Dogs love to play with and chew toys. There are lots of dog toys on the market but not all toys are durable or safe for all dogs to use. As a dog owner I have purchased many toys for my dog, a goldendoodle who loves to chew. I know how frustrating it can be to purchase an expensive toy and then watch my dog rip it apart within the first day or two of use. I now carefully select the toys I buy for my dog paying attention to both durability and safety of the materials used. Here are some of me and my dog’s favourite toys that I would recommend to other dog owners:
Classic Kong
What I like about this toy:
- Durable enough for average chewers to chew on but not destroy.
- You can fill it with treats or peanut butter for mental stimulation or to give them something to keep them busy when you are away so don’t bark or whine and to prevent destruction due to boredom.
- A great high quality reward for training if you fill it with peanut butter when your dog does something really good.
- It can be used in training to mentally distract their attention away from a stimulus ie. if a visitor comes to the door you can send your dog to his mat or crate with the kong to distract him and prevent him from barking at the visitor. By the time he is finished eating the peanut butter from the kong he will no longer remember that he wanted to bark.
- You can freeze it with your dog’s treats for extended play.
- You can play fetch with it as well. It has an unpredictable bounce.
- It is made of natural rubber.
Chuckit! Ultra Ball
What I like about this toy:
- Great for playing fetch inside or outside
- It has a high, unpredictable bounce so it is good for mental stimulation.
- Water resistant and easier to clean than a regular tennis ball
- Great for playing in the pool or other body of water
- It is durable
- They come in a variety of sizes for different sizes of dogs
- Made of natural rubber. Non-Toxic.
- Works great with Chuckit! Ball Launchers or can be throw by hand on its own
Kong Tug Toy
What I like about this toy:
- It is very durable for playing tug of war; fun and easy to play with
- You can easily play fetch with it by folding the ends in together to make it smaller
Būmi Tug Toy
What I like about this toy:
- Great toy for playing both tug of war and fetch
- It is durable to chew on
- Lightweight to carry in your dog’s mouth but still tough
- It is dishwasher safe, latex-free, FDA-compliant.
Happy Tails Sport Pet Toy – Ring Toy
What I like about this toy:
- Durable rubber outside
- Floats in water therefore is great for pool, lake, or ocean
- Helps to clean teeth and soothe tender gums when chewing
- Great toy for playing tug of war or fetch
- Certified non-toxic
Kong Pet Stix
What I like about this toy:
- Dogs love sticks so this is a great alternative to the real thing
- Durable yet soft
- Great for playing fetch
- Machine washable
These toys are great for playing fun indoor activities with your dog!
