There are many dog toys available. So many, in fact, that it can be confusing to know how to best invest your money. When buying toys, it is important to understand what the toy was intended for. Toys are created for playing (throwing, fetching, catching, etc.) or for chewing.
CHEW TOYS: Dogs need to chew. Chewing activity 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 buying several good chew toys. Your dog will appreciate variety, so buy toys in different scents, sizes, and shapes. Help maintain your dog’s interest in toys by rotating access to them. Put down two or three toys for a couple of days, then pick them up and put down 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, take it away, and repeat. Make your dog believe that this is something that interests him. Don’t take it home, open it up and throw it on the floor. Also keep toys clean by hand washing 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 the more irregular shapes rather than just the shape of the bone. 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 strong adult chewing. 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 dog pacifier. You can also cover the smaller hole, for chicken broth or water and freeze. This is great for teething pain, but give the Kong to your dog on an easy-to-clean floor.
Cloth Bones or Dental Floss – Offers 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. Be sure to purchase a size that is appropriate for your dog. Too small a toy 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 rawhides, etc. Likewise, there is currently no regulation regarding the manufacture of these items. Most of these are created by waste that falls on the slaughterhouse floor, is shipped, and is dried, without any sterilization process. Later, they sit in large bins at pet stores, where a host of other dogs and people may have handled them before you buy one. Dogs may experience digestive upset when ingesting these products.
TOYS: Play toys are more interactive. They are designed for throwing, catching, jumping, etc., and they bring the most joy to your dog if they involve him. 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 play 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 those made of hard rubber. Tennis balls are great to play with, but don’t let your dog chew on them. The green, furry thing gets caught in its teeth and can be swallowed. Many dogs enjoy playing with the Jolly Balls, which are larger and designed to roll and pounce on.
Discs – Discs also come in a variety of sizes and materials. I feel it’s better to choose a drive made of softer materials, like floppy disk. Trapping a hard drive could cause tooth damage.
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, attach toys without button eyes, or cut off the buttons.
Latex and vinyl toys – again, so many options. Often these are 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 types of toys, it’s usually best to supervise play and pick them 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 the toys from time to time with a mild dishwashing liquid. To help organize the clutter, consider creating a toy box for your dog. Show 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 don’t want to encourage negative activities. It’s easy to get your dog too excited and he may start jumping on you or start playing bite. If your dog’s teeth ever touch you, he stops playing immediately and abruptly. Wait a few minutes, and then resume playback. Your dog will get the message that the fun stops if his teeth touch you.
