Hounds Corner

Though you might not find gifts for your favorite pup under the Christmas tree, it is nice to at least give them a couple stocking stuffers.  Here are a few small gift ideas that are sure to delight your dog. 

~Dog Squeaky Toys – what would Christmas morning be without your dog running around the house squeaking his or her newest squeeze?

~Rawhide Chews – these are great for keeping your dog’s teeth healthy and also as a savory treat. 

~Dog Collars – a stylish new collar is sure to please your dog, after all, as the only fashionable item they wear it’s nice to have a change now and then! 

~Dog Frisbees – a soft frisbee designed to be caught by a dog will provide hours of enjoyment at the park or in your backyard.

Unlike people, it’s unrealistic for a dog to brush its teeth twice a day or visit a dentist every six months.  Thus it’s essential for dogs to clean their teeth through other means.  There are a variety of products which can assist in doing this.  Certain brands of pet treats and even pet food will bolster dental hygiene.  There are dog chew toys and special bones which when gnawed on will remove and prevent plaque and decay.

Without proper dental care, a pet can develop many of the same dental problems as humans, including cavities, gum disease, and impacted molars.

I have watched my friend’s toy fox terrier seek out the one squeaky toy in her overflowing toy basket so she can squeak it every few seconds.  Squeak, squeak, squeak!   It made me ask the question, why do dogs like squeaky toys so much?  I discovered, after doing a little bit of research, that dogs like squeaky toys because it satisfies a prey drive.  In the wild, injured prey, such as field mice or birds, will emit squeaks and cries similar to those high-pitched sounds dog squeaky toys make, revealing their condition and location to the dog on the hunt. 

Dogs also enjoy squeaky toys because they are more interactive than other toys.  It feels good for them to chew, and they enjoy the sound the toys make.  Larger breeds may be able to destroy a squeaky toy and pull out the squeaker quickly, so match the toy to the dog and invest in tougher rubber toys for larger breeds.  The squeaking mechanisms, when removed, can also present a choking hazard, so keep your eye out for them. Squeaky toys are usually rubber or plastic and can go from indoors to outdoors, which also makes them an enduring canine favorite.

This Wild Tail is the ultimate toy for cats, ferrets, and small dogs. Just add one AA battery, turn it on and watch it jump and dart around. The soft tail and sturdy ball are perfect for biting or batting around. The constant motion will keep your pets attention. Catnip can be easily added to the tail for increased feline enjoyment. Cats, Ferrets, and small dogs will love chasing WILD TAIL! Check it out.

Dogs love to chew.  Dog toys give them things they are allowed to chew, keeping them from getting bored and trying the taste of furniture, walls, rugs, clothes, shoes…you get the idea.  Dogs should have a variety of toys and bones to keep busy—rotated occasionally for continued interest–and they need to be within reach as well.   Toys end up under the furniture, appliances, out in the yard, or just plain lost as time goes on, and as dog chew toys mysteriously disappear, there will be less for Rover to do, and once again, the threat of destructive canine mode looms over your home.

Some dog owners have had great success with a dog toy box—a large rubber container works (and has the added benefit of being easy to clean).  All the dog toys will occupy a specific space, and the dog has the added fun of digging through and choosing her toy for the moment.  Having dog toys in a centralized location also makes training easier, because if your dog has taken something she is not supposed to have, it is easier to distract her with an appropriate toy when they are all found in one location.  The dog will learn to go his toy box when he wants to chew, which will keep him occupied and out of mischief.

Puppies are great friends, but they require an ample amount of care when brought over to a new environment.  Part of training a new puppy is to hone their focus.  By purchasing dog chew toys, such as a rubber bone, you can toss it around with your pup and help them focus on catching it.

Not only will your dogs find these toys great, but they will be able to be playful and interact well with you!

I’m going crazy over my dog’s nasty behavior; he can’t seem to get enough from chewing on my furniture. Good thing a friend of mine advised me to go and buy him “plenty” of dog toys, but then I asked, “Why plenty?” she said since my dog loves to chew on my different furniture, it is best to give my dog a variety of toys to chew on instead.

She also said that dogs easily get bored so mixture of toys would do the trick. I guess it works coz now my pet dog literally spends the whole day just chewing and biting those toys I bought for him.