Bad Dog Toys and Games

It is important to make responsible decisions when it comes to selecting dog toys for your dog or puppy. Often times pet owners choose a toy they think their dog will love only to find out later that the dog toy actually brings out unwanted behaviors in their pet.

It is best to avoid dog toys that promote or encourage negative behavior in your dog. Examples of negative behavior include biting, chewing, shredding and excessive barking. Types of dog toys that would bring about these behaviors in a dog or puppy are ones made of from real animals, such as pig’s ears, bones from the butcher, rawhides and stuffed dolls made from real fur. These toys tend to bring out the dog’s natural instincts, causing the dog to “instinctively” have the desire to guard, protect, bury and dig for the object.

There are dog toys that are also physically unsafe for your dog. Stay away from dog toys and bones that may splinter, causing injury to your dog’s teeth and gums. Splinters can also become a choking hazard, and even worse, damage the dog’s intestines.

Another type of toy to watch out for is the stuffed doll that contains the squeaker inside. Advertisements will claim that it is indestructible, but you can guarantee certain breeds of dogs will tear it out within minutes! Once the plastic squeaker is removed, there is a chance the dog will swallow the plastic pieces, or worse, the entire squeaker. High quality toys that are tear and puncture resistant, as well as non-toxic, are the best bet to guarantee a safe and happy pooch.

Avoid games such as wrestling and tug of war. These types of games are based on domination and often lead to aggressiveness and sometimes, biting. Tug of war inadvertently teaches aggression, and most times the dog refuses to give the toy back to its owner.

The game of tug of war is also a test of dominance because the game usually ends with the dog holding the toy. Ultimately the dog “wins” the game and the owner “loses” the game. Games that encourage the dog to growl and fight are confusing for the dog- the dog does not understand that sometimes it is ok for him to playfight and sometimes it’s not.

When playing with your dog, remember that toys and games that involve a lot of jumping, running screaming, teasing and games of chase and “keep away” tend to result in the owner or, in most cases, a child, getting injured. A game of chase and keep away may start out fun for everyone, especially your dog, but it usually tends to get out of control. Although entertaining for the dog, this type of play promotes negative interactions between humans and the dog.

It is certainly the responsibility of the owner to teach the dog how to play and interact in a positive manner.

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