Home Based Dog Training

Choosing the best toy for your puppy or dog is very important, it seems to be a simple task, but with the heap of products available today, you may easily become overwhelmed. Too often, dog owners just buy whatever is handy or what looks cute to them and assume that it’s appropriate for your dogs. Dogs need toys for fun as well as for their mental and physical stimulation. Toys keep your dog occupied when you’re not around, thus easing their boredom. Toys provide an outlet for their energy and natural chewing urges. Toys can also be a tool for teaching them what are ok and are off-limits in your home and toys also allows you to reward your dog other than food/treats. There are things you need to consider in choosing toys for your dog or puppy.

Safety first. It’s important to take the consideration the size, age, and chewing/playing style of your puppy or dog, in comparison to the sturdiness, flexibility, and size of the toy. Too large, and they will not play with it. Too small, and it could lead to a choking hazard. Any new toy or treat that is given to a dog should be supervised at first to make sure that it is safe and there are no problems.

Try to consider the toys from your dog's perspective. Is your dog a chewer?  A well-built rubber toys may be your best bet. Does your dog enjoy tearing things apart? Does your dog explore things or carry and retrieve things? There are pet puzzle balls that are designed for mental stimulation as well as physical activity. A simple tennis ball can do the trick too. Kongs are one of the most recommended toys; they are the sturdy work-horses of dog toys. These rubber toys have holes in both ends and can be stuffed with many yummy goodies, keeping your dog safely occupied. These are nearly indestructible and can be chewed on for hours without damaging teeth or gums. You can wedge biscuits in the hole, or put peanut butter/kibble combinations. Some of the greatest fun comes from toys that aren't really toys. Most dogs love empty water bottles, in any size. Take out the lid, so that your dog can't get it off and swallow it.

When shopping for dog toys, purchase toys that are specifically made for dogs. Common stuffed toys can be filled with irritating fibers that can be ingested, while those intended for dogs will not. These will be made of non-toxic materials and won’t have ribbons, buttons or other accessories that can be pulled off and swallowed. 

Some dogs enjoy the sound of a squeaker in their toys but some are notorious in trying to get the squeaker out and swallowing them before the owners could get them out. If your dog enjoys the noise but you’re afraid that he might get choked with the squeaker, look for a substitute such as a toy that has some crinkly paper or plastic inside a strong plush material.

Always remember, dogs need toys all their lives. It is your job to give them a selection of toys throughout their lives and make sure their experience an interactive one. It is their job, perhaps, to destroy them all.  Toys are an addition to, not a replacement for, your company and companionship.