I'm thinking about getting a Dogloo for Stedman for the winter. I'm sure I can find one on Craigslist for a reasonable amount of money. Anybody have experience with or opinions about these?
Here's the thing: because he's a major power chewer, no toy, dog treat or artificial "bone" can withstand his toothy attention. Let's not even speak about the consequences the rawhide incident. Toys designed for power chewers have no chance against this power chewer. This leaves precious little alternative for something to chew on, necessary to relieve anxiety and also to give him something to do.
God Bless the Hickory Smoked Beef Knuckle!
The first one we bought him lasted about 4 weeks - as opposed to two hours for a large sized floss rope, one hour for an empty plastic bottle, 30 minutes for a BowWow Beanie toy or one blink for big dental biscuit. He does have a Souper Nylabone that lasted for his entire time with us because he ignores it completely.
He loves this thing and communes with it outside in the yard. So far so good, but winter will be here sooner or later - then what? It's as big as his head and I'm sure if he dropped it onto the kitchen floor, a tile would break. At the very least, it would create a slobbed up mess on any indoor surface so really, it has to stay outside.
Autumn should be no problem and December at least shouldn't be all cold. But the snow and ice of the following three months are going to be problematic. So I thought a nice used Dogloo could be put on the deck and used as a bone chewing hangout for as long as he wanted to stay. He'd be protected from the harsh elements and we wouldn't feel like cruel masters making him stay outside for an extended period. Then when things warm up, the Dogloo can be hosed out and stored in the shed. Lightweight and portable - seems like just the thing to me.
I have no doubt he'd use it without problem. If I throw the beef knuckle in there, there's no force on earth that could keep him out. I'm not interested in laying out 90 bucks for a new one, but I'd spend 20 or 30 for a used one.
Opinions?
Go for it. We have a couple house shaped igloo type shelters that we used for our two previous dogs - I'm pretty sure you should be able to find one for less than $90. But then again you live in Jersey where things are more expensive. I'm telling you, he needs a buddy to chew on to keep him from getting so bored :) Puppies at the farm...
Posted by: patti | July 02, 2009 at 12:05 PM
I like it. Great idea. I too say go for it. Stedman will be a happy little camper in the winter.
Posted by: Teresa | July 02, 2009 at 12:38 PM