Young Puppy Toys

[Melissa Bissell]

Any recommendations for toys for very young puppies - 8mos+?  So far I have a Kong (the kind you put food in), a Kong knot toy (with squeaker), a Go dogs stuffed Yeti(with squeaker), a Huggly Hound (soft toy with squeaker), looks like a gingerbread man) and some fetch balls.  Would love some other suggestions. Thanks! (FYI - our puppy comes home on March 15).

[Brittney & Cally]

I personally love West Paw products! We also have some stuffing free bird toys, which Cally loves!

[Melissa Bissell]

Thanks for the great idea.  Which of the West Paw products do you like best for puppies?

[Brittney & Cally]

Cally loves the Zogoflex Bumi, we have two. She also likes the zogoflex zisc and the zogoflex hurley.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Ragley has a tux and a jive (that is currently hiding somewhere in the yard) and I just ordered her a bumi that should be here tomorrow. I love West Paw toys and chewy has great prices on them

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Something that we love is the chuckit indoor ball. It is soft so it doesn't harm your walls or furniture and the ball is easy for little puppy needle-teeth to grab and big enough to use with an adult dog as well. This ball was a key player in teaching fetch and also burning energy when we have to be inside. It's also fun because you can bounce it off of doors or walls into rooms ( think putt-putt maneuvers) so the puppy has to "find it". You'll learn more about what your puppy likes though after it comes home. It sounds like you have a good start! I'd wait before buying much more to find out if your puppy is a chewer or not. I learned pretty quickly that my Ragley is not a chewer, so I was able to buy the toys with stuffing and skip the nylabone, puppy chew types of toys. Those with aggressive chewers and stuffed toy destroyers (see Mr.Haley's recent post) are probably better off steering away from stuffed toys to things more durable unless you just want to keep spending money on toys (I'm on a budget so that is not the route I prefer). The only thing I would suggest adding at this point would be an elk antler split for your puppy to chew on. Other than that, you seem pretty ready until you get to know him or her better! So exciting!

[Melissa Bissell]

Thanks for the tip!  I am definitely going to pickup the chuck it indoor ball, I already have the outdoor ones.  Is there a particular brand of the antler split that you recommend?

[Brittney & Cally]

I prefer barkworthies antlers. They are USA made and if it is possible get one with the marrow exposed on two sides.

[April S.]

My puppy's favorite toy was a ball that was hollow inside and squishy rubber - had all these geometric holes in it - we called it "alien ball" ..she went crazy for it.  I know this isn't normal but we had a very bad vet scare after 2 weeks of having her - she takes any stuffed toy or anything with threads (rope, unstuffed animal) and pulls them out and eats them.  She had  a huge ball of threads in her tummy and it made her sick of course. She still can't have soft toys alone - just something to be aware of.   I second elk antlers - they are amazing.  

[Melissa Bissell]

Thanks for the word of caution!  Do you know which brand the ball is that you like?

[April S.]

JW Pet - Holee Roller?

[Gail and Bailey]

I love the West Paw Design products made of "zogoflex".  You can google it.  They are very tough and hold up to aggressive chewing!

[Melissa Bissell]

Thanks - it sounds like West Paw is a popular brand.  Which of the zogoflex products do you like best for puppies?