Dog Toys – Let Your Dogs Choose the One they Like
The saying "a dog is a man's best friend" has never been more true than in America where dogs have become much more than pets and many households have considered their pooches as part of the family. With a yearly expenditure of over 12 billion dollars on canine diet and veterinary care, dogs has been at the top of the list for pet-keeping in the United States even before it became a nation.
Caring for dogs goes beyond food and medicines and includes their playing time as well. Just like small children, dogs also have their own set of specialized dog toys, which they can play with on their own time. Such dog toys have grown very popular that a survey performed by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association confirmed that greater than half the population of dog lovers and owners purchased a set or more of these dog toys.
The Benefits of Giving Dog Toys to Your Pets
Owners give toys to their dogs not only to provide them with something to play with but these could benefit them in terms of health and training. Dogs love to chew on these toys and tough dog toys can actually help keep their teeth stronger. Some toys called brain teasers can help build your dog's intelligence and this could be enhanced more when used as part of a series of training conducted by dog experts.
Dogs are sociable creatures and behavioral problems can be avoided if you let them interact with another dog like a partner or a sibling, and playing with your dogs with the help of these dog toys can help improve their social characteristics. These toys can make you and your dog's playtime together much richer and at the same time choosing the appropriate toys for them can prevent accidental injuries associated with their toys.
Available Options for Dog Toys
You and your dog can choose from several available dog toy options ranging from chewing toys to squeaky ones, and from activity toys like Frisbees to brainteaser dog toys. Letting your pet choose the one he likes can help you avoid choosing the wrong one.
* A soft plush toy is great toy for well-behaved dogs since these dogs will treat it like a separate companion. However, if your dog is fond of breaking or tearing up things, plush toys will not do or you will end up cleaning stuffing for hours so it would be best to choose indestructible dog toys.
* Chew toys are the most common dog toys available in the market that comes in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials. Some of the favorites are chewing toys made from rawhide, which are durable and lasts a long time. Kong toys are one of the popular chew toys, which is made of rubber and its hollowed out portion is ideal for placing treats and snacks.
* Rope and ball toys can be used for interactive games and plays to build their social skills and intelligence, and can also be used as chew toys as well. However, avoid giving them smooth balls to prevent choking.
* Squeaky or noise-making toys are another popular favorite that curious dogs really love. However, if you decide to purchase such toys, get ready to endure the endless squeaks that can drive one crazy, pray that the dog finally find the source of the squeak, and swallow it.
There are several other dog toys to choose from and some of these can be quite expensive. Knowing this, it would be a wise move to let your dog have a say in the choice of toys that they would like – or end up playing with a discarded toy yourself.