photo by tripletstate, Flickr

Dogs are super intelligent creatures, and because they are so intelligent they require mental stimulation.  Toys will provide stimulation, but those toys also need to be safe for your dog.  Some toys are made for the dog to play with alone, and others require the aid of their human.  Occasionally dogs suffer from separation anxiety when you leave, so sometimes their toys can assuage them and help pass the time.

As mentioned above, a dog’s toys need to be safe for him to play with. Dog toys need to be purchased that do not have small parts for them to choke on. Also you should be sure and purchase toys that do not contain poisonous contents should your dog play too rough with the toy and burst it open. Stuffed toys, for instance, may pose untold dangers unless pointedly made for dogs.

Among the safer toys are toys designed for chewing that even cleanse their teeth as they chew.  Also there are rawhide bones, pig’s ears, rubber balls, and hundreds of other varieties.  It can be confusing, but pet shops usually have highly qualified help who will point you in the right direction for your breed and size of your dog.

Most pet shops, unless they do not have a separate entrance, will even allow your pet to come with you inside the store as you choose toys! It can be a blast to acquire toys for your dog that he has chosen for himself.  Dogs inside such stores are like children and they love to rush about from one side of the store to the next finding the “perfect” toy for their size and temperament.

Younger energetic dogs need toys that can take a lot of hard abuse.  The rigid hard rubber toys such as balls and those shaped like bones will please the most destructive of canine. Nylon bones will allow your pet to entertain itself for hours on end.  Older dogs tend to play for fifteen or so minutes then curl up for a well-deserved canine nap. Some toys are even filled with treats that keep your dog working industriously to attain the treat.

Some dogs thrive on playing tug-o-war with their humans and thus rope figure-eight shapes will lend both you and your canine pal loads of fun.  If your canine friend loves the water, there are toys made that float and are especially made for dogs as they are nearly indestructible.  Who knows, perhaps you’ll even land on one of those TV shows that portray dogs diving great distances into water to retrieve a toy you’ve thrown for him to fetch.

Small tiny dogs, such as miniature poodles and Chihuahuas seem to relish large balls that they can push around at great speed.  Many dogs enjoy pushing them under furniture and wedging them so that they need to get around the ball to push it back out.  Again, keep in mind that dogs are highly intelligent creatures, and thus dog toys need to stimulate their intelligence and most importantly be safe for them to play with.

photo by Miss Chien, Flickr

Undoubtedly a barking dog is one of the most irritating factors to not only the pet owner but also to those who live around such a pet.  Excessive barking without reason such as when a perceived threat is missing may cause the dog to become a “chronic” barker much to the consternation and dismay of the pet owner who begins to receive calls from the neighbors about their unruly pet.

The impressionable puppy

Because a dog may have learned as a young pup that its owners were pleased when the dog barked at either a doorbell or some alleged threat, it may continue to do so well into adulthood even when the “threatening” components are missing.  Because doggy rationale is barking equals welcome attention from humans, its barking is frequently difficult to “cure” once the habit is ingrained.

Why your dog barks

Various possible reasons dogs bark are the lonely dog, the provoked dog, and the chance that they are suffering from a physical illness or pain and separation anxiety. Of course, you will first rule out the extraneous reasons for barking, and then you can commence to train the dog.

The possible solution

The following method is highly regarded:  When a puppy barks at a perceived threat, praise the puppy but after a few barks clap your hands loudly and add a loud  “Stop!” or “Enough!”  Or a horn can sound after the first barks, also using a “Quiet” or some such command.

Water guns

Water guns or squirt bottles are also highly recommended.  They will definitely get the dog’s attention and combined with the sound of your displeasure using the stop, enough or quiet commands this method can be efficaciously utilized.

Playing with toys

If the reason for the dog barking is that it is bored, giving the canine a number of toys may be enough to cure the barking.  Make sure that you, at first play with the animal so that it senses that these items it’s being presented with are in actuality toys and not your personal items.

Another possibility

A dog that is tired, yet relaxed, will take to learning better when taught how to stay quiet, therefore play with your dog as part of the training to cease barking.

Consistency is the key

Be sure and give the dog the same reaction to excessive barking and reward the dog for good behavior.  Yelling or belittling the dog without consistency will only lead to a confused dog that will probably bark even more due to the confusion.  Be sure and also praise the dog when it is quiet.  Dogs are extremely intelligent and soon your dog will be well mannered and will restrain excessive barking just to please you.