Fetch toys
Fetch toys are a great means to ensure your dog stays physically active. They provide good exercise and also serve as beneficial training tools, teaching dogs how to retrieve objects. The most popular fetch toy has been the humble stick, and it can be quite dangerous. There are risks of either the owner/trainer or the dog getting hurt. Buying a safe fetch toy for a dog is hence far better, and choices range from thickly braided or knotted ropes to foot long, soft rubber tubes. Also available are fetch toys that float. These should be firm, have rounded corners/edges, and be solid rather than air pumped. Tennis balls also make for good fetch toys, but not for the adults or larger breeds, since there have been instances where some pets have choked on these balls. Thus, larger balls are better alternatives- especially the ones with a thick and rough cotton cover. Though these are more prone to gathering dirt, there is a lesser likelihood of them being swallowed. A sock wrapped around a ball is also a feasible option, since the tail of the sock makes swallowing difficult. The following fetch toys deserve a mention due to their hygiene, safety and durability: i. Canine Hardware’s Ultra Ball- Available in packs of two. ii. Ruff Dawg’s K9 Flyer- A 6.5" diameter rubber Frisbee. iii. Kong’s Ultra King Ukk- Made of highly resilient, durable, non-toxic, non-abrasive and non-splintering black rubber to ensure utmost safety; can be stuffed with treats to make things more exciting for your pet. iv. Proball’s Go Frrrr Ball- A ball with a tail! v. Otis And Claude Bettie’s Slobber and Spice- Has a unique, erratic bounce suitable for water games. Its three-pronged shape makes the fetch toy apt for tug-of-war as well, and its hollow legs can be stuffed with treats. Fetch Toys One of the favorite activities to partake in with your dog is a good game of fetch where he hopefully brings the toy back! There are lots of toys that can be used for a game of fetch, and balls often become the most commonly used ones, but there are many other durable, safe, and fun options for fetch toys. Different Kinds of Fetch Toys: 1. For dogs that love to retrieve sticks, there are safer options. Sticks can accidentally become lodged in the dog’s throat or splinter and cause additional problems if the dog decides to ingest it. Instead, rubber stick-like toys work out well because the shape is the same and they allow the dog to grab them easily. 2. Kong toys have come up with a toy that every dog loves! It is based on the classic Kong toy, but is wrapped in various fabrics including neoprene (for water play), nylon, or thick fleecy material. They include squeakers and have tentacle tail pieces that fly and flap in the wind when thrown. 3. Instead of a plain tennis ball, why not consider fetch toys that are made of tennis material, include a squeaker, but come in new, great shapes that fly a long distance when thrown? Air Kongs come in football, stick, and jack shapes that bounce when they hit the ground for extra fun. 4. Frisbees are a lot of fun and cover a lot of ground if thrown well. Of course there is always the classic, hard plastic version that everyone is familiar with, but these can be difficult for the dog to pick up off the ground, and many are reluctant to catch the hard plastic in the air. Try versions that are soft, flexible rubber or better yet, the Frisbees made of lightweight nylon are the best for weight, ease of pickup, and acceptability by the dog. 5. There are some brands of fetch toys that are launcher type toys. Some use a handle to throw the ball further; others use a rubber band type tool that is literally stuck inside the ball to help launch it. Both of these help balls travel much further. The best fetch toys: • The Stick and The Twig • Wubba Kong • Air Kong Squeakers • Chuckit (launcher and boomerang) • Flying Squirrel Frisbee or the classic Floppy Disc • Ruff Dawg K-9 Flyer • Ring Zinger (launcher)
