Perfect Puppy Care Book – Chapter 3 – Supplies (Part 7)

Chapter 3 – Supplies (Part 7)

Leash

Get your puppy a 4- to 6-foot (1.2- to 1.8-m) cotton, nylon, or leather leash. Don’t allow her to chew on her leash. If she’s persistent, spray it with a chew deterrent.

Don’t use a retractable leash to train your puppy. They’re bulky to hold when training, and they always keep tension on your puppy’s collar. If your puppy gets used to this sensation, she may learn to pull when she’s on a regular leash to keep that same tension. After your puppy has learned not to pull on leash, a retractable leash may not be so confusing. They are good for exercising your puppy, especially if you don’t have a fenced yard.

Toys

Puppies have an instinctive need to chew. They also explore their environments mouth first. Toys can help to prevent destructive behavior. If your puppy is happily chewing on a toy, she’s not tearing up your couch. Just because a toy is made specifically for dogs, however, doesn’t mean that your puppy knows that. To her, your couch looks pretty tempting! It’s up to you to teach her to chew on the right things.

The types of toys that you purchase for your puppy will depend on what kind of chewer she is. Some puppies will treasure a toy for years, while others will rip through them in seconds. Always choose a toy that is the proper size for your puppy. She should never be able to get the entire toy in her mouth. For example, a Golden Retriever puppy should not be allowed to play with golf balls. She could easily swallow them, which could require emergency surgery. Tennis balls are a much safer option for this puppy. Sometimes, chew toys start out the right size but don’t last that way. If your puppy is wearing down a chewbone, always throw it away before she gets it down to a nub.

Some toys may be strong enough to leave your puppy with unattended. Other toys are not as tough and should never be allowed with your puppy unless you’re keeping close watch. It depends on how tough your chewer is. Always err on the side of caution. If you’re not sure that she should be left alone with a toy, don’t take a chance.

When you choose a toy for your puppy, always keep in mind what you are teaching her. If you tie a knot in an old sock and give it to your puppy, it will be really cute until she starts chewing the socks on your feet! You won’t be able to get angry with her, because you taught her it was okay to chew socks. If you give her an old shoe you were about to throw away, you’re teaching her to chew shoes. Your puppy will not know the difference between the old shoe you were going to discard and the brand-new pair in your closet. Also, beware of toys that look like common household items. Some toys on the market look just like shoes, for example. If you give your puppy these fake shoes, she probably will not be able to distinguish them from the real ones.

This also goes for stuffed animals. Many pet retailers sell stuffed animals created especially for dogs. If you choose to get these for your puppy, keep in mind that you are teaching her that it’s okay to chew on stuffed animals. So, if you have children in your life—or plan to have kids—then be aware that your puppy will likely chew on their stuffed toys, too. It won’t be her fault if she shreds your daughter’s teddy bear, because you’ll have taught her the behavior. If you don’t have any other stuffed animals in your home, or if your kids will always put their toys up and away from puppy’s reach, then choosing stuffed animals as a toy is not an issue.

Here are some common types of toys that most puppies enjoy:

Some puppies become obsessed with balls, while other puppies couldn’t care less. Balls come in all shapes and sizes, so choose one that is durable enough for your puppy’s chewing habits. Be careful of balls designed for people, like ping pong balls or golf balls. These are too small for many puppies and could become lodged in your puppy’s throat or cause a stomach obstruction if swallowed. Tennis balls are usually fine because they are larger. Some manufacturers make tennis-type balls just for dogs. If you have a giant-breed puppy, however, even a tennis ball may be too small. Just be sure that the ball is not so small that it fits entirely in your puppy’s mouth.

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