I was at Homegoods yesterday having a look at all their dog toys. They seem to have stocked up and tidied up, the shelves were overflowing with new dog toys. Perhaps they are already getting ready for the Holiday season which is just around the corner. My daughter and I eeeeeeeewwwwdddd and awwwwwwwwwd over them all. They had a bunch of big whopper stuffed toys that I know someone will be getting for Christmas. A huge boar that made the coolest sound when you squished it will be on my list to purchase.
Each morning as I start my day of pick up I make my rounds in the house. In almost every room I find toys; dog toys. Two on the dog bed in the kitchen, 2 in the livingroom with guts strewn randomly about, 2 toys and 2 bones in the bedroom and down in the familyroom there are carcasses, guts and toys from one end to the other. I don't mind at all; dogs need stuff.
I have often walked into a new dog home when upon having a quick look around asked "where's the toys?" Sometimes the new guardians admit to picking up before I got there but more often they just didn't know. The more toys you give your dog the less likelihood of having your stuff ruined. Now of course it still requires supervision but once your dog learns what is their's and what is yours, they need a large selection.
We have a basket of toys and the dogs know where it is and that the contents are theirs with no restrictions. If I bring home new toys I will often ask the dogs to not ruin them; at least for a few days. They play with them and then when they start to kill and gut them, I remove them for later. This only ever lasts a few days and then the white fluff covers the carpet.
Tilley is my only dog right now who does not gut her toys; she takes great care of her them. Because of this I do not allow the other two to play and destroy her toys. They are surprisingly good about leaving her toys and strictly ruin their own. It is extremely important for dogs to have alot of toys; many dogs have a high prey drive and toys are a good release for that.
In my mind you can never have enough dog toys; they are good for their mind, their body and saving your toys from destruction.
Our Gracie (10 months) has a basket of toys she knows are hers. She will still steal a shoe here or there but is quickly learning to leave our things alone. I really like the unstuffed animal toys. She can flip them, chew them and have a great time without the danger of swallowing stuffing. We also include chew bones, squeaky balls and puzzle toys.
ReplyDeleteWe also have a dog toy basket which is overflowing with toys and balls unless they are strewn all over the floor, which is usually the case. I love watching Bella sort through the toys looking for the exact toy she wanted. Toys get pulled out and tossed to the floor until she emerges triumpantly, tail high with the sought after treasure.
ReplyDeleteNo doubt toys are important, and they can also be used for training.
ReplyDeleteI have just got to share this little clip with you: http://s238.photobucket.com/albums/ff161/Tormaha/?action=view¤t=Ringerfortetm.flv
There is this Norwegian lady who is just wonderful with teaching her spoos tricks with toys. Here is Zanto playing and afterwards Robin (who very sadly passed away recently) tidies up.
Now, isn't that a neat trick, teaching your dog to tidy away his toys?
This lady has published a book about teaching tricks. I ordered it a few days ago, and I'm really excited about trying to teach Edward with her methods.
Jack has many, many toys and I really enjoy buying them for him (and for his girlfriend across the street, Lucky). I've performed "surgery" on some of his favorite stuffies to prolong their lives as long as I possibly can. It breaks my heart to throw them away. He has inside toys and outside toys.
ReplyDeleteJack actually plays with every single one of his playthings while my Jasper (I miss that dog terribly) only carried his teddy bear around in his mouth while he paced and only when he was nervous.