Choose dog toys

Most dogs enjoy playing but make sure that the dog toys you use are safe as well as fun.

Dog toys come in all shapes, sizes, colors and textures. You can choose from novelty, squeaky, chewy and plush, types suitable for throwing, retrieving or tug games, and even 'activity' toys that provide mental stimulation when your pet is left on his own.

1. Always buy toys specifically designed for dogs.

2. Make sure the toy is suitable for the size and strength of your pet. Although some companies indicate this on their packaging you should also use common sense based on your own knowledge of your dog's behavior.

3. Supervise play with those toys that may prove less robust under a determined onslaught (such as squeaky latex or stuffed ones) so that if necessary you can step in and remove it before it has been reduced to small pieces and swallowed.

4. Replace dog toys regularly as they begin to show signs of wear and tear.

5. Balls are hot favorites with many dogs, but can be lethal if too small because they may be swallowed or get wedged in the throat. Select one that is larger than your dog's jaw and can't be compressed down to a size he can swallow; and one which has a rope attached to it will not only be even safer, but enable you to throw it further.

6. Frisbees are another firm favorite and equally good for increasing your dog's activity; but do pick one made from soft materials. It may not go as far or be as controllable, but will be less likely to damage his teeth.

What NOT to use:

•     Children's toys or anything with small pieces that may come apart and be swallowed.
•     Stones.
•     Plastic bottles or yoghurt cartons, as these can splinter in your dog's mouth if chewed.
•     Sticks. If you believe your dog can play safely with them, check out the website at          

       www.stick-to-toys.com for some real-life horror stories.

Playing safely.
Always keep an eye on children when they are playing with your dog, to ensure that neither gets so overexcited that games begin to get out of hand, or the dog starts to become possessive. When throwing toys such as Frisbees, don't toss them so high in the air or behind him that he has to really leap up and twist to catch them, as this can damage his back.

Toys as training aids.
As well as being a fun way of interacting with your dog, toys can make useful training aids, used as a reward for doing something or to help break undesirable patterns of behavior. To be used successfully, you need to ensure that the toy you choose for your dog really does motivate him:

1. Pick out the toy you feel your dog likes best, and put it away out of his sight. Allowing free access to it will reduce its level of appeal and the impact it makes when you want to use it as a reward.

2. When you feel like it, get the toy out and have a short but very exciting game with it round the house or garden.

3. Stop the game while he's still really interested in it - don't play till he's had enough, but leave him wanting more. Put away the toy again and ignore your dog until he settles.

4. The next time you bring out the toy, you should find your dog is much more interested in it