Healthy or Therapeutic Toys
There are physically healthy toys and mentally healthy toys. Some toys appear to be entertaining your dog, but his health could be compromised as well as his mental well-being by playing with them. Picking the right toys will ensure meeting your dog’s needs while remaining safe.
Different toys may appeal to certain instincts. The more the toy appeals to an instinct, the more exciting the toy will be to your dog. However, following instincts isn’t always appropriate for her. Being a responsible owner sometimes means making tough choices for her, even if it seems to be contrary to what she really likes or wants!
Don’t have one special toy that is your dog’s constant baby-sitter. Keep toys healthy by using them as diversions.
Keep chew toys in all rooms and available at all times. This will allow your dog (through your direction) to make good choices about chewing when toys are consistently available. It will also make it easier for you to have your dog with you more often when toys are readily available to hand to him.
Rotate your toys. Keep a large amount of toys on hand, but every now and then, remove some of them (keeping an adequate arsenal out and available) and place them on the refrigerator or in a cabinet. Each week, give your dog these “new” toys from their hiding spots. Your dog may think it’s a brand-new toy and see it in a new light.
Keep “special” toys out of the normal toy rotation. “Special” toys may be toys that are easily destroyed if your dog is left alone with them. But when you bring them out with the intent of interacting (playing) with your dog, they will be safe under your supervision.
Clean your toys weekly, or at the very least, bi-weekly. Not only is this healthy, but it will also encourage him to remain interested in chewing them. “Dirty” toys contain bacteria, dirt, etc., and just don’t appeal to dogs who wish to remain clean.
Since most healthy toys are made of plastic, and plastic is not a natural chew toy, you may need to teach your dog to chew new items. Hold the new toy close to her mouth, encouraging her to take it. When she does, praise her. You may need to do this several times to help her learn that it is, in fact, a good chew toy.
Don’t get in the habit of holding your dog’s toys while he chews. Holding his toy is one small way that your dog may get the wrong idea about who is serving whom. Only hold it to help him learn what to do with it.
Always monitor your dog when she has toys. Even if you are choosing physically and mentally healthy toys, it is wise to watch her chewing habits.
Appropriate chew toys are most effective and best enjoyed by your dog when they are a release and not the sole entertainment. Mental activities for the brain replace and prevent destructive chewing and allow the dog to chew for diversion.
Physically Healthy Toys
Physically healthy toys are ones that do not compromise the health of your dog. They don’t have parts that can be broken off, destroyed, or eaten. Their material should be durable enough to satisfy chewing urges, play urges, and exercise needs, but will not be destroyed during the play.
Nylabones and Kong Toys are among the safest toys to supply to your dog. Their material is quite durable and both products provide for chewing satisfaction and fun.
Mentally Healthy Toys
Mentally healthy toys are toys that properly stimulate your dog’s mind. These can be toys that get him to use his brain on a “puzzle” type of toy or chewing that stimulates proper chewing concepts.
Chewing durable chew toys like Nylabones promotes chewing for satisfaction, teething, and proper frustration release. There is no destructive undertone because your dog isn’t tearing something apart in this process.
Kong Toys can entertain your dog’s mind for a number of reasons. The toy bounces in an odd fashion and keeps the dog thinking about his catch. This toy can also be stuffed with food as a puzzle, or with another type of bone toy. The toy then becomes a two-way toy and the dog must figure out how to remove the bone, or how to play with the toy in a new way.
Food cubes can be mentally stimulating for your dog because he must learn how to push the cube to shake the kibble loose. Just be careful that you aren’t overfeeding your dog by using this toy.
Don’t allow your dog to become addicted to food as a toy. This can create an unhealthy obsession with food. Use this only as a supplement to other mental activities.