Posts Tagged ‘tough dog toys’
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.
Charlie’s Memorial to the Indestructible Ball
I have to say I have had many pets in my life but none touched my heart as much as Charlie III. We had Charlie’s mother, Sheba, and his Aunt Sable. Both crossed the Rainbow Bridge last year.
Charlie was supposed to be my sons companion, however, when Charlie developed DM (Degenerative Myeolopathy) at the young age of 9, it was a difficult time. If you don’t know about DM it gradually decreases your pets ability to walk and have normal functions of the body. The first sign for Charlie was knuckle dragging of the hind end. He would still run and play, chase the balls, play with his toys and chase squirrels of, course.
I wanted to share the ball that Charlie loved to play with, because he still played with it while he was in his wheelchair. It had to be an indestructible ball as he was a very good chewer and ran things over with his wheelchair.
Unfortunately Charlie crossed over the Rainbow Bridge to be with his mom and his aunt so his ball has been passed down to his sister.
Are Your Dogs Smart?
Do you want to see how really smart your dog is and keep them entertained at the same time?
Toys can teach old dogs new tricks! They can also teach the pups as well. Some toys can test you dogs and show you just how smart they actually are. Let your pet show you.
I always want to make sure that the toys are both challenging and fun for my dogs! The puzzle toys that are available can be the best thing I have ever provided my dog. Of course, if you are testing and challenging your dogs’ intelligence you want to watch them. You don’t want your pet to get frustrated with a toy. That is not what they are made for. They are there to help develop skills. If your dog gets frustrated by a toy they may just want to chew on it and ruin the toy and its purpose. So supervision is advised. Once they get the rings off the bone or the balls out of the cube you want to be there to put them back so that they are constantly being challenged during your time together. But I do think my dogs, Marina, Baby and Miracle are the smartest dogs in the world.
Put the toy away once playtime is over to preserve the challenge of the game.