Choosing Safe, Fun Dog Toys!
Dog toys come in all shapes, sizes and materials. Choosing one that is durable, fun and safe is an important decision. Picking a safe toy for your Standard Poodle depends on several factors, including your Poodle’s size, activity level, personal preference, as well as where he spends his time.
Dogs seem to be attracted to things that are also the most dangerous to them. Be on the lookout for items around your house that can be ingested such as: socks, pantyhose, rubber bands, string, ribbon, small toys, or pretty much anything they can get in their mouths that their not supposed to have!
Be sure to “dog-proof” any toys you currently have by removing anything that could be chewed or swallowed.
Dogs love to chase, capture and retrieve items, especially balls. Be sure the ball is appropriate for the dog’s current size. If the ball is too small, to may be swallowed or caught in the dog’s throat.
My Standard Poodles love plush dog toys with squeakers! For the most part, they are fairly gentle with them. Occasionally, they will have a tug-of-war and accidentally pull one apart. It’s best to supervise large or active dogs when playing with plush toys, as they might remove the squeaker and swallow it. Try to find plush toys that are durable and washable.
Personally, I don’t give my Poodles rawhide toys to play with. They get soft, yucky and smelly and when they’re chewed and can get stuck in their throats. I’ve also heard they don’t digest well if swallowed.
Don’t give your dog and old sock to play with! First, it can be chewed and swallowed and secondly, he will think it’s OK to play with socks and you may end up not having any left!
The Best Type of Toys
The best recommended dog toys are those that are made with very hard rubber like any of the “Kong” type products. They come in different shapes and sizes and are practically indestructible. They are great for chewing and retrieving.
Some of the Kong toys have holes in them that you can put dog treats in. These can keep your Standard Poodle busy for hours trying to remove the treats! Peanut butter and dog treats mixed together will even keep him busy for longer.
Rope toys are great fun also! My Poodles play tug-of-war or run around trying to get the toy away from the other one. Be sure that the rope toys are knotted on the ends so they don’t come apart.
Rubber balls are excellent. Tennis balls should be avoided. I saw a show on television where a German Shepherd punctured a tennis ball with his teeth and died from the gas inside that they use to fill the ball. If you want to use Tennis balls, poke a hole in it first to let the gas out.
Keeping your dog interested in the toys!
Only keep a few of the toys out at one time, including your dog’s favorite.
Have different types of toys available – one hard chew toy, one to retrieve or carry and one plush toy.
Have interactive toys available, such as a ball to retrieve and return. This will allow him to relieve pent-up energy from being confined or bored and allows you to bond with your Poodle.
By following the advice above, you should be able to find a safe, fun toy that will allow your Poodle several hours of enjoyment.!
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