Dog Toys Interactive puzzles

These are my top six dog toys based on many years of keeping pet and show dogs and

more importantly 20 plus years in the pet trade selling them to the public.

Ball flinger ballistic ball thrower

Dogs love to chase things, if you’re lucky they might even like to retrieve! This tennis

ball and flinger duo is a great way to play fetch with your pooch. The durable plastic

and unique shape of the flinger makes throwing the tennis ball really easy, so it’s

perfect for all ages of owners! You can also avoid handling a dirty or wet tennis ball

as it has a scoop perfect for picking up and carrying your dog’s favourite ball. Check

out the new range of Hyper Pet ball throwers, the catapult and Kannon types are ideal

if you don’t have a good throwing arm.

Ball on a rope

Dogs love to chase and tug and even throw their toys around a bit. The classic ball on

a rope allows them to do this. You can join in and tug or throw this toy or your pet

will enjoy swinging, throwing and running with this toy. It is also perfect for larger

dogs that can’t play with smaller sized balls, as they won’t swallow this one! A great

favourite and very inexpensive way of interacting with your dog. http://www.allpet.co.uk/PBUserLogin.asp?CCode=33

Soft squeaky toys

Although not the toughest things, the many designs of squeaky soft toys will keep

your dog amused for hours. Older dogs and less active dogs will enjoy cuddling,

chewing and squeaking these types of toys. If you have a retriever you will know how

much they love carrying around a toy duck, pheasant or rabbit.

Wiggly giggly ball or treat ball

The wiggly giggly range of toys is great fun! These soft plastic toys come in a variety

of shapes depending on what your dog likes to do. There are large balls, jacks, balls

on a rope, all with a fun surprise… They all make a unique noise when rolled, shaken

or thrown. This noise is unlike any other dog toy and keeps your companion amused

for ages. Treat balls are a great way of keeping your dog amused, stuff with your pets

favourite biscuit and let him get on with trying to get them out, rolling it around and

pushing with his nose. Both the above are deal for when your dog is home alone or

just to allow him to make his own fun for a time.

Frisbees

Frisbees are great for more active dogs. They love to chase, retrieve and catch them in

mid air. There are a lot of variations in the designs too. For examples smaller dogs

might like the ring style Frisbees which are a flexible ring of plastic, which many

carry around their neck whilst retrieving! Larger dogs might like the style with a

raised area in the middle so that they can pick them up once they land on the ground.

Whatever your dogs preference they are a great way to keep your dog busy!

Product review – Kong for dogs

The Kong range of dogs, cats and birds are innovative, long lasting and are almost

any pet owners essential, once they try them. At the heart of the range is a superb

product simply known as ‘Kongs’, which are intended for dogs. Made from durable

rubber and in a number of types there really is a perfect one for every pooch.

So what does it do? Simply put it’s a toy, but used in the right way can become an

innovative a simple training aid or even a house saver if your dog suffers from

separation anxiety. Generally they are formed in a ‘blobby’ cone shape or a hexagonal

cone shape, with a large hole in one end and a smaller hole (for ease of cleaning) in

the other. This unique shape helps them to bounce, roll and balance like no other dog

toy. But there is more, the hole can be stuffed with treats and depending on what sort

you use, can transform the Kong for different purposes.

For example, you can use small bits of your dog’s favourite kibble, which will come

out when rolled or thrown. This makes a great interactive toy for any dog, it also

provides mental stimulation as they roll and shake the Kong to get to the treats.

However, Kong ‘Stuff ’em’s’ are a fantastic biscuit with a strange shape, that get

wedged in the Kong. This can be fun for your dog as he eventually gets them out or

can be used as a training aid for retrieving, as you can easily remove one treat as a

reward for bringing it back.

Kong also has practical applications. You can leave the Kong toy as a distraction for

dogs that become distressed at being left. Putting tasty morsels in the Kong and

sealing it with either frozen cream cheese or Kong ‘stuff’n’ paste makes a great

distraction. The dogs become so engrossed at getting the food by the time they have,

they forget about you leaving, gradually reducing the stress they feel when you leave

the house. Another great idea is stuff the end with a treat or kibble, then filling with

water to be frozen. In hot weather this makes a fantastic treat that helps keep dogs

cool!

But surely all this food and fun would make the dog love it to death? Well Kong have

even thought of that. The Kongs come in different sizes, from puppy to small,

medium, large and even giant! Along with these sizing they have different softness.

For puppies a different type of rubber is used, so they are soft on gums and aid

teething. The small medium and large come in the standard softness, which is durable

enough not to be broken or ripped but still kind to your companion’s teeth! But what

about the dogs that can seemingly chomp their way through anything? Well the

medium, large and giant sizes come in a variation called ‘extreme’. This type has the

most solid rubber and is virtually indestructible, making Kongs a good investment!

Gordon Bloomfield © 2014 www.allpet.co.uk