Play it Smart with Toys
My first dog was a Walker Hound. Her name was Pearl, and I loved her. I look back on Pearl, not only as one of the best relationships of my life, but as a wonderful teacher. She taught me not to take life too seriously, anytime is a good time for a laugh, and always being in control is way overrated. She also taught me how to be a dog mom. The first few years I really stunk, but eventually, I got it; she taught me well.
Pearl was a firm believer in playing as much as you can every day.
This dog could make a toy out of anything—toilet paper roll, sneaker, trash can, garden hose, sofa cushion, lawn chair...
I soon learned to dog-proof my home and to address unwanted behavior quickly by having the appropriate toys on hand.
Now, the realization could have and probably should have come much earlier. In the first year I had her, she swallowed a popsicle stick whole, a small bouncy ball, and a Brillo pad. Each of these incidents happened after five o’clock in the afternoon, so we were off to the emergency vets where “the obstruction guy” would have to be called in to retrieve that which was swallowed whole before it caused trouble. It was $300 a pop, and I felt a little miffed when I didn’t receive a curtesy holiday greeting card from the obstruction guy that year. I got over it and began to think very seriously about baby proofing my home and finding appropriate dog toys and chews.
Toys shouldn't be a dogs’ sole source of amusement. I don’t want to give up spending time interacting with dogs, it’s the reason for having dogs, but I can’t play with them all day. Toys not only add to the time I spend with them but give my dogs something to do when I can’t play.
Choosing Toys for Your Dog
Picking a dog’s toy is often a matter of trying this one and that one, but there are some things to consider beyond safety issues. First, the toy needs to fit the dog. Consider the size, of course, but also personality. Pearl loved to chase and be chased, so fetching toys were great. She would fling them around the room and then go and get them when I couldn’t play. My little dog tipsy loves tug of war, most dogs do, so rope or “pull” toys are great for that. Buddy likes to have something to carry around and chew on. He also loves a toy with a squeak factor. Many dogs are big chewers and need a toy that will let them gnaw. Then there are the toys that challenge dogs, like ones that can contain a treat and the dog must work to get it out.
I’ve witnessed a few dogs that have that favorite toy that they carry all the time, however many dogs like a variety.
Some dog trainers suggest having 6-8 toys in varying sizes and textures, so your dog can mix it up and is less likely to become bored (Paws in Training). In the Paws article “Dog Toys and How to Use Them” There is a great suggestion: buy a stash of toys, say 12 toys, and trade them out weekly, giving your dog 4 this week and then a different 4 the next. They also suggest variety,
“one to carry, one to kill, one to roll, and one to snuggle.”
Altering the toys also allows time for washing dirty toys. Yeah seriously, I don’t want bacteria build up-it can cause some health issues. All I need is a sink of soap and water, and some can even go in the dish washer, or I can launder and dry them if they’re plush. But the babies need toys!
Fetch Toys: Fetch is a good way to wear a dog out, and a good game for play time because most dogs love it. Be sure to consider the size of the fetch toy. A good fetch toy is a toy small enough for a dog to carry and run with, but big enough that he won’t swallow it or get choked. Beyond tennis balls and frisbees, some good options are:
· Zogoflex Echo Zwig Squeezy Dog Fetching Stick—It’s a mouthful to say and to play. The stick is almost 16 inches long, so it’s more suitable for larger dogs, and it’s supposed to be pretty tough (I’m gonna try it), and as a plus, according to West Paw, its manufacturer, it can be tossed in the dishwasher. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D1DLG63?tag=march2020rover-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1
· The Ultra Sling Dog Toy Dart—This is a product from Chuck It, the makers of the beloved “ball launcher.” It’s a sort of sling shot with a dart that you can send sailing for your fur baby. Most darts look to be about 9 ½ inches long. You can choose from the speed dart, spin dart, float dart, rugged dart and ultra-wing. https://www.amazon.com/ChuckIt-Ultra-Sling-Assorted-Colors/dp/B00WZ972YQ
· Hydro Plane Floating Disk—If you have a water-loving dog or a frisbee-loving dog, this is the toy for you. It looks as durable as it claims to be. Made by Ruffwear, it’s 12 inches in diameter, made from “buoyant foam” and covered in canvas. https://www.amazon.com/RUFFWEAR-Hydro-Plane-Floating-Sockeye/dp/B073WN9J2Q/ref=asc_df_B073WN9J2Q/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241991316466&hvpos=1o4&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2601195433899235315&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9067609&hvtargid=pla-408854837269&psc=1
Chew Toys: If you have a “power chewer” then you know a plush toy will wind up in shreds in no time. Remember, little dogs need to chew too. You really don’t want a chew toy that’s too hard. They can chip teeth: “If you can’t press your fingernail into the surface of the chew toy, then it’s hard enough to break teeth—a good chew toy should dent under pressure” (DogLab). So, you’re not really looking for a chew toy that is totally indestructible, but here are a few choices that can take abuse.
· Goughnuts dog chew rings. These are tough rubber chew toys, and you can find one for 10 pound dog to 70 pound dog. (small dog) https://www.amazon.com/Goughnuts-Rubber-Chew-Black-Ring/dp/B004SYI97A
(medium dog- large) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042JWIFK/?tag=2185-20
· Zogoflex Hurley Dog Bone Chew Toy—this is for smallish to medium dogs. It’s about 4 ½ inches long and designed for aggressive chewers. It’s also floatable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A7X254/?tag=2185-20&th=1
· Kong Extreme—you just can’t beat ‘em. Plus, you can put a little treat in them, giving your dog the bonus of mental stimulation. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002AR0II/?tag=2185-20
Tugging: I have been known to watch TV while playing tug with my dog Buddy. This is a good game for when you just got home and want to regroup because all you need do is hold one end of the toy while your dog tugs on the other. Sometimes my smaller dog, Tipsy, will grab the center of the rope and growl-big fun. Again, if you’re playing tug with a smallish dog, you only need a tug toy about two-thirds the length of your dog’s body, longer is okay, just not too heavy. If it’s a big dog, be sure to leave room between you and your dog’s tugging teeth.
Suction cup dog tug toy—haven’t tried them yet, but in theory, these things look great- a suction cup with a rope/cord and pull toy attached to it. Just stick the suction cup on a hard surfaced floor (remember, any floor that’s easily susceptible to scratched from doggie nails is a bad idea) and let your dog tug away. If you have a tugger lover, and need a toy for when you can’t play, it’s worth a try. You can find an assortment on amazon, but not all of them get great reviews. Here are some that did:
· From Indigo Pets, this suction cup dog toy got 5 stars out of 130 reviews (lots of happy customers sent in pictures of their dogs with the toy). https://indigopetco.com/products/indigopetco-suction-cup-dog-tug-toy-keep-your-dog-busy-for-hours?currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2018-11-05&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvvKBBhCXARIsACTePW8u4mIyHKn66F5r__LIbLBEVJuWASsaJNFfD2narjWd2XCTgfIOma4aAuYwEALw_wcB&variant=31138799222826#looxReviews
· Zindex offers one that can also be used as an interactive treat dispenser (5 stars out of 1,101 reviews). https://www.amazon.com/ZENDIX-Dog-Chew-Toy-Dispensing/dp/B08WHVMT5G/ref=sr_1_12?dchild=1&keywords=suction+cup+dog+toy&qid=1614615289&sr=8-12
· If you have access to a sturdy tree, Telinean makes a bungy tug toy that can be strapped to the trunk or sturdy branch of a tree. https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Hanging-Interactive-Pitbull-Exercise/dp/B08R9C9PBQ/ref=sr_1_33_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=bungy+pull+dog+toy&qid=1614617977&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-33-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEySTVIQUxZSDVZUFcxJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzM3NjAwMkdQRTYxWkdKVlAxRCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjgwMzczM0VNN01NSVBWU1VIVyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2J0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
· Voted best for small dogs by Doglab is the West Paw Zogoflex Bumi. It’s a “squishy” toy that can be used for flinging and tugging. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004A7X26I/?tag=2185-20
· Dog lab rated the Sodapup Pull Tab Tug Toy number one for medium dog. It received 5 stars from 66% of 383 purchasers (253 loved it). The only complaint was durability. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HSI33Q4/?tag=2185-20
· For interacting with the big dog, try the Goughnuts Virtually Indestructible Dog Pull Toy https://www.amazon.com/Goughnuts-Interactive-Large-MaXX-Black/dp/B00MBQ12QW/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=top+rated+pull+dog+toy&qid=1614617572&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-18
· Also, a good one to try is the Nerf Durable Dog Toy. It has a lengthy bradded chain with a loop at one end and a canvased nerf football at the other. https://www.amazon.com/Nerf-Dog-Squeaker-Vortex-Chain/dp/B01N16TNJ9/ref=sr_1_20?dchild=1&keywords=top+rated+pull+dog+toy&qid=1614617572&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-20
Snuggle: Some dogs have that toy that gets carried around or lives in the dog bed as a snuggle companion. This can be anything from a chewy tennis ball to a squishy toy to a stuffed toy. If your dog is a “shredder,” try a durable squishy toy. Just ask yourself, “What does she like to take to bed? Does your dog like a snuggly that works like a pillow? Does your dog curl up to the toy? Does he like to carry it around everywhere he goes? Does she alternate between chewing and snuggling? There are so many snuggle toys out there. Of course, there is also the option of tying knots in an old sock. If your dog likes to keep a snuggle/carry toy, you’ll have to experiment to find the right ones.
· Buddy has been carrying around the Hartz Duraplay Bone Dog toy for a month now. It’s a soft rubbery toy, it has a squeak element, and I can wash it in a sink of soapy water. https://www.walmart.com/ip/Hartz-Dura-Play-Bone-Dog-Toy-Small-Color-May-Vary/353516546?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0
· There is an assortment of the “flatty toy” out there. They are fury, but don’t have stuffing that can wind up all over. https://www.chewy.com/ethical-pet-skinneeez-forest-series/dp/56248?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Ethical%20Pet&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvvKBBhCXARIsACTePW8bzZ7oEy5oLDMPx8mca0QZ4X8946wUitWp3ESVTy_CpPwE948oTYIaAvoKEALw_wcB
· The Kong floppy knots dog toy is a plush toy that comes in small/ medium to medium/large. It has three squeakers and rope chew elements. https://www.chewy.com/kong-floppy-knots-dog-toy/dp/177287?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=KONG&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAvvKBBhCXARIsACTePW-VxqxxtXLTSwiVT752Um7iuUBUm-wrdpydQp_GFN8nnirwQLbRDmoaAngZEALw_wcB
It’s hard to say how many toys we’ve been through over the years. Some make it longer than others, but all have helped to maintain well behaved, happy dogs.
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