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TOPIC:
Dog Toys And
How To Use Them
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Topics ~~> Toys & How
To Use Them
“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 play style.
Although we cannot guarantee your dog’s enthusiasm or his
safety with any specific toy, we can offer the following
guidelines.
Safety First
- 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 be easily swallowed or become lodged in your dog’s mouth
or throat. Avoid or alter any toys that are not “dog-proof”
by removing ribbons, strings, eyes or other parts that could
be chewed off and ingested.
- Monitor your dog’s toys
and discard any toy that starts to break into pieces or has
pieces torn off.
- Ask your veterinarian
about the safety of items like bones, hooves, pig’s ears and
rawhides. 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 toys should be
given only under supervision.
- Check labels for child
safety. A stuffed toy that’s labeled as safe for children
under three years old, and does not contain dangerous
fillings is probably safe for pets too. Problem fillings
include things like nutshells and polystyrene beads;
however, even a “safe” stuffing is not 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 Kong products. These are
available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are fun for
chewing, fetching and for carrying around.
- “Rope” toys that are usually available in a “bone” shape
with knotted ends.
- Tennis balls make good fetch toys, but some dogs may
chew off and ingest pieces.
Distraction Toys:
- "Kong"-type toys,
especially when filled with broken-up treats or, even
better, a mixture of broken-up treats and a small amount of
peanut butter. The right size "Kong" can keep a puppy or dog
busy for hours. By chewing diligently your dog can access
the treats in small bits - very rewarding! Double-check with
your veterinarian about giving peanut butter to your dog.
- “Busy-box” toys are large,
hard plastic cubes or balls with hiding places for treats.
The dog has to move the toy around with his nose, mouth and
paws to access the goodies inside. These toys should be
large enough that your dog cannot get his mouth around it.
Comfort Toys:
- Soft stuffed toys are good for several purposes, but are
not 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 (mouse-size, 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.
- 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. 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.
Tug of War
Tug of war has long been thought to be an absolute “don’t” in
many dog-owning households.
However, by taking a few precautions and setting some basic
rules it can be a fun game for you and your dog.
- Choose a toy that will be reserved exclusively for this
particular activity. This will help prevent your dog from
grabbing and tugging anything you have in your hand.
- Teach two commands:
o “Let’s tug” begins the game. Never allow the dog to
initiate tug on his own and
always use your starting phrase when you begin the game.
o "Give” or “Out” ends the game. Teach your dog to
release the toy by offering a treat or better toy in
exchange. Do not start playing tug with your dog until he is
consistently releasing the toy on command.
If your dog does not give up the
toy on command, stop the game immediately. Wait until he
gets interested in something else and then put away the toy
for use at another time. You may also take
obedience breaks during the tug game. Each time the dog puts
down the
toy, ask for a few simple commands and then continue the game.
Anyone in the family who cannot follow the rules of the game
should not play tug with the dog.
If your dog has shown signs of aggression towards you, tug of
war is not a game we recommend.
2004 Dumb Friends League.
All Rights Reserved. DTAH_R04
Source:
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/dog-toys.pdf |
