Tag Archives: Dog Toys

Rosie Pup

Meet Rosie

Rosie, helping with the baling

Fetching Her Home

We had met her before, three weeks earlier. She was a bold little pup with her mum and dad to back her up, but when we came to collect her, she was very timid and quite nervous. We scooped her up and loaded her in the car, in the crate that had been painstakingly prepared for her. Sadly, she didn’t make it the few miles home without bringing up her breakfast.

Rosie on her way home

Introducing her to the others

Now it was our turn to be nervous! Both Jack and Archie had welcomed a few pups in their time, so we weren’t too bothered about them. Toby’s only pup experience was with Tilly; he was a bit snappy with her until he got to know her. Tilly had no pup experience, and her eyes stood out on stalks on her first sighting!

We were cautious with all the introductions and are still vigilant now. We don’t ever leave them completely alone together.

Toby does love to play

She loves them and is determined to join in with their games, but we are aware of the huge difference in sizes and so take the utmost care to ensure she’s properly supervised, as once the small puppy teeth start snapping, things can get a bit wild. At that point, she goes into her crate for some time out.

Naming Names

We had initially decided to call her Lily. However, after a confusing few days of Tilly and Lily, we saw the error of our ways and renamed her Rosie!

Vet visit

On the second day, at around six in the evening, we noticed that her eyes were swollen almost shut. We guessed that she had suffered an allergic reaction but to what? Was it our grass, her food, or had she been stung? After bathing her eyes, we decided we should speak to a vet to be on the safe side. Within the hour, we were at the surgery. By that time, the swelling had gone and she was practically back to normal. While we were there, the vet checked her thoroughly and recommended we gave her half an antihistamine tablet.

The following day her ears were puffy and red, so she had another half tablet and was fine. Since that time, we have had no more allergic reactions, thank goodness.

Toys

All toys had to be thoroughly examined and any squeakers surgically removed – all toys seem to have squeakers these days – so as not to upset Toby. We found the soft treat dispensing toys were the most popular and useful, especially the Lotus Ball. We also ensured we always had some sort of toy near to hand so that when she started biting with those sharp puppy teeth, we had something to divert her attention and protect our limbs!

She enjoys slurping lots of water, so we introduced her to the Chilly Penguin.

Music by:  Music Unlimited Hip-Hop Is

Fun and Games

In the evenings, after a busy day, the dogs all like to chill out while we watch TV. Rosie, of course, hasn’t quite got the hang of that yet and thinks it’s a great time to wind everybody up.

We have found the Sniffing Carpet for smaller pets is perfect for her. By the time she has finished foraging for the treats, she is ready to lay down and relax.

Music by:  Music Unlimited Uplifting Piano Is

Each night we fill treat dispensing toys and put them in her crate. She literally skips towards the crate at bedtime and has been known to sit outside impatiently howling to get in!

Clicker training

It really is quicker with a clicker!

We waited a week before we started clicker training. As we had changed Rosie’s diet, we wanted to give her a chance to get accustomed to the new food before we started feeding her lots of treats. Tuning her into the clicker was easy since she is very food oriented. We spent one day on that and the following day started training properly.

The first thing we taught her was eye contact. Called her name, which she barely knew at that point, and when she looked at us, clicked and treated.

The sit followed, and then down. All of which were straightforward and learned in minutes.

She has now learned settle on an old car mat, and it literally took three attempts for her to get the hang of it.

She is so enthusiastic when it comes to clicker training and initiates the training herself.

Puppy Training Treats

We used a variety of treats, all especially recommended for puppies. The only problem was the size of them.

For clicker training, you need small, tasty treats that can be quickly eaten so you can treat and move on.

All of the puppy treats had to be chopped into tiny pieces for her initial training. Now she is having slightly larger pieces.

Rosie loved them all and was happy to work for any of them!

She has settled in well

Rosie Loves: All tested and approved!

From left to right Lotus Ball, KONG Ballistic, Puppy KONG, Chilly Penguin, Sniffing Carpet for Smaller Pets

Dog with Tennis Balls

Having a Ball!

How much does your dog love a ball?Balls – the Ultimate Toy

There are many toys available for pets today in all shapes and sizes to cater to all needs, but some just prefer the humble ball.

Even so, with so much choice available, how do you choose the perfect ball for your pet?

Balls you can’t pick up

Not all dogs like to fetch and chase.  Some like to squeak or seek out treats.

Our boy Blitz loved any ball, but once he had it clamped in his jaws, it was game over. He wasn’t releasing it for any reason. However, he had one ball that he couldn’t clamp and that was the Boomer Ball.

Nevertheless, he loved that ball. He would play with it for hours on his own until we had to pull him away because he was so over-excited.

Blitz with his Boomer Ball

Blitz with his Boomer Ball

Balls to Chase in the Dark

We have wasted plenty of hours traipsing around a pitch-black park searching for the ball that one of our dogs has dropped. But for dusk and dawn playtime, the Chuckit! Max Glow Ball is ideal – no batteries required!

Chuckit! Max Glow Ball

Chuckit! Max Glow Ball

Balls that go beyond Fetch

The Hol-ee Roller Ball is probably more fun on land. This ball can be used for tugging and tossing, but also filling with tasty treats.

Dog with Hol-ee Roller Ball

Photograph by SETH CASTEEL @ LittleFriendsPhoto.com

Balls with Catnip for the Canny Cat

Cats love to chase too, and so these animal print Jungle Catnip Balls are fun and bring out the Tiger in your Kitty – they can’t resist the Catnip!

Jungle Catnip Balls

Jungle Catnip Balls

Boredom Busters for Horses

Horses love balls too, and these Jolly Balls are perfect not just for horses, but also for dogs. They come in scented varieties to make them more attractive to your horse.

Horse with Jolly Ball

Horses love balls too and are available in scented varieties

Ball Toys for Dogs, Cats and Horses

Why not take a look at our full range of Ball Toys and see if you can spot one that could be your pet’s new favourite?

Ball toys for dogs

From left to right, Chuckit! Breathe Right, Bad Cuz, Mini Fetch me Fido, Orbee-Tuff Fetch Balls, Chuckit! Rope Fetch Toy, Tug n Toss Jolly Ball, Ball in a Ball Puzzle Toy, Biosafe Puppy Treat Balls, Chuckit! Fetch Medley

Our favourite things

Our Favourite Things

KONG for your pup

The KONG Classic

These are a few of our favourite things – unassuming yet amazingly useful enrichment toys

Thanks to the pandemic, many people new to pet ownership are finding their feet with their new paws and wading through the thousands of available aids, toys, and enrichment games on the market.

We see a lot of different toys for pets and there are plenty of choices, but what if you want a “toy” that has more than one purpose? One that can become a hit with your pet and your go-to item for entertainment, comfort or learning. Have a quick browse through our well-tested, favourite things.

KONG

KONG sizes

KONG – available in a range of sizes and varieties

Years ago, when we bought our pups their first KONGs, neither we nor the youngsters were impressed. We tried throwing them, but there wasn’t a lot of interest in them and they may have chewed on them for a while, but they just weren’t very stimulating. If only we had known!

KONGs solve these problems

What use is a KONG?

Fast forward a few years and we learned the secret of the KONG – the filling! Fill them with all sorts of goodies and the dogs were drooling the moment they saw them. That is the value of a KONG. Freeze them in the hot weather for a nice refreshing treat and prolong the entertainment.

KONG Stuffing

Learn to stuff ’em

Cats too, can get to enjoy this far from boring gift that keeps on giving.

Kitty KONG for cats

The Kitty KONG

Puller

Puller pup

The Puller Dog Exercise Toy

Another product that doesn’t initially excite you when you first set eyes on it. The Puller has become the number one favourite toy in our household. They all love it, even Jack, who doesn’t play with toys.

Puller range

The Puller comes in a wide range of sizes to suit all breeds

It will fly like a frisbee, roll along the ground, float in water and not surprisingly, you can use it as a puller or tuggy. If you have more than one dog, they can play tug together. Our dogs adore it, especially our Daisy, who would swim to it in the pool and even chase it in her wheelchair.

But that’s not all it does, it is also a dog fitness aid, and with it, you get instructions on just how to use it to get your dog fit. But, if fun is all you’re after, you can’t beat it!

Puller train

Train your dog to fitness with the Puller

Tug n Toss Jolly Ball

Tug n Toss Jolly Ball Floats

The Tug n Toss Jolly Ball

The Tug n Toss Jolly Ball is actually lovely to look at, but it is far more than just an ornament. This toy floats beautifully in water and, with the handle, is perfect for a dog to grab. Although our big boy Blitz never bothered with the handle, he enjoyed chomping into the body with his powerful jaws. And that’s the beauty of a Tug n Toss Jolly Ball, they may puncture, but they don’t deflate.

Jolly Ball Range

Available in a range of sizes and even scented varieties

Great for tossing, retrieving and for mouthing. They are also brilliant enrichment toys for horses and come in scented varieties to entice the equine nose!

Jolly Horse

An enrichment toy for your horse or pony

HOL-EE Roller

Hol-EE Roller

The HOL-EE Roller

This one took us by surprise. We have stocked the HOL-EE Roller for a while, but had no idea that there was a whole movement out there – #hackyourholee.

Hack your HOL-EE

#hackyourholee

Such a simple, unassuming “toy”, and yet it has a cult following. Inventive owners have come up with all sorts of wonderful ideas to turn this into probably one of the best, most cost-effective enrichment toys around at the moment.

HOL-EE Sizes

The HOL-EE Roller comes in a range of sizes

Use the HOL-EE Roller for a simple game of fetch if you wish, but you can go so much further. Attach a handle to it for an instant tuggy. Fill it with treats, or don’t just fill it with treats! Cut up some felt strips, roll the treats inside and then push them through the holes of the HOL-EE for longer-lasting fun and a handy brain game. Alternatively, put a ball or squeaker inside for some exciting entertainment. And horses can enjoy it too!

Hol-EE Roller horse

Fill the HOL-EE Roller with hay or treats to make snack time more fun

The Ricochet Electronic Dog Toy

Petsafe Ricochet Electronic Dog Toy

Tilly tests the new Ricochet dog toy

A new type of interactive toy

When the new Ricochet Electronic Dog Toy landed on our doorstep, we couldn’t wait to give it a try. It is, in fact, two toys. As your dog plays with one of the interactive paired toys, a fun and exciting squeak sound is heard from the other toy. When your dog rushes to investigate the second toy, the sound bounces back to the first toy, hence the name. It will keep your dog entertained ping-ponging between the two units trying to capture that illusive squeak!

The paired Ricochet Dog Toys

The Ricochet is made of hard plastic with rubber top

Tilly is a keen tester

We chose Tilly to be the chief tester because she loves squeaky toys. We took her out to the field where we could hide the toys in the grass.

She was a little confused at first and couldn’t quite grasp what was going on, but after a few minutes, she got the hang of the game and was dashing back and forth between one and the other and attempting to round them up!

You can see how she got on with our video of her first encounter.

Product details

While not a chew toy, the Ricochet is durable enough for intense play. Change up the game by hiding one of the toys behind furniture or in a nearby room. The toys have a range of up to 30 feet. When your dog is done for the day, it will automatically turn off after 60 minutes of non-interaction to conserve the battery life.

Features

  • Hide and Squeak – The PetSafe® Ricochet Electronic Dog Toy features 2 paired toys that will have your dog bouncing back and forth as he tries to catch a “moving” squeak sound
  • Surprise Sound – The PetSafe® Ricochet is perfect for single-dog households; when your dog interacts with one of the toys, the other toy makes a squeak sound from up to 30 ft. away
  • Automatic Exercise – Dogs will love to chase the squeak between the toys, and you will love knowing your dog is staying active
  • Mental Stimulation – The moving squeak provides a fun puzzle for your dog, as the sound is never where he expects it
  • Free from Stuffing – The PetSafe® Ricochet has no stuffing or fabric to tear, making it a no-mess toy
  • Long-Lasting Play – Playtime with the Ricochet lasts up to a month of daily use; both toys turns off after 60 minutes of no activity to save battery life
  • One-Year Warranty – The PetSafe® Ricochet is backed by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.
  • Each toy uses 3 AAA batteries (not included)

Available now!

Daisy loves her Bionic Toss n Tug!

The Bionic Toss n Tug flying dog toy is a hit with Daisy!

Our white German Shepherd Daisy is a connoisseur of flying dog toys, and has tried several of them for us over the years (including Jawz Flying Discs, Fling a Rings, and Easy Gliders), so when the Bionic Toss n Tug arrived,  no-one else could be better qualified than our Chief Product Tester.

This little gem looks deceptively unexciting at first glance, but one throw and its true potential is revealed. Not only does it fly effortlessly through the air, but if you hold it vertically when you throw it rather than flat, on landing it continues to roll at a rapid pace.  Everything Daisy looks for in a chase toy!

 

It is also incredibly durable. Daisy has been hunting this toy daily for several months now, and there is barely a mark on it.  She’s not a chewer but she does like to clamp her jaws onto it as she brings it back, and it has lived to tell the tale almost unscathed.

Although tugging isn’t really Daisy’s thing, she does tend to engage if she thinks the game is about to end. The Bionic Toss n Tug has retained its shape perfectly throughout these encounters.

This brings us to another interesting and surprisingly good feature. By folding in a certain way, the Toss n Tug twists into a full blown tug toy, giving you two for the price of one!

But that isn’t really Daisy’s cup of tea. As far as she’s concerned, tug toys are for the boys – she prefers a jolly good chase!

Bionic Tug n Toss:

The Bionic Tug-n-Toss is a fantastic 2 in 1 dog toy. The orange colour makes it easy to see, and it flies and rolls extremely well making it great fun for retrieval games.  Twist it inside out and it becomes a fun tug toy too!

Two sizes available.  Extremely durable.