Three Questions: Play, Nightmares and Tartar
Hi, Everybody! I'm in need of some advice. Before I begin, here's some background information on my boy: Rudy is an almost 6-year-old miniature schnauzer. He was rescued from a puppy mill a year and a half ago, and we have had him a little over a year.
Encouraging Chewing and Play
Rudy does not know how to play, but he does like walks and the dog park. If you read through the linked post above, when I asked about play before, I was given some suggestions for puzzle/treat-dispensing toys, etc. We tried a few of those, but Rudy seemed pretty unimpressed, so we gave up. Basically his day is spent lounging around on the couch, which he doesn't seem to mind at all, so neither do we.
HOWEVER, a few months ago, something amazing happened, Rudy started to chew this rope tug we had bought him months and months prior, as well as a plush yellow dog and a stuffed schnauzer I got for Christmas. One night, he started off chewing them when he was frustrated that we wouldn't take him outside, but gradually it's increased to when he's bored, etc. The thing is, we have no idea how to reward this behavior, because as soon as we move or he notices us watching him, the chewing stops. Is there something we can do to take this to the next level, or is the chewing enough of a reward in itself?
Also, we have begun playing "find it" games with him by hiding treats under plastic bathroom cups. He caught on really quickly (after the first few times where he just gave us the "OMG WHY ARE YOU SO MEAN" face), but we'd like to make it more challenging. Does anyone have any ideas for stepping it up a notch but still remaining pretty simple? I figure if we can do a few more variations, then Rudy might be ready to revisit the puzzle toys and be somewhat successful.
How to Handle Rapidly Increasing Nightmares
Rudy's always been a dreamer, waking up howling loudly and yelping/crying maybe once a month or every six weeks. No problem, we're well aware dogs dream. Recently, though, Rudy has suddenly started to have increasingly frequent dreams/nightmares. These past two weeks, he's been waking up multiple times a night (the other night it was once during his pre-bedtime nap, and then three times during the night), and it's a bit unnerving. The episodes last for approximately 30 seconds, during which his eyes are wide open but he doesn't seem to "see" anything (like when you wake from a dream and it takes you a few minutes to realize where you are). We usually don't bother him, but sometimes we do just say his name to snap him out of it faster. Once the crying fades away, he's absolutely fine and just lays his head back down. Does anyone else's dog do this? Like I said, I am well aware that dogs dream, but has anyone heard of the dreams increasing with this intensity/frequency for no reason at all? Nothing traumatic has happened besides a haircut on Wednesday (but the incidents started way before then), and during the day when he's awake his temperament hasn't changed.
Home Remedies for Tartar Removal, Oral Hygiene
Rudy just had his annual check-up, and we were told his teeth have tartar on them and we should start thinking about getting them professionally cleaned (they were last cleaned in January 2008). Right now, however, we don't have the $500 it would cost to do that, so I was wondering if anyone had any personal recommendations for home tartar removal and just doggy oral hygiene in general. I know Google is my friend, and we are working together, but it's good to get direct advice my dog owners, too.
Thank you in advance. And if any of this is too off-topic, mods, feel free to let me know and I'll edit accordingly.
Encouraging Chewing and Play
Rudy does not know how to play, but he does like walks and the dog park. If you read through the linked post above, when I asked about play before, I was given some suggestions for puzzle/treat-dispensing toys, etc. We tried a few of those, but Rudy seemed pretty unimpressed, so we gave up. Basically his day is spent lounging around on the couch, which he doesn't seem to mind at all, so neither do we.
HOWEVER, a few months ago, something amazing happened, Rudy started to chew this rope tug we had bought him months and months prior, as well as a plush yellow dog and a stuffed schnauzer I got for Christmas. One night, he started off chewing them when he was frustrated that we wouldn't take him outside, but gradually it's increased to when he's bored, etc. The thing is, we have no idea how to reward this behavior, because as soon as we move or he notices us watching him, the chewing stops. Is there something we can do to take this to the next level, or is the chewing enough of a reward in itself?
Also, we have begun playing "find it" games with him by hiding treats under plastic bathroom cups. He caught on really quickly (after the first few times where he just gave us the "OMG WHY ARE YOU SO MEAN" face), but we'd like to make it more challenging. Does anyone have any ideas for stepping it up a notch but still remaining pretty simple? I figure if we can do a few more variations, then Rudy might be ready to revisit the puzzle toys and be somewhat successful.
How to Handle Rapidly Increasing Nightmares
Rudy's always been a dreamer, waking up howling loudly and yelping/crying maybe once a month or every six weeks. No problem, we're well aware dogs dream. Recently, though, Rudy has suddenly started to have increasingly frequent dreams/nightmares. These past two weeks, he's been waking up multiple times a night (the other night it was once during his pre-bedtime nap, and then three times during the night), and it's a bit unnerving. The episodes last for approximately 30 seconds, during which his eyes are wide open but he doesn't seem to "see" anything (like when you wake from a dream and it takes you a few minutes to realize where you are). We usually don't bother him, but sometimes we do just say his name to snap him out of it faster. Once the crying fades away, he's absolutely fine and just lays his head back down. Does anyone else's dog do this? Like I said, I am well aware that dogs dream, but has anyone heard of the dreams increasing with this intensity/frequency for no reason at all? Nothing traumatic has happened besides a haircut on Wednesday (but the incidents started way before then), and during the day when he's awake his temperament hasn't changed.
Home Remedies for Tartar Removal, Oral Hygiene
Rudy just had his annual check-up, and we were told his teeth have tartar on them and we should start thinking about getting them professionally cleaned (they were last cleaned in January 2008). Right now, however, we don't have the $500 it would cost to do that, so I was wondering if anyone had any personal recommendations for home tartar removal and just doggy oral hygiene in general. I know Google is my friend, and we are working together, but it's good to get direct advice my dog owners, too.
Thank you in advance. And if any of this is too off-topic, mods, feel free to let me know and I'll edit accordingly.