Article Title: What Are The Best Toys And Treats For Your Dog?
Author: David Amos
Introduction
Keeping your dog entertained is important to his health and
wellbeing. Oh and of course dogs love to play and play and
play! Dog toys can help keep your dog fit, healthy and they can
also be part of your dog's education when used with treats to
help with training.
When Should I use Dog Treats?
Not all dog treats are created equal. While every dog enjoys
treats you will find that your dog prefers some to others. With
so many choices now on the market it's not a difficult task to
find a dog treat that he prefers. Once you've found the ideal
treat you can start to use it as a training tool. That doesn't
preclude you giving him a treat because you love him but by
treating your dog for good behavior you are re-enforcing
positive actions which will become a habit for your dog.
What is the Best Type of Dog Treat?
There is a wide variety of dog treats available. Some are
sweet, some are hard, some are soft, or crunchy or savory or a
combination of these. As with us, your dog will prefer a
different type at differnt times. Some things to be aware of if
you've chosen a hard or crunchy treat are that it's not too hard
and that it won't hurt or break your dog's teeth. You may be
surprised to find that some treats are designed to clean your
dog's teeth and remove that bad dog breath! You will find that
as your dog ages his preferences will change too and you should
change the treats that you feed him to suit his age.
Be aware that not all dog treats are beneficial. A lot of them
have sugar, preservatives or chemicals that are bad for your
dog, so always check the label. If you have a dog with
allergies you'll need to check the labels to find a treat that
does not cause allergic reactions and that your dog likes. Your
vet may be able to help you in this case.
If you don't locate the perfect dog treat you should think
about creating your own. It's not as difficult as you may think
and whole companies have started from a kitchen table and a good
recipe. Some ingredients to consider are chicken, rice, carrots
and peas. It's fun to do and your dog will appreciate the
effort! If you've any left over consider selling them to your
local pet store. Many carry small lines of homemade treats. If
you need some recipes try searching on the internet, or just
invent your own. Once you've made your treats keep them in
airtight containers. This not only helps keep them fresh, but
also keeps them safe from your dog too!
What to Look For in a Dog Toy
One of a dog's favorite pastimes is chewing. Most dogs just
love to chew! Oh and chew :-) So don't be surprised that a lot
of the dog toys on the market today are focused on chewing. A
dog toy that can be chewed provides a benefit for your dog's
teeth and supports his natural tendency to chew. This not only
helps dental health but is a non destructive and safe outlet
for your dog's need to chew.
Before you go and buy a chew toy you need to think about how
your dog likes to chew. A canine that chews hard and vigorously
will need a stronger toy made out of hard rubber or nylon. Latex
and vinyl toys are designed for canines who are lighter chewers.
Whichever type your dog is, you will need to keep a watch when
he's playing with the toy, especially squeaky toys, to make
sure that you can take away the pieces as it falls apart. Some
toys can be destroyed in a matter of minutes.
For the moderate or average chewer and for puppies there are
dental or flavored chew toys made out of rawhide that can be
eaten. These are great, just give it to your dog and let him
have at it! Also for puppies there are the plush toys that he
can carry around and snuggle up with. Make sure it's machine
washable though otherwise it's going to get really dirty!
For fun you might like to try out a Tricky Treat Ball. This is
an entertaining toy that gets filled with treats, usually dry
like kibble. You can also try out cheese, carrots or meat cut
into small cubes. Put the food into the ball and give it a
shake. Then let your dog play with it and the food will fall
through the holes in the ball. Your favorite friend will love
it!!
You can go even further with this idea. There are gumball
machines designed to use treats or dry food for your dog. Just
add the food to the machine and let your dog play with the
gumball machine.
It's important to keep your dog entertained with good dog toys
and treats, and he in turn will keep you entertained for hours!
About The Author: David Amos is a dog lover and long time dog
owner. For more information about dog toys and treats go to
http://www.onlinedo
dog care and keeping your dog happy and healthy go to
http://www.onlinedo
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