Dog toys of all shapes and sizes are important for your pup’s mental and physical health. Additionally, dog toys stimulate learning and prevent our dogs from becoming bored and depressed. Check out some different types of dog toys that your four-legged friend will love:
1. Throwing Dog Toys
Does your dog love to play fetch? There are some great toys designed to enhance your dog’s fetch game. In fact, some of these throwing toys are designed to help you throw balls if you’re playing outside. Other fetch toys actually “throw” the ball for your dog. Your dog just needs to learn to retrieve the ball, drop the ball and the toy will launch the ball back to retrieve.
2. Dog Puzzles
Is your dog always on the go? Plastic or wooden puzzle toys are a great way to exercise your dog’s brain and it’s fun to see how quickly your dog can solve the puzzle and get to the hidden treats. These toys are especially good for hot summer days when it’s too hot to go outside, or for a dog recovering from an injury.
3. Chewing Dog Toys
Is your puppy a heavy chewer? Look for “chew ratings” for extra-durable toys designed for dogs to exercise their jaw muscles while having fun. Toys with other toys hidden inside, solid (non-toxic) rubber and plastic, and unstuffed plush toys are all good options for chewy-happy hounds.
4. Treat-Dispensing Dog Toys
Treat toys are a great way to activate your dog’s mind and keep him busy. These types of toys are also great to give your dog while he’s in his crate, providing a slow release of treats as your dog plays more. Some of these toys act as puzzles with difficulty settings, so the better your dog is at playing with the toy, the harder he has to work to get the treats out.
Colleen McCracken, CEO of Planet Dog spoke with us about the brand’s GuRu toy. “This highly durable puzzle treat-dispensing toy activates and encourages mental stimulation in dogs,” explains McCracken. “Can be filled with kibble, bully sticks, carrots, apples, our new Planet Dog Treat, peanut butter or whatever treat your dog likes best. Like all Planet Dog toys, GuRu is made with Planet Dog’s Signature Orbee-Tuff® material. This means it’s made in the USA, completely non-toxic, buoyant, and just as safe for humans (even babies) as it is for dogs. Even dogs get all the treats hidden in the GuRu, because of its 5-out-of-5 on our durability scale, it makes a great chew toy that lasts!”
5. Expensive Dog Toys
Different shapes, filling levels and fabric textures create unique play experiences when it comes to soft dog toys. Additionally, a variety of squeaks, growls, and crinkling sounds are sure to inspire your dog to play away!
6. Glowing Dog Toys
Perfect for late nights out in the yard, these glow-in-the-dark toys are a perfect way to liven up summer dog nights. You won’t lose glow toys in the dark and, when your dog is holding the glow toy, it’s easy to see.
7. Talking Dog Toy
From toys that make baby talk jokes or make realistic animal “talking noises” to others that can record messages from you to your dog, talking toys are a fun treat! These toys can be good for getting a laugh out of you, and are a fun way to stimulate imaginative play for your dog, allowing him to chase and play with sounds from quacking ducks to whining. cows to hilarious giggles.
8. High-Tech Dog Toys
Is your dog on the cutting edge? High-tech dog toys include sound activation, video recording, and automatic treat dispensing — and they can even let you interact with your dog when you’re away!
9. Floating Dog Toys
The only thing better than playing in the water with the dogs, is playing in the water with the dogs and some fun floating dog toys! “Our line of classic yard-game dog toys is designed to bring back the old days of playing outside with your dog until it’s dark and it’s time for dinner,” explains Kurgo Chief Creative Officer Kitter Spater. “Beyond being a blast to play with, all toys in this line are made of non-toxic TPE material and PVC-free, they float in water and [they’re] dishwasher safe.”
10. Tug-of-War Dog Toys
Tug-of-war is a fantastic game to play with your dogs. It’s a great way to interact and it’s a great way to help your dog burn off extra energy and reward him during training games by keeping his attention focused on cooperating with you Rope toys, ropes with tennis balls, knotted fleece and tugs with fur tips are great toys for pulling with your dog. Want to take your dog’s hauling game to the next level? Flirt poles and tether tug dog toys, which are freestanding tug toys, are great options for treating a dog that loves a game of tug!
11. Ball Dog Toys
We’ve come a long way from throwing the old tennis ball! There are many great ball options to spoil your dog for indoor and outdoor play this summer. From small to large, scented balls to squeaky balls, hollow balls to solid balls to floating balls — all are great choices for a dog who loves toy balls. The oversized ball toy is a particular favorite of my dogs, who enjoy pushing them around in a miniature version of the dog sport Treibball.
Read more about dog toys and play at Dogster.com:
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