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Dog Chew Toys are More than Just Toys
One of the favorite activities for all dogs is chewing. Dog chew toys will not only satisfy your dog's desire to chew but will also keep his gums and teeth healthy.
They will also keep him away from your belongings...
But not all chew toys are good for your dog. Some can even be dangerous.
What follows are some tips to help you choose the best and safest chew toys for your puppy. But before we review some puppy chew toys, let's go over dog chewing in general and some dos and don'ts.
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DOs
- Provide several toys for your puppy.
- Encourage your puppy to play with his toys.
- Praise your puppy every time you see him chewing or playing with his chew toys on his own.
- If you catch your puppy chewing on something he is not supposed to, distract him and replace it with a dog chew toy. It's too late to reprimand him, so don't.
DON'Ts
- Don't leave things unattended. Hide everything you don't want destroyed by your puppy. You'll be protecting not only your belongings but also your puppy from chocking on something unattended.
- Don't be too harsh on him when you catch him chewing on household items.
- Don't chase him in an attempt to take something away. He will think you are playing with him and will run away. Try to distract him and replace the item with one of his dog chew toys.
- Children's toys are not made for chewing and can cause your puppy to choke. Avoid them.
Why Dog Chew Toys are so Important
As you probably already know, dog teeth are made for chewing.
Dog chewing is not only a natural behavior but is also healthy. It keeps dog's teeth clean and strong. It also gives a bored dog something to do.
But your puppy does not know, or care for that matter, how much you paid for a new pair of shoes or for that couch. To him, they just taste great! And without chew toys, you dog will chew on whatever he finds around the house.
Learn more about Dog Chewing and Chew Toys
You can learn how to stop your dog's excessive chewing by following the advice in this dog behavior training guide.
Dog Chew Toys for Your Puppy
Chew toys come in a variety of textures. Get him some soft textured toys as well as some that are harder. His preferences will change, so provide him with a variety.
KONG Goodie Bone with Rope Dog Toy will not only keep your pet busy but it will also keep his teeth healthy.
Greenies are not really toys but they are made specifically for chewing. They are packed with proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
They are made in such a way that the rounded bristles wrap around dog's teeth for greater contact with each individual tooth.
There is a variation of a plain and "boring" dog chew toy. It's made out of tough rubber and you can stuff it with food. Its design will not allow your puppy to get all food at once. Getting food will be a time consuming effort, but it will keep your puppy busy and away from munching on your belongings.
Here is a video that demonstrates many variations of KONG dog chew toys...
Learn more about Dog Chewing and Chew Toys
Let me tell you, this type of toy is sooo much fun for dogs of all ages! Here are some examples...
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Kong Biscuit Ball Dog Treat Holder has a hollow center and 4 bone-shaped openings to dispense treats, food or biscuits.
It's designed for medium and large-sized dogs.
Classic KONG Dog Toys for Average Chewers and
KONG Extreme Dog Toys for Strong Chewers.
These toys are recommended for most adult dogs.
Kong Stuff'N Treats is designed especially for use with
Kong toys. Your puppy will have a great time chewing out every last bit.
Kong Stuff'n Paste is perfect for filling the Kong cavity. Your puppy will love the great taste, and it's vitamin-enriched to promote a healthy coat.
Some Additional Tips…
Personally present a new dog chew toy to your puppy. This will not only let him know that the toy is his but will also teach him to differentiate it from other items around the house.
To teach your puppy to chew on his toys, keep several available at all times. If you catch your puppy chewing on something that he shouldn't, interrupt him and direct his attention to one of his chew toys. Praise him for switching to his toy.
Your dog can choke on any small part, so always inspect dog chew toys for signs of damage. If you see any loose parts or the toy became too small, replace it.
Dog chewing is a part of being a dog. It keeps your puppy from being bored and anxious while you are away. So, instead of complaining about it, use the fact that dogs like to chew to your advantage.
All you need to do is get him some fun and safe dog chew toys!
To learn more about how to deal with a teething puppy and which types of toys are safe and which ones are better to avoid, I recommend the Secrets to Dog Training guide.
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