Archive for the ‘dog toys’ Category
Puppy Toys for Chase
I brought my new puppy home from the humane society a couple of weeks ago. He is a Border Collie mix and I have to say he is one of the smartest dogs I have ever owned. His name was Newport but I thought that sounded a little stuffy so I renamed him Chase.
The biggest problem I have with him is, he came home from the humane society with just a touch of a cough. It was one small cough every few hours. Nothing major. By the time I could get him in for a vet check 5 days later, it was a little worse. The vet gave me some antibiotics for him but it did not help. He got worse. And to make matters worse, he had given it to my other two dogs.
I took him back to the vet last week and she gave him a new antibiotic and he is still getting worse so we are going back to the vet tomorrow.
Other than that, he has been the best little puppy. twice in one night he picked up one of my shoes and started chewing on it. I took the shoe away from him and redirected his attention to one of his rubber puppy toys. He has not touched my shoes since. I really love this little guy.
Durable Rubber Dog Toys
Does Fido chew up everything he gets his paws on within minutes? Try the Squirrel Dude rubber dog toy!
The Squirrel Dude rubber dog toy’s extreme durability holds up well under the toughest chewers and its unpredictable bounce will have pets playing for hours. The opening at the bottom of the Squirrel Dude has inner-facing, soft, adjustable rubber prongs that move aside to allow the toy to be stuffed with kibble or treats. The prongs of the Treat Meter™ randomly dispense kibble and treats as your dog plays. Made of natural rubber and is better than a kong dog toy.
Dog Toys-Stop Your Dog From Biting
Pet owners with dogs that bite run the risk of serious problems if they do not get the situation under control. You don’t want a dog that bites you or other family members or people that visit your house. If the problem gets bad enough, you may even be forced to put your dog down. It does not always have to be a difficult training task to nip the problem in the bud.
Sometimes the simplest answer is the best. If your dog likes to nip or bite at people, whether it is an older dog or a puppy, try what I call dog toy therapy. Although it does not work for all dogs, it does work for a large percentage. Find dog toys that your dog likes to chew on. I have found that rubber dog toys that dispense treats work well. Every time your dog tries to nip or bite someone say “No” and give him his favorite chew toy as a diversion. Praise him when he chews on his own toys. It won’t be long before your dog knows what he can and can’t bite.
This method also works well for many dogs with destructive chewing habits also. When ever you catch your puppy chewing on an inappropriate item, tell him “No” and redirect his attention to a chew toy.
Dog Toys-Not Just a Luxury For Your Dog
Destructive and annoying behavior are usually the result of a bored dog. A dog that gets plenty of exercise and playtime will be less likely to exhibit bad behavior. Exercise will help keep a dog fit and healthy while playtime will stimulate him.
The interaction between a dog and it’s owner that comes with playtime is a joyful event in a dog’s life but there is not always enough time in the day to play with your dog. For these times, dog toys will become an important part of a dog’s life.
Dog toys are not just a luxury for your dog, they are an important part of a puppies development and they will give your dog something to do when he is home alone. In a many cases, when a dog indulges in destructive or annoying behavior, just giving him a favorite toy will be enough of a diversion to stop the behavior.
Provide your dog with a variety of toys that are sized appropriately. Chew toys, toys that dispense treats and interactive toys are good choices for most dogs. Many dogs like plush toys but they are not a wise choice for an aggressive chewer.
Happy Easter
The staff at MyPetSpecialties.Com would like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy Easter.
We would also like to remind everyone that chocolate is extremely toxic to cats and dogs. If you are hiding candy around the house for children, be aware that given the chance, your pets will find it before the children do.
It might be wise to sit down and have a talk with small children who are known for sharing and have a talk with them. Explain that sharing is a wonderful thing but sharing candy with Fido or Kitty could make them very sick.
Dog toys that dispense treats for your dog might be an excellent way to keep him busy while your children are looking for their Easter baskets.
Dog Toys-A Warning For All Dog Owners
A child’s stuffed animal is not a dog toy. My dogs love plush dog toys and have been known to shred them on occasion. I have been guilty of giving my dogs plush toys that were made for children. If I see a cute stuffed animal at a yard sale or the Dollar Store, I will splurge and get one for my dogs. Never again. After reading a story about the death of a dog that ate a child’s teddy bear, I have gone through my house and gathered up all the plush toys made for children and thrown them out.
The dog was taken to the vet and surgery was performed to remove what was thought to be a blockage in the intestinal tract. What she found instead, was a jelly like mess inside the dog. The intestines were nothing but black dead tissue from the stomach to the colon. Nothing could be done to save the dog.
Not having seen this before, the vet was curious enough to call the manufacturer to find out what the jelly like substance was that killed the dog. She found that the stuffing was made of chemicals for a flame retardant and mite control. It was designed to turn into a gel and is highly toxic.
I don’t know if all stuffed toys made for children are made from the same chemicals but I certainly do not want to take the chance with my dogs.
Inappropriate Dog Toys
I was just surfing the web and came across a forum where someone had submitted a question. She said she had two small dogs and one was a puppy. They both liked to play with any socks that were laying around. Her question was, “How do you make dog toys out of socks?” Several people responded with different ideas for her.
In my own personal opinion, the best answer would be: Do not make dog toys out of household items you do not want your dog to chew on. Making dog toys out of socks or old shoes will give your puppy the idea that all socks and shoes are fair game. Puppies will not distinguish the difference between your good shoes and socks and the shoes and/or socks they have been given to play with. Should you choose to go this route, and your dog happens to find a good pair of shoes to chew up, roll up a newspaper and swat yourself on the head three times for letting your dog have access to them.
The best dog toys are dog toys. There are tough rubber dog toys that are much better for your puppy to chew on than socks or shoes. When you catch your puppy chewing on something inappropriate, take the item away from him and give him one of his own toys as a diversion.
When Is The Best Time To Get A Puppy?
No matter when someone chooses to get a puppy, they always bring joy into our lives. Even when it is not our own puppy, there is just something about them that makes you smile when you see one. What a gift from God.
No matter when I have gotten a new puppy, it was always a welcomed addition to my home. I have to say though, that if I had my druthers, I would plan to get a new puppy in late Spring, Summer or early Fall. Living in the Mid-West has made me more aware of the climate when it comes to house breaking a dog. If you live in an area that has bitter winters, this is something for you to think about. When you get a puppy in the winter, it can be nasty getting up in the middle of the night during a snow storm or a below-zero cold snap to take the little one out.
If you are thinking about getting a puppy, think about how nice it is to just hook the leash onto the dog collar and walk out the door. I don’t even mind a spring or summer rain.
That is just my take on the situation. May is the beginning of puppy adoption season and it is coming up fast. So if you are thinking about it, now is the time to start planing. Go out and get a dog collar and leash, some dog toys and puppy toys, pet dishes and puppy food and maybe a dog crate and dog bed.
It is my humble opinion that the best place to get a dog is the humane society. Some humane societies even let you put your name on a list if you want a specific breed or age and they will call you when something comes in that meets your specifications.
Dog Toys-A Stress Release For Your Dog
There aren’t many dogs who don’t enjoy a good rubber dog toy to play with, but rubber dog toys aren’t just a luxury for your dog. They are an important part of a dogs early development and a great stress reliever as they get older. I would like to emphasize “good rubber dog toys”. There are many indestructible rubber dog toys on the market market today and that is what you want. Good rubber dog toys will see your dog from his puppy stage all the way through his adult life.
As a puppy, playing with these toys will help strengthen the jaw, which will aid in the physical development. They are also more appropriate and safer to chew on than your good shoes when the puppy is teething. When your puppy starts chewing on something he shouldn’t, divert his attention to his own rubber dog toys.
Adult dogs chew to relieve anxiety and stress. When they chew on the toy, their body produces chemicals called endorphins. The endorphins actually work much the same in dogs as they do in people, providing a calming effect. Chewing is also a great way for your dog to remove plaque from his gums and teeth, helping to keep them healthy and strong.
Some rubber dog toys can be filled with kibble and dispense treats as the dog chews. Theses toys are great for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety and can keep some dogs busy for hours. They can also be used to amuse your dog when traveling.
Provide an assortment of toys for your dog and get a basket or box to store them in and keep it in an area where you dog frequently spends time, giving him easy access to the dog toy of his choice.
How To Stop Your Dog From Destructive Chewing Using Dog Toys
Treat dispensing dog toys are an effective tool to aid in eliminating destructive chewing. It takes time and a watchful eye on your part. You may want to start with a product you can spray or dab on furniture and electrical cords that will deter unwanted chewing.
Have treat dispensing dog toys filled with your pup’s favorite treats or fill with dog kibble. When your dog starts chewing on inappropriate items, gently redirect him to the treat dispensing toy. He will soon learn that it is much more rewarding to chew on his own toys.