Puzzles for Pups: Benefits of Interactive Toys for your Pet

Interactive toys are a great way for your pet to stay busy and have fun, while also improving their mental and physical skills. Consider this modern method of playtime to avoid having your dog be bored or mischievous. There are many benefits to interactive toys, and introducing them into your dog's routine can give you a happier and smarter pet!

 Mental Stimulation

Mental stimulation is just as important for your dog as physical stimulation. Encourage your dog to self-entertain with interactive toys in order to provide a simple and fun way to get mental exercise.  

Problem-Solving Skills

Dogs are intelligent creatures and have some thinking skills that are similar to human thinking skills. They are able to learn facial expressions, hand gestures and can learn by imitation. Give your pooch a chance to sharpen his skills with a puzzle toy that requires problem-solving skills. This can improve your dog's confidence and decrease their anxiety. 

Weight Management

As with physical exercise, mental exercise is necessary to keep your pet active and happy. Fun purpose-driven toys are a great way to improve your dog's fitness. If you have a high-energy dog, interactive toys will tire them out. Remember, a tired dog is a good dog! Support a healthy and active lifestyle for your pet by giving them challenging and fulfilling ways to play. 

Don't Forget the Kitties

Cats can absolutely benefit from interactive play as well. These toys can help keep your cat active and prevent obesity. Activities like Morris Animal Inn's Crazy Cat Electronic Tablet Game provide exercise and excitement for cats. It allows them to explore and stalk, which are natural cat instincts. Provide opportunities for your cat to stay curious with interactive toys, so that their playtime can be fun and educational. 

Source: PetAge.com, EmbracePetInsurance.com, DogingtonPost.com

Which Toys Do You Let Your Dog Play With?

A long time ago, there was either a bone or a stick from the backyard for your dog. But experience has shown that sticks and bones aren't the safest playthings for your pup. More popular today are rawhides and chewing sticks. Even these pose some risks to your dog's health. Because of this, efforts have been made to produce better, safer toys that produce a variety of squeaks, moos and even songs. The sky's the limit! While having an array of options is great, it can be overwhelming. If you're struggling to decide where to put your money in the canine toy arena, we can help! The following are some suggestions of dog toys and methods of deciding which is best for your particular pooch. 

CHEW STYLE

What type of chewer is your dog? Does your pal rip all toys to shreds, or gently nibble? If your dog tends to settle down with a toy and really go at it, it’s best to purchase playthings that are made of durable rubber like Kongs made by the Kong Company®. Kongs have been known to withstand the roughest chewers. When the rubber begins to crack and tear, its time to throw it out and buy another.

If your dog has a softer approach to playing, or loves toys that squeak and squeal, consider sewn plush toys. Canvas toys are a terrific option for rough chewers that are fans of the squeak. Semi-aggressive chompers can also enjoy rope toys which break apart less easily and are wonderful for your pet’s dental health.

Planet Dog has even devised a system to aid consumers in the purchase of dog toys called the Chew-o-Meter. Their system takes into account the chewing style of your pup compared to the durability of their products to help you make the best purchase possible. Furthermore, 2% of your purchase is used to fund the training of service dogs. 

KNOW YOUR MATERIAL

It is important to be aware of the materials used to make your dog’s toy because they spend a lot of time in your canine’s mouth where harmful substances can be easily absorbed. Be careful; the Consumer Product Safety Commission only deems pet toys harmful if they put the owner at risk! As mentioned previously, Kongs® and Nylabones® are safe products that are made without harmful toxins but if you are unsure, check the label.

SAFETY FIRST

Instead of smaller toys that may be a choking risk, stick to Frisbees and large balls that can’t reach the back of your dog’s mouth. A reader of The Bark recommends lacrosse balls which are large and come in a variety of fun colors. In addition, regularly check all toys for cracks or holes so that your dog’s mouth stays in tip-top shape.

PET COMPANIES WITH PET SAFETY IN MIND

Companies like Kong®, Tough by Nature, and Planet Dog are innovative toy producers that keep the safety of your pet in mind. They constantly take our pets’ needs and health concerns to heart and consistently provide new modes of fun and recreation.

The dog toy frontier is also pioneered by designers who wish to actively and mentally engage dogs with puzzle-like toys that require your pet to move pieces in order to reveal hidden treats. Nina Ottosson has a line a of dog toys that seek to work the canine brain by encouraging them to discover concealed treats using their nose and paws. Some of Ottosson’s products are made from particle board and should not be eaten or chewed, so it is important to watch your dog while playing with them. Another great option is the Buster Cube, which comes in different size cubes that must be rolled around in order to dispense the treats inside. Resembling a gumball machine, the Yuppy Puppy Food and Treat Machine has a large bone handle that when pressed down by your pup’s paw, dispenses treats! However, if you have any hesitations about whether your dog will chew off pieces of these brain teasers toys, opt to only use them when you can monitor your dog.

To keep the good times rolling for you and your best friend, consider your dog’s safety and well-being when selecting from the large range of toy options on the pet market today. Ready, set, play!

Sources: 

Sheila Pell The Bark.com
The Happy Dog Spot

Select the Perfect Match for Your Pup

A regular gathering with canine buddies can help keep socialization skills polished, mentally and physically tire your dog and prevent your furniture from being destroyed. However, it is important to remember not all dogs enjoy playing with other dogs. By following a few guidelines and keeping a close eye on your dogs body language, you could find the perfect match for them.

EVENLY MATCHED

Your dog and their playmates should be relatively similar in size and build to prevent any accidental injuries. Not surprisingly, smaller dogs are prone to getting injured when paired with a large breed. They can be stepped on, knocked around or simply overwhelmed. Keep your dog happy by finding another pup she can let loose with, without injuring or being injured.

AGE MATTERS

Play styles can vary greatly between a young puppy and a seasoned adult dog. Young puppies tend to like energetic, rambunctious play, so they are best suited to play with one another. In contrast, an older dog might find this frenzied kind of play to be irritating. In addition, older dogs can be more selective about their playmates so be patient as you and your dog find the appropriate canine friend or family member.

PLAY STYLE MAKES A DIFFERENCE

This is a chance for your dog to express him or herself. It's easy to put all dog play behaviors into one pot but many dogs have preferences in their types of play. For example, there are dogs that will always choose stalking or chasing, while others prefer wrestling, mouthing or tug. Some breeds, like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds, prefer activities that tap into their herding instincts. Whatever your dog's play style, take note and try to find another dog who is also drawn to this type of play. Your dog will let you know whether they are enjoying this company by actively playing with or ignoring the pooch altogether.

LET THEM EXPRESS THEMSELVES

Let the pups decide if they want to be friends. You wouldn't want someone else to select your friends, would you? If your dog and a potential playmate seem to have no interest in one another, they may simply be ill-suited as playmates. If your furry family member displays regular excitement in playing with another dog, it probably means you have succeeded in finding the playmate! 

Should Dogs Play All Day in Daycare?

We’ve collected some information from the experts regarding choosing a daycare for your furry friend, and why we value our exceptional standards as a leading facility in the pet care industry.

There are many factors involved when considering doggy daycare, but we’ve boiled it down to three: Your dog, the facility and the staff.

Your dog.  Just like people, dogs have different personalities and have had different experiences while growing up. With a wide spectrum of who each dog might enjoy spending time with, it’s important to understand whether your dog would enjoy playing in a large group, or perhaps may enjoy some quiet alone time with a staff member.

Morris Animal Inn offers private daycare for dogs who prefer spending one-on-one time rather than being part of a group.

The Facility.  There are many amenities that go into providing a great and safe environment:

• A dog’s play area needs lots of room and places for dogs to opt out of interaction if they want to go off by themselves and rest.
• The facility must be clean, sanitary, and safe, outdoors and in. All daycares should have a plan to respond to a fire or other emergencies.
• A separate play are for smaller dogs and for young pups – Morris Animal Inn’s play groups are based on size and play style. We also offer a puppy daycare for pups 8 to 20 weeks old!
• There should be a place for the dogs to nap

It is important to understand that dogs need to sleep during the day. There must be a quiet secure place where the dogs rest for at least two hours each day.

According to trainer Kathy Sdao, businesses that brag that they never have the dogs off the play-floor misunderstand their responsibility to provide a balance of activities and rest.  It's unhealthy for dogs to play with each other, uninterrupted, for eight or more hours a day. It can create problems such as bullying, barking or impulsiveness. At Morris Animal Inn, each daycare guest has a luxury enclosure where they can rest comfortably during the day in between play times.

The Staff. A great daycare facility must have:

• A high staff:dog ratio (at least one person for every 10 or 15 dogs)
• Staff should be well-versed in reading dogs for signs of stress, discriminating between appropriate versus inappropriate play, and how to effectively but kindly manage the behavior of both individual dogs and a group of dogs
• The best dog daycares conduct a thorough behavioral assessment of all new dogs
• A policy should be in place if a dog bullies others, or initiates a fight 
• Staff should be conscious of size differences and separate the dogs into different play groups if necessary

At Morris Animal Inn we have an average 1:5 staff to dog ratio.  Each of our staff members are well-versed and trained in dog dynamics and body language. Each staff member is trained through a series of courses, including courses by The Dog Gurus. We assess all dogs, and group dogs into separate play groups based on size, temperament and play style. 

We are proud to offer an exceptional daycare facility for your pet. So...should dogs play all day in daycare?  We believe the rest is fundamental for a happy and healthy pet!

Source: Patricia McConnell & Kathy Sdao