Toys are an important part of keeping your furry family members happy and mentally stimulated. There are about as many different types of toys are there are dog breeds, so choosing the “right” one can feel overwhelming. The key is experimentation and paying attention to what your dog likes to do in order to have maximum fun at playtime.
The best toy works with your dogs personality and instinct, and can greatly reduce bad behavior if your dog is given the proper outlet. Here are a few tips to choosing the right dog toy for your pet.
The Retriever: Does your dog love to play fetch? Basic toys like tennis balls or frisbees are the perfect match for her then. You can upgrade playtime with a ball launcher. Launchers help you throw the ball extra far, meaning more running for your pup. Rubber sticks are a great alternative to the real thing, as wooden sticks are liable to splinter and get stuck in your dog’s teeth or cut her mouth. If your dog can play fetch for hours, a Breathe Right toy might be a good investment. These toys are hollow and latticed to allow your dog to receive adequate air while running with the toy in her mouth.
The Shredder: Do toys that say “durable” or “tough” on them make you laugh? If your dog likes to tear up anything he can get his paws on, brands like Kong might be the best bet for you. While there is no guarantee your dog WON’T tear apart these toys, sometimes it’s okay to indulge your dog’s wild side. Look for toys made without stuffing or squeakers. That minimizes the risk of a small bit of plastic or fabric getting stuck in their digestive tract. Toys with double-stitched seams or extra layers of fabric might hold up better than a regular plush toy to the tear-or puppy in your family.
The Chewer: If you have found countless objects in your home with teeth marks from your beloved dog, this section is for you. Chew toys come in all shapes and sizes, but they are not all great choices. Extremely hard chew toys like bones or antlers come with a host of risks if your dog chews on them frequently. The main concern is a fractured tooth. Because these toys are so hard, your dog’s tooth is going to crack instead of the toy if he bites down too hard. There is also the risk of hard plastic splintering and causing a blockage or puncture of his digestive tract. Many dogs do love hard chews, though, and they can be safe as long as they are supervised while chewing. Rubber toys present fewer concerns and can actually last a while with an aggressive chewer. As mentioned above, brands like Kong specialize in toys for extreme chewers and often come with a pocket in which to put a treat to keep your dog interested for a long time.
The Smarty Pants: Puzzle toys can be a great way to keep a dog busy and engage his brain. Just like many people enjoy a puzzle such as a jigsaw or game of Clue, mental stimulation plays a critical role in a healthy and happy lifestyle for your pup. Puzzle toys incorporate problem-solving skills with physical manipulation of items such as sliding blocks, rotating disks or cylinders, and hide-and-seek objects. Destructive behavior in dogs often stems from boredom, and puzzle toys may be a key component in reducing this behavior.
If your dog is exhibiting a behavioral problem which you can’t seem to solve, call Gulf Coast K9 Dog Trainers. We are happy to help.
