Toys & Chews
A common question we are asked is what we recommend for puppies to play with and chew on. Here is everything we have learned over the years.
Why Chew Toys Matter
Dogs love and need to chew. However, you don't want your leather shoes or fancy furniture to be the victim of your dog's natural chewing instincts. Chew toys are a great way to prevent destructive chewing.
If you can redirect them to toys meant to be chewed on, they can reap all of the benefits without damaging any of your shoes!
The Golden Rule
Supervision is key. Always monitor your puppy with new toys and chews, especially in the beginning, to make sure they are using them safely.
Natural Chews & Durable Toys
Natural Chews
We love natural chews for our dogs such as antlers, horns, cow hooves and bully sticks. These offer an excellent way for your dog to release pent up energy and relieve boredom and anxiety.
Durable Chew Toys
We also like durable chew toys such as Benebones, Kongs, and Playology bones. These hold up to aggressive chewers and provide hours of safe entertainment.
Avoid Rawhide
We do not recommend rawhide. Rawhides are not easily digested, and large chunks that break off can cause dangerous intestinal obstructions in dogs.
Exercise & Fetch
Dogs need to get enough exercise to keep them physically and mentally well. Toys such as balls that can be thrown and caught are great for keeping dogs active, and also for making exercise fun for both you and your pet.
Playology and Wunderballs are favorites of ours, and are virtually indestructible! They hold up to tough chewers and are perfect for interactive play.
Benefits of Active Play
- 1Burns off pent-up energy to reduce destructive behavior
- 2Strengthens the bond between you and your dog
- 3Keeps your dog physically fit and at a healthy weight
- 4Mental stimulation from tracking and retrieving
- 5Great for training recall and obedience commands
Squeak Toys & Plush Toys
Squeak Toys
Dog squeak toys are enjoyed by most dogs, especially those that like to bite and shake their toys. Squeak toys activate your dog's predatory instinct and provide an appropriate outlet for the behaviour.
We like squeaky toys that do not have any stuffing. Puppies and dogs love those soft floppy toys!
Plush Toys
Durable and washable plush toys are a popular choice for dogs of all ages. Soft plush toys are wonderful for young puppies because they provide them with a sense of comfort, especially after separation from their mother and littermates.
Plush toys are not suitable for heavy chewers. Stuffing is not digestible and can get stuck in a dog's teeth or throat.
Avoid Rope Toys for Heavy Chewers
Even if your dog only eats small pieces of rope at a time, the strands can slowly create an obstruction. The strands from a rope toy can cause your dog's intestines to bunch up, or even saw through them like ribbon. We do not recommend rope toys for heavy chewers or destructive dogs.
Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys that allow treats to be placed inside are a lot of fun! They provide mental stimulation, physical exercise and help to alleviate boredom.
These toys vary in their degree of difficulty with those classified as being easy best for young puppies and older dogs. As your dog gets better at solving these toys, you can introduce more challenging varieties to keep them on their toes.
BarkBox Subscription
Something we love to get is a the "Bark Box" for our dogs. It's a subscription that comes once a month and includes safe toys, chews & treats.
I don't know who enjoys it more, us or our dogs!
Why We Love It
- 1Curated, safe toys and chews every month
- 2Saves time researching new products
- 3Introduces variety to keep your dog engaged
- 4Great value compared to buying individually
- 5Perfect gift idea for dog-loving friends
Have More Questions?
We're happy to chat about what works best for your new puppy. Text us anytime!