DIY ideas for my Golden retriever?

at 11 he is still teething -- and you are correct to be aware of imported products -- read labels, REDBARN is a reliable company -- but lots of exercise will help take him mind off 'wanting' to chew ... at his age, he has almost boundless energy ... walks, playing ball, getting into a good doggy day care program a couple of times a week -- and if you work -- have a 'dog walker' come in 2-3 times a week to walk/play with him -- a TIRED DOG is a 'Good' Dog -- and a happy owner. IF you do select a dog walker - make sure they are bonded and licensed.

My friends at church buy bones from their local grocery meat butcher. These are huge bones and give their dogs many hours of chewing. Dogs often need lots of chew products until they get past 2 yrs old. At 2 and up chewing is stress relieving for them. We look for American made rawhide knots for our dogs. Hope this helps Phyllis.

Raw bones are great. Do not cook them as they can splinter. They last a long time and are good for their teeth. I would not give those rawhide ones, as I read the rawhide can swell and cause choking. I also used to get stuffed animals from the thrift store, take off any button eyes, etc. then wash them in the washing machine with bleach. When they got destroyed, it was OK, I'd just give them another one. and yes, any activity to tire them out!!

Release the energy! Agility training as a game with either an edible treat of time with a favorite toy that the dog only gets as a reward. A one on one game of slight of hand with plastic cups and which one has the treat. Also saw a home-made contraption of a rod through the sides of two litre plastic bottles with some dog food inside. The rod was suspended by two uprights with stabilized bases. A dog has to figure out how to paw the bottles just right for a little food to come out. Keeps them busy and thinking. It might have been on Pinterest.

Bones from pet store. Not smoked. They are pure white and have been sterilized. They are natural animal bones and are very hard and dense. And am sorry to say that this can very well be one of your dogs passions until age three!

Be careful in choosing bones for dogs. If they are brittle they can splinter and get caught in their throats. Never give dogs bones from pork or chicken or fish or . . . Beef bones.

Thank you!

We love getting elk buttons, the bottom of the elk antler (the antlers themselves are softer and splinter). They are good for even our most aggressivd chewer. They last forever! The other thing we give them is cow hooves, you can get them in large quantities. They can be chewed up, which is ok, but be very watchful when your dog chews them so as not to choke.