There are many dog toys available. So many, in fact, that it can be confusing to know how best to spend your money. When purchasing toys, it is important to understand what use the toy was intended for. Toys are created to play (throw, fetch, catch, etc.) or chew.
CHEW TOYS: Dogs need to chew. Chewing is a natural way for dogs to relieve boredom, stress, teething pain and anxiety. It is up to you to train your dog to chew on the appropriate objects. The key way to do this is to provide appropriate chew toys and make them interesting for your dog. Chew toys are designed to be strong and durable. It is worth investing in the purchase of several good chew toys. Your dog will appreciate variety, so buy toys in different scents, sizes, and shapes. Help keep your dog’s interest in toys by rotating access to them. Leave two or three toys for a couple of days, then pick them up and leave two or three different ones. Initially, you may need to help your dog develop an interest in his chew toys. Do this by playing or “teasing” your dog with the toy. Move the toy in quick, jerky motions in front of the dog, give it to him for a moment, remove it, and repeat. Make your dog believe that this is something that interests him. Do not take it home, open it and throw it on the ground. Also keep toys clean by washing them by hand or placing them in the top rack of the dishwasher.
Recommended chew toys:
Nylabone® – These are very durable. They come scented and flavored. In general, dogs seem to prefer more irregular shapes rather than just the bone shape. However, once the bone has been chewed, it appears to be more desirable to your dog. Those with “bumps” or rough texture are usually well accepted. I have found that many dogs like dinosaur shapes.
Gumabone® – These are a bit softer than Nylabone and are generally preferred by puppies. They are not designed for vigorous chewing by adults. Once again, irregular shapes are the most popular.
Kong®: they are made of very hard rubber and have a shape similar to that of a snowman. The hollow center allows you to put peanut butter or other treats inside to create a great pacifier for dogs. You can also plug the smaller hole, for chicken stock or water, and freeze. This is great for teething pain, but give your dog the Kong on an easy-to-clean floor.
Rag bones or dental floss: These offer your dog a softer texture to chew on. They can be put in a washing machine for easy cleaning.
In general, chew toys should be hard and difficult to destroy or tear. Make sure you buy a size that is appropriate for your dog. A toy that is too small can be dangerous. Raw hides, pig ears, hooves, and other animal products are not chew toys. Think carefully about giving these items to your dog. These are animal products; therefore, they smell very similar to leather products in your home that you may not want your dog to chew on. If you own leather bags, shoes, briefcases, or furniture, you may want to reconsider allowing your dog to chew on raw hides, etc. Also, there is currently no regulation regarding the manufacture of these items. Most of these are created by waste falling on the slaughterhouse floor, being shipped and drying, without any sterilization process. Later, they sit in large bins at pet stores, where a multitude of other dogs and people may have handled them before you bought one. Dogs can experience digestive upsets when ingesting these products.
TOYS: Play toys are more interactive. They are designed for throwing, catching, jumping, etc., and bring your dog the most joy if they are involved. These are not designed to withstand strong, vigorous chewing activity. Therefore, for many of these toys it is best to pick them up and put them away after playing.
Recommended game toys
Balls – Balls are made from a variety of materials and come in many sizes. Choose balls that your dog cannot easily destroy, such as hard rubber ones. Tennis balls are great to play with, but don’t let your dog chew on them. The furry green thing gets caught in his teeth and can be swallowed. Many dogs enjoy playing with Jolly Balls, which are larger and designed to roll and bounce on them.
Discs – Discs also come in a variety of sizes and materials. I feel that it is better to choose a disk made of softer materials, such as floppy disk. Catching a hard drive could cause damage to your teeth.
Stuffed Toys: The options are many when it comes to stuffed toys. Many come with a squeaker inside, which can encourage the dog to dissect it. If your dog does this, he may want to find a stuffed toy without the noisemaker. For your dog’s safety, put on toys without button eyes, or cut off the buttons.
Latex and vinyl toys – again, so many options. These are often quite inexpensive and many are quite cheap. This is because the construction is generally poor. These toys can easily be ripped, torn and shredded and therefore swallowed. If you give your dog these kinds of toys, it’s usually best to supervise play and pick it up when you’re done.
Every time a toy breaks, it’s time to throw it away. Always think about the safety of your dog. Clean toys from time to time with a mild dishwashing liquid. To help organize the clutter, consider creating a toy box for your dog. Teach your dog where to find his toys and even help him pick them up!
PLAY TIME: When playing with your dog, keep in mind that you do not want to encourage negative activities. It’s easy to get your dog overly excited and he may start jumping on you or start playing biting game. If your dog’s teeth ever touch you, he immediately and abruptly stops playing. Wait a few minutes and then resume playback. Your dog will get the message that the fun is over if his teeth touch you.