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 #1765950


Saf
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 Dog Toys

Hiya,
Just wondering if anyone has any ideas of some robust dog toys which i could make or buy. Me n my boyfriend have a 15 month old neapolitan mastiff called Hooch, hes fab but has to live outside in a kennel with a run as he destroys everything! wer his 3rd owner and hes always been outside so not used to a house and finds furniture yummy :) lol
So my boyfriends just made him a new house, as his old one is getting a bit tatty, its got a 4 wide x 8 long ft shed/kennel by about 6ft high, and a 8x8 ft run, but id like somthing to entertain him while hes in there, but normal dog toys are just shredded and broken in seconds coz hes a big strong lad, so i was wondering if anyone has made anything for dogs which could work or found anything that might work?

Heres a pic of him aswell :)



Thanks, Saf
06/19/08  06:37am

 #1766196


XxxShoc+Collarxxx
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   Message To: Saf   In reference to Message Id: 1765950


 Dog Toys

raw-hide bones, are essential for puppies during this age. They love them, and it gives them something to chew on BESIDES furniture. They also love the tough rubber toys that you can put treats into. Here is Pet Smart’s link for puppy toys. They have a bunch of good ones. The Nyla Bones, and any hard, tough rubber toy would be could for him

http://www.petsmart.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=puppy%20toys&origkw=puppy%20toys&sr=1
06/19/08  12:23pm

 #1766281


FutureVet123
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   Message To: XxxShoc+Collarxxx   In reference to Message Id: 1766196


 Dog Toys

I wouldn’t recommend rawhides for a strong dog like Hooch, because strong chewers are known to cause the bones to splinter, and then the shreds get caught in their throats and they choke on them, which is definitely not good. So Nylabones and those Strong Kongs or whatever would be perfect...I found an article about a guy whose dog is like Hooch, and is the mascot for his dog-toy company, and this dog is the tester, because his dog is just a little smaller than Hooch but is extremely destructive, and the only toys that they let on the market are the ones who he doesn’t puncture, destroy, shred, etc., which means they have a really strong guarantee. I’ll try and dig up that article, and give you the company name, and I’m sure you’ll have a lot of luck.
-Peaches and Jeni
p.s. I remember when you first got him, he was so adorable and is even MORE adorable now. I just wanna wrap him in my arms and hug him (I just love hugging big dogs)



06/19/08  01:56pm

 #1766393


Senshokukiba
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   Message To: FutureVet123   In reference to Message Id: 1766281


 Dog Toys

Rawhides aren’t essential to dogs, no matter how old they are.

Rawhides aren’t as dangerous as people claim. I understand that dog owners want to be as safe as possible and that because of this, they don’t give their dogs potentially dangerous toys. That’s cool. There are many dogs who don’t have issues with rahides. My dad’s German Shorthaired Pointers love rawhides. They love any thing that they can chew on. It’s really just up to you. You can take a risk, or not.

I’ve discovered that many dogs dislike extremely hard, rubber toys. Rubber toys aren’t that exciting. They don’t break. Many of them don’t even get dents. Dogs like toys that they can rip and shred. I have a friend who owns a APBT. She got him some kongs. He played with them for a minute, and then left them. They didn’t really interest him. He likes soft toys like stuffed animals and socks.



06/19/08  03:38pm

 #1766530


XxxShoc+Collarxxx
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   Message To: Senshokukiba   In reference to Message Id: 1766393


 Dog Toys

Soft Toys are good for some, but they can be dangerous too. Puppies tend to eat or swallow stuffing in many soft toys. I have never heard of raw hide bones splintering but ok? I do agree with Senshokukiba about the rubber toys being boring, but if you’re looking for a toy that doesn’t get destroyed easily, They are a a good choice. Maybe some with more entertainment, such as one that squeeks, and also as I said earilier, A lot of puppies loooove the rubber toys with treats in them.



06/19/08  05:16pm

 #1766541


FutureVet123
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   Message To: XxxShoc+Collarxxx   In reference to Message Id: 1766530


 Dog Toys

Again, you will disagree with me, but I wouldn’t buy a squeaker toy for a 200 pounds destructive masstiff. They will tear open the toy and can choke on the squeaker. Squeakers are mostly for small, calmer dogs.
-Peaches and Jeni
06/19/08  05:22pm

 #1768207


Shadowcat0789
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   Message To: FutureVet123   In reference to Message Id: 1766541


 Dog Toys

Get a big thick rope and a bunch of... maybe tennis balls or something bigger if you can find it, cut holes in the tennis balls and string them onto the rope every couple of feet and tie knots into the rope to keep the tennis balls from bunching. He can chew on it and play with the balls andtry to chew them off of there. oh, also, tie it to his run somehow that way it’s kind of in the air and a little more intriguing. Also, they sell little tires for dogs to chew on, you could try stringing those on there too.

I really just thought of this when I was trying to come up with a good toy, something he can tear apart, that won’t be boring, but will (hopefully) last for a little while. Good luck! and if you try the rope thing let me know how it turns out!
06/21/08  12:15am

 #1768212


Dragongirl6
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   Message To: Shadowcat0789   In reference to Message Id: 1768207


 Dog Toys

I like shadowcat’s idea. By the way, your puppy is ridiculously cute!!

I would say Kongs (you can stuff them with treats or peanutbutter) would be a great toy, large tennis balls, large rope toys, those thick rubber toys that are like chains of rings connected to each other, and those huge ostrich legs would be good toys/treats. Thin squeaky toys and wimpy rawhide bones won’t last long : )
06/21/08  12:21am

 #1768355


FutureVet123
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   Message To: Dragongirl6   In reference to Message Id: 1768212


 Dog Toys

Quote:

your puppy is ridiculously cute!!


I couldn’t be more anxious to COMPLETELY AGREE!!!!
When I’m outta my parent’s house and have my own place in the country, and (hopefully) I’m a vet, I can’t wait for them to visit! (sarcasm) They’d be so freaked out, cuz I want to have a Bull Mastiff, a German Shepherd, a Rottweiller, and a Rat Terrier (yeah, mix in a small, feisty one). My parents hate all those breeds. lol. I’m sure they will never visit me with the abundance of pets I will have (well, not TOO many if I have kids and can be on call 24/7, but that’s many many years away)
-Peaches and Jeni
06/21/08  09:09am

 #1768511


Saf
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   Message To: FutureVet123   In reference to Message Id: 1768355


 Dog Toys

Thank you all for your ideas, he does have the kong toy, the one which gets stuffed with treats and filled with the squiety stuff and he does like that alot :) but i did like Shadowcats idea alot, that sounds like a really gud idea coz he likes his tennis balls lol

hehe he is a sweety pie, alot of people when wer out and about ask if we show him becouse hes got such a hansom face but hes such a handfull when he ses other people and dogs itd b imposible at this stage lol he just wants to play!

He does get big bones which my bf gets him from the butches... i persnaly stay away from them but he is actuly really good with them and doesnt eat the bone, just totaly cleans it off! which is very odd as he shreds rubber toys and cuddly toys in seconds! lol

I have summore pics on my phone so ill get them uploaded sumtime :)

Thanks again

Saf x x x
06/21/08  12:57pm

 #1769118


Shadowcat0789
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   Message To: Saf   In reference to Message Id: 1768511


 Dog Toys

Yay! My idea was a hit ^.^ lol let me know how it works out. For some reason I always get really good ideas and think really clearly at night so it makes sense that i was half asleep when i thought of that lol. I did forget to say that your puppy is absolutely adorable =)
06/21/08  10:49pm

 #1771767


Leokeeper
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   Message To: Shadowcat0789   In reference to Message Id: 1769118


 Dog Toys

Black Durable Kongs

Durable Galalio Nyla bones

A soccer ball that is Filled with air(can’t grab it)

Street hockey balls


Ropes/tug toys and soft toys should be for supervised play only.
06/24/08  10:55am

 #1771993


DaneEliza
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   Message To: Leokeeper   In reference to Message Id: 1771767


 Dog Toys

It’s not just the large breed dogs that rip your sofa to shreads, I had a corgi mix that did quit a a bit of damage to my leather sofa. My great dane puppy doesn’t chew on the furniture......only because he’s not given a chanse to. We live in an apartment so there is no putting him outside to live, I never really like that idea anyways. I’m more of an animal in the house kids outside type of person, lol...anyways. Some toys we use for ace are kongs, nylon bones, stuffed animals(non-toxic), LARGE raw hide bones, tennis balls, soccer ball, volley ball, beach ball, all kinds of ball, exc. We try everything, keep him interested in his toys, but we do watch him when he has the smaller toys because he does have a tendancy to try and swallow the toy. He stays home alot by himslef because my boyfriend and I live very busy lives, he’s a welder and I am a full time college student at the vet tech institute of bradford school, plus he play semi pro football and it’s a little hard to hall the 100+ ibs. dog from city to city for practice and games. So here is what I do, I bought a cage built special for extra large breed dogs, lined it with ace’s favorite blanket, put a kong with some peanut butter in there and thats where he spends the time we’re gone in there, once we get our basement finished and set up, he’ll go down there in a doggy pin where he’ll have more room. But we can’t just pack him up all day long, he is much to energetic for that, so my boyfriends takes him for an hour walk in the morning before we both leave, and I take him for a walk in the afternoon when we get home. It keeps him busy and lesson the energy, he still gets too play on the nights we don’t have football or work related things to do. He seems to be a pretty happy dog, vet says he’s a pretty healthy pup. I just couldn’t see putting a dog outside for something almost all puppies go through. I takes time and patience to break a behavior like that, thats the problem most large breed dog owners have is that they don’t want to do research before they buy the dog, they get the dog, it gets huge, starts to eat shoes, furniture, kids toys, exc. , then they think they can just all together fix the problem by throwing the dog outside or getting rid of it. Not crashing on you or anything, but thats how I ended up with Ace, poor puppy.
06/24/08  01:57pm

 #1772065


Saf
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   Message To: DaneEliza   In reference to Message Id: 1771993


 Dog Toys

DaneEliza - i agree i dont like dogs outside and my boyfriend has had large dogs before, boxer, then bull mastive who lived inside, its nothing to do with not been able to train him, if it was mine and his house i wudnt giva a dam if he eat my furniture and destroyed the place, hes my boy but the problem is its not our house, its his mams and My bf lives with his mam, who is 65 years old, hooch is to pushy to be inside, as he would knock her over, and she has a bedlington terrier - Poppy, who hooch tends to sit on.. when hes had dogs in the past hes only ever had the one, it was us hav him and he live outside or basicly the guy who owned him was going to shoot him.. so outside it is.. hes walked 4 times aday, morning, dinnertime, afternoon and night, and in the kitchen and gardon to play from 4.30 when my boyfriend gets home from work
06/24/08  02:48pm

 #1772101


DaneEliza
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   Message To: Saf   In reference to Message Id: 1772065


 Dog Toys

It was no personal thing against you, lol, I was just reffering to what usually happens when people get dogs they can’t handle. It’s good that he gets the exersize he needs, I can understand th 65 year old woman no being able to have the big puppy in her house, yes, Ace tends to get a little excited and knock even my 6’2’’ 245 ibs. boyfriend over, so I can see what a big dog could do to a little old woman. But hopefully one day you guys can get your own place where he can be inside, because truthfully, I know some not think so, dogs do better when their closer to their families. As long as you give him toys that will keep him occupied, keep him well exersized, and correct him when he does wrong, he will come around and you’ll have one of the best dogs a person could have. Because when it comes down to it, he’s probably just a big ol mushy baby who wants a little attention, he’ll grow out of the hyper active, push everyone over, and eat everything in site, just give it a little time and effort and you’ll have him.
06/24/08  03:10pm

 #1772141


Senshokukiba
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   Message To: DaneEliza   In reference to Message Id: 1772101


 Dog Toys

Quote:

dogs do better when their closer to their families.



That’s not exactly true.

Sure, a dog that’s near its family all of the time is probably going to be more loving and such. However, this doesn’t mean the dog’s doing better.

Some dogs do well outside. Some do well inside. It all depends on the dog.

Dogs that live outside, but are cared for properly can do better as well.
06/24/08  03:34pm

 #1772156


DaneEliza
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   Message To: Senshokukiba   In reference to Message Id: 1772141


 Dog Toys

True, but in some cases that I have seen while attending vet tech institute, we are teamed up with a humane society, alot of people that put their dogs out side don’t put them in a nice sized kennel with hay and a dog house and give them the attention that they need so that they don’t become agressive, most of them actually stick them out side on a log chain, with a collar that is to small, cutting the dogs neck and causing extream infection, and the dog isn’t fed and watered properly, nor are they cleaned up after properly, the last thing I want to see is a dog standing in it’s own feces. Not saying all owners who put their dogs outside are that irresponsible, but alot of them are. If they are willing to take the time and set up a kennel of the proper size, line it with hay for easy clean up, keep a dog house for shelter and a place to sleep, keep the food and water bowls clean and full, and give the dog the proper attention and exersize it needs, then yes the dog can be a happy dog out side, I just hate seeing them have to live alone out side, when live their common desendents they are pack animals, not independents.
06/24/08  03:46pm

 #1772604


Senshokukiba
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   Message To: DaneEliza   In reference to Message Id: 1772156


 Dog Toys

I thought you were going in an entirely differant direction. I thought you were implying that dogs who live outside don’t live good lives. From what I’ve read, you’re just talking about outside dogs that are mistreated or neglected. So, I understand what you mean.

I don’t support tying dogs up without proper shelter and such, but I do support keeping dogs outside.

As a side note, dogs that are kept inside are often just as mistreated as ones kept outside.








06/24/08  10:13pm

 #1772616


DaneEliza
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   Message To: Senshokukiba   In reference to Message Id: 1772604


 Dog Toys

True, true, but let me ask you this, would you say more dogs that live indoors then outdoors are mistreated? I wouldn’t. But thats just my opinion, opinions are like anuses, everyone has one, they all stink. tee hee
06/24/08  10:26pm

 #1772630


Senshokukiba
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   Message To: DaneEliza   In reference to Message Id: 1772616


 Dog Toys

I honestly don’t know. I’ve seen many dogs that are mistreated inside the house.

When I lived in Idaho, I had a neighbor who owned a male Boxer. His owner was some stupid blonde who would kick him, hit him, and yell at him. I’d hear her yelling at him as she walked down the street. I caught her hitting him continuosuly and I ended up getting into a small fight with her. I pushed her and started yelling at her, threatening to call animal control. I must have been very convincing because she didn’t report me or any thing. She was in her late twenties. I was only sixteen.
This Boxer was kept inside all of the time. He had fancy collars and outfits. He had his nails painted, too. His life was like hell though.

On telivison, you usually see dogs that are mistreated outside. Off- telivision though, I see a lot of inside dogs being mistreated.



06/24/08  10:42pm

 #1773410


DaneEliza
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   Message To: Senshokukiba   In reference to Message Id: 1772630


 Dog Toys

Now I have spanked my dog on the bottom once or twice, never hard just a tap to scare him out of what he was doing, but I would never ever in my life beat or abuse my dog or any thing else for that matter. that is just complete disrespect to nature
06/25/08  04:36pm

 #1773759


Kandace
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   Message To: Saf   In reference to Message Id: 1765950


 Dog Toys

i dont know of any toys for him but he is so cute
i want one so bad
are they good dogs??
06/25/08  09:53pm

 #1774882


XxxShoc+Collarxxx
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   Message To: Kandace   In reference to Message Id: 1773759


 Dog Toys

what breed are you talikng about, mastiffs?
06/26/08  08:28pm

 #1775178


Turtlemom
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   Message To: XxxShoc+Collarxxx   In reference to Message Id: 1774882


 Dog Toys

Back to the toy issue. Be VERY careful of rope toys. Seen too many dogs brought into our practice who tore the rope apart and swallowed the strands. Those strands often become lodged in the intestines and constrict them. This results in emergency surgery which is very risky (and expensive) due to the fact that when you open an impacted bowel to remove the blockage there is a great risk of infection. One of the saddest days in our office is when one of the techs had to have her lab put down during surgery. The rope had become so wrapped in the stomach sphincter it couldn’t be saved. That’s when I stopped giving my dogs any type of rope toys.

I’m also not a fan of nylon bones. Though they are supposed to be safe for dogs who chew them up (the pieces they swallow are allegedly passed safely) I found that when my dog chewed them up, she always vomited. Good enough reason for me not to give them to her. I don’t give rawhide either. If you don’t want your dog to eat the leather sofa, shoes etc...why give it a toy made of the same material?

As far as my suggestions for safe toys, you already know Hooch likes peanut butter filled Kong’s. To keep them interesting, when your BF takes Hooch for the morning walk, go out to the run and hide a couple, you might even want to bury one for him to find. I like the idea of using a fully inflated, regulation soccer ball. Too big to be swallowed, but something to push around and chase. Stay away from anything that will fit in his mouth. If he can wrap his teeth around it, he can try to swallow it and possibly choke. (Hence my aversion to tennis balls for a dog that size.) In regard to bones, ask your butcher for a leg bone (cow). Chances are that even a dog Hooch’s size can’t splinter it (and cause a tear if the splinters become wedged in the esophagus or stomach etc...) My dog would spend days carrying it around, burying it, digging it up and licking at the marrow.

Sorry to ramble, lol, but to finish this up......with a dog that size (and before I forget to say, HE’S SOOOOO CUTE!!!!) any new toy you introduce should be done only under supervision, when someone is around to watch what Hooch will do to destroy it.

Though I wasn’t going to touch on the subject of indoor/outdoor dogs, I’m going to relate a personal experience. Growing up, I had a German Shorthair. We got him when he was two, born and raised outside. We tried relentlessly to make him an indoor pet, and he was very happy being in the house when we were up. But when we went to bed he would start to whine, by 3 am. the howling was unbearable and outside he would go. Even in cold weather. He had a homemade, double insulated dog house full of hay and non-woven blankies, and run of the back yard. In the winter I gave him warm water 4x/day to be sure it wouldn’t freeze, and in the summer he had a tub to keep cool and ice in his water bucket. The point I want to make is that some dogs are happier outside. But remember to pay extra attention to their needs, especially in extreme temps.
06/27/08  01:16am

 #1775429


Saf
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   Message To: Turtlemom   In reference to Message Id: 1775178


 Dog Toys

thanks all for everything, kinda got off topic of the toys a lil but n/m, we got him some things last night, a wiggle giggle ball which he loves! it makes lots of silly noises and woke howard but at half 6 playing with it lol also got him a few other things to put treats in a hit about, and hes got a horse ball that i dont use for the horses anymore which gets filled with some treats and he loves trying to destroy that which aint gunna happen lol hes had the monty (our large fat cob lol) seal of aprovel

x x
06/27/08  11:32am

 #1778434


Welshy6
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   Message To: Saf   In reference to Message Id: 1775429


 Dog Toys

If you want a toy that will keep your dog entertained and will also keep you entetained when your playing together get 1 of those big exercise balls (the thicker rubber 1’s), zoo’s get them for the big cats, as they find them quite indestructible, you can also play with it in a safe manner as you have a large and i’m guesing boistrous especially if he is still a puppy, so maybe that would be a good idea
06/30/08  09:39am


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