| Dogs is a major status symbol in American | | | | BRAIN TEASERS. Best for dogs that is left |
| pet-keeping. Every year, over 12 billion | | | | alone a lot. "Biscuit balls" and "food cubes" |
| dollars have been spent on dog food and | | | | are great examples. These toys require the |
| veterinary care alone. According to the | | | | dog to solve types of puzzle in order to get |
| American Pet Products Manufacturers | | | | a treat. |
| Association's 2003-2004 Pet Owners' Survey, | | | | |
| more than half of dog owners purchase toys | | | | Various toys of these forms are available in |
| for their dogs. | | | | the market. |
| | | | |
| Playing with toys is not the monopoly of | | | | 1. For Chewers of all Sizes |
| little kids but also pets of different kind. | | | | |
| Dogs have their own sets of toys to enjoy | | | | SQUIRREL DUDE - tough, durable and fun too; |
| during their playing time. | | | | this hollow rubber chew toy takes on a new |
| | | | level in innovation; this helps to exercise |
| Dogs benefit from these toys, health and | | | | your dog's jaw a little more with the four |
| training wise. There are dog toys that can | | | | little rubber prongs blocking the hole |
| strengthen their teeth or build their | | | | slightly that the dog has to work a little |
| intelligence especially if they also attend a | | | | harder to get the goodies out. |
| series of training classes with the experts. | | | | |
| Like man, dogs are very sociable. Interaction | | | | 2. Ball Launchers and Throwers (Retrieve |
| with their companion or a sibling dog is very | | | | Toys) |
| important in avoiding behavioral problems in | | | | |
| the future. | | | | FRISBEES - is an all-time favorite dog toy |
| | | | especially the soft version; fold to fit in a |
| When buying toys for your dog, you may want | | | | pocket; comes in blue and orange colors, size |
| to match them with your dog's needs, demands | | | | six to nine inches, prices at eleven to |
| and even personality. Is your dog the type | | | | sixteen dollars. |
| that enjoys chasing and retrieving games, or | | | | |
| chewing, sitting and sprawling? You may want | | | | THE ROUND ORBEE - a tough ball hallowed with |
| to try experimenting first to find out which | | | | ½ inch thick membraney surface and it's |
| toys make your dogs the happiest. | | | | softish; it is flexible, durable, grippy, |
| | | | bouncy, and buoyant and has a peppermint |
| Before going on a toy hunt, take a look at | | | | scent; good for sniffing-and-getting-the- |
| this list of toys that may help you identify | | | | ball game; prices at five to twelve dollars |
| the right kind of toy for your dog. | | | | depending on the size and form you choose |
| | | | |
| * CHEW TOYS. These are perfect for the dog | | | | 3. Squeaky Toys |
| that likes to chew a lot. Instead of your dog | | | | |
| chewing your furniture, why not buy these | | | | SQUEAKERS - available in packages of ten |
| TOUGH little babies for them. These types of | | | | each; dogs that love to silence squeakers are |
| dog toy are usually made of nylon or latex | | | | the best for this toy; excellent as attention |
| rubber. The "King Kong Toys" are among the | | | | and pocket squeaker as well; prices go lower |
| popular brands of chew toys. You can | | | | if you buy in packages, from five to three |
| experiment by stuffing these toys with peanut | | | | dollars each box/package. |
| butter or cheese spread, freeze them and give | | | | |
| them to your dog for hours of licking and | | | | 4. Tug Toys |
| chewing fun. | | | | |
| | | | LEATHER TUGS - great for tug-of-war games |
| Doggie "potato chips" is also a favorite. | | | | with your dog; made of high grade leather, 3 |
| These "edible chips" can last to a minimum of | | | | 8 inches thick, tanned and not-treated; dogs |
| an hour to a couple of days. They are | | | | like them a lot especially those with active |
| available in different shapes like pig ears, | | | | lifestyle. |
| snouts, cow knuckles, femurs, hooves and | | | | |
| bully sticks. Others are bone-shaped made | | | | THE MONGO FETCH TOY - a chew and tug toy |
| from a variety of vegetables such as carrots. | | | | combined in one; the natural rubber bar is |
| | | | vanilla scented; rope running through the |
| Another good toy for your dog's chewing | | | | center gives you a grip for tug games and the |
| pleasure is the rawhide. These are non- | | | | soft tasseled ends are made for exciting |
| consumable, mummified skin-like toy that you | | | | action with your dogs; medium to large in |
| have to throw away when they get soggy, and | | | | size, from five to seven dollars each. |
| give your dog a new one. Some rawhides are | | | | |
| basted with a variety of flavorings. Be sure | | | | 5. Brain Teasers |
| to get the "USA rawhide" with a little flag | | | | |
| sticker on the label because these do not | | | | I CUBE - this is a toy that challenges and |
| contain preservative flavorings that are | | | | develops your dog's intelligence and puzzle |
| harmful for your dogs. | | | | solving skills; be sure you are there for |
| | | | supervision; available in junior and jumbo |
| SQUEAKY TOYS. For these toys, choose the | | | | sizes, six to eleven dollars. |
| rubber over the stuffed toys for durability | | | | |
| and to avoid synthetic materials. These | | | | DUCK EGG BABY - egg Babies are a plush toy |
| little noisemakers are good for training your | | | | with three squeaker eggs inside; there is an |
| dog's hunting skills. | | | | opening on the bottom of the toy so your dog |
| | | | can get the hidden treasures inside; this is |
| RETRIEVING TOYS. These are perfect for the | | | | a toy that challenges and develops your dog's |
| chase-and-retrieve types of dogs. Dogs enjoy | | | | intelligence and puzzle solving skills too. |
| these toys because they get to play with you. | | | | |
| Frisbees and balls made specifically for this | | | | Toys are a fun way to enjoy with your dog in |
| activity, are the best to be used. Your dog | | | | a sunny day at the park. But be sure to apply |
| will get a good workout and so is your arm. | | | | proper safety measures especially when |
| | | | playing with balls, sticks and stones. You do |
| TUG TOYS. These toys are best for dogs that | | | | not want to harm them in any way. Remember, |
| like to grab hold and never let go. Available | | | | this is a dog-eat-dog world! Even as harmless |
| in rope-like designs. | | | | as playing can cause indestructible damage to |
| | | | your dog. |