The basic rules of thumb when choosing the right dog toys is know the goal you are trying to accomplish. From here, the next step is understanding your breed’s behavior while taking into account the breed size. Once you have this information, the choices are endless.

Dog toys play an important role in your dogs overall well being; one of the most important is controlling anxiety. All dogs suffer from some degree of separation anxiety. Although we cannot stop the necessities of life such as going to work and running errands, we can help our canine family members cope.

The best method of helping your dog cope with anxiety is by keeping their mind focused and active. Boredom is one of the major contributors to anxiety, which for too many dog owners manifests into destructive behavior. To avoid or eliminate this bad behavior have a healthy supply of dog toys for your dog to keep occupied.

If your dog is a heavy chewer, that is, he/she can tear apart plush dog toys in minutes then perhaps a Kong dog toys or Indestructible dog toys is the best alternative. Kong dog toys filled with peanut butter and then frozen will give your dog hours of focus; there is even an extreme Kong for those breeds that seem to chew through anything.

As indestructible dog toys go the one we found to hold up to the claim “Indestructible,” is from Huck. This brand of dog toys is an indestructible ball which when tossed bounces in different directions each and every time it lands on the ground giving your dog plenty to focus on. Both the Huck indestructible dog toy and the Kong are made from natural materials and are non-toxic.

Plush dog toys are by far the most popular toy on the market. Most are safe if your dog happens to rip out the stuffing but you should read the label to ensure no toxic chemicals are present. The benefit to plush dog toys is that they are machine washable so if your dog likes to slobber all over the toy you can add it to the wash and it’s as good as new.

There are stuffing free versions to plush dog toys that are beginning to make a presence in the dog toy market. These toys are great if your dog’s primary goal is tearing out the stuffing living it behind. They also make a prefect tool in training hunting dogs.

Balls and Frisbees are great toys for dogs that enjoy playing fetch. These dog toys come in several varieties so choose wisely, that is small dog, small dog toys. Playing fetch with a large dog and small ball could have disastrous consequences if they swallow the ball whole and it lodges in their throat.

Have several dog toys available for your dog to play with, occupy their time, and focus their mind. Doing so will relieve anxiety, boredom, and the destructive behavior they accompany.  Like their human companions, variety is the spice of life for your dog, having an assortment of dog toys equals a happier well-rounded dog.

by Remarkable Dogs

Every dog owner knows that dogs love to chew; leave him or her to their own whims they will chew just about anything. Have you ever returned home from work or from an errand to find your favorite pair of shoes in pieces or the edge of the couch shredded? If the answer is yes then perhaps it is time to invest in some dog toys.

Pet toys do more than just entertain your dog; they keep his/her mind occupied. Most dog breeds suffer from some level of separation anxiety. The way your dog demonstrates that anxiety is chewing, having a toy available, or if you’re like many dog owners, several toys around will relieve stress and boredom.

Recently, there has been concern that some dog toys are toxic to both your family and your dog. If you have, any pet toys made from vinyl or PVC you should replace them immediately. Both contain toxic chemicals and quite possibly lead. How can you tell if the toy is vinyl? Take a whiff if it smells like vinyl it most likely is. In buying new pet toys, check with the manufacture for more information if in doubt or choose another toy with a clearly marked label.

With the variety of pet toys on the market today, making a safe choice can be the ease part; determining which kind to buy is another matter. If your dog is a moderate chewer then a plush dog toy is a good choice. Most are machine washable and keeping several around rotating as needed is a great way to keep them clean.

Squeaker toys are also a good choice for the moderate chewer as long as the noise does not bother you. The noise of the squeaker helps to keep your dog’s mind offer an anxiety trigger and focused on the business of having fun. Although not machine washable, some dog owners have used the dishwasher to keep these pet toys clean.

If you have a heavy chewer or your dog suffers from severe dog anxiety then a more durable dog toy is in order. While a dog toy for the severe anxiety suffer will never replace your attention, keeping a variety of tough dog toys around will help to relieve some of the stress.

For the heavy chewer there are really two options for dog owners; buy cheap dog toys knowing that your dog will destroy them in a matter of days or tough dog toys like knotted ropes. If cheap dog toys are your choice, make sure to buy only those with clearly marked labels. The stuffing on the inside as well as the exterior material should be made of a natural substance. If you see the word “phthalates” then the toy is toxic. Phthalates, used in plastics keep them flexible and durable.

Dog toys play an important role in your dog’s life from temperament to well being. Look at the pet toys in your collection, if you cannot identify whether you have a toxic dog toy then replace them with new organic dog toys. Organic dog toys are toys such as a rope toy made from natural jute, organic cotton in plush dog toys and others made of wool materials. These toys are rather inexpensive, priced from $3.99 to about $15 dollars.

Whether you buy your pet toys on-line or from your local pet store read the labels and choose the very best dog toys for your four-legged family member. Realizing the significance pet toys present to your dog’s overall well being and happiness it is our responsibility as dog owners to provide the safest environment for our dogs.

Dogs truly make wonderful family pets and companions. As pet owners, our personal worlds are ever changing. Fall brings a time of kids returning to school, work routines can change and our calendars begin to fill up with sports and new projects. We sometimes take for granted that our four-legged family members can be severely affected by this change in schedule.

This routine change results in your dog developing compulsive behavior where they seem to lick everything in your house. If you have tried every one of the training techniques in your arsenal and cannot seem to keep your dog from licking, then perhaps you are training for the wrong thing. Training the symptoms and not the cause will only frustrate both you and your dog.

No matter what is happening in the world our dogs are always happy to greet us the moment we arrive home from work or errands. Some dogs carry this greeting a little too far by jumping on you, barking, whimpering and licking ankles, hands, arms and face.

This is one of the easiest dog behaviors to correct. When first arriving home from work or an errand just say “hello” then ignore your dog after that for a few minutes or until he/she calms down. Then you can properly greet your dog. Doing otherwise only encourages this compulsive behavior and when new guests visit, they will experience the same unwanted compulsive behavior.

If your dog seems to be licking everything in the household, the cause generally stems from two reasons. First is separation anxiety. All dogs experience some level of separation anxiety with some breeds, especially those of the hound group, more than others. Second is boredom. Dogs need to keep their minds active, stress and boredom if left unchecked will result in dogs developing unwanted compulsive behavior.

Spend more time when you arrive home playing or brushing your dog. This will help relieve his/her mind and reduce the pent up stress of being left alone. Also, be sure to provide a quality chew top while your away to keep their mind focused. If your dog experiences severe separation anxiety and crosses the line from compulsive licking to destruction, then perhaps a pet sitter is order.

Pet sitters offer a range of services from daily walks, playing and even spending the whole day with your dog. Check the Neighborhood section of this website and search for a pet sitter in your area. Exercise, playing fetch, and brushing all provide mental stimulation for your dog and will reduce compulsive behavioral licking.

If your dog is licking him/her self raw to the point of licking the fur away, then there could be other more serious issues involved. The act of a mother licking her pups provides the new born a sense of soothing and calm. This feeling translates the same soothing in adult dogs for pain and arthritis in limbs and joints. Your Veterinarian should examine this type of compulsive behavioral licking. There are new medications available to ease joint pain in dogs with fewer side effects then previous drugs.

No matter the reason for your dogs licking, compulsive behavior is something you can change with a little time and patience. Remember to treat the cause and not the symptoms and success is right around the corner.

By Remarkable Dogs

There is no doubt about it dogs love rawhide bones. It helps them with boredom keeping your dog from chewing on your stuff and helps their teeth & gums. Nevertheless, are they really safe for your dog? Some dog owners swear by them while others will never give their dog a rawhide chew. There is a happy medium but first let us look at why this dog chew may be unsafe.

Rawhide bones are made from animal skin, typically cattle while some are made from combining cattle and pigskin. When these dog chews dry out, they can splinter and if your dog loves to just gobble these chews done then you run the risk of mouth and intestinal damage. Dog rawhide chews also expand when they get wet so if your dog eats them to fast swallowing large pieces then it can expand in the stomach causing intestinal blockage. If you are going to give your dog a rawhide chew you should monitor the process and always give your dog a rawhide bone bigger then his/her mouth. The rawhide sticks and a large dog do not mix.

The alternatives to rawhide bones are plentiful. Nylon bones are one choice providing the same success in relieving your dog’s boredom while also promoting healthy teeth and gums. Nylon bones scrape away-unwanted plaque and tartar while messaging the gums. Keeping your dogs mind occupied is beneficial if your dog bores easily and enjoys chewing on household items and getting into trouble.
You could also try real bones, however, these too can splinter and must be cooked as raw bones can carry far too much bacteria. For more information on cooked dog bones and food, see our previous articles on the subject. Yet another substitute to rawhide is dog dental chews.

Dog dental chews will satisfy their chewing while freshening their breath. There are many varieties on the market today with choices of flavor, size as well as several different brands, available at the pet supply store at Remarkable Dogs.

If you are going to give your dog a rawhide chew then you should know the dangers. There are alternatives to rawhide chew and your dog will benefit from the new technology. Choose the right alternative for your dog and give your family pet the mind stimulation, reduced boredom all the while providing healthier teeth and gums.

By Remarkable Dogs