Having trouble picking the best toys for your four-legged friend? Don’t worry! There are so many toys you can choose for your puppy’s playtime and training. However, shopping for dog toys can be an extraordinarily difficult task. How do you know which toys to choose when there are so many types available in stores and online? 

Thankfully, there are a few ways you can determine which toys are the best for your cuddly friend. The best dog toys are safe, durable, and most importantly fun! Of course, your pup’s size, activity level, and their preferences. For example, some dog toys are way too small for your furbaby to play with. Other toys are too rigid or difficult for your pup to chew. This makes playtime very boring or frustrating. If you use toys for training, your furry friend may be less inclined to follow with commands. 

Here are a few tips on choosing the right toys for your dog:

1. Size. Your puppy’s dog toy should be appropriate for their size. A ball, for instance, should be small enough (but not too small!) to fit in their mouth so they can play games like catch or carry the object around. A Yorkie’ dog toy may not be the appropriate size for a larger breed like a German Shepherd. Also, it’s important to avoid buying toys that have ribbons, strings, feathers, and other objects that can be choking hazards for puppies. Even if your furbaby is a small breed, these small items can easily break off. We recommend removing these bits from the toy or just buying another one, just in case. 
2. Texture. Many puppy parents forget one thing when searching for dog toys: texture. Your puppy’s toy should never be too soft nor too hard. A hard toy is difficult to play and have any fun with. It may also end up hurting your puppy’s teeth and gums. Likewise, a soft toy can also cause damage to your puppy. With a soft toy, your puppy can break it into pieces, which allows them to ingest or even possibly choke on the objects. It’s a good idea to make sure that your pup’s toy has the right texture. 
3. Age. When choosing a toy, remember to keep your furry friend’s age in mind. Your furry companion should always have a toy that’s age appropriate. A young puppy, for example, will need soft or plush toys due to their baby teeth. Their baby teeth are very delicate so we recommend purchasing toys that they can be easily grabbed and play with without any injuries. As your puppy grows up, they will go through a teething stage so they need a chewy toy that can distract them from your household items. When your puppy reaches adult age, their jaws and teeth will be strong enough to play with different types of balls, rope, and rubber toys.
4. Toy types. There are countless varieties of toys that you can give to your pooch! Some of these toy types include:

• Balls: There are many types of toy balls fr puppies such as rubber balls, tennis balls, and more. When you’re out shopping, make sure to think about what your pet likes and their age. That way, you can pick the right size and texture for your dog. When you have bought a toy ball, be sure to play fun games like fetch or catch with them!

• Tug toys: Numerous four-legged buddies enjoy playing tug-of-war! Tug toys are typically made of linen, rope, or leather. It’s important to buy a new tug toy when you start seeing damage or shredding. You should also avoid being too bold or aggressive during tug-of-war games. This can cause your puppy to exhibit aggressive behavior when they become adults. 

• Chewable toys: Chewable toys are the best toy for your puppy. Most chewable toys are made of nylon or hard rubber, which allows it to last for a long time. You can use chewy toys to distract and play games like fetch.

• Plush toys: Plush toys are not exactly the best toys for your puppy. Unless you plan to supervise your furbaby, you should avoid plush toys as much as possible. Why? Plush toys are incredibly easy to tear apart and ingest the insides so it’s important to keep these away!

As your puppy matures, you’ll eventually need to transition from puppy toys to adult dog toys. And if your dog is still interested in playing in their old years, you may also switch to senior dog toys! Remember to always keep yourself updated on all kinds of dog toys that meet your puppy’s needs. We hope you have a safe and happy playtime with your puppy and their new dog toys!