Just like children, your dogs can benefit from having and playing with toys! A puppy dog that is busy with its dog toys is not eating your couch or digging in the yard. Toys can help sooth your puppy’s chewing need and calm them while you are away. From dog ropes to puzzles, there is a toy for every dog.
Dog toys give your dog safe items to explore – dogs seem to be fascinated with dangerous household items. When your pet is attracted to items they should not have – giving them one of their toys is the PERFECT distraction. Give them lots of attention when they are playing with their toys. When your dog is playing with an item that you do not want them to play with — ignore them! If you need to take away a forbidden item — do not give your dog any attention, simply take the item away (negative attention is attention in your dog’s canine mind). If your dog tries to entice you into a game of look-at-what-I-have-you -better-chase-me try getting one of their toys and start playing with it. When they come to get their toy, that is a great time to click and treat because that is the behavior that you want! Soon they will choose their toys over the other items that do not get them attention.
Dogs benefit from being challenged with toy.
A bored dog is going to find a way to entertain itself, maybe by eating your couch or taking apart your sprinkler system! When you are shopping for challenging dog toys make sure you get a variety of sounds, textures, and challenges. Some sound toys make noise when you bite them them, others when you shake them, others you just have to nudge — Norman, our sound loving dog, will work with a dog toy until he has figured out how to get the most sound out of it. Betsy, who is a Border Collie mix loves Puzzle Dog Toys . Dogs have to figure out how to get puzzle toys apart, Betsy loves to take the apart over, and over again.
Some dogs just love destroying their toys. Just like the children who you give a new bike to, only to have them take it apart! Betsy and Norman rarely take apart their toys; however, when they do the pieces (we call it a carcass) become treasured toys. If your dog does not eat the pieces its toys then you might consider letting them keep it. You should see Betsy prance around the yard carrying and shaking the carcass of her dog toy. For these tough-on-toys dogs there are toys that do not have any, or very little stuffing (less for you to pick up!). Every year there are new toys that are made extra tough — keep trying, you never know which one will work for your dog. (By the way this year’s tough toys are Tuffies Dog Toys ).
If you need help selecting the right dog toy for your dog, let us know — we are just an eMail away! For fun sound toys ask Norman or for challenging-keep-my-dog-busy toys ask Betsy.
Toy Tips
- Soak rope & fleece bones in water – then pop it in the freezer. It is great for aching gums and is a cool treat on a hot day.
- Treat balls and dispensers are perfect to entertain your pet. They bring out the hunter instinct and can get that couch potato moving.
- When buying toys for your pet look for a variety of sounds and textures. This will keep your pet challenged and entertained.
- Interactive toys are meant to relieve boredom and entertain your pet. These toys tend to hold their attention for long periods of time.
- If your pet is anxious when you are away try adding your scent by putting some of their plush toys in with your dirty clothes. Then they will have your scent even when you are not there. Also look for toys that record your voice – hearing you can calm your pet when you are away.
- When you get a new toy for your pet – make sure you supervise thJust like children, your dogs can benefit from having and playing with toys! A puppy dog that is busy with its dog toys is not eating your couch or digging in the yard. Toys can help sooth your puppy’s chewing need and calm them while you are away. From dog ropes to puzzles, there is a toy for every dog.
- Dog toys give your dog safe items to explore – dogs seem to be fascinated with dangerous household items. When your pet is attracted to items they should not have – giving them one of their toys is the PERFECT distraction. Give them lots of attention when they are playing with their toys. When your dog is playing with an item that you do not want them to play with — ignore them! If you need to take away a forbidden item — do not give your dog any attention, simply take the item away (negative attention is attention in your dog’s canine mind). If your dog tries to entice you into a game of look-at-what-I-have-you -better-chase-me try getting one of their toys and start playing with it. When they come to get their toy, that is a great time to click and treat because that is the behavior that you want! Soon they will choose their toys over the other items that do not get them attention.
- Dogs benefit from being challenged. A bored dog is going to find a way to entertain itself, maybe by eating your couch or taking apart your sprinkler system! When you are shopping for dog toys make sure you get a variety of sounds, textures, and challenges. Some sound toys make noise when you bite them them, others when you shake them, others you just have to nudge — Norman, our sound loving dog, will work with a dog toy until he has figured out how to get the most sound out of it. Betsy, who is a Border Collie mix loves Puzzle Dog Toys . Dogs have to figure out how to get puzzle toys apart, Betsy loves to take the apart over, and over again.
- Some dogs just love destroying their toys. Just like the children who you give a new bike to, only to have them take it apart! Betsy and Norman rarely take apart their toys; however, when they do the pieces (we call it a carcass) become treasured toys. If your dog does not eat the pieces its toys then you might consider letting them keep it. You should see Betsy prance around the yard carrying and shaking the carcass of her dog toy. Every year there are new toys that are made extra tough — keep trying, you never know which one will work for your dog. (By the way we have a category just for Tough Dog Toys ).