Toys for the Large Aggressive Dog
There aren't many dog toys that can stand up to the aggressive chewing behavior of some breeds, especially large dogs. After much testing on our lovely Husky/Retriever, we have found that only a few of the toys that advertise to be good for that type of dog actually are safe.
Bad toys for aggressive chewers:
Huge tennis balls--The fuzz comes off (and is promptly devoured), and strong dogs can make holes in them.
The Jolly Ball ---supposed to be good for large dogs and even horses, was destroyed after only a summer of light use. But it stayed inflated, just as advertised, even after our dog chewed off the handle and started to eat chunks of rubber out of it.
Stuffed animals ---Very bad!! We tried it once, and it only lasted 5 minutes. He ripped it open to get at the squeaker to 'kill' it.
Rope toys--good for flossing the teeth, also flosses the intestines! Also very bad!!
Rawhide bones ---Can cause blockages and vet bills.
Soft frisbees---Just like stuffed animals, don't leave your dog alone with this toy or when you come back, the toy will be ripped to shreds.
Tennis balls with tails ---Yes, they look cool. Dogs love things that look alive. And believe me, to a dog, these look alive. My estimation is that a dog would try to rip the tail off the ball--and would probably suceed. We never tried that one. After the stuffed animal incident (see above), we saw that it would not work for our dog and would just be a waste of money.
Good toys:
Thick rubber Pull toys---not rope. We had one that lasted our dog the first 3 years of his life. Since then we have searched for another to no avail.
Sturdy rubber balls --- For our dog, it required a softball sized ball so he wouldn't swallow it. So it was hard to get a good quality ball of that size. Finally we found a good ball that has holes in the top and bottom. We also use a solid rubber ball that is a bit more dangerous for throwing in the house, but has fared very well, and is nice for outdoors.
The Kong --- This brand of shaped toys you can put kibble or peanut butter in. These stand chewing very well and actually are made for such aggressive dogs.
Nylabones--all types (if right size, of course). These bones aren't cheap, but they last a long time and are safe for dogs to chew on. They are very good for dogs to vent their frustrations on instead of your favorite slippers!
Nylabone flexible rubber frisbee ---Very good. Practically indestructible if used correctly. That means do not let your dog just sit there and chew on it. Remember, it's a two player game!
Always choose wisely according to your dog's size and level of aggressiveness. Have fun with your dog!
Guide created: 12/01/06 (updated 12/29/08)
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