How to choose the best toy for your dog
One of the
best things about owning a dog is how much they love to play, and choosing the
best toy for your dog is important to your relationship. Whether it's that ball
that you can't get enough of catching on the fly or the string that you can't
stop throwing and biting, toys are part of your well-being. What should you
take into account when choosing them?
Age
Although
their way of maturing is different from ours, you always have to take their age
into account when choosing a toy. A three-month-old puppy still has baby teeth,
so toys at that age should be made of cloth or very soft rubber. Between three
and nine months he will change his milk teeth for permanent ones, so at this
stage it is advisable to avoid hard rubber toys. It is also advisable to be
patient and have a good variety of toys that he can chew, since he will try to
bite anything that is within his reach.
Once past the teething phase, your dog will already have a strong enough jaw to chew on harder rubber toys and play fetch or tug of war. From the age of seven he will begin to become a senior dog and it is possible that his jaw and teeth will no longer have the same strength as before, but it will still be important that he has toys (softer and easier to bite) than help you stay active. Luckily, there are many varieties of toys, and some are specifically designed for older dogs, so it won't be hard to find options for your dog's age, size, and biting preferences.
Size and texture
Even as a
fully grown adult, a Yorkshire Terrier will never be able to have the mouth of
a German Shepherd, so when choosing your dog's toys remember to take into
account the size and power of its jaw. You also have to consider the resistance
of the toy: if it is not very consistent it could break and your dog could
inhale or swallow the detached fragments, being able to choke, choke or have
gastrointestinal problems. For the same reasons, if you notice that their toys
are beginning to break down, have breakages or tears, it is best to think about
changing them for new ones.
Toy size is
also important. If it is very small, your dog could easily swallow it. As a
general rule, he thinks that a toy small enough to fit behind his molars is
always a risk factor.
Types of toys
Even with
all the information in the world, you may feel confused when choosing a toy at
your pet store. There are four types of basic toys, and surely one of them will
become your dog's favorite.
Balls
There are
rubber dog balls, plush balls, foam balls, tennis balls and many more. Some are
so sophisticated that they even float and glow in the dark…so you can play with
your dog even in the pool and in the middle of the night! However, a classic
model can be just as valid to keep your dog active. When you find the right
size ball for your dog, make sure it is made of durable material and is not
easy to break. Balls are a great toy because dogs love to play fetch, and that gets
you involved in the game too, helping to strengthen the bond between you.
Strings
Most dogs
enjoy playing tug-of-war with their owners or with other dogs. And although
some may think that this can lead to aggressive behavior, there is nothing to
fear if it is played properly and your dog is properly trained. Perhaps the
most important thing to remember about dog leashes is that they must be strong
and not break easily. They are usually made of linen, leather, cotton, or other
types of fibers, so they need to be replaced as soon as they start to fray or
tear. It's also important to remember to avoid aggressive tug-of-war with your
dog, and never pull hard on the rope to get it out of his mouth, as you could
cause damage to his mouth. If you want him to stop biting you will have to
train him to do so by responding to commands such as "leave" or
"let go." Lastly, although dogs' jaws are very strong, you should
never pull the rope vertically to lift your dog off the ground while biting it:
you could cause jaw, neck and spinal problems.
Although for
dogs anything can be susceptible to being bitten, there are toys specifically
designed for this purpose. They are usually made of nylon or hard rubber and
are designed to be durable. Some can even be filled with treats and used as a
tool during training. These toys should be soft enough to chew on without
risking teeth, but hard enough not to break into small pieces. As your dog
grows you will have to adapt the size and hardness of his chew toys (puppy toys
are smaller and softer and adult ones are larger and harder). Lastly, for
kibble toys, be sure to use healthy foods or treats to keep him healthy as well
as active.
Stuffed
animals are the favorite toys of many dogs, but unfortunately in most cases
they are not very safe because they break easily and dogs can ingest small
pieces that come off. However, stuffed animals can be acceptable toys if used
with proper supervision. They can be a good option for providing comfort to
very young puppies before teething, as they sometimes love to cuddle up to
sleep. If your dog loves these kinds of toys, you don't need to take them away,
but make sure that he knows how to distinguish which stuffed animals are his
and which belong to the children of the family. These toys, like treats, can
also be used to train dogs. If you notice that yours has a preference for a
particular stuffed animal, give it to him as a treat when he obeys a certain
command such as ""sit"". Teaching him what his toys are is
also an important part of training, which will also help you prevent him from
biting inappropriate objects such as furniture or children's toys. Always
remember that the choice of toy should be in accordance with the age, size and
intensity of the ""chewing habits"" of your dog. Also, keep
in mind that as your dog gets older, you will need to switch from puppy toys to
adult toys and then to senior dogs. And that safety should always come first,
closely followed by fun.
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