How to Choose Toys for Your Dog or Puppy

Dogs need toys! Not just when they are puppies, but all their lives, they need toys for fun, and mental as well as physical stimulation. Too often, people just buy whatever is handy, or what looks cute to them. Here's how to make every dog toy purchase really count where it matters most: to your dog.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Money
• Imagination
• Empathy

1. 
   10 week old puppies ready to PLAY!

   Safety first. Always consider the size, age, and chewing/playing style of your puppy or dog, in comparison to the sturdiness, flexibility, and size of the toy. Don't follow stereotypes or what's typical because there are some small dogs who tear up almost every toy in under 60 seconds, and there are some big dogs who simply love to carry a smallish or delicate toy around and "love" it. Think of your dog's play style when you are making your selections.

2. 

   Try to consider the toys from your dog's perspective. Dogs enjoy smells, noises, and also textures. It's the way it feels in your dog's mouth, how it smells or better, how well it holds odors such as the smell of your hand, the grass, the cat, whatever might come into contact with the toy. Does your dog like to sling things and shake them? Or just carry and retrieve them? Does your dog like to fetch things, or chew things?

3. 
   Premier Pets Tug a Jug

   For puppies, particularly, it is important to provide them with a very wide variety of textures, density, and softness/hardness. Then see what your puppy gravitates to most, when he is teething. Some puppies seem to barely notice that they are teething. Others are really in pain and barely feel like eating. Some are desperate to chew anything and everything. But most will have certain textures that seem to feel best and ease their pain the most: ropes, rubber, soft stuffed animals, latex, hard bones, cloth, etc. Let the puppy have the chance to experience as many textures and firmness from very soft to very hard as possible, so she can pick what makes her feel better. Don't forget that teething continues after all the adult teeth are in, while the teeth are settling in the jaw, and so many pups will experience a second, major teething stage, at around 8-10 months of age.

4. 
   Premier Pets Squirrel Dude

   The more destructive your dog's play style is, the more carefully you have to select his toys. For more sedate players, you can even find good toys in the dollar store, if you're careful. For rambunctious, tough players, quality is more important.

5. 
   Gee, thanks!

   So you've identified your dog's needs and preferences, located some toys that seem to be great matches. For some of us, they hopefully even fulfill our own human need for the cuteness factor! Before you buy, check out each toy carefully. Does it seem well made? Is the size adequate for your dog -- not just how rough your dog is, but the size and build of your dog's mouth and throat: some small toys, or toys that can have chunks broken off, must be played with only under close supervision. Some dogs can get surprisingly large chunks stuck in their throats, or stuck in the roof of their mouths, between the upper teeth.
   Check to see if there are tiny pieces, such as glued on eyes, or other features. Eyes, and other features, should be sewn onto cloth toys or just colored onto other types of toys, never anything that could fall off and choke your dog. If there is a squeaker -- which most dogs LOVE -- make sure it is the newer kind which is just a plastic bladder, not something with a bead or bell or any internal parts that can cause choking.

6. 
   Don't forget the best

   Always remember, dogs need toys all their lives. It is your job to provide them with a variety of toys throughout their lives. It is their job, possibly, to destroy them all. The dog shrink has gone into many homes to help with behavior problems, and found not one toy or chew in the home or yard. The reason? The owners say "Well, I bought him some, but he just tears them up, so I stopped."
   Hey, remember dogs are not human. Tearing up their toy is what they are supposed to do -- that is how they play. They aren't just being destructive for the joy of costing you money.
   Of course, if you have a dog who demolishes a stuffed toy in 30 seconds flat, every time, you should find a better toy for your dog. But do find other toys!

7. 

   Think outside the (toy)box! Some of the greatest fun comes from toys that aren't really toys! Most dogs LOVE empty water bottles, in any size. Remove the lid, so that your dog can't somehow get it off and swallow it.
   If you are supervising the entire time, the bottle will make a different kind of fun with the lid on, especially a big jug for a big dog, but always remember to remove the lid when the dog is in the yard alone. Also, if you don't mind cleaning up a bit of mess, most dogs are crazy about the cardboard tubes that paper towels come on. And a plastic kiddie pool is pure Heaven for many dogs!

Tips & Warnings

• There are many available interactive toys now that dispense treats in random order or when the dog makes specific movements with the toy. These are excellent for keeping your dog physically and mentally fit, and for keeping her attention longer. (Dogs do get bored, just like people do.) You may need to work with your puppy or dog, to get him to understand the concept of the treat dispensing toys.
• Really consider it: Adopt a 2nd dog, the best toy (but you'll still have to buy toys for your dogs!)
• Choking is a real hazard, even for adult dogs, so be vigilant. Some toys or chews are fine if you are supervising, but never when the dog is alone. Other toys are never suitable, with or without supervision.

Resources

• Great dog toys here!
• Here are some particularly good dog toys & products that are less well known.
• Choose the right dog first!

[jenng]

on 6/28/2009 Great article on How to Choose Toys for Your Dog or Puppy5*

[sallyemaycreate]

on 6/26/2009 Great articles... and helpful tips. Thanks for your expertise! *****

[kellieann2000]

on 5/16/2009 Great article.

[roseanne09]

on 5/16/2009 Great article on How to Choose Toys for Your Dog or Puppy!!!

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 1/31/2009 I love this considerate article on choosing play items for pets. Very thoughtful and wise to think about when making a purchase your tips