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 entire day. There is dog toy, as far as the eye can see. But which toy is the best and how do you play correctly with your puppy?
To ensure you don't run out of ideas and can surprise your puppy with something new, here are tips for guaranteed fun and we reveal which games and toys are the best for puppies!
The Tug Toy
The tug toy is a real classic! Extremely robust, gentle on the teeth, and with opportunities for interaction between you and your puppy, this tugging toy is one of the most popular of all dog toys.
Whether for throwing, mutual tugging, or to increase motivation: The tug toy is a true all-rounder. Teething? No problem, due to its robust construction, this toy won't wear out quickly.
When selecting, pay attention to the material's freedom from harmful substances as well as an appropriate size. For puppies, a smaller tug toy is recommended at first.
Your DIY Tug Toy
For a do-it-yourself tug toy, you will 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 between 40 and 80 centimeters long. The strips should be about 10-12 cm wide. Lay the four strips on top of each other and secure them with a clip at one end. Then arrange the strips in a "+" shape. Imagine while knotting that each strip belongs to a cardinal direction.
Start with the west strip and lay it over the north strip. Then lay the north strip over the east strip. Lay the east strip over the south strip. Now pull the south strip through the loop created by the west strip. Pull everything tight evenly so that 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 activity during feeding but are also good for your puppy's mind.
Especially in the early days, your four-legged friend is receptive and particularly eager to learn. Through strategic searching for food, your treasure is optimally stimulated and occupied. At the same time, your four-legged friend relies on his nose and can thus improve his sniffing talent.
Delicious snacks or dry food are best suited for hiding. You can also easily incorporate the mat into the 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 will need:
- an old blanket
- rags and towels or other fabric scraps
- sewing supplies
To connect the old fabric scraps with the blanket, simply sew them close together and overlapping. Make sure that as many scraps overlap as possible, between which you can then hide dry food or treats.
Promote and Motivate with Snack Balls
Similar to the snuffle mat, the snack ball is also used to hide food inside. It is ideal for mentally stimulating your puppy during play and fun.
Such a ball can be easily filled with snacks or dry food. Before you throw the ball, let your puppy sniff it so he knows: Something delicious awaits me here!
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 furball relax.
Probier's doch mal hiermit!
How to Play Correctly with Your Puppy
Besides the question of the right toy, you probably also want to know how to play correctly with your puppy. Even though play and fun are the focus, your puppy may adopt certain behaviors during play. It is important to keep the play sessions short, as especially young four-legged friends can get tired quickly and need →a lot of sleep.
To ensure your four-legged friend learns early on that you are above him in the hierarchy, you should decide when the game starts and ends. If you notice that your four-legged friend is getting overly excited, snapping, and can no longer control himself, end the game immediately. This way, your furry friend knows that the game can only continue if he adheres to the rules of play.
