Dog Training Help Blog

So you’ve brought home a new puppy with all the intention of being the best dog owner you can possibly be.  You then wave goodbye to your puppy the next day as you head off to work and later return home to find that the newest member of your family has decided that your slipper makes a great dog chew toy.

You see, dogs love playing with toys.  If they don’t have their own dog toys, they’ll find something of yours to use.  This can be anything from the aforementioned slipper to the remote control, or even a lovely wooden sculpture you paid a small fortune for.  I’m sure this is not what you want your dog to be playing with right?

Dogs are not discriminating when it comes to having fun.  They love biting and playing and if you aren’t offering something that will meet their needs, they’ll go out and hunt down something on their own.

If you train your puppy early with the idea that only certain things are to be their toys, that idea will stick.  You won’t have to worry about leaving anything lying around, because as your puppy grows, it will understand that not everything is its own personal dog chew toy.

The size of your dog will help determine which toys are most suitable.  You wouldn’t want to give a large bone to a Dachshund, nor would giving a small ball to a Saint Bernard be the best idea; he might swallow it in one gulp.  That’s why they make small dog toys and large dog toys.  Just like humans, one size does not always fit all.

When you decide it’s time to go buy a few items for the dog toy chest try visiting your local pet store.  There you will find literally dozens of things that dogs can use to have fun with.  Some are also specifically designed to help strengthen the dog’s jaw and teeth.  Things like ropes with a knot in it allow you to hold one end firmly while the dog pulls on it.  Dogs love this type of resistance play.  Yes it’s ok if you get involved too!

Another fun item for dogs is squeeze toys.  These are similar to the type of toy you’d purchase for an infant.  When the dog bites down on the toy, it will make a noise.  They enjoy this and you’ll find them wanting to play with it over and over again.  It must have something to do with the exciting sound…hmm maybe dogs aren’t so different than humans after all?

Many people buy their dog a stuffed animal.  These have several purposes.  One is that the dog can use it as a dog chew toy, or perhaps push it around.  Another reason some pet owners invest in this type of item is that it gives the dog comfort while they sleep (just like a child, which for many people their dogs are basically a part of the family).  It becomes a very familiar part of their environment and you might even catch the dog falling asleep with its head resting against this soft dog toy.

Dogs never get tired of chasing things and for that purpose nothing beats a good old ball.  It’s very important to buy one that is suitable in size for your dog (as stated before, small dog toys for small dogs and large dog toys for large dogs).  This is also a great way to introduce the idea of fetching to your dog.  Plus if you’re single, a good way to pick up potential dates is to go play a game of fetch in a dog park.  And you thought playing fetch would get boring after awhile didn’t you?

Every dog owner wants to watch their animal having fun and with a few toys you can do just that.  Plus you can have some fun yourself playing with your dog.  There are many options for dog toys out there, so just start looking!