Dog Toys – A Beginner's Guide

by: Denise Clement

Dogs are naturally playful and inquisitive and can get bored easily, especially when they are young or left on their own for too long (while you're at work, for example).

A good selection of toys is essential to keep your dog happy, stop him chewing on the wrong things and to help him exercise when the two of you are out for a walk. In this article, we will look at the main types of dog toy and how you might use them.

Dog toys are made of a variety of materials, most commonly rubber, vinyl, fabric, rope and leather.

Chews, Squeaks and Hidden Treats!

Dog toys come in all shapes and sizes, and different dogs will have different preferences when it comes to toys – just like children! Here's an overview of the main types of toys for dogs – items like these can be bought from most pet stores.

Chew Toys

Dog's naturally like to chew, and it's your job to make sure their energies are directed away from your furniture and onto their chew toys. There are a wide variety of chew toys available for dogs, covering a range of sizes and "strengths" – some dogs are much more aggressive chewers than others, and require stronger and more resilient chew toys to avoid the need for constant replacement.

Hidden Treats

Dogs can easily get lonely and bored when left on their own for any length of time, and this can lead to negative and destructive behaviours. One of the best ways to avoid this is by leaving your dog with a toy containing some treats. Persistent playing will gradually cause the toy to yield a small, tasty treat and keep your dog from becoming distracted and bored.

Soft Toys & Squeakers

Dogs can often enjoy playing and sleeping with soft toys and these can be bought in a variety of sizes from pet stores. If buying regular soft toys for your dog, ensure that you wash them (if second-hand) and remove any small or loose parts, such as eyes and buttons, before letting your dog have them.

Some soft toys contain a "squeaker" – a device that will emit a load squeak when the toy is pressed in a certain way. Not all dogs like these, but some can become quite attached to them! You'll have to see which category your dog falls into. Make sure that if the toy comes apart, you take it away from your dog to avoid any risk of them choking on the squeaker itself, which won't be that large.

Throwing Toys

The other major category of toys is those intended for exercising with – soft frisbees, balls and sticks are all good ways of ensuring your dog gets a thorough workout without you having to spend the whole time running around!

Remember, all dogs are different, and you'll need to experiment a little to find out what your dog likes best.

Denise Clement is the co-owner of the very successful store http://www.petsupply-store.com established in 2005.

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