Have you spent a considerable amount of time standing in the dog toy aisle at your local pet store trying to decide which toy to buy for your puppy, only to end up grabbing one of these, and one of those, ... oh and one of those too? Just in case your puppy did not like one of them? There are so many dog toys for you to choose from, that it can seem almost impossible to make the right choice and walk out of the pet store without spending a ton of money. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right toy for your puppy.

What Type of Material?

To begin narrowing down your choices, let's decide what type of toy to buy for your puppy. Puppies are going to chew on anything they are allowed to, but their mouths and teeth can be delicate. Choosing a toy that is soft enough for them is a good start, but it should also be durable. A soft rubber compound is a good choice, as are stuffed animals (stuffing-less if they are able to chew it open). Your puppy will also be learning, so interactive toys or toys that can be stuffed with treats will help to stimulate their mind and keep them occupied. When you choose the right toy for your puppy, avoid toys that your puppy will be able to break pieces off of, or that have buttons, eyes, etc. that can be chewed off as this can result in a choking hazard.

Choose The Right Size

If you want to choose the right toy for your puppy, you need to consider both your puppy's current size and their rate of growth. Smaller breeds of dog, such as a Toy Poodle or a Chihuahua, will grow at a slower rate than a large breed, such as a German Shepherd or a Lab. A good rule to go by is that your puppy should not be able to fit the whole toy in their mouth, but it should not be so big that they will not be able to chew on it. I prefer to buy a toy that looks just a little too big for them to carry around, since the puppy will be able to "grow into" it. It is also good entertainment for you when they do actually figure out how to pick up the toy! Keep in mind that your puppy will be growing very quickly, especially the larger breed dogs. If you notice that a toy can fit all the way in your puppy's mouth, take it away from them and replace it.

Quantity vs. Quality

Do not be tempted to buy a lot of inexpensive toys instead of a couple more costly ones when trying to choose the right toy for your puppy. While we tend to think that surrounding our puppy with a dozen toys will keep them occupied and happy, giving them a few well chosen, durable interactive toys will actually do the trick. Remember that your puppy is going to be chewing, shaking, throwing, pouncing on, laying on these toys, and if they are not well made, they will not last very long. Having to replace inexpensive dog toys time and time again will cost just as much, if not more than a few well designed, durable toys that cost around $10 a piece. With this in mind, before you go out and buy a $30 toy, remember that your puppy will destroy it, so be prepared to be basically feeding $30 to your puppy.

When trying to choose the right toy for your puppy, there is really no need to surround your them with dozens of dog toys to keep them happy. Try to narrow down your choices by size, type of material and quality. Dog toys can be costly if you keep having to replace them, so do some research durable dog toys that will outlast your puppy's loving attention. And always remember to keep an eye on your puppy and take away any toy that could be a choking hazard!