In addition to going for walks with our dog where we play, run, chase each other and lie on the grass with them, we can buy toysthat increase the fun and break the routine. Also, it is very positive that he plays at home with some of these toys when we are absent to avoid suffering from anxiety or stress.
Therefore, in this article on our site, we are going to know the types of toys for dogs that exist to know which ones they can play alone, which ones we should play with and which ones they can only play with if we are watching.
Benefits of dog toys
The game is a fundamental factor for the proper development of our dog and keeping it he althy and strong. Neglecting the fun of our dog can lead to the appearance of disorders such as anxiety, stress or even depression. In addition, we will get a listless dog, bored and, with total probability, sad.
Thus, toys provide multiple benefits to our dog that go beyond simple fun. For puppies they are a great relief and help them endure the pain caused by the appearance of teeth. They allow us to strengthen the bond with the adult dog, control bites and develop his mind. And for the elderly dog they are a great help to delay cognitive deterioration.
If our dog spends long hours alone at home, toys help us provide him with the entertainment and companyhe needs in our absence. But which toy should we choose? You should know that there are different types of toys, each one with a different function and characteristics, that we will have to choose, mainly, according to their age and size.
Shooting toys
When we talk about pull toys we mean rope style toys, where the dog pulls one end and we pull the other. Since we are the rational being, we have to play with caution, that is, shoot up to a certain point, let him win sometimes and not others, as well as set rules for game to avoid damage. For example if it bites beyond a point we stop the game. These toys can also be played between two dogs, although we must be vigilant or close to prevent limits from being exceeded.
This type of dog toy is especially suitable for us to play with and for us to create a greater bond with our dogs. With these toys we can practice "stay" commands and they also allow us to teach them that there are moments of play and moments in which it is better that we stop.
SearchToys
This type of toy also allows us to strengthen the bond with our dog and begin to practice more advanced training, since we must teach them both to go to look for the toyhow to bring it. Within this class of toys we distinguish two main types:
- Balls: It is essential that we differentiate the search balls from the snappers. Thus, to teach our dog to fetch the ball, we will use balls made of soft or smooth materials, so that when they catch them on the fly or while they run, they do not hurt their teeth. They can be rubber, cloth, silicone or even tennis balls, which are not excessively heavy and are manageable. If your dog tends to break toys or swallow them, this type is not the best option.
- Flying Discs: They must be made of rubber, as plastic is harmful to your teeth. Frisbees are a good pastime for both the dog and us. Of course, these discs are only for when we are with them, we cannot leave them to their free will with these toys because they can hurt themselves.
Intelligence Toys
Intelligence toys increase our dog's ability to concentrate, keep him entertained while accelerates his mind and stimulates it They allow you to carry out problem-solving tasks that help you learn to make decisions and improve creativity.
They are usually boards where there are a series of tokens that cover a reward, the dog has to remove the tokens until he discovers where his prize is. We must be present in this kind of games, to make sure that he takes the chips without problems and that he does not get frustrated, because it should be fun and not a problem. We will be present to advise them the first few times until they get the hang of it and we see that they do it on their own without our help but in our presence Remember that there are breeds more intelligent than others, so that you don't get nervous if you see that your dog is having a harder time finding the reward.
Teether Toys
Teether toys are often made of high-resistance hard rubber, virtually unbreakable. They are designed so that the dog can play alone with them, discharge its energy and release serotonin to stay happy and, above all, calm. For all those dogs with a great desire to destroy all the furniture in the home, these types of toys are ideal. Being very difficult to break, they will never tire of playing with them.
Also, they are also perfect for puppies for many reasons. Most importantly, they help us teach them how to control their bites, what they can and cannot bite, and relieve the pain they feel from developing teeth. However, it is suitable for all ages and races.
We usually find these toys in the shape of dumbbells, but more and more they are made in different designs, such as ball, oval, etc.
Food Dispensing Toys
These toys are ideal for our dog to play alone at home, without our presence. They are perfect for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety, are not used to spending time alone or are still puppies, because they keep them entertained and allow them to escape from loneliness.
The most suitable for this practice are the food dispensing toys, among which we can find different modalities such as these:
- Kong: The Kong is originally a toy in the shape of a snowman that inside may contain some kind of special treat for dogs, croquettes or some food paste so that the dog moves it, turns it and bites it to get its prize and so on it has fun. Also in summer we can put it in the refrigerator to give it very fresh and make it even more pleasant. It is very easy to wash and we do not have to worry about leaving him alone with it. They are usually made of a highly bite-resistant material, making them perfect for all kinds of dogs.
- Bone Kong: Bone-shaped variants have been made from the original Kong, but the idea is the same, an object with one shape or another from which food comes out if you turn, bite and manipulate it.
- Dispenser ball: has the same purpose as the previous toys, although it is more recommended for periods short and not long absences at home, since our dog will get tired before this system. On the other hand, it doesn't make noise and it's easy to wash.
Choosing the perfect toy
When selecting one or more toys for our dog we must bear in mind several factors: purpose of the toy, age of the dog and size.
What do we want the toy for?
If we want to provide our dog with a toy to make up for our presence and keep it entertained while we are away, as we have mentioned, the perfect toy is a food dispenser. While if what we want is to strengthen the bond with our dog, have fun with him and teach him new commands, shooting and search toys are ideal. Finally, we will turn to teething toys to treat behavioral problems such as destroying furniture, or providing entertainment for the dog while we do other tasks at home.
Puppy Toys
As we mentioned, the most recommended for puppies are teething toys. However, if our little dog is good at learning basic commands, we can provide him with search toys and start teaching him to fetch the ball.
Toys for small dogs
Keep in mind that the jaw of a small breed dog, such as a chihuahua, is not the same as that of a large breed. Starting from this base, we will look for toys that adapt to it, that is, small ones. On the other hand, as small breeds tend to accumulate a large amount of tartar on their teeth, more than toys, the most appropriate thing for them is to acquire pressed bones so that they can gnaw on them and reduce bacterial plaque.
Toys for medium and large dogs
We must also adapt the size of the toy to that of its teeth, to prevent the large breed dog from swallowing a small toy or the medium breed dog from being able to take one that is too large. Likewise, weight also matters. Toys made of hard rubber, very heavy, are ideal for dogs of large and giant breeds because they will be able to handle them as they please, play with them and have fun without breaking them.
Dogs of a medium breed but considered to be hunters, such as the beagle or the podenco, although they are smaller in size, also have good teeth for biting. So that we can provide them with slightly heavier toys, always adapted to their size. On the other hand, for calmer medium dogs, it is better to opt for pull or search toys.
The importance of understanding your dog
Although we must stick to looking for toys that adapt to the age and size of the dog, it is essential to understand its personality and behavior. Although our dog is of a small breed, if we observe that he has a high need to bite, we must provide him with chewing toys. It is essential that we forget about clichés and give our dog the toy he needs.
