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Dog Toys for Terrors
Hide A Toys, Squeaker Toys and Plush Dog Toys for lasting fun!
Hide A Squirrell Puzzle Toy Featured in the following Video is available in our selection above above. Looks like fun for all, eh?
Hide A Toys - Dogs have a great time with the Hide A Toys. The little squirrels, bees and birds hide inside the trunk and are squeaky toys, which dogs love. The box comes with instructions on how to motivate and teach your pet to to get the best use of the toy. After some time, they will have the hidden toys removed and all over the house! And don't worry, if they get lost or overused, we sell replacement Hide A Toys for longer use.
Holiday I-Cube Puzzles - Dogs loves the I-Cube! It's one of the few toys that dogs don't get bored with after a few minutes. The balls are the perfect size for squeaking and it is a great time taking them out of the cube. You dog will be made happy figuring out this doggie puzzle.
Everlasting Treat Ball and Interlocking Treats - One of the best chew type toys around. Hands down. These treats, when inserted into the treat ball lasted for days. Even for aggressive chewers! Treat ball is made of a soft, yet durable puncture resistant rubber material, the unique design allows for it to wobble and roll around on its own, enticing the pet to come back for more.
Boingo Ball - We find this toy perfect for puppies and small breeds. The design of a hard plastic ball with a flexible rubber trim, allows the smallest of dogs to pick the ball up easily in their mouths and throw it themselves. The rattle noise and wobbly unexpected bounce or roll bring them back for more fun.
Plush Toys - We have plush toys in many sizes and characters. Choose from Zanies Plush Babies, Wacky Bones, Dumble Dogs, Wild Dancing Man, Bop Heads, Show Buddies, Bitty Buddies and Teensie Teddy Bears. Most have squeakers for hours of noisy fun.
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Is This Dog Toy Safe?
by Karen Peak
Go into any pet supply store and you will get bombarded with literally hundreds of toys for your puppy or dog. With so many to choose from, which ones are best for your canine companion?
Before I go any further, I want to say a dog needs a variety of toys to stimulate mind and even body. A dog with a single toy or who only gets one type of toy over and over may get bored and turn to other items that are not appropriate.
Look at your puppy or dog. Puppies chew to explore, help with teething, etc. Dogs chew because it is fun and to alleviate boredom. How aggressively your puppy or dog chews will help determine what types of toys are best. Look at the toys. Are they designed for animal use? How sturdy is it and how long will it last? Chew toys that are gone fast may not be satisfying to a dog who loves to chew. Toys that tear up easily, have small parts that can become choking hazards, etc., are bad as well. Fit the toy to the size of your dog. A big dog with a small toy can be an accident waiting to happen.
RAWHIDE:
Rawhide is basically cured animal hide. It can be shaped into various objects and are a common chew item. However, rawhide may not be as safe as you think. Those chips and novelty items such as slippers made from rawhide are not great chews. Dogs and puppies can quickly gobble them up. So much for a satisfying chewing session! Small chunks of rawhide can pose a choking threat. Though millions of these rawhide treats are used each year and the threat is low, you do not want your pet to be the tiny minority that has a problem. Even the rolled bones that are just sheets of rawhide rolled up can be chewed apart.
Rawhide can be pressed into bones and other shapes by using pressure. Layers of rawhide are formed into tougher bones and shapes that last far longer than the flat and rolled rawhides. Pressed rawhide gives a longer and better chew. However, it can still be worked down into small, chokable sized pieces relatively fast by an aggressive chewer. Out of the two more popular choices for rawhide, I prefer pressed.
If you buy rawhides, try to find ones made in the USA or other countries that regulates processing of rawhides. Some countries may use harmful chemicals in processing the rawhide.
OTHER ANIMAL TISSUE CHEWS:
There are a variety of ears, snouts, trachea, etc., that are produced for chewing. Similar to rawhide chips, they may not give a great chew. They are meant more as an edible treat than a solid chew. I find chew hooves too small for many dogs to safely have and would avoid them except with smallest breeds. Make certain your dog does not wolf other animal-based chews down and choke.
EDIBLE BONES:
There are many bones out there made from natural materials such as pressed cornstarch, vegetables, etc., impregnated with flavors. These bones are pretty solid and can give a decent chew. However, they can become gummy and sticky and a mess in longer coats. They can wear down into choking-hazard sizes. Also, an aggressive chewer may eat them like regular dog biscuits. Some brands are harder than others so look for the strongest bone you can if your dog really likes to chew.
NATURAL BONES:
Natural bones can give a great chew and last for quite some time. There are many types of natural bone out there. I prefer the bones that are from cattle shanks (look like tubes) or the knucklebones. Look for bones that are thick and free from cracks. Avoid the ones that are full legs - often from knee down to hoof. The smaller bones in the "ankle" region can be a choking hazard. Ribs can also pose a hazard to your dog. Make sure the bone is fitted to your dog; a really large dog with a smaller bone is not good as mentioned several times before. Natural bones can be stuffed with soft dog treats, cheese or peanut butter to encourage chewing. However, very aggressive chewing dogs can wear down and even break teeth, so frequently check your dog's mouth and stop using these bones if you notice trouble. Monitor the bones as they can wear down, crack and break up.
RUBBER AND NYLON:
Bones of these materials are generally pretty rugged. However, again you must know your dog. A really aggressive chewer can bite off chunks of rubber. Rarely do you hear of a dog snapping a nylon bone but they can splinter them. Many dogs do not like chewing rubber or nylon - it is just not a natural thing for them to chew. However, the rubber toys you can stuff with peanut butter or cheese or other treats can help entertain a bored dog.
FLEECE AND CANVAS:
Fleece and canvas toys give dogs something they can sink their teeth into and really shake around. A good quality toy is pretty rugged. I have had some that have lasted years through dogs playing tug of war, fetch, etc. However, I have had some that have lasted only a couple of hours. Look for toys that have eyes that are stitched and not buttons or other things that can tear off. Look for sturdy construction and durability. Some have squeakers inside that a dog may decide to go for. If you notice your dog doing this, look for a sturdier toy (I find canvas lasts longer than some of the fleece and fabric toys) or ones without that elusive squeaker.
ROPE:
Rope toys can be great toys as well. A well made one will be thick and rugged. However, watch that your dog does not eat the fringe off the ends or manage to untie the rope. Again, match the size to your dog!
OTHER NOVELTIES:
There are also a variety of plastic and hard rubber balls, blocks, odd shapes and such that are great for putting treats into and encouraging your pet to dig them out. Balls that wobble in unpredictable ways can stimulate the mind and body. Even empty, plastic milk jugs with the tops removed and the jug well washed can be a neat toy.
The big thing with any toy is to know your dog. If you notice he can easily shred or eat a toy, take it away and use something different. What is fine for one dog may not be with another. Make certain the toy is an appropriate size. A Lab could easily swallow and choke on a bone meant for a Pomeranian. Conversely, a Pomeranian may not be able to get his tiny mouth around a Lab-sized bone. A tenacious terrier may shred soft toys to pieces within moments where that mellow mastiff may not. You have to know your dog, monitor him with toys and make an educated decision about what toys are safe for him. There is NO perfect toy that will suit every dog out there. Make your decision wisely.
copyright © Karen Peak
Visit Karen's website, West Wind Dog Training
Page Highlights - An easy listing of what pet supplies will be found in each of our pages page. Click links in left column.
Neckwear for Dogs- This page features some great products to show off how you spoil your pet. Beautiful leather colors and gem collars, and collar charms. As well as jewelry for the pet. Perfect for yorkie lovers!
Yorkie Jewelry for People! The prettiest necklaces, pendants, pins, and brooches. Perfect for gift giving!
Greeting and Holiday Cards - A wide selection of greeting and holiday cards featuring your number one terror.....the yorkie! Buy singles or in sets.
Pet Ramp and Pet Step - Avoid joint problems and accidents in toy breeds and large breeds by choosing from our 7 sizes of pet steps or from 11 styles of pet ramps.
Doggles- Fashion sunglasses with UV protection for your dog. ILS Doggles and Ja-Lo style sunglasses.
Belly Bands- housetraining aids or boy diapers for your dog.
Yorkie Purse- Several GREAT looking yorkie purse for fashion fun!
Pet Carriers and Sherpa Bags- pet travel supplies for your pets including wheeled pet carriers (can double as a pet carseat), sherpa carriers, sherpa back pack and sherpa totes.
Pet Carseat and Pet Travel- A simple and inexpensive car harness, chose a pet carseat from five styles, or a wheeled pet carriers (can double as a pet carseat) to ensure safe pet travel.
Agility Fun- An aglity starter kit for beginners, and practice equipment for those that are more serious. No competitive agility equipment is found here.
Pet Pockets and Front Pouches- 6 styles of pet pockets, or pet front carriers to take your toy breeds with you. Also the Lumbar pac the pet hipster AND a pet bicyle basket!
Pet Beds - economy pet beds in several colors. The well known Bowser Pet Bed for the more plush minded. Crate mats / nap mats, pet pillows and the luxery pet sofa bed.
Treats for Terrors- Herbal Wafers, Jubilee Wafers with glucosamine, Smooches, Wild Side Salmon Treats, nylabones, and smokey bones.
Pet Toy Box- Wooden pet toy box in your choice of stain. Add your pets name to personalize the pet toy box.
Toys for Terrors- Boingo Ball, I Cube, plush toys with squeakers, and latex squeaker toys for your dogs.
Flint River Ranch- quality kibble in Lamb / Millet / Rice Dog food, Puppy Adult Kibble, and the new Fish and Chips (trout and sweet potato) All natural dog food.
Honest Kitchen- Embark, Force and Verve dehydrated dog foods. Supplements include Sparkle, Invigor and Perfect Form. All natural dog food which is perfect for home and pet travel.
Ex Pens / Exercise Pens- 6 heights of ex pens including our most popular and hard to find 18" exercise pens. All by National Cage. We also carry add on panels to extend your exercise pens, you will find add on roof and flooring for your ex pens too.
Pet Cages / pet crates- pop up dog tent, outward hound porta crate, and 14 sizes of (wire pens) pet crates, and puppy pens by National Cage. Accessories include galzanized trays and crate carts to for easy moving of your pet cages. Multi Level Pens are popular with multiple dog owners.
Grooming- Pet Clippers including the Arco Moser Mini Clipper and the Arco Moser Full Size Rechargeable Clipper. For trimming ears and feet on toy breeds, we have the Wahl Pocket Pro and the Wahl Stylique Trimmers. You will also find Grooming bands / Top Knot Bands.
Yorkie Home Decor- Yorkie Bookends, Yorkie Statue, Yorkie Figurines, and Yorkie Plaques. Great for gift giving.
For the Yorkshire Terrier- Collar Cover Bandanas, and Character Yorkie food and water bowls.
Top Knot Bows- 28 styles of top knot bows and grooming bands, or top knot bands.
T-shirts and apparel- Long and short sleeve T-Shirts and sweatshirts too in 5 different designs.
Yorkie Notecards- 3 styles of blank notecards including a holiday card.
Yorkie Artprints- In paper prints, heat prints and digital fine art prints. All featuring the yorkie of course.
Miscellaneous Gifts- Yorke bookmark, magnet, stickers, and mouse pads all with yorkie design.
Memorial and Keepsakes- Slate pet memorials, caskets and urns..
Yorkie Weathervane / Signs- Custom yellow signs, and magnetic advertising signs for the car. Mailbox toppers, house signs, and yorkie weathervanes.
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