Dogs
By Lisa Mason
Your dog will become bored playing with the same old toy day after day. The toy will lay there untouched and he will look at you mournfully. This means he has lost interest in that toy and needs another one. Multiple toys of different shapes, materials and textures will allow your dog to choose the right toy for his mood.
Every Dog Needs a Chew Toy
Chew toys are a must for your dog. Sometimes a dog just wants to chew, and if he doesn’t have a toy, your furniture and shoes may be in trouble. Chew toys will satisfy the need to chew, and it will also exercise your dog’s jaws and help clean his teeth.
Make sure to pick a chew toy that is appropriate for your dog’s size. If the chew toy is too large for your dog to get a good grip on, he will get frustrated and find something else to chew on. If the chew toy is small, a large dog could choke on it.
Other Great Choices for Dog Toys
Balls and Frisbees should be next on your dog’s toy list. Even a small dog will enjoy chasing a ball or a Frisbee, and its great exercise for them. Small dogs that don’t play outside a lot will enjoy rolling the ball around the house and trying to capture it. Give the dog several balls in varying sizes. A ball should just barely fit in the dog’s mouth for him to carry it, or it should be larger for rolling games. Never let a large dog play with a tiny ball as he may choke on it.
Also choose a few comfort toys for cuddling. At times a dog just wants something soft and cozy when he takes a nap. Rope toys and soft plush toys are great for this. They also serve double duty as toss and fetch toys in the house. When your dog gets tired, he will grab one of his soft, cuddly toys and take it to his bed to lie down with.
Training Your Dog to Choose Toys
Dogs learn by word association, so you can easily teach him to fetch the right toy. Teach the dog the word “ball” by playing a game of fetch and repeating the word ball. Switch the toys and teach him “rope” or “bunny.” Now line up all of the toys and tell him to get a specific one. It may take a while for him to figure out which toy is which. Don’t give up. It is a fun game that will stimulate your dog’s brain.
If you are concerned about so many dog toys lying around the house, provide him with his own toy box. You can make a game of teaching him to pick up all the toys and put them away. Make sure to reward a job well done by giving your dog his favorite CANIDAE treat. Offering a variety of safe dog toys will keep your dog from becoming bored and unhappy. In the end, a few extra toys may save your table legs or shoes!
Top photo by Oakley Originals
Bottom photo by M. Anima
Read more articles by Lisa Mason
- Use Interactive Dog Toys To Beat Boredom
By Linda Cole A bored dog can become a destructive pet when he's left alone. Leaving your dog with his favorite toys can help him pass the time. Better yet, provide some interactive dog toys that give him something to do – they will challenge him...
- Is Your Puppy Or Dog Chewing Out Of Control?
By Linda Cole Puppies are so cute, you can't help picking one up and giving it a big hug. But they aren't nearly as cute when you find them chewing their way through your home. Even an older dog is capable of destroying your shoes or that heirloom...
- Unique And Cute Christmas Gifts For Dogs
By Linda Cole Are you someone who buys Christmas gifts for your dog? This is the perfect time to buy something for your best friend you've been putting off buying. Our dogs do know when there's excitement in the air. They enjoy getting things...
- Which Dog Toys Are The Best?
By Linda Cole Pet toys dangle from prominent displays in pet stores, supermarkets and drugstores in every city. There are balls of different sizes and colors; some that light up when they bounce, and some that are florescent and glow in the dark. There...
- How To Pick The Best Dog Toy
Today when you walk into your favorite pet shop there are many more toy options for dogs than there used to be. There are a few things to consider when buying toys for your dog. Do you need toys for a puppy, or adult dog? There are a few things to keep...
Dogs
Choosing the Right Toys for Your Dog
Your dog will become bored playing with the same old toy day after day. The toy will lay there untouched and he will look at you mournfully. This means he has lost interest in that toy and needs another one. Multiple toys of different shapes, materials and textures will allow your dog to choose the right toy for his mood.
Every Dog Needs a Chew Toy
Chew toys are a must for your dog. Sometimes a dog just wants to chew, and if he doesn’t have a toy, your furniture and shoes may be in trouble. Chew toys will satisfy the need to chew, and it will also exercise your dog’s jaws and help clean his teeth.
Make sure to pick a chew toy that is appropriate for your dog’s size. If the chew toy is too large for your dog to get a good grip on, he will get frustrated and find something else to chew on. If the chew toy is small, a large dog could choke on it.
Other Great Choices for Dog Toys
Balls and Frisbees should be next on your dog’s toy list. Even a small dog will enjoy chasing a ball or a Frisbee, and its great exercise for them. Small dogs that don’t play outside a lot will enjoy rolling the ball around the house and trying to capture it. Give the dog several balls in varying sizes. A ball should just barely fit in the dog’s mouth for him to carry it, or it should be larger for rolling games. Never let a large dog play with a tiny ball as he may choke on it.
Also choose a few comfort toys for cuddling. At times a dog just wants something soft and cozy when he takes a nap. Rope toys and soft plush toys are great for this. They also serve double duty as toss and fetch toys in the house. When your dog gets tired, he will grab one of his soft, cuddly toys and take it to his bed to lie down with.
Training Your Dog to Choose Toys
If you are concerned about so many dog toys lying around the house, provide him with his own toy box. You can make a game of teaching him to pick up all the toys and put them away. Make sure to reward a job well done by giving your dog his favorite CANIDAE treat. Offering a variety of safe dog toys will keep your dog from becoming bored and unhappy. In the end, a few extra toys may save your table legs or shoes!
Top photo by Oakley Originals
Bottom photo by M. Anima
Read more articles by Lisa Mason
- Use Interactive Dog Toys To Beat Boredom
By Linda Cole A bored dog can become a destructive pet when he's left alone. Leaving your dog with his favorite toys can help him pass the time. Better yet, provide some interactive dog toys that give him something to do – they will challenge him...
- Is Your Puppy Or Dog Chewing Out Of Control?
By Linda Cole Puppies are so cute, you can't help picking one up and giving it a big hug. But they aren't nearly as cute when you find them chewing their way through your home. Even an older dog is capable of destroying your shoes or that heirloom...
- Unique And Cute Christmas Gifts For Dogs
By Linda Cole Are you someone who buys Christmas gifts for your dog? This is the perfect time to buy something for your best friend you've been putting off buying. Our dogs do know when there's excitement in the air. They enjoy getting things...
- Which Dog Toys Are The Best?
By Linda Cole Pet toys dangle from prominent displays in pet stores, supermarkets and drugstores in every city. There are balls of different sizes and colors; some that light up when they bounce, and some that are florescent and glow in the dark. There...
- How To Pick The Best Dog Toy
Today when you walk into your favorite pet shop there are many more toy options for dogs than there used to be. There are a few things to consider when buying toys for your dog. Do you need toys for a puppy, or adult dog? There are a few things to keep...