Supervision and Safe Chewing Practices

Watchful Eyes Keep Dogs Safe

Handing your dog a bone and walking away may seem harmless, but supervision is the most important factor in bone safety. Even with the right type of bone, accidents can happen quickly—from broken teeth to choking or swallowing too much too fast.

In this blog, we’ll explain exactly why supervision matters and share best practices to make bone chewing as safe and enjoyable as possible for your dog.

Why Supervision Matters

Bones offer natural dental benefits and mental enrichment—but they also come with real risks. Unsupervised chewing can lead to:

• Choking

• Obstruction

• Tooth damage

• Aggressive chewing or resource guarding

• Ingesting sharp or large fragments

Many bone-related emergencies could be prevented with timely human intervention. Simply put: If your dog is chewing, you should be watching.

When to Supervise Closely

Be especially watchful if:

• Your dog is new to bones

• The bone is raw or large

• Your dog is a strong or aggressive chewer

• They tend to swallow large pieces

• Other dogs are nearby (to avoid resource guarding)

It only takes a few seconds for a dog to bite off more than they can chew—literally.

Signs of Safe Chewing

Here’s what safe, relaxed chewing looks like:

• Slow, steady gnawing

• Holding the bone with their front paws

• Taking breaks to lick or investigate the bone

• No growling, gulping, or frantic chewing

✅ You should hear gentle grinding—not cracking or snapping noises.

Red Flags: When to Intervene

If you see any of the following, take the bone away immediately:

• Dog trying to swallow large chunks

• Intense chewing with jaws clenched

• Blood on the bone or gums

• Excessive drooling or gagging

• Attempts to hide or guard the bone

• Whining or pacing while chewing

Don’t hesitate to step in if something feels off.

Safe Chewing Environment Tips

To promote safe chewing:
️ Pick a quiet, calm space
Avoid distractions or areas where your dog feels the need to compete or protect their bone.

Use a washable surface
Bones—especially raw ones—can be messy. Use a mat, towel, or washable bed cover to contain the mess.

Keep children and other pets away
Even gentle dogs may become possessive over high-value bones.

Stick to limited chew time
Keep sessions to 15–20 minutes to prevent tooth fatigue or jaw strain.

Handling Bone Removal

Worried about taking a bone away from your dog? Here’s how to do it safely:

Start with trade-up training
Teach your dog that surrendering a bone means getting something even better (like a high-value treat).

Use a cue like “drop it” or “leave it”
Reinforce the behavior consistently during low-stakes practice.

Approach calmly and confidently
Never snatch the bone or move in fast—it can startle your dog and trigger guarding behavior.

Replace the bone later
Once chewing time is done, store the bone in the fridge or discard it, depending on its condition.

Storage Between Sessions

If your dog hasn’t finished a bone:

• Rinse off any debris

• Store raw bones in a sealed container in the fridge

• Limit storage to 3–4 days max

• Discard the bone if it dries out or splinters

Do not refreeze used bones—they may become brittle after thawing.

Special Supervision for Puppies & Seniors

Puppies
Avoid bones with hard surfaces that could damage growing teeth. Choose softer chews or rubber options until their adult teeth come in.

Senior Dogs
Older dogs may have worn, loose, or missing teeth. Stick to softer chews and watch closely for jaw fatigue or discomfort.

Conclusion: Supervision Saves Smiles

Bones can be beneficial—but only under your watchful eye. By supervising chewing sessions, you’re doing more than preventing accidents—you’re protecting your dog’s health and happiness.

Set up a calm environment, know what red flags to watch for, and keep sessions short and positive. Your dog gets their satisfying chew time, and you get peace of mind.