Ideas For Homemade Dog Toys

Buying commercial dog toys can be very expensive at times. You are also not 100% sure if they are safe to your canine pet. Some dog toys contain harmful deadly toxins and chemicals that may be detrimental to your dog's health. Other pet chews and toys also have lead components that can cause vomiting, poor appetite and dog’s diarrhea.
Though dog toys are not a necessity, they can play an important role in sustaining your dog’s agility while training him and boosting his confidence. They can also provide entertainment and keep your dog preoccupied and physically active all day long.
To make sure that the toys you give to your k9 are safe and non-toxic, why not make simple homemade dog toys yourself? Here are a few ideas on how to make dog toys from recyclable materials that can be found in comfort of your home:
Rope Dog ToyTo make this simple homemade dog toy, what you need are old towel or handkerchief and scissors. Cut about 4 inches of strips of towel along the end then bundle the strips together to create a knot. Afterwards, braid your strips together and until 3 inches from the end. Voila, you have a nice little rope dog toy!
Gutless Fleece Dog ToyYou will need 9 feet of rope and a can of 3 tennis balls. Begin by placing one tennis ball in a clamp. With the use of a drill, make a hole through the tennis ball. Next, thread the rope through the holes. Tie a simple knot near the ball. Knot the ends of the rope to avoid fraying. Finally, tie a second knot near the ends of the rope.
Water Bottle Dog ToyMaking this homemade dog toy is so easy. All you need are an empty water bottle and popcorn kernels. The bottle can either be small or large in size. Start by unscrewing the top off the bottle and place about a tablespoon of popcorn kernels inside.
Rope Dog ChewsIf you have old ropes that are not being used, tie several knots at each end to make a homemade dog toy for fetching and chewing.
The abovementioned ideas for homemade dog toys can help you save a great deal of money. Bear in mind, however, that you need to supervise your dog whenever he plays with these homemade dog toys. Check them for any damage to avoid choking or the ingestion of parts.
By: rayter
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
The author is dog trainer connected to a company that offers a wide variety of dog toys, dog leash and dog strollers at affordable prices.

Toy Dogs Are Not a Toy

By Alisa Chagnon
“Toy dogs” have become quite popular in the recent years. One of the main reasons of this type of dog having gained so much popularity is the rise in ownership from famous celebrities. In just speaking of the wonderful Pomeranian, the list of famous Pom owners is quite impressive. Sharon Osbourne, Nicole Richie, Paris Hilton, Hilary Duff, Sandra Bullock and Jessica Alba are just a few. The famous people who own Pomeranians do all have one thing in common besides their pets. They are looked upon as role models for quite a large population of teenagers and adults alike. It is for that reason that one must take a realistic approach to owning a Pomeranian as opposed to only referencing what is shown to us through the media.
In looking at the overwhelming bombardment of images that the media provides to us, these celebrities are often shown with their famous pets. The majority of these pictures and film clips show one very poignant fact. The celebrities are holding their Pomeranians. They are holding these dogs as if the are accessories. The Pomeranians are being held as if they are pocketbooks or an expensive fashion accessory to their outfits. Pomeranian toy dogs are not a toy. What is shown in the media is very misleading as to the proper care that a Pomeranian needs to be a healthy pet.
Grooming, healthcare issues, proper feeding, providing exercise and training are all elements that should be provided when owning a Pomeranian. Only weighing from three to eight pounds, this toy dogs requires extra special care.
Pomeranians are sometimes called "Puffballs with feet" and require careful grooming. Poms do not need as much grooming as some other long haired dogs, however you should brush your Pom two or three times a week. Be prepared to do extra brushing when the dog is shedding. This toy dog's coat should not be brushed when it is dry. It is best to mist the coat with a bit of water first. If you desire, you may add a bit of conditioner to the water, as well. A bristle or a pin brush is recommended for a Pomeranian. All loose hair must be removed or the Pomeranian's may get matts which would then need to be removed by clipping. When brushing your pet, make sure to pay attention to the area behind the ears and the groin area, as these areas are prone to knots and tangles. It is important to lift and part the overcoat and brush the fluffy undercoat, as it will reduce shedding of this toy dog.
Shedding may be a confusing time for Pomeranian owners, if they are not prepared for what may happen. Pomeranians have two coats of hair, an undercoat and a top coat. The undercoat is soft, thick and fluffy. The Pom's overcoat is long, and straight. Pomeranians go through a period which is called "puppies uglies", this stage happens betweeen the ages of five to 6 months. During this time, your pet is going through it's "adolescence". This is a naturally occuring event and is nothing to be alarmed about. When a Pomeranian reaches the approximate age of eight to ten months, it will have grown a beautiful new coat. At the one year mark, Pomeranians have the shed of their first adult coat. Once a Pomeranian reaches adulthood, the details of the shedding process are vastly different, depending if it is a male or female Pomeranian.
With a male, once reaching 18 months of age, the coat will stay relatively the same for it's life. Females are vastly different. Hormonal changes and the change of seasons greatly affect a female Pomeranian's coat. Female Pomeranians will also shed after delivering a litter ( an average size litter is 1 - 3 pups, however it can reach the size of 7) and her coat will regrow back in about six months. She will also shed when she is in season, and also if the dog is under stress .With males and females alike, if the Pomeranian has any anesthetics, it will dramatically affect his/her coat.
Activity is extremely important when owning a Pomeranian. This toy dog requires short walks. You may like the idea of walking your dog for long distances, as this also provides you with a great form of exercise, but it is important to remember that a Pomeranian is too small and fragile for long hikes. It is very important to provide exercise and play, however you must limit this to what amount your Pomeranian can handle. This type of dog does not need very much space to meet their exercise requirements. One to three short walks a day will keep Poms properly exercised. Play time with family and/or other pets will also promote good health. If you take your Pomeranian outside or to a fairly good-sized room in your home, your Pom will be more than happy to play with dog toys. It is best to supply your Pomeranian with a large variety of different toys, so that he/she does not become bored. Pomeranians are known for becoming bored a bit easily.
This is just the tip of the iceberg in learning how to care for a Pomeranian. More information can be found at http://www.petpom.com The most important fact to remember is that despite what we may see in the media, Pomeranians should by no means be a source for attention, used as accessories or bought for the sake of being the “in” thing at the moment. Pomeranians are loving, caring creatures of God, and deserve to be raised and taken care of for what the are: one of the most lovable dogs in the world.Written by Alisa Chagnon, webmaster of http://www.petpom.com Pet Pom is a complete Pomeranian information center regarding Pomeranians. Pet Pom shows stats, bloodlines, training, grooming, proper feeding, training, exercise, alergies, health concerns, signs of a healthy Pom, breeding, how to find a good breeder and a fun page of dog name related interactive sections.

Do Toys Stop Your Pet From Becoming Bored?

By Derek Rogers
No matter which type of pet you own, there will always be a range of toys suitable for them. Cats and dogs in particular have a large number of toys available to them and they are often seen as an essential for any pet owner. However, can toys really stop your pet from becoming bored and do you really need them?
What you need to know about Pet Toys
Pet toys come in all different shapes and sizes and they are designed to be used either by the pet alone or by the owner with the pet. They do stop boredom, although they cannot always be used instead of affection towards your pet.
Basically, your pet needs love and attention every day and they often get that through their owners playing with them. It enables the two of you to bond together and it is fun playing with your pet. You can also give your pet toys when you need to keep them occupied for a while too. However, toys should not replace love and affection and you can only expect your pet to be distracted with toys for a short period of time.
The Different Toys Available
There are so many types of toys available to purchase and it is a good idea to have a variety of toys available for your pet to play with. That way they will not get bored quickly. All pets need toys, even the smallest or the largest ones. Hamsters, gerbils, rats, rabbits, dogs, cats and even large pets such as horses need some form of entertainment! So how do you know what to purchase?
Generally, dogs love a variety of toys such as balls, teddies, rubber toys, and tug of war ropes. If you need to keep them occupied for a while, then you should try the "Kong" range of toys. These are basically solid rubber toys that have a hole in them that you fill with something tasty. Your dog will spend hours trying to lick the treat out of the Kong toy and it will keep them occupied whilst you go out or if you need to leave the room for any reason. Having a small toy box for your dog is definitely a good idea and they can then get their toys whenever they want to.
Cats love toys that they can chase and catch. Wind up mice and balls attached on a string hanging from scratching posts are very popular. You can also purchase fluffy toys and balls. Cats tend to love things that have different textures so it is not surprising to find toys that feel different such as fluffy toys, soft toys, plastic balls and even foil type toys. They also love toys that make a noise so you should keep that in mind when you are choosing the best ones.
Small animals like things that they can climb on. Pet stores do sell a small range of small animal toys and they include ladders, seesaws, and tubes.
Overall, it is important to own pet toys no matter what type of pet you have. It will prevent boredom, although you will still need to shower your pet with love and affection daily to really keep them happy!Derek Rogers is a freelance writer who represents a number of UK businesses. For information on pet supplies, he recommends Seapets, one of the UK's leading suppliers of Pet Toys

Dog Toys – Entertain Your Puppies

By NamSing Then
Buying dog toys is not the hardest of the shopping ventures these days. This is not because they show tantrums like kids when you are buying toys for your kids. Shopping for dog toys has become pretty easy that you can choose and order a toy of your choice over the internet just by a few clicks of the mouse.
The never Ending Types of Dog Toys
If you are a first timer to buy toys for your dog, then you are sure in for a big surprise. Browsing through the variety can be quite time consuming. You can buy the toys based upon their brands and makes, toys by types, breed of your dog and by age of your pet dog etc.
If you are buying by toy types or by any other criteria, the biggest hit with any dog breed is the reusable bones which can be chilled in a deep freezer over and again. These are made from tough plastics in the shape of bones and filled with non toxic water. The next best buy which your best friend is sure to like and play non stop are fetch toys. Unlike the frozen bones, it requires your involvement too, that is when you want to indulge. Or let him play all by himself. Then there are knotty balls, Frisbees that float, or fly which also glow in the dark.
Almost all pups and Pomeranians like playing with Halloween plushes, talking animals which they can relate to. Rubber toys with tongues are a craze with small to smallest dogs.
Exercise Care While Buying Dog Toys
Don’t forget that, buying toys for dogs are no different from buying toys for kids. Both of them are ignorant of dangers of mishandling, the cost of toys or even vulnerability of toys to breakage. It is not enough for dog toys to be entertaining as they like to play around with them comfortably by licking, chewing them hard. So, keep in mind the toxicity, breakability, comfort of handling (bigger the toys harder it will be for dogs to play with them) etc while buying. Durability is another aspect you need to keep in mind as it is likely to get torn out easily than you expected.
Initially dental health toys and then fetch toys may suffice to train them. When it is time for just entertainment, you can look around for household things to use as dog toys. Empty pet jars, pet bottles, cereal boxes which will not stuck his head can be truly useful. Garden hoses cut to one foot will sure find his attention while saving money for you.NamSing Then is a regular article contributor on many topics. Be sure to visit his websites Dog Toys, Unique Dog Toys and More Topics

Toy Dogs for Pet Owners with Allergies

By Michael Russell
People living in small, confined spaces like condominiums or apartments are attracted to toy dogs because of their size. Generally, toy dogs only increase up to 20 times their birth weight. Adult toy dogs only weigh between one and ten kilograms. They typically reach their adult weight and size in a period of eight months. But not all toy dogs are alike. Some are active and require a lot of exercise, some are barkers, some shed more than others and some are not good with other pets. A particular group of people that needs to consider these differences in toy dogs carefully are the allergy sufferers. An allergy should not stop anyone from enjoying the company of a pet dog.
There are no dogs that are "hypoallergenic". But there are breeds that considerably produce less dander, which causes the allergies in pet owners. Among toy dogs, the following breeds are particularly favorable for people with allergies:
The Chinese Crested is known as a hairless dog, but there are actually two varieties, the hairless and the powderpuff. The hairless variety is not completely bald but has hair on the top if its head, feet and tail. The powderpuff has hair that covers its entire body. The hairless is best for people with allergies, but even the powderpuff does not shed much. It also comes in a variety of colors. Its life span is 12 to 15 years, adult weight is 5 to 10 pounds and adult height is 11 to 13 inches.
The Italian Greyhound is a good choice because it is clean and odorless. It is a miniature of the greyhound and is affectionate and makes a good family dog. Its life span is 13 to 15 years, adult weight is 7 to 12 pounds and adult height is 13 to 15 inches.
The Maltese's coat of long, white hair resembles human hair. It requires good grooming, but does not shed much. It is a good family pet, but its size does not make it suitable for rough play. It is gentle and affectionate and is a good pet for the elderly. It makes a good watch dog as well. The Maltese's life span is 12 to 15 years, adult weight is 6 to 8 pounds and adult height is 6 to 8 inches.
The Shih Tzu has hair instead of fur thus making it good for owners with allergies. It is a small but sturdy dog and its gentle and affectionate nature makes it a good choice for children and the elderly. Its long coat requires daily grooming to avoid matting. Its life span ranges from 12 to 14 years, adult weight is 9 to 16 pounds and adult height is 8 to 11 inches.
The Toy Poodle does not shed much. It makes a good watch dog and is a lively companion. It is perfect for apartment or city-dwellers, but hates to be alone. It is an excellent pet for children and the elderly. Its life span is 10 to 14 years, adult weight is 6 to 9 pounds and grows up to 10 inches.Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Dogs

How to Make a Recycled Dog Squeaker Toy For Cheap

By Karen Friesecke
If your dog likes to play with squeaker toys, you know how expensive it can be to buy them. If you're like me, you wait until they go on sale & buy a bunch of them to 'save for a rainy day'. Some dogs are very gentle with their toys & they last forever, while other dogs will demolish a new toy in seconds. Either way, after awhile, you are left with a houseful of broken squeaker toys, gutted of their stuffing. Before you throw them in the garbage, i can give you some tips on how to make those old, broken toys into something new!!
Supplies That You Will Need
Two Old Socks, Old Squeaker Toy, Some kind of Stuffing like Newspaper OR Scraps of Cloth, Scissors, Needle and Thread
Instructions
STEP 1- Cut sock #1 off just below the heel.
STEP 2- Stuff the cut off sock with whatever you choose
STEP 3- Remove the squeaker from the old squeaker toy & insert it into the cut off sock. If you don't want to do this, you can skip the stuffing step & put the entire toy into the sock.
STEP 4- Sew the open end of the sock closed
STEP 5- put in into sock #2
You can play with just the squeaker part by itself OR use is as a tug of war toy by knotting the top of sock #2 closed. Either way, you have a great, cheap dog toy that you made by yourself and with recycled materials, to boot.
Once you get proficient in making this toy, you could make other designs & shapes. Then you could make dog toys for friends who have dogs ,or shelter dogs that might need a toy :)Karen Friesecke is the owner of http://www.doggiestylish.com
She is a dog collar maker & loves writing about all things dog!

Stop Your Dog Getting Possessive With Its Toys

By Richard Cross Terris
Some dogs feel that they have to guard their toys or food, so will get aggressive whenever people or other dogs come near them. This is a natural behaviour as in the wild a dog would have to protect what it had, but is not the sort of behaviour you want your dog to display.
If a dogs possessive nature is not addressed, it can become a serious and even dangerous problem. You need to stamp it out before it gets to this stage. For example if a dog lashes out in warning whenever people come near, it can be dangerous for people who aren't aware of this, especially children.
To make sure your dog doesn't get possessive with its toys, make sure that from a young age it is used to playing with its toys only around other people. Never allow it to take the toy to a place where it is alone, as it is then more likely to think it is his. Also when your dog is young, practice taking the dogs toy away from him. This could be a good time to start to teach the "give" command too, so in later life it knows you can take its toys from it at anytime.
The same problems and techniques also apply to food. You don't want your dog to be aggressive whenever it has food, so always feed your dog in a place people will regularly be so that it doesn't feel the need to protect it.Knowing what your dog is feeling is a vital part of dog training. To receive a free guide to dog body language, please click here.
Richard Cross is owner of the Pets Clinic website. Pets clinic provides health information and advice about all kinds of pets, with new articles added daily.

Toy Dog Breeds: Man's Best Friend

By Lee Dobbins
Dogs are indeed cute and cuddly. They also serve as man's best friends. Nowadays, different dogs are making a scene everywhere. It is even a form of fashion for some celebrities.
A toy dog is actually a petite dog which is quite small when compared to working dogs. It is safe to determine toy dogs by their size although it is quite confusing since there is still no guaranteed facts which state that height and weight is considered in classifying a dog as a toy.
Some of the toy breeds are Pomeranian, Pug, Shih Tzu, Poodle, Papillion and the likes. These toy dogs are beautiful and charming and they also represent an important role in people's lives. Although they are small, they also have the capability to hunt and eliminate pest animals.
Some of these toy dogs also serve as man's guardians. They also bark at people whom they are not familiar with. They can be as tough as the other large dogs.
The most fascinating thing about toys dogs is their affective capability wherein they can fill the needs of sad and lonely individuals and the adults. They are also known for helping those that are in depressed state of mind through manifesting care and of course happiness. They also have impetuous instincts which help in providing all the friendship and as well as affection, and in turn gives new meaning to people's lives.
A legend states that when a noble Aztec was about to die, a Chihuahua is used as a sacrifice to transmigrate the sins of the noble man to the sacrificed dog, which in turn avoids the noble man from divine punishment. The Chinese religion, which is Buddhism, has a lion symbol meaning a sacred nation. They used the Pekinese dog to represent as lions because they have no lions back then and the Pekinese dogs have the closest resemblance to it.
There are lots of breeders of the toy dogs who keep their cute puppies for about ten to twelve weeks old rather selling or distributing them at about eight to nine weeks. They also consider the family before selling it. More often than not, they will not sell it to family with too many kids and even to those who has hyper active child.
Generally, toy dogs are very easy to take care of. There are some who needs heavy grooming such as the Shih-Tzu, Terrier and Pomeranian. The Toy Poodle, Japanese Chin and Toy Spaniel on the other hand require only a moderate grooming. While other toy dogs do not require any grooming at all.
The basic and most important thing to remember is to maintain the long and fine hairs free from tangles to prevent pain and other skin problems that your dog may acquire. You don't want to shell out big bucks of money for veterinary cost in the end, don't you?
The production of toy dogs is by mass production when compared to larger breeds. Some distributors can just put their little Chihuahuas on a shopping cart or chicken cage and they are easy to deliver when compared to the larger ones like the German shepherd. The downside of buying toy dogs in a pet shop is that most often than not they are quite difficult to house train.
There are some toy dog breeds that are crossbred to other breeds to produce a -poo dog breed. So for those consumers who want to buy a purebred toy dogs, beware of such -poo breeds. They look like the other toy dogs but then they differ in attitude sometimes. Some of these -poo dogs are ill-tempered, hyper and yappy.
Is it possible to train the toy dogs with regards to their attitude? Absolutely, yes! The best way to teach your toy dogs with manners is through obedience commands. You should teach your dog on how to obey such as for example, if he is about to do something bad or any inappropriate act, you should reprimand him with a firm NO!
By doing so, you're practicing the dog to acquaint himself from knowing what is okay to do from not. Your “no” should always catch his attention. But then remember also to acknowledge the good things that your toy dog will do. A simple saying of “good boy” with a piece of his favorite snack will do the trick.Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.pomeranian-pages.com where you can learn more about the fabulous toy dog breed - the pomeranian.

Dog Toys - How to Make Your Dog Work For His Food

By Sephy Shake
One of the best ways to keep your dog out of trouble is to provide him with gainful employment. Make your dog work for ALL of his food. Don't just present food to him on a silver dog bowl. Use his daily rations of food for training and handling. If there is food left over, stuff it in toys so that he has to work to get it out. Some interesting ways to make your dog work for his food:Interactive food toys: Some good ones include the Buster Cube, Premier Busy Buddy Collection, and of course Kongs. Frozen Kongs are great for when you have to leave your dog home alone. Put some wet food into a Classic Kong and freeze it. You dog will have fun licking and chewing at it for a long time.Paper food ball: Put food on some paper and bunch up the paper into a ball. Let your dog figure out how to tear the ball open to get at the food. Note: Make sure that your dog does not swallow the paper. If you dog is addicted to eating paper and paper products, then this game is not for you. Once your dog conquers the paper ball, you can push the paper ball into a Holl-ee Roller rubber ball to make things more challenging.Cardboard box: Next time you finish some cereal, keep those nice cereal boxes around. Start by putting some kibble and bits of cheese into the cereal box, and just close the tab. Once your dog figures out that the box can be easily opened by stomping on it, you can increase the difficulty by folding up the top of the box. Tape can also be used but only if your dog does not eat it. When your dog figures out that chewing through the box will get him what he wants, you can put some food in a Holl-ee Roller rubber ball or Kong and put that in the box. Note: Only play this game with your dog if he does not eat the pieces of cardboard.Dr. Noys Toys : These toys have velcro openings to give you access to the squeakers inside the toy. Open up the compartment, take out the squeaker, put some food into the toy, and close the velcro opening. If there is loose stuffing in the toy, remove that too. My dogs have a lot of fun trying to open up the toy. Supervise your dog when he is working on this toys to make sure that he does not swallow pieces of the soft-toy.I-Qube : The I-Qube is made of soft fabric, in the shape of a box. There are openings on each side of the box from which you can insert squeaky balls. My dogs quickly lost interest in getting out the squeaky balls, but they are always very interested in getting food toys out. Put some Kongs, Dr. Noy's toys, or other food toys into the I-Qube to increase the difficulty of the food extraction task. Laundry Basket (or other safe, plastic basket): Get a plastic laundry basket and put some toys and food toys under it. Make sure your dog sees you doing this, then let him figure out how to get at the toys. Make sure the basket has no sharp edges. Also use a basket size that is appropriate for your dog. You may want to start with a smaller basket that is easier to push over or lift up. Once your dog gets some practice, increase the difficulty by increasing the basket size.
Most of all, have fun!Combine different toys together to come up with new ways to challenge your dog. This will exercise your dog mentally and physically, and make him into a smarter, well-behaved canine.
http://www.shibashake.com

Free Dog Toys For Happy Puppies

By Aidan Bindoff
You don't need to spend a fortune to keep your pet entertained. Your dog or puppy will love these dollar saving ideas.
Buy your Peanut Butter in plastic jars instead of glass jars. When you have finished, your dog will have hours of fun cleaning the last smears out of the old jar. Glass jars can potentially break and injure your dog or chip teeth, whereas plastic jars are less risky. Make sure your dog can't get his head or jaw stuck inside the jar, and always supervise. This is a good toy for when you're watching a DVD and can't occupy puppy.
Put food in old toilet rolls or cereal boxes and fold the ends shut. Your dog will have great fun figuring out how to get the food out! He can either destroy the box or tube, or make a hole and shake the food out.
Old plastic (PET) soft drink bottles can also be used as a food dispensing toy. Put some kibble in and leave the lid off. Your dog will have hours of fun batting at the bottle or shaking it with his mouth to get the food out.
Filling empty plastic (PET) soft drink bottles with rice or dried peas can also be fun for dogs who don't mind making a bit of noise. If your dog or puppy has been known to destroy plastic bottles, they are better given as toys only when you can supervise.
10" lengths of garden hose make great chew toys, so long as you are able to teach your dog the difference between the cut-off garden hose and the real garden hose you water your lawn with.
Old catalogues and junk mail will keep a young puppy entertained, shredding and destroying as puppies like to do. Just be careful not to give your pet catalogues that have staples in them. Make it obvious that it's ok to destroy things you give puppy to destroy, but if you catch puppy stealing your newspaper or mail, clap your hands loudly and redirect puppy onto something 'legal' to destroy outside.
I hope you and your dog have fun with these free dog toy ideas!Aidan Bindoff is Editor of http://www.PositivePetzine.com, your helpful online resource for positive dog training and behavior information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aidan_Bindoff

Choosing Safe Dog Toys for Your Small Dog

By Blake Kritzberg
Choosing the appropriate toys will make your small dog's play time richer, while lessening his chance of accidental injury. Safe toys for your small dog can be purchased from pet supply stores or even made from household items, but it's good to keep these few main safety concerns in mind.
Size Matters With Small Dog Toys
In general, small dog toys should never be small enough to fit entirely in your dog's mouth, or be capable of being broken into smaller pieces that can stick in his throat. A dog toy that's too small can easily bounce back in your dog's mouth and obstruct his windpipe, meaning he could suffocate to death if you aren't in the immediate area to intervene! Sadly, this has happened to more than one dog. For that reason, small smooth balls just aren't the best choice for most dogs.
Tennis balls and the larger, hard rubber balls are big enough to stay out of the throats of most small dogs (make sure both kinds of balls are still whole and strong and not cracked). The small pull ropes found in pet aisles are also a good choice of toy for your small dog, unless you find him attempting to eat the rope when you're not busy playing. In that case, small fibers and threads from the rope can get stuck in his throat which again can be dangerous, especially if you're not around to help.
Very high quality, unusual shaped dog toys like Kongs are also a good choice for small dogs. Even much larger dogs find it virtually impossible to chew Kongs into smaller pieces that can lodge in the throat and cause problems, not to mention Kongs can be made infinitely fascinating to your dog by stuffing them with dog treats, peanut butter or frozen beef broth.
Ever thought of getting your small dog a pool? Most dogs love water, and will adore chasing their toys in and out of the pool. For small dogs, however, it's terribly important to make sure they can easily clamber out, even when heavy and wet from the water. Make sure the sides of the pool are low and that your dog's head easily clears the water. Avoid pools entirely for the toy dogs.
Is your small dog a ripper, or does he play nicely with his toys? Dogs that are gentle can play relatively safely with a wide variety of toys, including small plush animals and squeaky toys. Other, more aggressive dogs need to be kept safe from toys with ribbons, "googly eyes," or toys containing a squeaker, which can be chewed loose and pose a danger if swallowed.
Materials Matter For Small Dog Toys
No matter how carefully constructed, most dog toys are capable of splitting or crumbling at some point, and being ingested by your dog. This poses two problems. Most dog toy materials are naturally not meant to be eaten, and some can cause digestive trouble. Worse, if the piece in question is sharp, it can even puncture the dog internally. So it makes sense to select non-toxic small dog toys that don't contain any brittle materials. The safest route is to stick to high quality latex and vinyl toys crafted specifically for use with dogs. The manufacturers of higher-end products, such as Kongs, have gone to great lengths to eliminate these kinds of risks.
No matter what small dog toys you select for your pet, keeping these main safety points in mind should help you choose appropriate toys for your small dog that leave him happy and entertained -- and safe.Blake Kritzberg is editor of FavorIdeas. Stop by for continually-updated celebrity wedding news, remarkable beach wedding favors, exclusive hairstyling articles and gorgeous and unique wedding favors.

Dog Training Accessories - Toys, Tricks and Treats Used to Teach New Behavior

By Dean Forster
Dog training accessories are any toys, tricks or treats used to teach new behavior. Some people are under the misconceived notion that these items are only available at obedience schools or through training classes, but that simply isn't true. A trip to any pet store will reveal a number of training accessories for pet owners to buy and use at home.
The first type of dog training accessories are shock collars and electric shock fences. The collar contains a small transmitter hidden in the fabric and comes with a separate remote control for the owner to use. When the owner notices the dog doing something wrong, a gentle push of the button sends a mild shock to the dog. After several shocks the dog learns to associate the mild pain with the behavior.
An electric shock fence is one type of training accessory for those pets that refuse to stay inside their own yard. Dogs that run and wander aimlessly through the neighborhood can benefit from one of these fences. The shock collar works the same way as the one described previously, but is attached to a remote sensor. When the dog steps outside their designated area, a small shockwave is sent to the collar. Almost immediately your pet learns where it can't go and where it needs to stay.
Dog training accessories also include things that can be used at home without delivering any pain. Those that worry about delivering any pain to their pet can get the same results from a spray bottle of water. One spritz of the water will irritate the dog enough to stop it from snapping or barking loudly. If it is chewing on its skin or licking excessively, the owner can use bitter spray. The nontoxic formula tastes awful and makes the dog associate the taste with their behavior.
Dog training accessories also include positive conditioning items such as treats and toys. These items are highly beneficial when teaching new tricks and commands. The dog learns that when it follows a command, it gets a treat or the chance to play with a new toy. This type of accessory is readily available from any pet store.
There are a number of different dog training accessories out there for pet owners to use at home when teaching and training their dogs. Negative and positive reinforcement quickly teaches what is acceptable behavior and how it should act.Find out more about suitable Dog Training Products and accessories at => http://www.trainingdogschool.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Forster

Making Safe Fetch Toys For Your Dog

By Michael Russell

Playful dogs love to play fetch. Playing "fetch" is an activity that is enjoyed by both the dog and the owner. Also playing "fetch" is an important training event which is a necessary part of teaching the dog to retrieve.
Sticks are the most often used "fetch" item for dog owners. It is common to pick up a stick and throw it for your dog. However a stick is simply too dangerous. Most owners get by with this time after time, but all too often the worst can happen and the stick will penetrate either the dog, or someone nearby. Sticks can be deadly in the mouth of a running dog. They can jam backwards into the mouth or jab into the eyes of nearby dogs or children. Another example of an inappropriate object is a rock, but unbelievably, there are numerous owners who think it is really cute that their dogs pick up rocks and bring them to be thrown. Unfortunately, rocks and the digestive system of the dog simply do not work well together!
It is important that you purchase safe fetch items for your dog. If you don't want to spend the money, you can make good fetch toys, toys such as braided rope items that are too thick or big for the dog to swallow. Individual socks that don't match make wonderful braided ropes, provided that they are tied together into a large enough knot that they can not be swallowed. Another excellent way to make several good throwing toys is to take an old garden hose and cut it into foot long strips. When you are teaching your dog to fetch it is a great training trick to have a whole set of these rubbery "sticks" handy, because you can throw one out and as the dog begins to bring it back to you, you can immediately throw another one...thus he will drop the first one and go after the one that you just threw. This is the first step towards training him to release the object to you.
Often dogs that are oriented to the water need to have "fetch" toys that will float. Here again, a stick is the one most often used and also the most deadly. It is far better to use a regular "bumper" type of toy. If you don't want to spend the money, especially since water toys can often be lost, you can make a much cheaper version. This version is a closed plastic bottle partially filled with water, (to give it enough weight to throw) with a rope tied around the neck. Give a good swing with the rope and you can sail this toy quite a distance out into the water. The toy has much the same action as a bumper toy and is very cheap to make.
Tennis balls are great toys but only for dogs who are small. Bigger dogs have bigger mouths than most folks realize and the tennis ball really can be swallowed or can end up actually choking the dog at the back of the throat. Bigger dogs often get the ball so coated with slime that it becomes really slippery and this will make it even easier to swallow! If you want to use a ball it is better to purchase a larger ball or make a tennis ball that can not be swallowed by putting it into the bottom of a long sock and tying it in place. Having the sock around the ball prevents the slime from building up and also allows for less chance of having it swallowed because of the "tail" of the sock.
Avoiding high vet bills and having fun with your dog with safe fetch toys can both be accomplished. A little imagination and keeping safety in mind can go a long way towards providing a safe play time and/or training time for both you and your dog.Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Dog Training
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Dog Toys - Options You and Your Pet Will Love

By Johnathan Livingston
It has been said that a tired dog is a happy one. That may be true. However, it is certainly true that a tired dog has a happy owner. Dog toys and play serve a valuable function for you and your pet-besides wearing him out and keeping him out of trouble, toys can stimulate his mind.
Boredom is often the cause of a lot of bad behavior with dogs, such as chewing furniture, digging holes, or constant barking. Pet Toys, by alleviating the boredom, may help alleviate the problem.
Dog Psychology and Dog Toys
One thing you have to know about pets is that they like to work. They like also like to play. Most of all, they like to be involved. They also need exercise every single day.
Dogs are pack animals and need structure and interactions. For a pet dog, that means you are the pack. You need to do more than just feed and water your dog. You need to care for his mental health. And there's more to that than locking Fido out in the yard with chew toys.
Somewhere out there are pet toys that are right for you and your pup. Below are a number of options for toys that will improve indoor playtime beyond the simple and rather repetitive games like fetch and tug of war.
Hide and Seek Dog Toys
Hide and seek dog toys, usually featuring a cute yet hunt-able animal in effigy, are a good choice to amuse your dog (and yourself). The concept is simple-the plush toy stuffed squirrel hides in a plush toy tree trunk. You get your pet excited about digging it out of its hiding place.
If your dog has the habit of destroying his toys, this may be a perfect toy for him. He can dig the stuffed toys out of the base repeatedly rather than dig the stuffing out of a traditional stuffed animal. These toys have built in squeakers, making it easy to get your dog worked up about finding the toys.
These are great toys for smaller dogs (under forty pounds), especially terriers. Terriers, named for their digging, will love digging the toys out. These dog toys will also make your dog smarter by encouraging him to figure out how to get the dog toys out of their hiding place.
Hidden Egg Dog Toys
Alternatively, there are pet toys available with squeaky eggs in their stomach. They operate on the same principle; your pet practices gutting his prey, and his prey-your pet toys-live to be gutted another day.
Dog Toys with Treats in Them
Most pets love those old standards, chew toys. Many pups are quite content to gnaw their chew toys to oblivion, but most need more mental stimulation, at least some of the time.
Toys with treats in them give your pet a challenging puzzle to solve, that presses their instinctual buttons and rewards them at the end with a dog treat. An example is a plastic cube with treats inside which the dog must find a way to get out of the cube. The cube is also adjustable, so as your dog figures out how to get the treats out, you can make it harder so he won't get bored.
Another example of this type of dog toys is a rubber ball that helps clean your pet's teeth when he plays with it. Your dog bites the slits in the ball. His teeth sink into the grooves. The grooves stimulate the gums and clean the teeth, and dispense treats or kibble for your pet. These chew toys come in various sizes for different sizes of canines, but also come in different degrees of toughness so you can adjust for the destructiveness of your dog's chewing ability.
Dog Toys Stimulate Your pet's Mind As Well As His Teeth
These toys all have one trait in common: they can reward your dog as the task is completed. This provides mentally stimulating play for your dog, which can help keep them from being bored, and a contented, tired pet is less likely to destroy everything you own by chewing it.Make sure you select the right Dog Toys for your pet. You will find a large selection of Dog Products and articles at Dog House Market Everything you will ever need for your pet.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Johnathan_Livingston

Wholesale Dog Toys

By Josh Riverside
Your pet dog probably gets bored easily and needs dog toys to pass the time away. Instead of letting the “the little darling” rip the throw pillows you have on the couch or nibble on the furniture, buy lots of dog toys instead. The market provides a myriad of dog toy options to choose from. Wholesale dog toys vary in kinds, product line, shapes and sizes, and your dog will love them all!
Dogs are like children – they play a lot! They always expect you or your children to play with them as well. If you cannot fully attend to your pets all of the time, then give them quality dog toys.
Buying dog toys at wholesale prices gives huge discounts and a whole lot of toys. If you buy dog toys in bulk and stock your dog will never run out of playthings. Purchasing dog toys in large volumes will enable you to share some of the toys to the pets of your relatives and friends. They do make great gifts.
If your pet dog is an expert at destroying dog toys, keeping a stock will save you the worry of buying a toy every time you turn around. A dog with no toys will surely turn its attention back to your expensive shoes, slippers, bags, and furniture.
You should also buy wholesale dog toys if your pet is teething. Chewing and nipping is one of their unstoppable addictions. There are great, top-notch and durable dog toys that you can purchase at wholesale prices. If you want a breakdown of the wholesale price of dog toys, you can start your search online.
Take your pick from a line of hard and soft rubber balls, dental health toys, rope, fetch toys, talking toys, rubber rings, puffy and furry dog toys. Whether they are stuffed or made up of latex, vinyl, nylon, or rubber, what matters most is their durability and safety.Dog Toys provides detailed information on Dog Toys, Wholesale Dog Toys, Dog Chew Toys, Plush Dog Toys and more. Dog Toys is affiliated with Homemade Dog Treats.
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Dog Toys For Large Dogs and Aggressive Chewers

By Eric Gehler
Many people assume that just because a dog toy was purchased from a pet store, it is automatically safe for their dog. But this is not the case, as several toys are made for dogs of certain sizes and with certain play/chewing styles, and some toys can be dangerous for dogs if they are not properly supervised.
Large dogs or dogs that chew aggressively both have very specific needs when it comes to dog toys. Large dogs should always be given toys that are made for large dogs, because the smaller toys could become choking hazards.
Similarly, aggressive chewers (especially large aggressive chewers) can suffer from a whole host of issues with improperly selected toys. Any plastic, hollow squeaker toy is automatically out without proper supervision, because these toys can cause choking and vomiting if swallowed, and aggressive chewers tend to easily rip pieces of plastic from these toys apart. Also, furry toys, like stuffed animals, are also at risk of being ripped and eaten, and so should be purchased with extreme caution.
Still, for these two types of dogs, there are still several toy options. First, all of these toys are still made for dogs, and so if you do have time to properly supervise your dog, each is a nice gift. But for those that like to leave toys with their dogs, large ropes make great chew toys. They also clean teeth, and are less likely to be ripped apart, making them ideal for the aggressive chewing dogs.
Large dogs can still enjoy most any toy, as most dog toy makers do have "large breed" versions of all of their toys, you simply have to find them.
Also, brands like Kong use thick rubber which is more durable than traditional thin plastic dog toys, so these toys can stand up to even the roughest chewers. Hard rubber toys are ideal for any dog that seems to be destroying its toys faster than you can purchase them.
Finally, any toy that a dog needs to "solve" - for example, a large plastic dome with treats inside that a dog needs to paw around with in order to receive the treats - is a great toy for active dogs (but not for dogs that are easily frustrated). Any large plastic dome toy should still be watched at first, however, because dogs that like to "kill" their toys (shake their toys violently back and forth) may try to do so with their heavy plastic toy, causing untold amount of damage.
Dog toy manufacturers have done a much better job of creating toys for larger dogs and aggressive chewers. Still, it is a good idea to consider each toy carefully before handing it over to your dog, and supervising your dog for a while to ensure it is using the toy correctly.Healthy Dogs enjoy Dog Treats and Bully Sticks from http://www.bestbullysticks.com/
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Toxic Dog Toys

By Teri Salvador
The list seems to be expanding of products allowed into North America that are have been laboratory tested to be extremely toxic, therefore dangerous to children and pets.
Someone said a month ago that the pet food announcements of March, 2007 were just the tip of the iceberg and I would say that person was aware of the lack of safety protocols in China. Expert analysis conducted by Expertox a company in Texas established in 1996 that have over fifty years of environmental assessments tested pet toys sold in Walmart.
Expertox claims the results show these pet toy products contain elevated levels of deadly toxins. You have to wonder why Mattel recalled millions of its toys for children that contained lead paint made in China and still we are selling toxic toys for pets. One can assume that the levels of lead are not safe for children but are safe for our family pets. Of course, two Veterinarians dispute the findings from the Texas lab claiming these levels pose no real threat to cats and dogs. I wonder whether the veterinarians had fifty years of environmental safety assessments and where they received this education. Veterinarians really should stick to what they do best, and that is to try to help pets live a longer healthy life not a quick death.
Just as children put toys in their mouths, dogs and cats also play in this manner and that is how the chemicals are ingested into the bloodstream through their saliva. In doing this, the pet is exposed to heavy metal toxins that can cause death and is harmful to dog health.
The tests also revealed high levels of arsenic, mercury, cadmium as well as lead, so it is a combo platter of lethal chemicals.
CAT TOYS CONTAINING CADMIUM:
We are all familiar with those cloth cat toys that contain catnip, which they found high levels of cadmium. In addition, a plastic toy for cats that looks like a dumbbell also was found to be tainted.
DOG TOYS CONTAINING CADMIUM:
A Walmart toy made of cloth that looks like a hedgehog contained high levels of cadmium. These are sold almost everywhere today besides Walmart, and Petsmart even the Dollar Stores are filled with these products on every street corner.
If you were to import any products to Europe, you would have to do your research and prove your products meet the ROHS Directives set out by the EU legislation. These directives called "Restriction of Hazardous Substances", set very high standards for Mercury, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium and Bromine Flame Retardants. You would have to demonstrate that you have complied with these strict regulations before your products would be allowed into European countries including detailed product analysis. I doubt whether these products would have met the European Union standards, however they are welcomed into the US and Canada.
Since we cannot rely on importers, our governments should be doing the screening of products before they enter the country not after they are on the shelves. I would think we would be checking for shipments due to terrorist's attacks anyway we might as well inspect how they were manufactured in the country of origin. Companies buying these products from overseas manufacturers could have conducted their own screening, however most are in denial that there is a problem for obvious reasons.
There is a device called XRF Screening, which detects lead in any product and instead of each of us buying one of these - the government should be purchasing such products to protect its own population.
After all, we will be all using hospitals, drugs and medicine to cure our children and pets of lead poisoning and that costs a lot of money. If your dog exhibits these symptoms, please take it to the nearest vet for blood tests and a check up.
Signs of Lead Poisoning:
Vomiting, Poor Appetite, Diarrhea, Lethargy, Abnormal Behavior and eventually Seizures. How common are these symptoms these days?
Drugs are used to "chelate" chemicals like lead or mercury by binding to them and they are excreted out of your pet's system. Lead poisoning may kill your pet so check where your toys came from and then check your dog.
There are also herbs that can detox your pet from harmful chemicals. Chemicals tend to intensify in the liver and gentle herbs can help with cleansing them out of the body. What is Cadmium and why is it so dangerous? Cadmium as defined by the US Department of Agriculture is an extremely toxic chemical found in the industrial paint industry and found in batteries. Cadmium is a known cause of cancer. The lead is in the paint used to coat toys that your dog is putting in its mouth.
On September 11, 2007, China signed an agreement with the US that prohibits them from using lead paint. I do not believe other chemicals were included in this agreement. However, it appears to be a slap on the hand that feeds you. As we have allowed our manufacturing jobs to go overseas, we are paying the price in cheap, dangerous products coming back into our country and killing our kids and pets. The list of contaminated products from China continues to grow, and now includes:
Toys for children
Toys for pets
Pet foods
People foods
Fish
Jewelry
If Beijing is increasing inspections of their own products, when will the US and Canada start inspecting imported products? What is really puzzling is how this invasion of deadly products was allowed to occur because lead paint has been banned since 1978 which is over 30 years ago?
A lady from Illinois was worried about her Shelties playing with these toys she purchased so she hired a lab in Illinois to do testing on 24 dog toy products.
She has lost 3 Sheltie dogs over the past four years and that is a very high number of deaths. Her elderly mother noticed all the dog toys were made in China. The Illinois Department of Agriculture decided they were in the acceptable limits of levels of lead. What is so acceptable about levels of lead? The lab in Illinois found that a tennis ball from Petsmart tested 355 times higher than the amount found in the lab in Texas.
Dr. Ernest Lykissa, a PHD from Expertox in Texas reported that a dog playing with this tennis ball is getting a good dose of lead.
A latex green monster toy tested 907.4 micrograms of lead, that's is almost 1 part per million, a very high content. It also tested at 334.9 micrograms of chromium which is also high.
As an old railroad engineer once said after a major train wreck, " Someone was asleep at the switch".
If you continue to purchase lead tainted toys the imports will continue as well. It would depend on how much you really love your pet.Teri Salvador is a freelance writer with a site concentrating primarily on dog health issues that offers frequently updated articles on natural remedies, pet product reviews and current articles on pet foods. Also added sections on Horses, Cats and Reptiles. Visit: http://www.DogHealth1.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teri_Salvador

Best Toys for Dogs

By: John Williams Dog Training
Dog toys are essential to keep your dog occupied to stop barking problems, boredom issues and through teething times for your dog. Finding a good toy for your dog through these times is essential, leaving your dog with a bad chew toy that they don’t like will leave your dog with no option but to chew something else, there are many chew toys available so the choice is endless.
Dental health for your dog will be greatly improved by chewing toys so it is important to keep your dog interested in the toy choice you give them. Popular toys usually contain something that tastes good, smells good, some light up, and others make noises to keep you dog entertained. If the toy is fun for your dog then you can use it to reward your dog for good behavior or take it from them when they are bad.
Different Dogs enjoy different textures and tastes, you will need to find what your dog likes to chew and try your best to find a similar product but without it being as destructive to your house like their old toy, the table leg, was.
Avoiding tugging toys may be a good idea in some cases, more excited breeds of dog and puppies especially will get the message that tugging is fun for you as well as your dog, thus encouraging him to tug at you trouser legs when they’re in need of attention and curtains when they’re bored. Personally I would avoid theses toys.
When looking for a good toy for your dog, here are some good suggestions:
1. Look for a dog toy with something different like sound, taste, or lights.2. Pick a dog toy that is tough enough to withstand your dogs chewing and biting3. Choose dog toys that you think your dog will enjoy, using experience of what he normally chews is a good idea.
Remember that choosing a dog toy all depends on the dog in question, each dog will have different tastes and experiences of what they enjoy, something as cheap and simple as a tennis ball could be enough to keep your dog occupied for hours on end.
About the Author:
For more information visit our dog training website at this link... Dog Training

Toy Poodles: When Barking Is Too Much

Smallest among other Poodle varieties, Toy Poodles are said to be one of the most trainable breeds. Their sensitive yet pleasant, happy and lively personality is what makes them great household pets. They are eager to please people and good with children as well as other dogs and pets. As mentioned, they are highly trainable dogs because of their remarkable intelligent. A person will definitely enjoy having a Toy Poodle around.
Not all seemingly perfect things are in fact perfect. Toy Poodles have their own share of the so-called downside. An untrained Toy Poodle may tend to bark a lot. Barking is a natural behavior of dogs. It is their way of warning their masters of what they perceive as danger. As natural watchdogs, it is expected that they will be barking at some things from time to time. However, barking is not normal anymore when your pet is barking too much, too loudly or at wrong times that it annoys your neighbor living across your house.
The first step to address this problem is to determine what triggers them to bark too much or too loudly. One major reason for this behavior is improper confinement. Leaving a dog alone in a locked room especially without toys, leaving a dog in a dog crate for too long or enclosing a dog in an area unprotected from elements are some examples of improper confinement. A responsible dog owner should know these things. Problems such as loneliness, boredom, fear, playfulness and even separation anxiety can also cause excessive barking.
Keep an eye on your dog's barking. What time of the day or season of the year does the problem takes place? Is it raining or are there thunder and lightning? Are you in the car to see the vet? Is there any strange person or thing or other animal? Has your dog been barking since it was a puppy? Does the barking took place when you're not around and he is left alone in a locked room? These are just some of the questions you need to ask to determine the underlying factors of this dilemma.
If found out that the reason is improper confinement or inappropriate shelter, provide a comfortable place for your dog. It is important that this place can provide warmth during winter and keeps him cool during summer. If this behavior occurs only when you are away, teach your dog to stay home alone. Try to leave the radio on and leave lots of interesting toys to keep his intelligent mind working. Take time to play or walk with your dog. This will relax tense muscles at the same time give your dog something else to think about.
By: Richard Cussons
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Richard Cussons knows a lot about Toy Poodles. Check out this site to discover useful Toy Poodle training tips.

Top 10 Toy Dog Breeds For 2007

Everywhere I look it seems that I see someone with one of those Paris Hilton toy dogs. It's not just celebrities carrying around these cute little dogs but even our neighbors are accessorizing their look with toy dogs. Can they really be that popular? You betcha, the American Kennel Club recognizes 21 breeds in their toy group and the top 36 ranked breeds for 2007 contains 10 toy breeds. That double what their fair share should be considering the size of the toy group is only 21 breeds. Based on that list which 10 breeds ranked the highest in 2007?

1. Yorkshire Terriers 
2. Poodles 
3. Shih Tzu 
4. Chihuahuas
5. Pomeranians
6. Pugs
7. Maltese
8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
9. Miniature Pinschers
10. Papillons


If you want to join the ranks of the fashionable dog carrying crowd this is the list you want. If you're someone that wants a rarer breed then you're better off looking at Otterhounds which came in at 154 on the AKC's list. If you were tired of all the yapping there doesn't appear to be any relief in sight because the toy dog group seems to be growing in popularity.

By: Caitlin Tomas

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com


Tink's Dog Boutique specializes in outfitting your toy dog. www.tinks-dog-boutique.com. If you need dog training info please visit www.dog-x-training.com