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Choosing the Best Toys for Your Pup

August 30, 2021

There are an incredible number of options when it comes to dog toys. Just like anything that involves a choice, making an educated one is your best bet.An educated choice would ensure that your pup gets a great toy, and derives maximum satisfaction from playing with it. The right toy has a lot of benefits for your pup.Some of these benefits include keeping her active throughout the day, improving bonding between you and your pup (in the case of tug toys and fetch toys), or simply keeping your pup happy.Your local Petland has a wide variety of toys to help you find the perfect toy for your pet!

Here are 5 tips to help with choosing the best toys for your pup: 

  1. Personal Preference 

In this case, this isn’t your personal preference, it’s your pooch’s. The perfect toy has to suit your pup’s personality. Dogs have a natural playing and chewing instinct, which of course, varies by breed. You might have to experiment with a variety of toys to see which of them your dog prefers the most. For instance, Susie might be more inclined to fetch toys or tug toys, or even chewing toys. Once you note her favorite, you know what toys to buy more of going forward. 

  1. Age 

The type of toys that you get your pup should be appropriate for her age. A toy for a 5-week old puppy should be plush or soft or snuggly. For a pup between three to nine months, you should consider relatively soft chew toys, because she would be teething. So, a good selection of chew toys would keep her away from the center rug or your sneakers. Past the teething phase, you can start to explore harder rubber toys as well as balls or rope pulls since they now have the jaw strength and energy to support that. This doesn’t mean you should totally eliminate softer toys, a mix of both types is a great idea. 

  1. Size 

Here the breed plays a major role. For instance, a German Shepherd would chew more harshly compared to a chihuahua. Therefore, if Susie is a German Shepherd, you would need a harder and sizable toy that wouldn’t break or get stuck in her teeth. A toy that is too soft could break into pieces and cause a choking hazard, same with one that is too small. Rule of thumb, if it’s small enough to fit in your dog’s rear molars, it fits the bill of a choking hazard. 

  1. Variety 

Overall development is essential, and this is why just one toy type isn’t ideal. Although your pup might have a favorite, say, a chewing toy, she really wouldn’t mind others. For bonding time, a nice tug toy would be ideal or even ball toys to play fetch. This variety would help keep your dog active, occupied, and entertained. Win-win for you and Susie!

  1. Safety 

While this has been lightly touched on in the third point, it is still worthy of emphasis. In addition to getting the appropriate toy size, toy texture is an important point too.A hard toy for soft, developing dentition does more harm than good.Safety is essential when getting your pup a toy, so, ensure that the toys are perfectly suited to age and breed.Finally, keep a close eye on your pup, if you notice a toy wearing out, it might be time to replace it.

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Donnie A
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Puppies are little pricy, but the atmosphere is awesome and the people working thier are so helpful! Definitely go there, show some puppy love
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Bob E
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This is a wonderful place to pick up a healthy and clean pet. Not your kind of dog that is at the pound. I have personally visited some of the sources for these dogs. They are NOT coming from puppy mills. These dogs are living better than me. I really hate that there are so many people who automatically have that opinion of all pet stores. These dogs are loved and cared for there entire lives so far. Shame on you if you have not even visited the store and put negative comments here. On that note have a blessed day.
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Zac S
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They were very kind and helped getting are new dog, they did everything correctly.
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Sue C
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The only place I could find that had a harness small enough for my Tea Cup Chihuahua puppy. Employees were knowledgeable and found what I needed quickly.
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XLoganPx
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Had a great time petting some cute puppers, only got bit once! Staff is super friendly and helpful
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Lauren S
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It was amazing
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Beverly K
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Kids enjoyed getting to see pet and play with the puppies.
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Nicholas K
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They have a very clean and friendly environment for the puppies as well as customers, very thurough and detailed care instructions and several options on how to pay and take home your furever friend!!!! 10/10 service!!
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Amber p
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I came today and had an amazing time playing with the pups. Shaggy really stole my heart! Libby, Brandon, and Mila were amazing & provided great customer service and were a great help!
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