Go to any doggy supermarket these days, and you’ll see mountains of toys, leashes, and supplies. The selection seems endless. Are you a poor parent if you don’t sink a small fortune into fancy treats and foods? Of course not. Does it matter which items you choose? Absolutely. For doggy happiness, safety, and training, you only need a few basics:
A quality collar and leash – A flat collar with a buckle or snap is the safest and best for most dogs. The collar can have a “martingale” loop on it that tightens only enough to be snug on your dog’s neck. This is enough for good control. Prong, pinch and slip collars have been shown to be harmful to dogs’ necks because they put too much pressure on delicate vertebrae and tracheas. A sturdy, 6-foot leash made of woven nylon or leather is a basic requirement. Very long leashes (“long lines”) can help if you want to give your dog more freedom while training or playing games with him in an unfenced area. Avoid using retractable leashes, which can snap, become tangled around human legs or other dogs, and trip or seriously injure you or your dog. They also encourage pulling and ignoring you.
A well-fitting harness – A harness can be very helpful when your dog is large, pulls a lot, or is just learning to walk on a loose leash. Choose a harness that is sturdy, with a leash attachment in front – at your dog’s chest. This kind of harness discourages pulling and gives you better control and balance on walks. All harnesses require proper fitting and need to be introduced gently to your dog. Remember to remove the harness in the house – to avoid chewing – and before play – to keep your dog from getting caught on something and injured.
A sturdy crate – Choose your crate based on the future adult size of your dog. Whether you select a wire or plastic model, look for solid construction. Make sure there is a solid floor, or a tray insert, to protect sensitive paws. Check that the locking mechanism is smooth and secure. If you adopt a small puppy, you can put a cardboard box in half of the crate until he gets larger. That will help to prevent potty accidents – if you remember to take him outside regularly. If your dog is large or very strong, you can reinforce the corners of a wire crate with zip ties (please cut the excess off each tie to prevent injury or ingestion). Remember: you need to train your dog to feel comfortable in a crate before locking him in. Need help to crate-train your dog? Contact us: info@spry.dog
A clicker and supply of delicious treats – A box or button-style clicker can “up” your training game. You use it to “mark” a behavior – that is, to tell your dog that you like something he is doing.
- He does something that you like.
- You mark with one CLICK.
- You give him one delicious treat.
You don’t need expensive treats, or large ones. But they should be soft and chewy – something your dog loves. Tiny bits of hot dog, chicken, or string cheese work great. Treats should be small – the size of a pea – to avoid over-feeding. Using treats to reinforce good behavior provides quick and long-lasting results.
A few great toys – Your dog doesn’t need many toys to have fun. A tennis ball, a well-made chew toy, and possibly a Frisbee are all many dogs require. Some dogs know how to play with toys, but most need to be taught.
What to choose? Think about what your dog likes to do:
- DO choose toys that don’t have sharp or breakable parts, and avoid flimsy ones, even if they’re on sale.
- DO consider your dog’s size and habits. Large breeds and heavy chewers need sturdy toys meant for heavy use.
- DO consider his age. Puppies and adolescent dogs need toys to chew because they are setting their adult teeth.
- DO consider your dog’s opinions. Some dogs love toys with squeakers and have great fun dismantling them. Others like to tug. Still others love to carry a “stuffie” around the house.
- DO check your dog’s toys frequently, and replace ones that are damaged.
- DO keep your dog interested in his toys by rotating them each week. Your pup only needs to have one or two available at a time. This can really help your budget.
An assortment of food puzzles – There are many toys that can dispense food and provide your dog with mental stimulation. They keep your dog having fun while he works for his meal or treats – an instinct. It’s great to have a range of puzzles to keep things interesting to your dog.
- They can be toys your dog has to figure out like games and snuffle mats.
- They can be simple cups that you can stuff with different foods.
- A snuffle mat can give your dog long-lasting fun when you want him to be calmer.
- You can even make a great toy out of an old muffin tin – just hide some treats in 2 or 3 of the cups and cover all the cups with tennis balls. Let your dog figure out where the treats are!
Some popular toys that stand up to rugged use are Starmark (Chew BallTM, Bob-a-LotTM, Pickle PocketTM), Kong® chew toys and West Paw Toppl® Treat toys. These can be filled with canned dog food, peanut butter, plain yogurt, cream cheese, applesauce, or a combination – and frozen for long-lasting fun.
Grooming tools – It’s a good idea to have a set of high quality, basic grooming tools on hand, even if you take your dog to the groomer regularly. Depending on your dog’s coat, you might choose a comb, a pin brush with rounded pin tips, or a slicker brush. It’s also helpful to have toenail clippers or a gentle rotary sander (such as a Dremel), canine ear cleaner, vet-approved toothpaste and a toothbrush. Your vet and groomer can tell you more about what to keep on hand. We can help you teach your dog to feel comfortable with these items. Ask us!
For more information on these topics, contact us: info@spry.dog
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