One of my favorite moments is to come home with new toys for my dogs. To avoid a flop, here are my tips for choosing the next best toy for your dog.
Everything is a matter of …
Shape, texture, color, size and the sound of the toy are making a difference for your dog. The priority is always to choose a safe toy for your pet. Thereafter, everything is a matter of preference because every dog is different.
Fabrics toys are usually less robust than plastic toys. Noisy toys excite most dogs, but some might be afraid. The size of the toy is essential for your dog to carry the toy and catch it as it wishes.
The color of the toy also affects your companion. Your dog sees colors. Be careful, if you play on the grass and the toy is red, it will appear green for your dog. That can quickly make your dog confused.
What if my dog is destructive?
Dogs that tend to destroy toys, just have not learned to play properly. All dogs love to chew, pull, tear etc. Obviously you do not want your dog to chew the furniture in your house so you give him toys. Your dog then applied that to satisfy his need to chew, it must destroy the toys.
Instead offer him, a bone or a lamella (recommended by your veterinarian). Choose treat toys for your dog so that he will understand that is better to take food from the toy rather than destroy it.
Play “bring back”
- Shake the toy and attract your dog with your voice)
- Throw the toy (not too far away at the beginning and more far after)
- Encourage your dog to go get the toy
- Once your dog has the toy in his mouth, run backwards by making small sounds to motivate your dog to follow you
- When your dog comes to you with his toy, repeat « bring it back»
- Take the toy of your dog and repeat
Play “pulls”
- Shake the toy (hang the rope or move it quickly on the ground)
- As soon as your dog hangs, make moves horizontally (avoid vertical movements that could injure the neck and the back of your dog)
- Allow your dog to grunt and pull (the grunt when your dog play is not a threat)
- To take breaks, put the toy between your legs and stop all interactions.
- Allow your dog to “drop” the rope by himself and when he does it say “let go” and take the toy.
- If your dog tends to jump, wait until he sits before giving back his toy. Reward your pet by starting back the game.
Finally, remember that for your dog, the best toy does not exist if you are not there to play with him.
