Interactive toys for dogs

It is a well-known fact that every dog likes to play. However, not all dog owners use the option of interactive toys. These toys, in addition to being fun and an outlet for energy, also offer the possibility of development. They have a positive effect on mental abilities and stimulate the dog’s natural instincts. Furthermore, interactive toys may relieve dogs of the anxiety they may feel in some cases. But, how to choose the right interactive toy and what are the best ones on the market?

Basic selection rules

As already mentioned, interactive toys offer a great way of developing your dog’s mental abilities, while entertaining him and teaching him something new. Some of the toys may also involve food, teaching the dog to eat slower. If you decide to buy your dog an interactive toy, you should remember some basic rules:

 

1. Make sure that the toys you buy are safe and of high quality.

2. Interactive toys should be highly durable. The dog will chew on most of them, so they should be made of appropriate materials.

3. If you decide to buy a toy in which food can be put, remember that its main purpose is to teach the dog to eat more slowly and in smaller quantities. Such toys are therefore suitable for dogs that tend to devour their food and eat large amounts of food at once.

 

Treat toys

The most popular toys are those that hide food or treats in them. These may, for example, include balls with holes with treats. The dog then has to find a way of getting into the holes and get the treat. Another popular variant are puzzles with different buttons, holes and more, where the dog has to navigate himself through them. This type of toy has a very positive effect on the development of the dog’s motor skills and mental abilities.

 

Development of the senses

If you want to develop your dog intensively, you can choose toys that will act on its senses. These are objects that make different sounds or colors and stimulate the reception of such stimuli. There are also toys on the market that can be controlled remotely using a smartphone. So, if you know you are going to stay at work a bit longer, you can entertain your dog at home this way.

 

Toys do not substitute personal contact

Interactive toys are great tools, especially in that they help with the dog’s development, keeping him alert, warding off boredom and helping when you are not around. On the other hand, they cannot transmit your touch and love and do not substitute regular activities outdoors. Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that these tools cannot be relied on in all cases. Even if the dog had the largest number of toys at his disposal, he would still be most eager for contact with his owner, for a long walk, playing and cuddling topped off by a treat.

Related articles

Czech wolf in danger

People often confuse the grey wolf with the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog. This shepherd’s and today a very popular breed was bred from the German Shepherd by crossbreeding with the Carpathian wolf.  Even though the dog and the wolf are very similar in...

Cloning pets is “normal” abroad

The cloning of dogs or cats is slowly becoming a completely normal reality. For now, you can encounter it mostly in Asian countries. It’s the companies in South Korea that are most famous for their business plans focusing on the grieving dog and cat...

What it means to care for a cat?

Getting a cat doesn’t mean only buying a cat toilet, bowls, a bed and a couple of toys. You also have to realise that the animal will also need certain care and count with this already before getting it. Each breed has its own specifics. While some are...

Getting a dog through a classified ad

The desire for your own dog friend can also lead to a great disappointment. Since a lot of people fall for scammers when buying through an ad. Getting a dog this way is a risk not only from the money point of view, but also with respect to the mental...

Dogtrekking in winter

For the majority of dog breeders, winter is the period that has to be waited out somehow. But this time of year provides ideal conditions for the musher sport. And if you found pleasure in summer trainings with the dog, don’t hang the dog harness on an...

The world of pets as a profitable business

Most owners consider pets kept at home to be full-fledged family members. And year after year, they invest more and more money in them. Just for dog and cat food, Czechs spend around eight billion crowns a year. The business around pets is experiencing...