Getting a toy for your favorite dog is fun for you and your dog. The dog fights his boredom and you get some time for yourself. Besides from that, toys are a huge part of dog training and hdog behavior.

Some Toys Are Bad

Although toys are great, they are dangerous as well. Toys with removable parts and soft toys shouldn’t be the only thing that keeps your dog busy. If your pooch bites and chews those types of toys for too long, the parts that fall off could get stuck in the dog’s bowels, possibly killing him. And no one wants that to happen— ever!

There have been news reports on deaths of dogs due to chew toys. Booda Bone, a chew toy, is made out of cotton or polyester strings. The toy is a knotted rope bone. A Portuguese Water Dog ingested some of the threads from a Booda Bone. He died because the threads wrapped around his intestines and colon. Another dangerous toy talked about is a toy called Greenie. Greenies are said to be natural, digestible, and good for your dog’s teeth. A woman in New Jersey says that her dog died because a piece of Greenie got stuck in her dog’s esophagus. This report was on Komo 4 News.

When you’re buying a chew toy, make sure the toy is designed for your breed of dog. If they are too large, small, or soft, don’t get them. Also, small balls that your dog could play with should be secure in a high location. Larger dogs shouldn’t play with balls smaller than their mouths. If you get a chew toy for your dog, you should sit there and watch what he is doing. Threaded toys or toys with strings is a big no, no.

Dog-Proof Your Home

Dogs also pass away because of easy-to-avoid situations. Dogs can and have choked on children’s toys, strings, clothing, coins, small balls, ribbons, and much more that were loose around the floor. Take careful steps to dog-proofing your home.

Squeaking toys should be used under your supervision. Dogs might try to get rid of the squeaking noise. If they manage to break the toy open a little, take the toy away from them. The squeaker can block your dog’s throat.

Soft toys and toys with removable parts should only be given to your dog if he likes them A LOT. They should be given to him as rewards. But, don’t let him have it for too long. Remember, when he does good things, he gets rewarded with something he likes. Once he’s gotten used to the “do this and get rewarded” trend, he’ll do that act more often. This rewarding system is used for doggie treats as well. Controlling your dog’s behavior partially revolves around this.

The method above also works for housebreaking (training your dog to not pee or poop in the house) your dog.

Summary

Toys are great solutions to fighting your dog’s boredom. Some toys should be used under supervision and some shouldn’t be used at all. Toys with threads, strings, or squeakers are off-limits. Toys you buy for your dog should be the right size. Small toys are a life hazard. You should dog-proof your home by removing small items out of the dog’s reach. Such items may include children’s toys, strings, clothing, coins, small balls, and ribbons. Toys play a big part in training and housebreaking your dog.