Five of the best toys for dogs and puppies

A variety of toys can be a great way to ensure your dog is able to do the things they love, such as chewing, eating, and playing. When they are puppies, dogs use their mouths to navigate the world. These toys will help you address some of your dog’s natural instincts.

Ball

Dogs love to chase toys, but dogs with a strong herding instinct or high chase drive will enjoy playing ball with their owners. This is a great way to build a relationship with your dog, and teach them how to ‘drop’ or ‘leave’.

The ball on a rope is the best option because it can’t be swallowed. You can also play tug-of-war with them!

Be sure to give your dog the right size balls and don’t make your dog choke.

Kong

Kongs are a great way to keep your dog engaged and stimulated mentally. You can stuff treats inside the Kong and let your dog chew on them. You can also freeze a Kong filled with peanut butter and cream cheese for extra longevity.

Squeaky toys

Your dog will pounce and shake when you give them a squeaky toys. You can either play with them or throw them to your dog. You can also use squeaky toys to grab your dog’s attention. However, they might also excite your dog. You will need to choose the right size toy for your dog.

Raggers/rubber rings

Dogs love to play with their owners. A rubber ring toy or ragger allows you to play tug-of-war with your dog. People avoid tug-of-war because they fear it might encourage aggression and control in their dogs. Most dogs find tug of war very exciting. If it is their favourite game, they may find other ways to play, such as grabbing clothes. It’s a smart idea to teach your dog to play tug-of-war using specific toys and to set ground rules so you can start and stop the game as you please.

Treat the ball

Dogs love puzzles and are intelligent. Treat balls allow you to give your dog their daily food in a fun and interesting way that changes their normal feeding schedule.

You can either give your dog treats or a portion of their meal of dry food and place it in the hole at the top. Then, place the ball on the ground. The ball will be thrown around by your dog’s nose and paws. You can reward them with food bits falling out of the hole.