Dog Toys

A spirited game of tug is one of the best ways to bond with your pup, provided you follow a few common-sense rules. We generally recommend Dog Toys like rope pulls for adult dogs with healthy teeth and strong necks. The key is to let the dog do the shaking and pulling while you keep your movements steady and low to the ground. You want to avoid jerking their head upward or side-to-side, which can strain their spine. If the rope starts to shred and look like a head of hair, it’s time to retire it before they swallow those threads. It’s a great way to tire out a high-energy hound without needing a whole pasture to run in.

Between the Ozark mud and a healthy amount of dog drool, Dog Toys can get pretty ripe if you don’t stay on top of them. For hard rubber or plastic toys, a trip through the dishwasher on the top rack (with no high-heat dry) is usually the quickest way to sanitize them. If you’re cleaning plush toys, we suggest putting them in a mesh laundry bag and running them through the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Using a splash of white vinegar instead of heavy-scented detergent is a smart move to keep your pet from inhaling chemicals during their next play session. A quick sun-dry on the porch kills off the rest of the bacteria and gets them back in action.

Think of these as a mental workout that keeps your dog’s brain as busy as their jaw. The secret to a successful session is layering: start with small treats or kibble at the bottom, then pack in some wet food or peanut butter to act as the “glue.” If you really want to challenge them on a long Missouri afternoon, toss the stuffed toy into the freezer for a few hours before giving it to them. It turns a ten-minute snack into an hour-long project. We’ve found that using Dog Toys like this is a lifesaver for crate training or simply keeping a bored dog from redesigning your table legs.

We see quite a few “power chewers” come through Nixa Hardware & Seed Co, and for those dogs, standard plushies just don’t stand a chance. Your best bet is to stick with solid, non-toxic nylon bones or thick-walled rubber balls that don’t have any weak spots to grab onto. These types of Dog Toys are specifically engineered to withstand the incredible jaw pressure of breeds like Mastiffs or Boxers. We also suggest avoiding “real” bones or hooves if your dog is an aggressive chewer, as those can splinter and cause injury. Investing in a couple of high-quality, dense rubber toys will save you a lot of money in the long run compared to buying a new “tough” toy every week.