Puppy Love 4 - we're toying with you!
If you are only just catching up with this, our lovely ad sales lady Liz is soon to take delivery of a gorgeous GSD pup which will be coming to work with her. I'll have to have a word with Tess and warn her that this pup will grow up to be quite a bit bigger than her!
We'd really like some suggestions for the best toys that will hopefully look much more appealing than our computer cables etc!
One office dog (who shall remain nameless) did once eat a desk! Honestly, it was only when it fell apart we'd realised what had been going on!
So what would be your must buy list for a gorgeous puppy shower? Wouldn't that be a great tradition to start for new puppy owners - a party were peoplebring the new pup to be gifts!
If you're a Kong fan - what's the best puppy stuffing recipe and how many do you need? (Think I could have phrased that better! Although I suspect we've all felt like swapping out little bundles of fluff for the stuffed toy variety when they've chewed the kid's school shoes!)
And is there anything new and exciting that should be the pup that has everything's toy cupboard?
Please do share your tips and check back over the first four puppy questions on here and add your best tips. This could be a great resource to really help new owners prepare properly.
Beverley Cuddy, Editor
Congratulations on your new puppy! You are about to embark upon a fabulous journey, and no one can blame you for wanting to buy lots of shiny new things for the new arrival. The first few days with a puppy can be a bit stressful, so it does help to have all the supplies you need to hand.
Sadly, many puppy toy shopping lists are created by pet accessory companies (or indeed by pet shops!) and are designed to make you spend as much of your hard earned cash as possible.
This one is different. It’s designed to make sure that you get all the important things that you need while saving you money at the same time.
Ready? Set? Let’s buy some toys!
The top toys we recommend to every new puppy person are:
- A Kong (for crate time, and “brain training” time),
- A Nylabone (for safe chewing and general play)
- One soft toy (for cuddles)
- One “Ragger” rope toy or similar (for chewing, or learning to retrieve)
Four toys might sound a bit mean, but by giving your puppy lots of things, you are actually making it harder for him to distinguish what items you want him to play with (YAH KONG!) and those you don’t (YAH REMOTE CONTROL!). You also don’t know what your puppy would “like” to play with yet, so by giving him just a few things you will get to know his likes and dislikes much quicker than by bombarding him with stuff he couldn’t care less about.
For example, my James HATES Nylabones with a passion– he really doesn’t see the point. But loves his Kong, so if I have to leave him I give him his Kong as I know that will keep him busy. If I left him with a Nylabone, then chances are it would be a case of “bye bye Mr. Sofa”.
A few other things to consider when selecting toys.
- Make sure they are the right shape and size for your puppy, with the rule of thumb being if you think it’s too big, it’s probably the right size (within reason!).
- Check that all the stitching is secure and won’t easily come away. There are literally hundreds of types of toys out there, and all are of varying quality. Some of the cheaper rope toys may unravel too quickly, or some types of plastic toys may shred and pose choking hazards. Keep your wits about you, and watch puppy like a hawk with any new toy.
- If at all possible, try and avoid squeaky toys as these can encourage puppy to mouth or bite down on objects too hard, making it more difficult to “untrain” this behaviour if directed at humans.
Puppies need toys, but they don’t need their own toy box, nor should toys be used in place of one on one attention. Remember, the best thing you can give your dog is your time.
Claire Goyer BA(Hons.), HND Canine Nutrition Therapist, The Haslemere Pet Company
Katrina Stevens, Kesyra German Shepherds, says...
I find most pups like a new toy best. They then grow bored with it, so will look to something else for amusement. You don't need to always buy the most expensive toys. My pups just love plastic bottles (tops etc removed). I expect you will have lots of these if you have lots of tea and coffee in an office! It obviously has to be replaced when the pup starts chewing it. Treat balls are also quite a hit and if you are feeding a dry food, it can be taken out of the daily allowance. Cardboard boxes are also very popular. I usually put all the toys in the box, so they can get them all out and once bored with the toys the pup will enjoy setting upon the box!
Dorothy Cullum, GSD Information Group, says...
Toys should have squeakers removed and be of a size which cannot be destroyed. Balls should be too big. Ropes, mock dumbbells and toys which can have a few goodies in to keep pup amused. Kongs are another good purchase.
Gail Gwesyn-Pryce, Dogs Today GSD Advisor, says...
Lots of toys really are not necessary, but we all like them and I think they are really for us not the dog. Puppies are just as happy with a cardboard box to tear up! Large knuckle bone or beef rib are also useful - my food supplier brings me there by the boxful (Albion Meats).
Puppy Buddy is perfect for a comforting a pup. Soft and squeaky, your pup will love snuggling up to his fleecy buddy. The fabric naturally absorbs familiar scents and your pup will make this toy a constant companion.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dfordog.co.uk/acatalog/dog_toys_puppy.html
May I suggest that the lovely Liz join the Worldwide GSD group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WorldwideGsds/
ReplyDeletewhere we have a variety of experts who can advise on all issues, where she will be most welcome.
Dorothy
dorothy-cullum@uwclub.net
Pups are busy little things and always need something to keep them occupied (or it will be your new slippers getting torn apart!). When my Lab was a puppy he adored all the puppy Kong range, many furry little toys bought from any good pet store, activity ball and just old rope toys and tennis balls. If you want something durable and eco-friendly look at http://www.eco-hound.com/ for durable dog toys. If all this is just too expensive then just stick to a tennis ball!
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