Question On Toys

[Nackers]

Hi all, my golden retriever puppy is 12 weeks old and just an absolute gem. She is (of course) very active and into absolutely everything!! She always has something in her mouth, not always something she's meant to either. So far (touch wood) she hasn't actually wrecked anything. Just wondering what people have found to be the best chew or play toys for energetic puppies? I've got a buster cube she gets her lunch in, plus various soft toys. I'm thinking of something a bit firmer she can have a good chew on. What's the best? Rubber? Rope? Kong? Something else?

Another query- is it ok to take Floss for small walks? I have a big oval at the end of our street (maybe 200m) that I like to walk to and then let the dogs (golden puppy and older terrier x) off lead. I then just wander around a bit and let them cruise around and do their own thing. Floss doesnt go too far away from me and I take the opportunity to practice recalls etc. it's either the oval or a close playground/park where I take my daughter for a play and the dogs cruise around there (provided there isn't anyone else around.

I'm just worried it's too much for her. I don't walk fast (especially when I have my 2 year old walking) and most of the outing is her setting the pace. What do you think?

The other reason in keen on walking her is because I have noticed she is slightly fearful of other dogs. so I want to get Floss out and about before it becomes a real problem. I have also organised with friends to have doggie play dates, so hopefully we will nip the problem in the bud. Any other tips on how to deal with this?

Thanks again for your time, I really appreciate it

[Christina]

Not sure on toys for big dogs having a toy breed but regarding the off lead if you are out alone with a dog, a toddler & a puppy how on earth are you going to manage if something goes amiss ?

A 12 week old puppy has the attention span of a gnat & a toddler not much more so if the unexpected happens like roaming uncontrolled dog or pup going towards road or even troublesome yobbos coming onto the oval for example you may find yourself in a mess.

I would try & take puppy out alone when recall is better. Can you get your partner or friend to mind your child for short times while you do this.

[Stressmagnet]

Having posted about toys recently for my lab pup - I can recommend the Kong Wild Knot toys, any of the Fat Cat range and Bottle busters (the toys where you put an empty soda bottle inside).

As for walks - I can't advise. It's been ages since I had a pup that small but I would limit her exposure to other dogs until she's had all her shots. Maybe have dogs that you know are vac'd come visit her?

Wiser heads here will jump in.

Edited December 8, 2014 by Stressmagnet

[Seren]

Nackers I have a 19 week old Golden pup. This is 'second time round' for me and with my first one I was told that they can be gently exercised up until 1 and 1/2 yrs old but not exerted for lengths of time as it tells on this breeds joints when they are older.

I sometimes break up the game young Harry is having with our older dog Holly (20 month old) as I worry he is running too hard for his little joints.

We take him for a walk around the block twice a day but don't leave him off lead out of the yard yet as he isn't so good at recall and would run off I am sure.

We have a half acre yard and I have my friend's dogs over to play and Harry has learned to socialise like that, but first up he was also a bit shy of dogs other than Holly. Doggy play dates seem to be the best way to go I think.

Our first Golden, Lace, was an utter destroyer of everything nailed down and not! She chewed holes into the walls at night time and pretty much was a demolition team all in one.

I had no idea they aren't all like that. Harry is the total opposite. He chewed up a toilet roll once so far but usually runs to us with anything and "tells on himself" without doing the item damage. Such a dream child he is!

On toys.. Lace destroyed even toys marked for 'strong chewers'.

Harry plays constantly with his teething rings from K9 Pro - his very favourite is a teething chew shaped like a wishbone. It says that when chewed it gives a chicken flavour. He also has a long rubber toy with bulbs on the end that have bells in them.. It is roughened rubber and very tough wearing - Holly (20 month old pup) has a chew and cannot destroy it. They are the 2 main ones that he constantly selects from his toy box. They were excellent for when he was teething recently. If I find him with something he shouldn't have I take it out of his mouth saying "No" and give him one of his toys and say "Yes"... I don't know if he understands but he is quite happy with the trade.

He also has a selection of ropes all different lengths and textures (none long enough to get caught around his neck but) and he trails them around hoping someone will have a tug game with him. Stuffed toys - I haven't found one that Holly won't sneak outside with and destuff, and Harry has quickly found how to do the same thing - squeakers and stuffing all over the yard. So I limit soft toys to ones that have very little stuffing in them or take out the stuffing before giving them to the pair of them.

They have a dangly octopus that they love playing with and they haven't managed to destroy it. But I am always on the lookout for new things for the pair to play with also.

Edited December 9, 2014 by Seren

[LuccatheLagotto]

I should preface this by saying that I’m in no way a dog expert but this is what has worked for me as a first time puppy owner.

Compared with the usual assortment of store bought toys like Kongs, Busy Buddy and soft toys, I find that Lucca likes my homemade toys the best. Which is great for me because it is cheap and I can give him new toys every few days. I just have to be inventive! Here are some toys/games that have worked well:

• plastic bottles with some vegemite smeared onto it to encourage him to play. He likes chewing on it and chasing it around as it makes lots of noise on the pavement. Sometimes, I cut some holes in the bottle and put kibble in it so that it essentially works like a buster cube. The first time I did this, I didn’t screw the bottle cap on and Lucca worked out how to tip everything out within 10 seconds! He has not been able to chew through the bottles so there is no risk of him eating the plastic but this may not work if your puppy is a serious chewer.

• soaked a soft toy in some unsalted chicken stock and put it in the freezer. Hours of chewing fun that can help with teething pains too.

• tied his favourite toy to a bungy cord and hung it from the ceiling. Hours of fun as he can play tug by himself and the toy bounces back when he releases it, causing him to try to catch it again. Just be careful to not hang it too low as to cause an accident.

• scatter kibble around the yard so that he has to go searching for it. Being a working breed, he loves this game and will continue searching long after the last kibble has been eaten. I also put a prize (eg. his favourite food, which strangely, is mango) in a hard to find place like inside a cardboard box. He then has to figure out how to get to it and then plays with the box for hours.

• freeze some fruit suitable for dogs like watermelon or mango peel etc – it is cheap and delicious.

• pigs ears or bully sticks always go down well; but Lucca can eat an entire one in 30 minutes so it can get really expensive. I now save them for “special” occasions like, grooming time or long car trips :laugh: .

My main goal for Lucca is to be a polite family pet that I can take out with me so my “training” is geared towards exposing him to different environments/people/dogs etc. Like you, I have taken him for small walks around the neighbourhood and let him run off leash a patch of lawn near my house ONLY IF there are no other dogs/people around (which usually means getting up early!). I think you’re doing the right thing by taking the opportunity to practicing recall/sit etc in environments that simulates real life situations where there are distractions. So far its been OK for me too because he doesn’t wonder far, but I’ve heard that its harder during adolescence so I’m bracing myself. More reason to train now though!

Playdates are a great idea to overcome fearfulness, so long as the other dogs are gentle and so it creates a positive experience. To expose him to various situations, I started by taking Lucca on quick trips to the local shops, train station, tennis court, friend’s house etc. Then I uped the anti and took Lucca to cafes/shopping centres and let him say hello to other dogs or make him sit calmly when a dog walks by then give him a treat. That way he is exposed to other dogs without necessarily having to engage in play. I’m careful to read Lucca’s body language and only add to the intensity if he is signaling that he is OK with it. Last weekend we went to a local fair and a marching band went by that took him by surprise; he tried hiding between by legs but I just ignored him and acted like it was perfectly normal and he settled down quickly.

I really had to weigh up the risks of disease against making sure that I had a balanced dog and I’ve chosen the latter; I had a dog growing up that was just absolutely afraid of everything and so we couldn’t take her out much, which was really sad.

Sorry for the drivel and again, this is based on my own puppy raising experience. I’m open to suggestions from other dog owners.

[Pretty Miss Emma]

If you are worried about dog interactions start with a really good puppy school and then get going to some sort of training where socialisation can take place appropriately and if you have issues there is someone there who is able to give decent advice.

Toys, does she want to destroy them or does she just want to carry them? I know a lot of goldens that just carry toys around!! My guys love to carry and destroy so I get toys from op shops and $2 shops. My guys love soft toys, just be careful about eyes and things like that. But in terms of what sort of toy to get, I'd say with a puppy get a big variety of different types and let her figure out what she likes best!!! I'd get a nice thick dog rope, something made of rubber, a nylabone, and Kong soft toys are great and there is a variety. I know that's not super useful, but different dogs like different things!!

[Nackers]

Probably should of mentioned I live in a small country town. There isn't much traffic, and the oval is quite a way from any roads.

Floss is still in the 'I want to be near you' phase. I'm taking the opportunity to train her recall. My other dog has a very reliable recall. I'm very confident he wouldn't go anywhere. When I have everyone (daughter, dog and puppy) dogs are on leads and daughter is in her pram, until we get to the oval or playground. The park/playground is fully fenced which is why I go there only when no one else is there. My daughter is nearly 2 and there has only ever been someone else there once! Thank you for the concern though.

Like Luca, I want Floss to be a well adjusted, calm, happy, sociable dog. We are social people, I want floss to be a pleasure to be around, not a pain in the...

There are no training classes- I would of loved to take her to puppy school.

I had a friend come over today with her dog. Floss was pretty nervous to start with but with 10-15 minutes she was fine, running around with friends dog playing. Hopefully if I can keep up the play dates she will be fine.

Thank you all for the toy suggestions so far- loving it! There is going to be one lucky puppy this Christmas! She pretty much just carries them around and will chew them a bit but hasn't wrecked anything yet. She will carry ANYTHING around ????

I just want to give her toys she can play with and chew if she wants to.

[JRG]

Empty plastic bottles are the favourite here -I take off the lid + plastic band round the neck and the labels.

I also find that a tin with the lid firmly on and a couple of pebbles inside is very well received - makes a great noise when the pup runs around with it or plays "football" Only problem is that suitable tins are hard to come by these days but they last a lot longer than plastic!

Edited December 10, 2014 by JRG

[denali]

My dogs love toilet paper rolls and egg cartons hahah Cheap!

more lasting are the komgs and chuckit toys.

[LuccatheLagotto]

My dogs love toilet paper rolls and egg cartons hahah Cheap!

more lasting are the komgs and chuckit toys.

So does Lucca! Though the side effect is that he now loves eating paper.

The council should be paying him for removing paper from the streets…

[The Spotted Devil]

Plastic milk bottles are a definite favourite here. Sometimes I add in some dry food.

My pups also love cardboard boxes. And cats.

[denali]

1418249387[/url]' post='6609344']

1418212079[/url]' post='6609210']

My dogs love toilet paper rolls and egg cartons hahah Cheap!

more lasting are the komgs and chuckit toys.

So does Lucca! Though the side effect is that he now loves eating paper.

The council should be paying him for removing paper from the streets…

[VizslaMomma]

Sorry for the drivel and again, this is based on my own puppy raising experience. I’m open to suggestions from other dog owners.

Dont be sorry!

I loved those suggestions. I think you have one very VERY lucky puppy.

I can implement a few now.

Another toy I have is the clam shell! Actually I have more than one

It can either have water in it for those super hot days.

Or sand, and filled with toys like you describe.

Fun times for puppies

[Stressmagnet]

Second the $12 clamshell idea! Ernie loves his filled with water! Such splash! Such noise! Such mud to be made!

Best toy ever (next to plastic bottles).

[dididog]

Second the $12 clamshell idea! Ernie loves his filled with water! Such splash! Such noise! Such mud to be made!

Best toy ever (next to plastic bottles).

It's weird, Didi will swim out to sea at the beach, run into swimming pools and scale rocky river banks ignoring my pleas after I'd just bathed her all in the name of getting wet and having a splash. The clamshell? Nope. Not going to happen. Flat out refuses and looks even a bit scared of it so it just sits dejectedly in the corner for the time being.

[VizslaMomma]

It's weird, Didi will swim out to sea at the beach, run into swimming pools and scale rocky river banks ignoring my pleas after I'd just bathed her all in the name of getting wet and having a splash. The clamshell? Nope. Not going to happen. Flat out refuses and looks even a bit scared of it so it just sits dejectedly in the corner for the time being.

what about having this filled with sand with hidden treasures?

I had to start Gabor off with that approach.

By end of that first Summer, Gabor took to a water filled clam shell.

:)