CAPITAL HUMANE SOCIETY
2320
Dog Toys And How To Use Them
Copyright Denver Dumb Friends League and
Humane Society of the
“Safe”
Toys
There
are many factors that contribute to the safety or danger of a toy. Many of
those factors, however, are completely dependent upon your dog’s size, activity
level and personal preference. Another factor to be considered is the
environment in which your dog spends his time. Although we can’t guarantee your
dog’s enthusiasm or his safety with any specific toy, we can offer the
following guidelines.
Be
Cautious
The
things that are usually the most attractive to dogs are often the very things
that are the most dangerous. Dog-proof your home by checking for: string,
ribbon, rubber bands, children’s toys, pantyhose and anything else that could
be ingested. Toys should be appropriate for your dog’s current size. Balls and
other toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your
dog’s mouth or throat. Avoid or alter any toys that aren’t “dog-proof” by
removing ribbons, strings, eyes or other parts that could be chewed and/or
ingested. Avoid any toy that starts to break into pieces or have pieces torn
off. You should also avoid “tug-of-war” toys, unless they’ll be used between
dogs, not between people and dogs.
Ask
your veterinarian about which rawhide toys are safe and which aren’t. Unless
your veterinarian says otherwise, “chewies” like hooves, pig’s ears and
rawhides, should be supervision-only goodies. Very hard rubber toys are safer
and last longer. Take note of any toy that contains a “squeaker” buried in its
center. Your dog may feel that he must find and destroy the squeak-source and
could ingest it, in which case squeaking objects should be “supervision only”
toys. Check labels for child safety, as a stuffed toy that’s labeled as safe
for children under three years old, doesn’t contain dangerous fillings. Problem
fillings include things like nutshells and polystyrene beads, however, even a
“safe” stuffing isn’t truly digestible. Remember that soft toys are not
indestructible, but some are sturdier than others. Soft toys should be machine
washable.
Toys
We Recommend
Active
Toys:
·
Very hard rubber toys, like Nylabone-type
products and Kong-type products. These are available in a variety of shapes and
sizes and are fun for chewing and for carrying around.
·
“Rope” toys that are usually available
in a “bone” shape with knotted ends.
·
Tennis balls make great dog toys, but
keep an eye out for any that could be chewed through and discard them.
Distraction
Toys:
·
Kong-type toys, especially when filled
with broken-up treats or, even better, a mixture of broken-up treats and peanut
butter. The right size Kong can keep a puppy or dog busy for hours. Only by
chewing diligently can your dog access the treats, and then only in small bits
- very rewarding! Double-check with your veterinarian about whether or not you should
give peanut butter to your dog.
·
“Busy-box” toys are large rubber cubes
with hiding places for treats. Only by moving the cube around with his nose,
mouth and paws, can your dog access the goodies.
Comfort
Toys:
·
Soft stuffed toys are good for several
purposes, but aren’t appropriate for all dogs. For some dogs, the stuffed toy
should be small enough to carry around. For dogs that want to shake or “kill”
the toy, it should be the size that “prey” would be for that size dog
(mousesize, rabbit-size or duck-size).
·
Dirty laundry, like an old t-shirt,
pillowcase, towel or blanket, can be very comforting to a dog, especially if it
smells like you! Be forewarned that the item could be destroyed by industrious
fluffing, carrying and nosing.
Get
The Most Out Of Toys!
·
Rotate your dog’s toys weekly by making
only four or five toys available at a time. Keep a variety of types easily
accessible. If your dog has a huge favorite, like a soft “baby,” you should
probably leave it out all the time, or risk the wrath of your dog!
·
Provide toys that offer a variety of
uses - at least one toy to carry, one to “kill”, one to roll and one to “baby.”
·
“Hide and Seek” is a fun game for dogs
to play. “Found” toys are often much more attractive than a toy which is
blatantly introduced. Making an interactive game out of finding toys or treats
is a good “rainy-day” activity for your dog, using up energy without the need
for a lot of space.
·
Many of your dog’s toys should be
interactive. Interactive play is very important for your dog because he needs
active “people time.” By focusing on a specific task, like repeatedly returning
a ball, Kong or Frisbee, or playing “hide-and-seek” with treats or toys, your
dog can expel pent-up mental and physical energy in a limited amount of time
and space. This greatly reduces stress due to confinement, isolation and/or boredom.
For young, high-energy and untrained dogs, interactive play also offers an
opportunity for socialization and helps them learn about appropriate and
inappropriate behavior with people and with other animals, like jumping up or
being mouthy.