To have toys or not to have toys?

Toys are great for dogs of any age. But, when do you give them the toys? Should they always have free access to toys? The more the better? Questions, questions, questions, ...

Toys have a number of ways to improve your dog's happiness and welfare:

Distraction - If a dog is busy with a toy, it is more likely not to start chewing on the chair leg. However, dogs are just like little children. If they have access to all the toys at all the time, they get bored of them. Only take out their favorite toy(s) when you are leaving and take them away upon return. This way, the toy(s) will stay interesting. Another way to keep things interesting is using toys that can be filled with cookies or peanut butter and challenge them to work on it.

Training - I love playing fetch with my dogs. Although it is a fun game, it reinforces obedience training. You can practice come, bring, sit, stay, release, seek or whatever else you can imagine. A tennis ball was the biggest help we had, when we started off lead training with our Weimaraner. She couldn't care less about any other dogs around or the rustling of the leaves, when she saw the ball.

Calming - There are several toys that keep a dog mentally busy. In combination with physical exercise the mental stimulation, creates a happy and well-balanced dog.

Leader position - I don't know how it was in your house when you grew up, but when I grew up we were not allowed to have candy or sweets, without our parents permission. I always got very excited, when my mom would open up the cabinet and gave us a piece each. Because is treasured it so much, I would try to eat it as slowly as possible. I wanted to savor every moment.

It's not completely the same with your dog, but does bare some similarities. When you are in charge of the toys and the dog doesn't have free access to them, he/she will see you as the keeper of the treasure. I would think that should be quite an incentive to see you as the leader.

I don't think that there are any toys that are good or bad. It is a very individual thing - my dogs tear every squeaky toy apart in no time and get bored of them very quickly. I have seen other dogs that keep them for months. Some dogs love rope toys, some couldn't care less. Some dogs need a little bit more support in cleaning their teeth and rawhide helps and with some it doesn't. I guess you see the point. Find out what works for you and your dog(s).

HAVE FUN FIGURING IT OUT :)