Puppy Toys
Puppy Toys
Anyone who has had a puppy knows that they are full of
energy and require a lot of time and attention. The appropriate use of
different types of toys can play a vital role in appropriate puppy development
by helping to stimulate the mind, encourage appropriate funneling of energy,
create strong bonds between the dog and its owner, and teach basic obedience
skills. The use of toys and other training devices are particularly important
during the later months of a puppy’s life, when they are beginning to develop
hormones. At this time your dog will have a great increase in energy and begin
to develop their own independence and perhaps unruly nature. The best way to
ensure your dog will grow into a confident, obedient, and mature dog, rather
than an unruly embarrassment you have to lock in the backyard, is to keep your
dog stimulated and active in its younger months. Using toys and other training
techniques one can better ensure that your dog’s newfound independence will be
fueled through training and activity, rather than destruction and
embarrassment.
When looking for the appropriate toys for your puppy or
grown dog there are many things to consider. Remember to only purchase those
toys that are durable and do not come with features or attachments that can
easily be swallowed by your puppy. Also consider purchasing toys that will
stimulate natural instincts within your particular breed of dog. For example,
tunneling toys for terriers, things to retrieve for retrievers, water toys for
those breeds originally bread for swimming (Portuguese Water dog, Newfoundland,
Chesapeake Bay Retriever), etc.
Stuffed Toys
Many dogs love to play with stuffed toys. The variety of
designs, shapes and animals these toys come in can often provide dogs with the
impression that they are actually playing with another animal. However, the use
of stuffed toys requires more supervision, because their fabric is easily
chewed into smaller pieces that can be swallowed and choked on. The stuffing
within the toys is also easily accessed with a few directed bites and can also
be easily eaten by your dog.
Rubber/Chew Toys
Rubber toys are extremely durable and do not pose the same
swallowing hazard as other puppy toys. Rubber toys can also come in a variety
of shapes, sizes, and hardness, to best fit your dog’s size and bite strength.
Several rubber toys also come designed with holes, so that you can fill the toy
with a variety of treats. This not only stimulates your dog’s mind, as they try
to figure out how to access the treat, but if the toy is filled with a treat
(peanut butter, chicken, or some other mixture) and then placed in the freezer
for several hours it can provide a relieving feeling on the gums of your dog
(especially good for teething puppies!).
Squeaking Toys
Several toys, including stuffed and rubber,
are designed with squeakers inside, which make a squeaking sound when bitten
down on. Many dogs enjoy squeaking toys, as it fuels their natural prey
instinct. Remember to supervise your dog if their squeaking toy is in a stuffed
animal, as your dog will often chew in to the animal to get to the source of
the squeak and could possibly swallow the small squeaking mechanism.
Other Toys
Several other toys such as Frisbees, tennis balls, or ropes
are great for use in play, as well as to incorporate exercise. Remember when
using tug ropes to purchase one that can withstand your dog’s level of
strength. Also remember that there is a fine line between developing play
skills and aggression in your puppy or dog. Set rules for play to avoid the
development of toy guarding in your dog. If a dog begins growling during a
tugging session stop play to let them know that they will only be rewarded with
further play by acting appropriately. If this is done consistently, you will
find that such games can be wonderful source of exercise and release of excess
energy.