Naturally, the toys you choose for your puppy should be interesting to him. Toys that are
most stimulating to dogs are those that provide rapid or erratic movement, emit high-pitched noises, or provide
something hard and tasty to chew on. Here are the qualities of suitable dog toys:
- Safe: Toys should be designed for dogs (not children), relatively indestructible, and
SAFE. They should not contain sharp components that may cause damage to your dog or have parts that can easily
be broken off and swallowed.
- Durable: Toys should not break or shred easily and those that are designed for chewing
should be constructed of hard material that will last a long time. Examples of bones that are meant for extended
periods of gnawing include sterilized bones, hard plastic bones, and some types of rawhide chews.
- Appropriate Size: Because dogs range in size from Chihuahuas to Great Danes, toys also come
in a wide variety of sizes. Select toys that are large enough to not be easily swallowed but small enough to be
picked up and to maintain your dog’s interest.
- Matched to Temperament: The type of bones and toys should be selected to match your dog’s play style and intensity of chewing. While some dogs are very excited about tennis balls, others love squeaky toys or tug toys. In addition, a variety of bone types are available for all types of chewers.
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