puppy&dog PLAY & EXCERCISE

by Gary Landsberg

Give your puppy toys to provide outlets for chewing, exploration and object play. Toys can also help to keep your puppy occupied when you are not available to supervise. You might have to try different toys; one puppy may love a certain toy while another isn't interested in it at all.

Dogs of all ages need suitable chew toys.

The toys should be large enough that your puppy can’t swallow them, and small enough to carry in her mouth.

Latex squeaky toys are not safe as chew toys, except for dogs that carry them gently. If your puppy begins to damage a toy, throw it away; it could cause choking or an intestinal obstruction.

Toy Size
Always buy toys that are an appropriate size for your puppy. If your puppy pulls small pieces off of the toy, throw it away. Inspect all toys regularly and throw out those that are damaged or might be swallowed.

Types of puppy toys
Plush toys are made from fabric such as heavy cotton, canvas, fleece or materials made to seem like animal fur.

Some plush toys make squeaking noises. Some puppies love this type of toy and will work at them until they “kill” the squeaker. This toy is not appropriate for puppies who like to chew everything. Softermouthed dogs, however, may play safely with the same plush toy for years.

Chew toys give your puppy oral stimulation and may also help your dog’s dental health. Chew toys your puppy can eat may be made of rawhide, pig ears, hooves, beef bones or compressed dog food. Nonedible chew toys are made mostly from rubber, rope or nylon.

Manipulation toys deliver food or treats to your puppy as she explores them, chews on them and plays with them. Some of these toys release food while your puppy chews them, such as a Kong. Other toys dispense food when your puppy rolls them along the floor. Manipulation toys can be useful in slowing dogs that gorge on their food. Some toys are designed to be stuffed with dog food, cheese, liver or peanut butter and can be frozen to be used later. There is even commercial stuffing available for dog toys.

Interactive toys are intended for social play with the owner such as flying disks, balls and rubber hockey pucks. Retrieval toys are not meant to be chew toys; they are used for games of fetch, teaching retrieval skills, using “get it” and “drop it” commands and similar activities. Tug toys may be made of rope, nylon or fleece.

 

Don’t allow your puppy to demand or start a play session. You should schedule and start these play times. Tug games can be played only after you have taught the “drop it” or “give” commands. If your puppy's teeth come in contact with your hands, end the game right away. Tug games are not good games for young children to play with puppies.