rich for Luna in the beginning and she had some soft survey poo, but after her 3rd or 4th bully stick (over weeks) her poos were normal again.
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  11. #8
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    Thanks MightyThor for your insight. Doubledip, made me laugh as that would be our Jake. Boy could he chew. Breeder also said Bully sticks were rich and to start out slow. She really advised us to start with the antler we have and go from there. So that's what we are going to do.

    Thanks again. Truly appreciate the insights and experiences given.

    KAZ

  12. #9
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    Here's some of the pups! Don't know which one yet, but all were just lovely to be around. So friendly, curious, and just fun to watch.





    And me in Heaven!


    KAZ

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    Georgia (07-09-2014)

  14. #10
    Senior Dog kelsyg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by ZRabbits View Post
    Here's some of the pups! Don't know which one yet, but all were just lovely to be around. So friendly, curious, and just fun to watch.





    And me in Heaven!


    KAZ
    So stinkin' cute!
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    Cornerstone's Lady Rebecca, CGC (Reba)
    Born to love and be loved on July 31, 2010

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