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How To Choose The Right Puppy Toys

7th Jan 2023

One of the best things you can do for your dog is to invest in some puppy toys. While it may seem like they are wasting away money, these new toys help develop their skills as dogs.

Dogs need lots of different textures to play. Puppies need toys they can gnaw on, puppies who aren’t getting adequate exercise will sometimes resort to chewing on things out of desperation.

Many people begin giving their puppies toys at around six months old. This is when most dogs start exploring with objects that have textures or shapes. You can easily find many cheap toys online.

These types of toys are great for beginner dogs because they need not be played with too seriously. There are several different styles of pup toys out there! The thing you should look for is if the material is durable and does not break down quickly. Materials such as rubber and plastic last much longer than foam ones. Foaber is a foam and rubber hybrid that has the strength and flexibility of rubber and the light weight of foam.

There are also various shaped toys designed to do specific tricks for your dog. For example, balls and retriever toy that teach to fetch, return and release.

Some dogs learn easy ways teach themselves these tricks, while others cannot.

Does your puppy like to play with you?

Brown Siberian Husky Puppy Lying on Green Grass

Photo by Mellyn Costello on Pexels

If your dog is looking at you with his eyes wide, wagging his tail and trying to get close for some tummy rubs or kisses, it might be because he wants to have fun!

Dog toys are one of the key components in creating fun experiences for dogs. There are many types of toys that can be designed for different games and behaviors.

The most common type of toy is probably the fetch ball- a spherical object that bounces when tossed or flung by the animal. These are great for animals who love to chase after something and throw it!

Other types include toys that squeak or rattle, which help keep attention longer. For dogs that enjoy nipping and biting, hard toys are ideal since they can be taught new tricks (like “no bite”).

Rope toys

Yellow and Blue Plush Toy on Brown Wooden Floor

Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels

Ropes are one of the most popular puppy toys, especially for older dogs. These can be made out of virtually anything – nylon rope, leather strap, cotton string, etc.

When selecting a rope toy look for a safe, durable material with a close-knit weave and consider a protective sleeve.

Rope toy can be used for fetch, tug a war or as a chew toy. They physical and mentally stimulate you dog and can help to prevent destructive chewing of the house.

If you’re ever stuck trying to get your dog to play with his rope toy, just give him some extra attention. It may take some time before he gives up that stick, but a rope toy is safer as sticks can splinter and harm your dog.

He might even ask for another treat while playing with it.

Balls

Close-up of a Black Dog with a Ball

Photo by Sharon Snider on Pexels

Many dogs love to play with these soft doggy balls. These are sometimes called dog toys or pooch balls. They can be an interesting game to watch!

Most puppies enjoy rolling these around the room or outside to see what kind of sound they make. This usually stops when the ball rolls somewhere that they can't reach.

Throwing the ball and having your dog fetch it is a great way to exercise your dog.

These types of doggy balls are great way to keep your dog active and engaged. If you notice your pup is looking forward to playing with them, let him/her pick one up at a local pet store or visit a retailer online to find one for yourself.

Doggy Treats

Faceless woman stroking morkie dog

When giving your dog a treat, make sure it is safe and healthy, A cooked meat or chicken bone is not an appropriate doggy snack! These can be difficult to chew and can splinter. If you don’t give your pooch enough time to work on them, he may swallow some that are too large for him. A better alternative are slowly air-dried meat treats, Yogurt drops and Horns.

Horns are a versatile treat that is a long-lasting chew and can also be used as a retrieval toy like a stick.

Dogs will sometimes resort to chewing on things out of desperation. Chewing on the wrong things could result in dental problems later on.

If you find that your pup is constantly chasing his tail or trying to dig through the floorboards with his paws, then taking away his sleeping area and having less access to outside areas may cause destructive behavior

Puppy Scratch Mats

Attentive purebred Yorkshire Terriers resting in festive room

Photo by Sam Lion on Pexels

When puppies are just too excited to sleep, they will try to dig into anything solid that you can get their paws onto- this is called scratching.

Scratching is a kind of self-grooming behavior that dogs perform by rubbing or digging their nails across a surface. It usually happens when there is no appropriate bed available nor enough warm blankets to keep them comfortable. A scratch mat can give them something to use to prevent damage to the home.

This can be frustrating for owners, because not only does it damage furniture and rugs, but also skin. If your dog has been getting out of control with his/her scratching, then he/she may need some puppy training tips.

You should definitely look into possible causes of excessive itching and scratching. This could be due to health issues, such as allergies or dermatitis, or stressors like moving or changes in the environment.

Water Toys

Brown Short Coated Dog on the Shallow Water

One of the most common types of toys for puppies is what we refer to as doggy water toys. These are toy that float and can be used to get your puppy swimming which is a great low impact for them.

Some dogs will only need one type of doggy water toy, but others may develop special needs when they are looking for a good water toy. This can be caused by different sizes, shapes, materials, and designs of the toy. look for something that will stay afloat in the water and is easy for them to carry. Some dogs just never seem to find their favorite style and some dogs just don't like the water either.

It’s great because you don’t have to invest in several different ones like some dog owners might. You can get a couple of them and try them out from home to see which one works best for your pooch.

Watermelon is an ideal material to give your dog as a play object. It is easily digestible and does not pose any health risks if there is no meat content within it.

Chew Toys

Photo of a Black and White Dog Biting a Seahorse Toy

Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels

When puppies play with toys, they are looking to chew on them. This is their way of exploring how things feel and what textures different materials have.

If you notice your puppy chewing on a toy, let him! The chances are he will need to take some time away from the toy to satisfy his desire to chew it.

This can be tricky if you want to keep the toy for later. You may want to buy extra durable toys that can handle being chewed on for several days.

When your dog looks like he is hungry, get him a doggy treat or two to make him feel more comfortable. If he starts chewing on something new it time to teach him what he can chew on.

The plastics that most dogs love to gnaw are made using chemicals which can actually damage your dog’s health look for chew toys made from natural products.

These chemicals include phthalates, BPA (bisphenol-A) and DBP (dibutylphthalate). All three of these have been linked to cancer, reproductive problems and behavior issues in animals.