Our poodles are gnawing on their marrow bones at this moment. I couldn't believe how beautifully white their teeth got after they were given their very first bones.

We confine our dogs to the tile-floored kitchen when they get their treats. When the bones start to "melt", there's always a little trace of blood (from the bones...not the dogs) on the floor to clean up.

Our poodles spend most of the time trying to get the marrow out of the bones and any tissue off the outside. They usually lose interested in the bones once they're bare of the good stuff, but if the dogs start chewing on the actual bones, we take them away. Some people save the bones and restuff them with peanut butter or other goodies, but we just give the dogs fresh bones...usually once a week.

The only thing I regret about raw marrow bones is that I was too afraid to give them to our previous dogs. They would have loved them. And we would have saved a fortune on dental care.

Don't ever be tempted to cook the bone for your dog; cooked bones get brittle and cause all kinds of problems when swallowed. Raw bones are fine, especially if you've had them in the freezer.

Your dog's gonna be in seventh heaven tomorrow!!

The first time I gave my dogs a marrow bone, one of them got sick. Nothing serious, just that there was quite a bit of marrow, and it was too rich for her. She was fine after she threw up. After that, I either took the bone away after the marrow was half gone to feed another day, or made sure it was a bone with a smaller center hole. (less marrow)

Thanks for the advice guys. I can't wait to see her with it.