Have you recently gone into a pet store and tried to figure out what to buy your dog from the over 3000 toys on the shelves?  How do you know which one your dog will like, which one will survive the longest, which one is safe or which one will just end up buried in the backyard with the hundreds of others?

Toys are important to keep your dog physically and mentally healthy, they are not just something that you have to pick up at the end of the day.  They provide your pet with an outlet for all that energy and can keep them from getting depressed or bored.  They can also prevent some unwanted behaviors like garbage hunting or chewing on your favorite pair of shoes.  Toys encourage play and exercise, challenge a dog's problem solving skills and alleviate separation anxiety.  They can also be useful for oral health, training, and help during those puppy teething times. 

Safety is of the utmost importance.  Not every dog can enjoy the same toys.  Do not get toys that can swallowed easily or that seems flimsy.  If you notice any cracks or pieces missing take the toy away immediately.  Choose an appropriate sized toy as well.  If you purchase a new toy make sure you supervise play with the toy for a while to see if it is safe for your pet to play with. 

Keep your dog's toys clean too.  It is important to wash your dog's toys every once in a while as a toy can harvest alot of bacteria.

Tomorrow I'll post about what toys your dog may be interested in or prefer according to your dog's behavior.