Dogs love toys: That is undisputed. The dog toy industry is booming: That is also undisputed. Sadly, there is no regulation in the dog toy industry. This means the materials don’t have to meet safety requirements, and neither do the finished toys. So there are safe and unsafe toys out there, and it’s up to pet parents to become savvy shoppers. We’ve got some great tips so you can find safe toys that are also fun for your dogs.
Toys are a vital part of dogs’ lives, so ensuring that you buy the best quality you can afford is important. It’s equally important to be strict about the types of dog toys that you purchase because the wrong toy for your pet’s size or breed can have dire consequences. In fact, some dangerous dog toys can be fatal.
We are all familiar with the basic principle of dog training, based on operant conditioning: you reward the behaviors you want and you ignore the behaviors you don’t want. This is fine if you’re talking about something like jumping up on guests or sneaking onto the couch the moment your back is turned, but some people recommend this strategy when dealing with fear. But here’s the thing: ignoring your dog when she is afraid simply makes the problem worse.
