| Dogs easily become bored when they are stuck | | | | easy access to and this will help your dog to |
| inside by cold weather and without the proper dog | | | | understand which toys belong to them. |
| toys and chew toy stimulation, they can quickly | | | | With so many dog toys to choose from, what are |
| become destructive. With winter quickly approaching, | | | | some of the more stimulating and boredom buster |
| you may already be dreading those long, cold days | | | | toys available? |
| stuck in the house with your precious pets. The good | | | | * Balls - I have yet to see a dog who does not love |
| news is that there are many tools available to keep | | | | their ball and it is a great way for you to interact and |
| your dog entertained, happy and most of all keep | | | | play with your dog as well. Make sure you have |
| them from destroying your home and possessions. | | | | separate inside and outside balls so that they do not |
| First, you need to understand why a dog's behavior | | | | drag a dirty ball into the house. |
| can become so destructive. The problem actually lays | | | | * Chew Toy - Dog's need to chew instinctively so |
| with us humans. Initially dogs were born and survived | | | | make sure you provide them with good quality chew |
| in the wild where they were naturally active and kept | | | | toys that do not have small parts that could come |
| busy hunting for food and protecting themselves. | | | | off or toys that are full of stuffing and noisemakers. |
| Unfortunately, when we domesticated them, their | | | | The new stuffing free toys are an excellent choice |
| lifestyles gradually became sedentary as they were | | | | for chewing and having a game of tug-o-war. In |
| brought into our homes and fed out of bowls instead | | | | addition, I recommend a toy that mentally challenges |
| of hunting for their food. | | | | your dog. There are tons of new dog toy puzzles |
| To compensate for their lack of natural activities, it is | | | | available where your dog gets one toy that is full of |
| necessary to provide plenty of dog toys and chew | | | | smaller toys and has to figure out how to get them |
| toys to keep them entertained and properly | | | | out. Another favorite are the rubber toys that hold |
| stimulated. There are multiple dog toy choices | | | | either food or treats inside and your dog has to |
| available now and some of the newer puzzle toys | | | | work to get the food out. All of these offer |
| are just the stimulus your dog needs to keep busy | | | | excellent stimulation and a break for you. |
| and out of trouble. | | | | * Chew Bones - Offer both an activity and a way |
| Unfortunately if you do not supply your dog with | | | | for you and your dog to unwind. With multiple |
| toys to both fill their day with constructive activities | | | | variations of pressed bones, rawhide bones, rubber |
| and satisfy their need to chew, they will likely find | | | | bones, dental bones and many others, you are sure |
| your favorite pair of shoes and create their own | | | | to find one that is your dog's favorite. Be sure to |
| chew toy! This leads to the next question of how do | | | | pick a bone that fits your dog's size and chewing |
| you supply your dog with appropriate dog toys to | | | | abilities to avoid choking incidents. If your dog does |
| suit their needs. | | | | not finish the bone during their chewing session, pick |
| First, make sure you have a good assortment of | | | | it up and put it away for another day. |
| toys for them to enjoy. They will get bored with the | | | | * Comfort Toy - Comfort toys develop when a dog |
| same one or two toys every day so only give them | | | | is young and dealing with separation anxiety from |
| one or two each day and rotate the toys out to | | | | their mother to a new home but many dogs do not |
| keep them interested. Make sure you choose quality | | | | outgrow their comfort toys. However, this type of |
| toys for your dog to both prevent unnecessary | | | | toy still offers benefits to an adult dog. If you have |
| choking hazards and to ensure that they are long | | | | to travel to unfamiliar places, leave them with a |
| lasting. | | | | sitter, or vet for a few days, they offer your dog a |
| Many people give their dogs old socks or other | | | | feeling of comfort and have a reassuring effect. |
| household items to play with. This is a common | | | | Many dogs also like to use their comfort toy for a |
| mistake, which only confuses your dog and causes | | | | game of tug-o-war or to simulate shaking their prey |
| you grief later. For example, if you give them an old | | | | when in the wild. |
| sock or maybe an old t-shirt to chew on, they will | | | | By providing multiple dog toys for your furry friend, |
| naturally think that every sock they find in your | | | | you will most likely avoid developing bad habits and |
| house is fair game to play with. You should also make | | | | keep them from engaging in destructive behavior. |
| sure your dog has a specific spot to keep their dog | | | | Most importantly, your dog will be a happy, healthy |
| toys. Use a basket or plastic tub that they have | | | | dog no matter how cold it gets. |