Dog Toys that Can Kill

The Danger of Dog Toys

Dog toys are nice things to give to your dog. They certainly do the trick of cheering your dog up, or keeping it preoccupied when you’re busy with something. But don’t be hasty in picking out a dog toy for your pet. Unbeknownst to many dog owners, some dog toys can kill your pet. Dangerous dog toys are all around, you can bet on that. There is really no way to keep these dog toys out of the market, but you can keep them away from your pets if you inform yourself about the dangerous dog toys that can harm your pet. If you need more information, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian if the toy that you gave your dog is safe or not.

Which Dogs Toys are Dangerous?

There are some dog toys that are known to pose great danger to your dog. Most of these dangerous dog toys are pretty small. The danger of dog toys that are small is that they can easily be swallowed, especially by larger dogs. And since we can’t control what a dog decides to put in its mouth, prevention is better than cure. Keep small toys, whatever the kind, away from your dog. The small dog toys that are considered dangerous dog toys include balls and small squeaky toys. Aside from that, toys that are not meant for your dog automatically become dog toys that can kill when you hand it to them. Some dog owners make the big mistake of handing over some toy or other stuff that is not made of strong materials. Such toys can be easily destroyed by your dog, and ingestion of smaller parts is very possible and, at the same time, dangerous.

Which Dog Toys are Safe?

The safety and appropriateness of a particular dog toy lies on several factors. A dog toy that is dangerous for one dog may not be dangerous for another dog. The biggest factor that affects the danger of dog toys is the dog’s size. A large dog should not be given small toys, and a small dog should not be given a toy large enough to harm it. The behavior of a dog can also be taken into account. An aggressive dog can make a dangerous dog toy out of almost any dog. Aside from that, the material of a dog toy plays a huge role in whether it is safe or not. Dogs should be given toys made from materials that are resilient enough for a dog’s rather rough handling. Rubber toys are particularly safe dog toys, but there are some rubber toys that are not resilient enough and can pose serious danger to your pet. Rope toys are also made of very sturdy materials.

Alternative Toy Choices

There are also some alternative toy choices that you can give to your pet instead of dangerous dog toys. You can give your dog an old t-shirt that smells like you, which can be a safe dog toy for your pet. This is especially helpful for dogs that display hints of separation anxiety. However, there are some alternative toy choices that your dog simply finds around your house that can also be dangerous dog toys for them. To keep your dog from finding dangerous toys on their own, make sure to dog-proof your home before getting a dog.

Training Your Dog For Agility

Agility is the fastest-growing dog sport in North America. It appeals to lots of dog lovers and there are agility trials open to mixed breed and purebred dogs. Dogs of all sizes can compete. Most people try to find a club or team that does agility training and then train in their off time at home.



With agility training you will be simulating parts of a regular agility course, such as jumps, the A-frame, the dog walk, see-saws, tunnels and the weave pole set. You will most likely only be working on one or two kinds of obstacles at a time. When you and your class have mastered an obstacle you’ll go on to the next set. You will eventually put practice courses together so you can prepare for agility trials.



If you’re going to train your dog for agility here are some things to do to prepare for a beginner’s course:



1. Look for classes and trainers that teach with methods that appeal to you. Most trainers these days use positive reinforcement. Check out trainers and classes before signing up.



2. It helps if your dog already knows some basic obedience before beginning your agility training.



3. You should usually plan to get to your class a few minutes before the class begins. Give your dog time to relieve himself and let the excitement of being at the class wear off a little. If your dog likes to play with the other dogs, allow time for it.



4. Keep in mind that agility classes have two aims: To teach the handler how to train their dog; and to teach the dog how to go over the obstacles. You are being trained as much as your dog is being trained so during the class think how you will work with your dog at home.



5. Classes usually begin with low obstacles and gradually raise their height.



6. Remember that accuracy with all of the exercises comes before speed. You shouldn’t let your dog go too fast, especially before he has learned how to do an exercise correctly. You can always build up speed later.



7. If you’re training a puppy take special care. Keep the obstacles low and go slow. Don’t demand too much too soon.



8. Its fine to use whatever motivational tools work for your dog during training -- food, a toy, hugs.



Remember that although agility is a sport it’s also about having fun with your dog. Agility competitors can be very competitive but unless it’s fun for you and your dog, what’s the point?



There are different levels to agility so after you have mastered the beginning level and competed successfully you’ll be able to train at increasingly more difficult levels.



Agility is a great sport for dogs and their owners. It’s very addictive. If you think you may be interested in getting involved with agility check with your local kennel club and dog training center to find agility clubs in your area.