Good toys for destructive pups

[Laura Niday]

Hi All! My 8 month old mini labradoodle, Peaches, is a really good girl. In the last month or so she has began playing with her toys in the most destructive ways possible. Luckily it's nothing that she's not allowed to play with. No matter what I get (nylabones, rubber toys, toys without stuffing, string toys, etc) she sets her mind to destroying it and does a really good job of it. The folks at the pet store suggested maybe that's just her way of playing, which I"m really okay with since she does it with the appropriate toys.  The only draw back is I am getting really sick of picking up little pieces of toys everywhere and buying new toys every few weeks.  Any suggestions of relatively indestructable toys or toys that provide other stimulation or interest?  Thanks!

 

Laura

 

Image is of Peaches destroying yet another toy, with a few body parts from other toys as well...

[Ali & Sonny D.]

http://http://reviews.petco.com/3554/2566/nylabone-nylabone-galileo...

I think I got it at Petco last or Pet Supplies Plus. Watch your feet though, if it drops on you, it hurts!!!!

 

[Adina P]

We love Galileo's here as well as the Big Chews for Big Dogs (also Nylabone). Were the ones your dog destroyed the Dura-chews?

[shelly]

Oh Laura, I hear ya' Tori has destroyed every "virtually indestructible" toy out there.  She even managed to get through one of those toys with a water bottle inside for the crinkle sound, made of firehose material in about 20 minutes.  BUT she actually will EAT the torn up pieces... so at least you're one step ahead of that... I have heard of Zogo flex toys made by west paw... they are supposed to be really tough.  I've yet to get one, but plan on trying them soon when her new Christmas gifts have "bit the dust" (no pun intended!-lol)

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Simon is a 19 month old ALD. He was gentle with his toys til about 8-9 months, then he became known as "Sharky" because he would rip/chew everything up. Since I work in a dog bakery/boutique, I figured I could find the best/toughest toys for him. Far and away, the most durable toy we have is a TUX by WestPaw. You can put treats in it or not -- even without treats my dogs will dig the TUX out of the toy box to play with. Tuffy's makes a great ball rated 10. It has a plush-type cover in blue or orange with nothing but a large very squeaky ball inside. Simon and Connor play tug with it often and have yet to get through the cover. :-) Tuffy's also has a line of "tiger tested" toys rated 10 They do stand behind all of their toys, as does Planet Dog. And speaking of Planet Dog, they make a soccer ball that is pretty tough. Although it is flexible, you can't squash in down thin enough to get to the back teeth, so it's lasted quite a while here as well.

I've watched Simon and he's most destructive when he gets stuff on his back molars and starts chomping away. If you can catch the pup "in the act," so to speak, trade the toy for either a bully stick, GI Bone or retriever stick (or even the TUX)...you can save the toys for interactive play, but give them chew things when they are just in the mood to chew. It will extend the life of the toys and still satisfy the need to chew.

Connor and Simon both chew the heck out of the knotted rope ball.I see evidence of that whenever they take a bathroom break, so we no longer use those. I have also heard quite a bit about Nylabones splintering.

 

If you go through the DK group search, there is a group called something like Good Dog Toys or Tough Dog Toys, too.

 

Hope this helps.  BTW, Peaches is a real cutie pie. :-)

[Michelle and Chloe]

Chloe has the same problem of destroying toys, even when the label says indestructible she proves it wrong and has it in pieces in less than an hour.  I ended up buying her a couple deer antler, which she loves and some toys made by the company West Paw Design.  These toys are made in the USA and are eco friendly and I have to say are still in one piece after several months.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

LOL...looks like everything Lucca does and did. Antlers....http://www.antlerpantry.com/Home_Page.html

Great source and less than buying them in a store. Kongs...fill with lots of good treat stuff and freeze. There are lots of posts regarding this.

We use marrow bones. I buy them from the butcher (he will also cut them smaller), boil them for around 15-20 minutes, take the marrow out (to put a little in their food...yummm) and walla....a great treat and keeps them occupied for quite awhile. As with any of these...supervise, esp if they are a big chewer.

[Carol]

Laura I can absolutely relate!  Manny see's it as his mission to destroy toys. I think he feels inadequate as a dog if he doesn't destroy a toy ;-)  Here are the toys that he has not destroyed. It could be because they are rubber because ANYTHING that is cloth he destroys.

 

JW Pet Ruffians

JW Pet Hol-ee Roller (and I usually stuff that tennis balls or treat so he can try to get them out)

Premier Busy Buddy Squirrel

Galileo Nylabone

Kong (the regular dog size and the giant one you fill with treats and it wobbles)

Starmark Fun Ball (again stuffed with treats so he may more occupied trying to get them out)

[Lynn Stoops]

Hi

 

I have been lucky with toys ~ my doodles favorite toys are the West Paw Tango and the Hurley bone, My Good Dog Worm and Sea Creature.  They love balls the best ball I have found is the mint ball Orbee Tuff Diamond Ball.  They also chew on deer antlers.  I almost forgot about the Ethical Pet Skinneeez Hedgehog ~ stuffingless toy.

 

Good luck! 

 

[Sandra Griffith]

Have you tried GoughNuts dog toys?  I believe you would have to order online, but they are supposed to be very tough.  If your dog chews through to the change of colour you will know that it is time to get rid of it.  They come in small and big dog sizes.  They have them in a stick shape, ball shape, and donut shape.  My dog is not terribly destructive but it might be worth a try for your dog.

[Laura Niday]

Thank you everyone for your responses!! I just purchased a few things including a galileo bone, a TUX, a planet dog ball, and a GoughNuts doughnut toy.  Lots of money but hopefully they'll last!!  If anyone knows of a good cheap website for antlers, please pass along! Thanks!

 

Laura

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

See my response above for Antler Pantry

[Lynn Stoops]

I order our deer antlers from a seller I found on E-bay.  He has been great I just got a box of 5 large deer antlers (better then elk antlers) they are about 12" long  for $32.00 including shipping.  Shiloh and Annie have been very delighted in their new antlers!  I will look for his E-mail address ~ he ships quick and will make a "package" just for you with what you request.  I am in High Point ~ if you want to try an antler for Peaches let me know and you can have one of the new antlers that just arrived last week before you order a box.