The Dog Plaything

By Author: Gregory Hepburn
Total Articles: 38
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You've bought a new dog home with the purpose of being the best dog owner you can possibly be. You wave goodbye to your puppy the next day and return home to find that the newest member of your family has come to the conclusion that your slipper makes a wonderful chew dog toy.

Dogs love playing with toys. If they don't have their own dog toys, they'll find something of yours to use. This can be anything from the abovementioned slipper, to a sock, to a lovely wooden sculpture you paid a large sum of money for.

Dogs are not discriminating when it comes to playing. They love biting and playing and if you aren't offering something for that purpose, they'll go out and find something on their own.

If you train your puppy early with the idea that only some things are his or her toys, that idea will stick. You won't have to fret about leaving anything lying around, because as your puppy grows, it will understand that not everything is its toy.

The size of your dog will help you decide which toys are most suitable. You wouldn't want to give a large bone to a Dachshund, nor would giving a small ball ...
... to a Saint Bernard be the best idea; he might swallow it in one gulp.

When you decide it's time to buy a few items for the dog toy chest go to your local pet store. There you will find literally hundreds of things that dogs can use to play with. Some are specifically designed to help strengthen the dogs jaw and teeth. Things like ropes with a knot in it enable you to hold one end firmly while the dog pulls on it. Dogs love this kind of resistance play.

Another play item for dogs is squeeze toys. These are similar to the kind of toy you'd buy for an infant. When the dog bites down on it, it will make a sound. They like this and you'll find them wanting to play with it over and over again.

Many people buy their dog a stuffed animal. These have many purposes. One is that the dog can chew on it, or move it around. Another reason some dog owners purchase this kind of item is that it gives the dog comfort while they are asleep. It becomes a very comforting part of their environment and you may even catch the dog falling asleep with its head resting on the soft toy.

Dogs never get tired of running after things and for that purpose nothing beats a ball. It's very important to purchase one that is suitable in size for your dog. This is also a great way to teach the idea of fetching to your dog.

Every dog owner wants to watch their animal having fun and with a few toys you can do just that.