Toys for Dogs That Are Durable
A common problem with dog toys is that dogs often seem determined to destroy them as soon as possible. Stuffed animals get torn asunder, fluffy innards strewn across your living room. Rubber toys with squeakers get ripped open as the dog searches earnestly for the source of that noise. A durable dog toy will last much longer than most and still offer up a healthy dose of shared fun between you and your pet.
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Hard Rubber
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A determined dog can easily shred soft, chewy toys. As you wander the toy aisle of your local pet supply store, pick up and examine the rubber toys. If you can easily squeeze them, your dog can probably destroy them. Try to spot toys that are made of tougher, thicker rubber. The tough Kong toys are a good example of durable toys. They are made of very thick, hard rubber and are specially designed to withstand the chewing attacks of most dogs. Some are even designed to clean your dog's teeth as they fervently chew.
Rope Toys
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Rope toys are available at any pet supply store and come in a variety of sizes and shapes. They tend to have handles on either side for games of canine tug-of-war and are made of tightly-bound, thick rope. This design allows them to last for years alongside your dog. Rope toys come in many different varieties and colors, and some are laced with non-toxic chemicals to improve your dog's breath.
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Balls
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Dogs love playing with balls, and most balls can withstand even the most powerful dog's jaws. Even the humble tennis ball can stand up to many dogs. These offer a good bounce for dogs to chase and return or to stubbornly hold in their mouths and refuse to yield. The soft, textured exterior of a tennis ball allows for a good grip if you must playfully wrench it from your dog's maw. If a tennis ball is still too weak to withstand your dog's jaws, a standard baseball might do the trick. These are tightly-wound and covered with a thick, bound leather, making them highly durable and able to withstand lots of chewing.
Found Items
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Some items lying in your cupboards or even on the ground outside can make excellent dog toys. A large beach towel can be wound into a makeshift rope and used for a rowdy game of tug-of-war that larger dogs enjoy. Make the towel even more durable by wrapping it around itself. Drug-sniffing police dogs are trained using tug-of-war techniques and a towel. Just be sure to use an older towel that you won't mind covered in animal saliva and dirt. Sticks are also an iconic dog plaything, and are completely free. Games of fetch are classic fun, and your dog can chew all day on a sturdy stick without demolishing it. Even if they do manage to tear through the stick, look around and pick up another one.
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References
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