subject: Keep your Pooch Entertained and Out of Trouble with a Variety of Dog Toys [print this page] Keep your Pooch Entertained and Out of Trouble with a Variety of Dog Toys
Dog toys can provide your family pooch with a great outlet for stimulating the brain and exercising the body. Finding the right toy can be somewhat hard because it takes a bit of trial and error before you find the right kind that engages your dog. You will discover that toys for canines can be made from a wide variety of materials in a number of shapes, sizes and even tastes. However, once you find the right combination and provide plenty of toys for your dog, he will remain entertained and well-behaved.
Ball Toys
Balls are one of the most popular of all dog toys because they are easy to throw and toss around, even without a human! You must be careful though when purchasing balls for your pet as they have the potential to be choke hazards. Because dogs slobber, small balls can easily become slippery and slide down your dog's throat, choking them. Tennis balls are great choices for playing fetch or toss because they are not only too large to become lodged into a dog's throat, their fuzziness is another choking deterrent.
Ropes and Stuffed Toys
Thick pieces of rope with large knots are excellent toys for your furry family member. Dogs love playing tug of war with other dogs or their humans and rope provides a sturdy tool to accomplish this. Cotton ropes are best because as dogs gnaw on them, the cotton fibres help floss their teeth. Plus, they come in a variety of sizes so you can find them for toy breeds like Chihuahuas to giant dogs like Newfoundlands.
Stuffed toys can be an entertaining part of your dog's play time. However, you must be careful to choose those that are sturdily made with strong seams and stitching and no parts that can come off and become a choking hazard like buttons or pom-poms. Fleece and canvas materials are best and you can choose toys with or without squeakers, rattles or other noise makers.
Bones and Other Toys
Dogs love bones and there are some flavoured nylon ones that are quite safe for your pooch to gnaw on without worrying about the splintering factor or choking. Kongs are made from heavy duty, virtually indestructible materials like hard rubber and can be filled with dog treats. Activity toys also hide dog treats and challenge your pet mentally to find out how to get to them. There are plenty of toys to choose from for your family dog and once you find which ones attract them the most, they are guaranteed hours of enjoyment, physical activity and mental stimulation. The great thing about dog toys is that they can be used not only for play but also for positive reinforcement of good habits.
