Is it safe to give my dog rawhide chews?

Rawhide isn't digested, and it can kill a dog if the piece/pieces aren't either puked out or pooped out, and the owner of the dog doesn't know the symptoms of an intestinal blockage. I would suggest to you that you don't give your dog any rawhide chews at all. There are much safer *toys/chews* to give your dog, such as the BLACK Kong or SOME Nylabone products, such as the Galileo bone. I've had dogs that have had intestinal blockages, not because of rawhide chews, but I've learned my lesson the hard way. If your dog needs surgery at an ER Vet on a Sunday night to save it's life, it can cost you up to $4,000.00 where I live. Better safe than sorry!

I've never had an issue with rawhide chews but I do know a dog that swallowed a large amount at once and it got stuck.

So, unless you can supervise and ensure the dog chews slowly rather than gulping I would advise against.

As has been said, there are other toys and chews out there - you can buy Kongs and fill them (there are recipes online) which will keep the dog entertained.

The answer is, it depends on your dog. Some dogs can safely chew rawhide, others can not. If your dog is prone to swallowing large chunks, then rawhide is dangerous for your dog and should not be given. If your dog will chew it and not swallow large chunks then supervised rawhide use can be fine. You just need to watch them closely and remove the rawhide chews when they become small enough that they could be swallowed. Some dogs do better with compressed rawhide than traditional rawhide.

I've always used rawhide chews as tartar preventative with my dogs, however always under direct supervision, and always the ones made in the USA. Never had a problem with any of it, but I use the large rolled rawhide, and not the stick shape. If your dog has a tendency to gulp his food, and chews hard tearing off large pieces, then rawhide isn't safe for them. Mine simply nibble on it and it keeps their teeth very clean, including the back molars. When it gets small enough to fit inside their mouth, it gets tossed out.

My dog gets a rawhide chew every now and then because he loves them but it's always well supervised. I check the chew before I give it to him and trim off any parts that look easy to chew off and I watch him as he chews to ensure that he doesn't get any pieces loose. The rawhide that he gets is 100% american made so in theory it shouldn't have the crazy chemicals that non-US made ones might have. My dog likes rawhide much more than most other chewing items which is why we keep giving him them.

EDIT: I forgot to add that he only gets them for about 20 minutes when he does get them. Long enough to enjoy it but short enough that he can't soften it enough to rip off a huge chunk

Long story short, it CAN be dangerous if not supervised but if supervised properly, rawhide can be a fun, enjoyable part of your dogs day.

I don't give my dog rawhide. It's safe if you watch the dog while he's chewing it. I give my for pork chomps, it's a brand like rawhide but it's not rawhide.

First, some rawhide is not made in the USA & has G#D knows what - as to chemicals, IN it. Dogs often do NOT properly chew UP rawhide & swallow HUGE pieces that cause problems. They can choke on it or get large (slab) pieces lodged in the roof of their mouth, or suffer intestinal blockages.

WHY would you risk vet bills or a sick or even dying dog? There are far SAFER chew items like naturally shed, deer & elk antlers (sold in pet stores & pet catalogs).

I'd give your dog real bone instead. Just in case. But not chicken bones. Try getting an antler from the pet store. They last forever

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Find what motivates your dog. Some dogs do anything for food. Some dogs do anything for Toys. Some do anything for a good petting. Some do anything for only one type of food, like cheese, or hotdog. Some only have interest in training for 5 minutes at a time, and others can go for an hour. Figure out what your dog is willing to work for, and then work with her in sessions that are no longer than she can tolerate. Learn how to train your dog properly http://onlinedogtraining.enle.info/?E5hD

Sign up for a dog obedience training class. It will not train your dog. It will give you training on how you can train your dog. Most people understand the idea of training, but there is a right and a wrong way to do it, and there is good and bad technique. Timing and consistency is very important, and it helps to have feedback of someone watching you who can help you improve your technique to get more efficient results with your dog.

However, she may be somewhat anxious around other dogs, sort of like the shy kid on the playground. She will benefit from continuing what you are doing as far as asking her to sit before entering, but there are more things along those lines that will help her to calmly go in and out of the dog park. She may also benefit from going in short bursts, or only when fewer dogs are present, or avoiding times when other dogs that make her nervous are present. Maybe she just plays loud - my brother's dog is this way - or maybe she is a dogpark bully - sorry it is possible. But more likely she is just a little anxious around new dogs and she wants to play but just doesn't quite know how to do that and still feel comfortable. Don't be surprised if your dog does not actually like the dog park, and maybe she would get more enjoyment and less stress out of simply going for a good walk somewhere else.

A wagging tail does not mean that your dog is happy or even comfortable with the situation. It means your dog is emotionally aroused. This could be a happy arousal, or it could be a nervous arousal, or it could be an aggressive arousal. Go youtube it, there are plenty of videos of 'vicious' dogs who are throwing a very aggressive fit of barking and snarling while their tail is wagging vigorously. Even police dogs who are not let off the leash to chase down a suspect can be lunging and barking and snarling, and their tails are still going.