When it comes to toys, dogs are a little like children.
If there are no toys available to play with, they will find one.
Sometimes the toys dogs find to play with are not to your liking.
Like the time my German Shepard chewed the corner of my piano bench.
If you have had an experience where your dog, or puppy, chewed on something of yours, and not hers, then you should, if you haven't already, teach your dog which toys are acceptable for her to chew on or play with and which ones are not.
One way to do this is to correct your dog for chewing on an unacceptable item, and giving her a toy of her own.
Of course, if you understand dog training techniques, you know that you have to catch your dog in the act, or at most, no more than 9 to 10 seconds after the act.
Any longer than that and the correction is meaningless to your dog.
The correction can be a sharp low pitched NO.
Dog toys not only help protect your things from destruction, but also help relive stress and frustration for your dog.
It can keep her from being bored when she's left alone as well.
So what's the right kind of toy for your dog? There are a lot of stimulating toys that are now available for dogs.
You can also make toys for your dog with just a little imagination.
But there are safety concerns with dog toys, just as there are with small children's toys, that you have to keep in mind whether you're buying them or making them.
Here are some things to consider when you are evaluating the safety of any toy.
If there are no toys available to play with, they will find one.
Sometimes the toys dogs find to play with are not to your liking.
Like the time my German Shepard chewed the corner of my piano bench.
If you have had an experience where your dog, or puppy, chewed on something of yours, and not hers, then you should, if you haven't already, teach your dog which toys are acceptable for her to chew on or play with and which ones are not.
One way to do this is to correct your dog for chewing on an unacceptable item, and giving her a toy of her own.
Of course, if you understand dog training techniques, you know that you have to catch your dog in the act, or at most, no more than 9 to 10 seconds after the act.
Any longer than that and the correction is meaningless to your dog.
The correction can be a sharp low pitched NO.
Dog toys not only help protect your things from destruction, but also help relive stress and frustration for your dog.
It can keep her from being bored when she's left alone as well.
So what's the right kind of toy for your dog? There are a lot of stimulating toys that are now available for dogs.
You can also make toys for your dog with just a little imagination.
But there are safety concerns with dog toys, just as there are with small children's toys, that you have to keep in mind whether you're buying them or making them.
Here are some things to consider when you are evaluating the safety of any toy.
- The toy should not be small enough for your dog to be able to either inhale it or swallow it.
- The toy should not have any sharp edges or point or edges.
- The toy should not have any parts that can be pulled off and swallowed.
- The toys should not be made out of parts that are linear such as string, ribbon, or rubber bands that can be chewed off and swallowed.
- Chewable toys where big chunks can be chewed off and swallowed should be used with caution.
- Squeaky toys are great for keeping our dogs attention, but if your dog likes to chew the toy apart to get at the squeaker, keep an eye on her because sometimes the squeaker is small enough to be swallowed.
- Avoid children's toys that are filled with beans or small plastic pieces that can be swallowed.
- Keep your dog from playing with any containers where your dog's head could get stuck in it.
If your dog's head gets stuck in a container, she won't be able to get it off and could suffocate. - Don't give your dog a toy with a battery in it unless you're there to watch her.
- The most important thing you should consider is to use common sense when buying or making a toy for your dog.
If there is a way that a dog, especially a puppy, can get into trouble with a toy, she will.