Archive for the ‘Dog Toys’ Category
Dog Toys for Destructive Dogs
Have a dog that won’t hesitate to chew on metal, wood, or even rock? Or a dog who bites through standard nylon leashes in two chomps, terrorizes chew toys, and rips the stuffing out of all objects put in front of them? For dogs like this, the solution is indestructible dog toys! These dog toys are designed for those dogs that seem to just destroy all of the regular toys. Often made of hard rubber, indestructible toys are perfect for larger dogs like Mastiffs, Pitbulls, and Chow-Chows that tend to rip through standard dog toys. With indestructible toys, it’s possible to keep these dogs entertained and away from the furniture or other objects in the home that they shouldn’t be chewing on. These toys are also great for fetch and other games, allowing pet and owner to interact without worry of the toy breaking.
Most tough dog toys will last for several years before requiring replacement, and even then, the replacement is often at the discretion of the owner as the toy becomes riddled with bite marks and quite potent in odor from years of being gnawed on!
Why Are Dog Toys So Important?
Dogs love to chew. Dog toys give them things they are allowed to chew, keeping them from getting bored and trying the taste of furniture, walls, rugs, clothes, shoes…you get the idea. Dogs should have a variety of toys and bones to keep busy-rotated occasionally for continued interest–and they need to be within reach as well. Toys end up under the furniture, appliances, out in the yard, or just plain lost as time goes on, and as dog chew toys mysteriously disappear, there will be less for Rover to do, and once again, the threat of destructive canine mode looms over your home.
Some dog owners have had great success with a dog toy box-a large rubber container works (and has the added benefit of being easy to clean). All the plush dog toys will occupy a specific space, and the dog has the added fun of digging through and choosing her toy for the moment. Having dog toys in a centralized location also makes training easier, because if your dog has taken something she is not supposed to have, it is easier to distract her with an appropriate toy when they are all found in one location. The dog will learn to go his toy box when he wants to chew, which will keep him occupied and out of mischief.
My Spoiled Dog Terry
My dog Terry is literally a member of the family. Nearly addresses the dog as if he were a person. My mom buys him gourmet dog food, like chicken pot pie and beef wellington, which look like they could be served in a restaurant. As a member of the family, Terry naturally receives presents on his birthday and major holidays.
As you can probably deduce, people in the family aren’t willing to give Terry just any old dog toys. My mom seeks out premium-style dog rope toys and accessories, a ritual I am sure Terry neither understands nor appreciates. When the holidays roll around I keep in mind my family’s infatuation with our dog and seek out personalized pet lover gifts for them-I know they enjoy receiving the gifts more than the dog.
Reward Your Dog with a Toy and a Treat
My dogs are aggressive chewers. They can gnaw through plush toys and squeaky toys in the blink of an eye. When they’re done demolishing their toys they move on to furniture and shoes. I was at my wits end when one of my friends suggested I purchase some KONG dog toys.
The KONG dog toys have been a lifesaver! The stacked balls are made from hard rubber that can withstand a lot of chewing without being so hard as to damage my dogs’ teeth. Additionally, I can put treats inside of the toys. It’s a great way to train my pets that only the chew toys are full of treats, not the furniture.
Baby Likes Squeaky Toys
Baby had to have surgery a couple of weeks ago. After getting her home and confortable the only thing that made her raise her head and ears was the sound of her squeaky dog toy.
Now that she has recovered and she has more energy and loves to chase after it. When she catches it every once in a while her teeth or paw hits it at the right spot to make it squeak and she gets more excited.
The choice of toys out there can be overwhelming but have found that she likes the animal toys. Baby has always had her choice of toys in the past but now when I ask her to go get her squeaky she goes right to the cow. Nothing else in the world exists for her except her toy. 
My New Found Dog Toy
I know everyone that owns a dog has heard about the Kong toys. For as many dogs that I have owned in the past I never purchased one for them. I now have learned my lesson.
Baby has had a habit of eating dog chewies so fast that she winds up gagging on them. Have you had theat problem?? I decided to find something that would slow her down and not bloat her stomach. My discovery? Kong Wobbler toy.
I have to say it has been absolutely fantastic not to have to think about performing a heimlich maneuver on Baby. Not that I would be prepared to do so. This Kong toy is the best thing I have ever found. Next to giving her medicine with peanut butter.
This Kong dispenses treats and sits upright until pushed with a dog’s paw or nose, then it wobbles, spins and rolls. The unpredictable movement keeps the toy challenging and entertaining for both me and Baby.
Try it and let me know what you think.
Cool Dogs
We are in the season to make sure that we keep our dogs cool. I have found this Freezable and Reusable teether dog toy! They are called Chilly Bones and they contain a non-toxic 
absorbing sponge that can be frozen over and over. Don’t let the term “teether” fool you. Your adult dog will love the chilly cold sensation any time of the year and they are perfect for teething puppies too!
Dog Licking
When I first saw my dog licking the chair she was laying in or the floor or her bed I thought she was going crazy. The I thought maybe she had some kind of compulsive disorder. I figured I had an OCD dog. But the more I read about it the I realized that she wasn’t the only one doing this.
It seems there may be a few different reasons for why this happens
1. Comfort
2. Marking their area with their own saliva (I am happy it is nothing else)
3. Food crumbs
4. Boredom
5. Tactile experience
Regardless of the reason it was very annoying to my husband when he went to sit in the chair and it was all wet.
What I started to do was creating a play time specifically for her. I would sit on the floor with her favorite dog toys. It seems to lessen the the amount of time licking. Plus I have introduced dog toys that have a texture to them and it definately seems to have lessened her urge.
Have you ever had this problem?
Do You Have to Leave Your Pet at Home
1. Please Don’t Go! Coping with Separation Anxiety in Pets
When your dog suffers from separation anxiety, leaving the house can be just as stressful for you as it is for him. No one likes to see a beloved pet upset—plus, any time away from home might be spent worrying what kind of mess awaits your return. Will your pooch tear up the sofa? Chew the walls? Pee on the carpet? Shake, drool and bark for hours?
Overcoming disorders like separation anxiety takes time, patience and consistency, but it can be done! Don’t wait any longer: take control of your dog’s happiness—and your own—just in time for summer travel season. Follow the advice of ASPCA animal behaviorists, and next time you drop off Fido at a friend’s house or the boarding kennel, you’ll feel sweet relief knowing that you miss him more than he misses you.
- Doctor Knows Best
The first step in tackling behavior issues is to rule out any underlying medical problems that might be causing your pet’s behavior. For example, if your pet is urinating in the house, he might be suffering from a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, diabetes or kidney disease. - Keep It Mellow
All greetings—hellos and goodbyes—should be conducted in a very calm manner. When saying goodbye, just give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye and leave. Similarly, when arriving home, say hello to your dog and then don’t pay any more attention to him until he’s calm and relaxed. - Dogs Need Jobs
Providing lots of physical and mental stimulation is a vital part of treating many behavior problems, especially those involving anxiety. Exercise can enrich your dog’s life, decrease stress and provide appropriate outlets for normal behavior. Plus, a tired dog doesn’t have much excess energy to burn when he’s left alone!
Visit the Dog Care section of our website to read our complete guide to tackling separation anxiety.
Why Dogs Like Toys With Noise
I have watched my friend’s labradoodle seek out the one squeaky toy in her overflowing toy basket so that it sounds off every few seconds. It made me think, why do dogs like noisy toys, especially squeaky ones, so much? After some research, it was revealed to me that dogs like squeaky toys because they satisfy a prey drive. In the wild, injured prey–such as birds or field mice–emit squeaks and cries similar to the high-pitched sounds squeaky pet toys make, revealing condition and location of prey to the dog on the prowl.
Dogs also enjoy noisy toys because they are more interactive than other toys. It feels good for them to satisfy their natural chewing instinct, and they like the sound the toys make (even though they might drive US crazy after awhile). Larger breeds may be able to all but inhale a squeaky toy and pull out the squeaker within minutes, so match the size of toy to the size of dog, investing in more durable toys for larger breeds or aggressive chewers. The squeaking mechanisms, when removed from the toys, can present a dangerous choking hazard, so keep your eye out for them if you see the other tattered remains of a noisy dog toy. Squeaky toys are usually tough rubber or heavy plastic and can go from indoors to outdoors, which also makes them an enduring canine favorite. Finally, dog toys of all kinds make exercise fun for a dog, especially when the dog is indoors.