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Interactive Toys

Interactive toys should be central part of your canine enrichment plan. Not only are they fun for both dog and owner, they provide much-needed mental and physical stimulation, even when you have to leave home.

Interactive Chew Toys
Chew toys are an excellent way to help puppies cope with teething as long at the rubber toy is specifically designed for puppies. In addition to the physical sensation, a dog also has to use his brain to figure out how to get the tasty treats out of the toy, which is great for mental stimulation.

The best interactive chew toys are the ones that come in different shapes with holes in them. They are an excellent way of keeping a dog happy and busy for hours because you can fill them with different foods like peanut butter or chicken and put them in the freezer for a few hours before giving them to your dog. This makes the stuffing last longer and gives your dog a good feeling while he is chewing.

Many chew toys might claim that they are indestructible because they are made of very hard rubber, but certain dogs can still chew through them, so be careful and observe your dog when he is chewing.

Treat Balls
Treat balls can be filled with dry food or treats and given to your dog who then has to get the food out by pushing the ball along the floor with his nose. This is a great way of feeding your dog’s meal to him as it takes longer to eat and tires him out in the process.

Puzzles
There are many different kinds of puzzles that have been created for dogs with varying degrees of difficulty. Most puzzles have places where you can hide food and your dog has to then work out how to get it out of the puzzle.

Tug Toys and Bite Sticks
Tug toys are great for playing the game of tug and for dogs to retrieve. These toys usually take the form of knotted ropes or are made of durable material that is long and stick like, providing a good surface to bite on.

Chase Toys
Most dogs love to chase, so these toys are perfect for releasing that energy. You can create your own by attaching a length of rope to a stick and tying a soft toy onto the other end of the rope. You can whirl the rope around your body like a lunge rope and teach your dog to chase after it. This is best done if you can teach your dog to wait and only allow him to chase on your cue, a great way of teaching impulse control.

 

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