Puppy proofing your home

Toy puppies might not be able to chew their way through a whole lot of surfaces, but they can bite enough to do a fair amount of damage on your home and furniture. Puppy-proofing your home before the puppy arrives is a must.

Electrical cords and wires are especially hazardous and need to be out of reach (You can purchase cord runners at a home improvement store) or taped to walls, as a teething puppy could electrocute himself while chewing on an electrical cord.

Keep small objects out of your puppy’s reach. Puppies like to chew and can easily swallow things like coins and jewelry, and keep your books, shoes and clothing out of harm’s way.

Replace potentially toxic plants with fake plants or non-toxic ones. Some plants which may be a danger are carnations, daffodils, eucalyptus, and azalea.

Place baby gates in front of stairs. Puppies can be clumsy and fall.

Bitter-tasting liquids can be helpful to apply to your furniture.

Provide plenty of chew toys

Provide your pup with appropriate chew toys, something that is not going to be swallowed and cause intestinal blockages. Choose an assortment of toys of all textures, including plenty of chew toys and bones that are soft and hard. Excellent chew toys and wonderful for the teething period are Kongs. Kongs come in a variety of sizes and designs. They are made of tough rubber and can be filled with goodies. You can purchase ready-made fillings for your dog’s Kong or you can create your own tasty recipes that your dog is sure to love.

Remember that dogs need to chew throughout their lives, dogs instinctively chew on things. But, it’s probably safe to assume that you would rather have your dog chew on designated dog toys rather than on your valuable household items or cherished possessions, so provide even your adult dog with an assortment of chew toys. Providing irresistible treat-filled Kong chew toys will engage your dog for hours.

Safety first
Dog toys should be enjoyable and fun for your puppy, but don’t forget to ensure the toys are durable and safe. You don’t want your dog to start choking if he accidentally chews off a small piece and swallows it.

You must look at several factors in order to determine a dog toy’s safety and durability; factors such as the size of your dog, its activity level, and also you and your dog’s personal preference.

Be cautious when choosing the toys, unfortunately, in many cases, the toys that dogs find the most fascinating are the ones that could create the greatest risk. Do not buy dog toys that are small enough for the dog to accidentally swallow or could cause your dog to choke. The size of the toy should be in direct correlation with the size of your dog; small dog, small toy or large dog, large toy. Watch out for toys that may have parts that are not “dog proof.” Some examples of parts of a toy that a dog could chew or ingest are strings, eyes, and ribbons, among other thing.
Consider also that dog toys that are squeaky and soft are good for some dogs, but not all dogs. Some dogs simply play rough and can easily tear these types of toys apart, leaving pieces to swallow, or just a mess for you to clean up.

Rubber dog toys

Great jaw and mouth exercise for dogs that like to chew; keeps them occupied for hours; fun for fetch or non-interactive play; great for aggressive chewers because they are so durable. Some are hollow so you can put treats inside of them.
Dogs instinctively chew on things. But, it’s probably safe to assume that you would rather have your dog chew on designated dog toys rather than on your valuable household items or cherished possessions. providing your dog with irresistible treat-filled Kong dog toys classic kong chew toys that will engage your pet for hours.You can purchase ready-made fillings for your dog’s Kong or you can create your own tasty recipes that your dog is sure to love.
Dental dog chew toys and treats not only keeps your dog entertained, and while he’s chewing they will actually squeegee your dog’s teeth and gums – reducing tartar buildup while providing a healthy massage for your pet’s gums.

Vinyl dog toys

Easily compressed by the bite of just about any-sized dog; usually have squeakers that almost all dogs enjoy; great for fetch, but items like our Clutch Ball are especially popular because of the squeaker.

Plush dog toys

Made of fleece, plush fabric; retains dog’s scent for extended play; some have squeakers; great for fetch, other dogs just like to carry soft or plush toys around and snuggle.
There are many intelligence building dog plush toys, usually these toys consist of an outer toy that conceals one or more smaller toys. Your dog is challenged to figure out how to get the smaller toys out of the larger toy. These are generally to be used under supervision.

Rope dog toys

Great for fetch, tug games, and chewing; often flavored; good for teeth and gums; they last a long time. Examples: Tennis Ball Tuggers Dog Toys and the Nuts for Knots Dog Toy.

Rawhide chews and bones

Chewing rawhide removes plaque from the dog’s teeth and keeps them cleaner while the dog has a great time chewing; come in many flavors, sizes and shapes – from bones to chews.

Bone-Hard Toys & Chews

Great for dogs who love to chew; good for the teeth since they remove plaque and are nonabrasive; relieve boredom; come in various flavors and sizes.

Many dogs are surprisingly finicky about the size, shape, or feel of the toys they’ll play with. If your dog doesn’t play with the soft plush toy you give him, try a rubber or bone-hard toy. Be patient and don’t give up – you’ll find the toy type your pet loves to play with.

Storage

If you love to lavish your dog with lots of great toys then you may want to consider getting a dog toy storage box to keep things neat and tidy. You can even make a game of teaching your dog to clean up his toys!