Let’s face it: people love their pets. So we went in search of
toys that make dogs
– and their humans – happy. Here’s what locals say are some of
the best
Whether they squeak, bounce, float or just make for good chewin’, dog toys are ever-present staples in many South Valley homes. They keep our furry companions company while we’re out, they make the quality time we spend with our dogs more interactive and fun, and you achieve instant hero status as your dog looks up at you with those adoring, liquid eyes when you bring a new toy home.
Without further adieu, here are some of the most popular pooch playthings, as selected by local dog owners.
“Corky loves these things called ‘Flail a Fowl’ or ‘Chuck a Duck.’ They have other kinds, too, but it’s basically a circular rope with material in the middle, and it has pictures of ducks or chickens or whatever on them. But, they’re light so they go a long way when you throw them, and they’re soft, so they don’t hurt his teeth, and he really likes chewing on the rope part.”
-Chris Wood, Hollister, owner of Corky, a miniature Australian shepherd
“Nylabones are popular, and so are the toys you can fill with treats, because they keep the dogs entertained for quite a while. Kongs also are a pretty popular choice.”
-Heather Dunmire, a manager at the Gilroy PetsMart
“They chew up toys really fast, so they’ve got to be pretty sturdy. They like colored balls and just about anything that squeaks. My brother-in-law bought them a rope toy, and they like to play tug-of-war with each other, too.”
-Mark Duroy, Morgan Hill, owner of Buster and Lucky, Boston terriers
South San Jose resident Peter Sakai, brought his 6-month-old miniature Australian shepherd, Lucky, to Morgan Hill’s dog park where there’s plenty of room to play with the Soft Bite Floppy Disc for dogs. The Soft Bite is like a Frisbee, only it’s made of nylon with padded edges, making it float better and easier on a dog’s mouth when it catches the disc.
“Cali will destroy anything you give her – even the toys that say they’re unbreakable. She’ll break it. But, she loves toys that squeak and anything she can chew on.”
-Lesley Mayhorn of Morgan Hill, owner of Cali, a lab mix
“He likes dog toys, stuffed animals, cat toys, he even likes baby toys. I bought him this baby toy with a mirror on it that you lay flat on the ground. He loves looking at himself in the mirror.”
-Rosanne Sybold of Morgan Hill, owner of Sparky, a shitzu/poodle mix
“We have this thing called Chuckit! that’s great. It’s like a plastic arm that you use to throw a ball, so the ball goes further, but the best thing is you don’t have to touch the ball to pick it up again. You can use the Chuckit! to pick up the ball so your hand doesn’t get covered in drool and dirt and all that stuff.”
-Sarah Burns of Morgan Hill, owner of Sookie, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel
One of PetsMart’s most popular toys is called a “BoBo,” which is a long, plush toy in bright colors that looks like an extended wiener dog. It was featured in a PetsMart commercial, and people have been coming in asking for them ever since. Morgan Hill resident Maggie Alexander said her cockapoo, Salem, loves the smaller sized “BoBo” and she makes sure she has one at home at all times.
Tough Toys
So, you just went out and bought that cute little squeaker toy, brought it home to Fido and … it was destroyed in 2.6 seconds flat. Fido is what’s referred to in the biz as an “aggressive chewer.” Fortunately for you – and your wallet – there are toys out there made especially for dogs like Fido.
-Thick N Chewy Rolls: These are particularly thick and therefore last a long time. The rolls don’t have knots that break off, making them safer than other chew toys, and they are low in fat and high in protein.
-Compressed Rawhide: These are made from layers of beef hide and formed under extreme pressure so the bone is especially dense, and therefore last a long time.
-Beef Bones: These natural beef bones do not splinter, even under after harsh chewing.
-Nylabone Super Tuffs: Not only are these toys tough, they feature raised bumps to massage gums and help remove dental plaque from teeth.
Source: www.dog.com, a dog product Web site.
