Choose Dog Toys Wisely

Puppies chew a lot, and you would prefer the chewing not be on the furniture, nor on your fingers.  So, getting a toy for chewing is important, but those sharp puppy teeth can really cut right through a vinyl dog toy.  Another thing to consider is the puppy has a smaller mouth than an adult dog, so the toy the parent dog likes so much will often be too large for a puppy’s small mouth.  Frustrating a dog is not a good game to play.  Experiment, and buy one of several kinds before buying a second or third toy of any type.  But if you also have an adult dog, make certain the toy cannot be accidentally swallowed by either dog.  One thing that comes in multiple sizes is a tennis ball, and since dogs like chasing things a bouncing ball often does much more than a more expensive toy.  And this is the exception to buying just one, since they can bounce under furniture and be lost for hours.  In fact, they often come in multiple packs.

Adult dogs may slow down, but that does not mean any toy will work.  I have a cocker spaniel who can destroy any toy that squeaks, or close to any.  Vinyl toys soon get holes chewed in them, then pieces disappear, so she is not allowed to have vinyl toys.  I fear some large piece will be ingested.  Fuzzy toys that squeak have one or more plastic squeakers inside of them.  She chews a hole, pulls out the stuffing, and removes the squeakers.  In one instance she took eight squeakers out of one toy over a period of about a about a month. 

We did find a football made of the same material as a tennis ball with a small hole to cause it to squeak.  So far she has destroyed one, but another has survived for years and become her favorite toy.

Actually, all she plays with are tennis balls, footballs, and flattened formerly plush toys that she altered by removing the stuffing.

Rope toys are either untied or chewed into pieces immediately.

My dog has zero interest in any hard rubber toy.  They might be the least likely to be destroyed, but if the dog rejects them why waste money on them?  Your dog will let you know what is liked and what is ignored.

Never underestimate the power of a doggie treat.  Use hide a treat type dog toys to pace your dog’s snacking and keep the dog entertained.

Get an age appropriate toy, puppies have different needs than adult dogs.  Get something the right size for the dog’s mouth.  Find something your dog will not destroy, especially if the destroyed pieces pose a danger.  And, get toys the dog likes.

Some toys may be a big hit with the dog, but not last long if the dog has them alone.  These can be brought in and used when the dog is being supervised.  And never underestimate the basic tennis balls of the appropriate size.

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