The best games and toys for your puppy
Your puppy loves to play with you. If it were up to him, that would probably make up your whole day. There is dog toy as far as the eye can see. But which toy is the best and how do you play properly with your puppy?
So you never run out of ideas and can surprise your puppy with something new, here are some tips for guaranteed playtime fun and we'll reveal which games and toys are best for puppies!
The tug toy
The tug toy is a real classic! Extremely durable, gentle on teeth, and offering opportunities for interaction between you and your puppy, this tug toy is one of the most popular of all dog toys.
Whether for throwing, tugging together or to boost motivation: the tug toy is a true all-rounder. Teething? No problem, thanks to the robust construction this toy is not easily worn out.
When choosing, make sure the material is free from harmful substances and the size is suitable. For puppies, a smaller tug toy is recommended at first.
Your DIY tug toy
For a do-it-yourself tug toy, you’ll need:
Fleece (an old blanket or fabric scraps)
Ruler and scissors
Clothespin or bag clip
Let’s get started! Depending on the desired size, cut out 4 fleece strips, each between 40 and 80 centimeters long. The strips should be about 10-12 cm wide. Place the four strips on top of each other and secure them at one end with a clip. Then arrange the strips in a "+" shape to each other. When tying, imagine that each strip points in a cardinal direction.
Start with the west strip and lay it over the north strip. Then lay that one over the east strip. Lay the east strip over the south strip. Now pull the south strip through the loop made by the west strip. Pull everything tight so a knot forms. Repeat these steps until you can no longer knot the fleece strips. Done!
The snuffle mat for food searching
Food games not only increase your puppy’s activity during feeding, but are also great for your puppy’s brain.
Especially in the early days, your four-legged friend is receptive and eager to learn. Through strategic searching for food, your little one is optimally challenged and kept busy. At the same time, your puppy has to rely on his nose and can thus improve his sniffing skills .
Tasty snacks or dry food are best for hiding. You can also incorporate the mat into your feeding routine.
Your DIY snuffle mat
So you don't have to buy an expensive toy you can easily make this yourself. For a snuffle mat you’ll need:
an old blanket
rags and towels or other fabric scraps
sewing kit
To attach the old fabric scraps to the blanket, simply sew them closely together and overlapping on. Make sure as many scraps as possible overlap, so you can hide dry food or treats between them.
Encourage and motivate with treat balls
Similar to the snuffle mat, the treat ball is also used to hide food inside. It’s perfect for mentally stimulating your puppy through play and fun .
Such a ball can easily be filled with treats or dry food . Before you throw the ball, let your puppy sniff it so he knows: there’s something tasty inside!
Your puppy will also be motivated to chew on the ball. Especially during teething your furry friend's jaw itches and hurts. Chewing and searching for food can help your little one relax.
Give this a try!
How to play properly with your puppy
Besides the question of the right toy, you probably also want to know how to play properly with your puppy. Even though fun and games come first , your puppy can pick up certain behaviors during play. It’s important to keep play sessions short, because especially young pups tire quickly and need →plenty of sleep.
So your puppy learns early on that you are above him in the hierarchy, you should decide when play starts and ends. If you notice your puppy getting overly excited, snapping and losing self-control , end the game immediately. This way, your furry friend knows that play can only continue if he follows the rules of the game.
