LET’S TALK DOG TOYS

By Monday, December 14, 2015 18 No tags Permalink

Let’s talk dog toys because when it comes to purchasing dog toys I need help!

DSCN3272

This isn’t a product review – it’s a DESPERATE product search.

As we get closer to Christmas I’m becoming cynical like Ebenezer Scrooge when I think about purchasing toys for the Boys…

Well, one in particular…

DSCN3174

You see Jax is a real menace when it comes to ANY type of toy. From the time it comes out of the bag – his sole mission is to eniliate it as quickly as he can.

I know manufacturer’s offer guidance when your trying to choose the “right toy for your dog” but I have yet to find one that can survive my canine cyborg assassin known as “Terminator-Jaxson.

LOOK AT EXHIBITS A-E PLEASE –

ROPE – I thought a rope toy WITH durable plastic AND a ball would cover ALL the bases. #nope…

DSCN3270

PLUSH – Trying to connect with his “softer side” I thought a plush toy might teach him to be gentle.

#Rambodoodle went to the other extreme – saw it as “prey” and gutted it over night leaving its remains in the bathroom for me to find the next morning. #Idohavetosleep…

DSCN3312

EXTRA STURDY – Our daughter fell for the “extra sturdy micro threading blah, blah, blah” label. Never made it to the backyard…

DSCN3279

BALLS – They say a ball is a “must have” for any dog that loves to fetch. We’ve got dozens in all shapes, colors and sizes. I thought the “new” big red ball would be fun.

I had visions of kick-ball and dodge ball – you know exercise for all. #unrealisticdreams…

DSCN3337

SQUEAKIES – This had no stuffing. It was easy to carry, and made a high pitch annoying sound when he squeezed it. I thought this might entertain him as he carried it around the house.

After finding the foot amputated, I thought the caption was fitting. #poophappens…

Screen-Shot-2015-12-14-at-9.01.44-AM

I just don’t get it. Leo cherished “Wilson” and Harley has had this teddybear for 5 years!

Something Jax learned early in life not to touch it…

DSCN3346

Every time I trip over the remains of something I just ordered, this image comes to mind…

This is becoming my “go-to” Christmas carol as I search for the right #dogtoy

Free-Christmas-Banner-13

  • Can anyone relate to my pain?
  • Can anyone help elevate my suffering?

I would love gift suggestions that can sustain my maniac. He’s tough on toys but he deserves a little “sumpin-sumpin” under the tree other than an aluminum pie pan #cantdestroythat #justkidding

SERIOUSLY –

If you experienced (or know of) a toy terminator and have a solution please share in the comments below.

Thank you! My checkbook and I will be forever grateful.

Signature

Be kind to someone and as always, thank you for sharing us with your friends!

 

18 Comments
  • Emma
    December 14, 2015

    Bailie started her path of toy destruction around ten months of age. It finally came to an end for the most part, but transformed into shredding beds and pillows. Jail has been the only solution so far, but we are hoping she might mature some day. Katie and I never were destructive, maybe one item each, ever! We feel your pain.

    • Cathy Bennett
      December 14, 2015

      JAIL!!!!! Oh Emma, that sounds like music to my ears! LOL I would really like to find something that keeps his interest in a way where he doesn’t reset to destruction. I’m not going to give up! I shall forever continue to search. Merry Christmas!

  • Dashlilly
    December 14, 2015

    Dash is the destructive one in our house. But now at age 8 it is really rare that he tears something apart. He likes antlers for a little while–cause he likes to chew. He also loves the interactive toys. Much more than Lilly does. When I get out the games his tail goes and goes! Jax should get something under the tree, you’re right! good luck!

    • Cathy Bennett
      December 14, 2015

      PAWhaps I should look for interactive toys Deirdre, maybe that will keep his idle mind and his destructive paws busy. Thanks – I’ll let you know!

  • Denise Gruzensky
    December 14, 2015

    Shasta was not destructive until we had to start leaving him alone a few days/week when we moved and grandpa and grandma doggie daycare was no longer available. We have been trying interactive toys, which he likes, but figures out VERY quickly. I posted a video recently with just how quickly he figured his last one out! Please keep us posted!

  • The Daily Pip
    December 14, 2015

    I don’t have any suggestions for you as Ruby is just the opposite and tends to think toys are out to get her and pretty much runs from them. Just had to say that I laughed out loud when I saw that red ball with the bite out of it. OMG, that’s hysterical.

  • Two French Bulldogs
    December 14, 2015

    When we are playing a bit to hard, in moms nice monster voice she says NOoooooo. Takes the stuffie and says Easssssy. Then we get it back .the we don’t rip it’s head off
    Lily & Edward

  • 2 Punk Dogs
    December 15, 2015

    We buy the giant size Kong rope toys, as in people ask how big the dog is! The ropes are at least 3 feet long and about an inch in diameter, with 3 big knots. They last a few months while everything else only lasts a few minutes.
    Duke & Maggie are only 45 pounds each, are 7 & 8 and are still evil chew bots! 🙂

  • Jackie Bouchard
    December 16, 2015

    Our Abby was a serial toy killer. I also might as well have just flushed a bunch of money! Two suggestions… (1) an “unbreak-o-ball” and (2) buy old stuffed animals at garage sales for 25c. That’s what I used to do to let her take her killer instinct out on a toy without it breaking the bank!

  • Jan K
    December 16, 2015

    Ha ha, I can so relate to the image of the burning money! Sheba is 11 years old and she is still destructo-dog, so there was not outgrowing it there. Yet, I still don’t give up, and I still get sucked in by every “tough toy” ad I see.
    The West Paw Design zogoflex toys are the ONLY ones that have held up to her (and Luke is also a destructor), but there are even a couple of those (the Tizzi and the Bumi) that didn’t make it. One of the favorites is the Hurley (kind of bone shaped) and they love the balls as well. I see Jax had one of their Zogoflex air toys there…how did he like that?

    • Cathy Bennett
      December 18, 2015

      So far the Zogoflex toy is working like a champ. He really likes balls so I may have to stick with those and then buy cheap marked down plush toys knowing that they will get killed before sundown LOL

  • Pamela
    December 17, 2015

    So he loves to destroy stuff. Why not give him toys he’s allowed to destroy–preferably some that don’t cost you any money?

    Here’s one of Honey’s favorites:

    1) Start gathering boxes–frozen veg, cereal, all kinds.
    2) Put a really stinky treat in a small box and seal it with tape.
    3) Put the small box with the stinky treat into a bigger box and seal it with tape.
    4) Put the small box inside the bigger box into a bigger box and seal it with tape…

    Well, you know the drill. Then give it to Jax to shred to his heart’s content. It’s not such a big deal to sweep up the pieces with a broom. As long as he doesn’t eat too much cardboard, it shouldn’t be unhealthy.

    Best of all, it doesn’t cost you anything extra. And he’ll have a blast.

    I also buy Honey stuffed toys at the Salvation Army. She really likes big ones. They cost far less than new pet toys. And I don’t feel so bad when they finally die.

    I hope you’ll tell us what you finally decide to do. Waiting for the update. 🙂

    • Cathy Bennett
      December 18, 2015

      Excellent ideas Pamela! I never thought about the box thing and trust me, the cardboard alone will bring endless minutes of fun for the maniac. Should be easy to do this holiday season with all the boxes laying around. Someone else recommended Thrift Store items, said they were super cheap. Makes sense. “Oh Come Oh Ye Frugal” – that’s me! Merry Christmas.

  • Verna
    December 21, 2015

    Great! I love following your lives!!

    • Cathy Bennett
      December 23, 2015

      Hi Verna! We love knowing that you enjoy hearing all about our adventures! Merry Christmas my friend & thanks so much for following the Boys!

  • Michele
    January 18, 2016

    The image of the burning wallet when purchasing pet toys is one that I share with you. Every Christmas, my husband and I take a trip to Good Will and purchase stuffed animals for $1 or .95 cents apiece. We are careful to get the ones that are considered safe for children and have no hard, plastic eyes or noses and etc. We don’t feel guilty chucking them in the trash when they’ve been “loved” on enough and we feel they’re no longer safe. I’ve learned to inspect the dog toys daily. We’ve spent a few sleepless nights running outside with Ellie Mae with gastro distress after eating the tag or ear off of a toy. Lesson learned. We watch her and the toys carefully to avoid a disaster. I had forgotten how destructive a puppy could be. My German Shorthair is 11 and my sheltie is 13. And they are not amused with Ellie Mae (who adores them) at all.

    • Cathy Bennett
      January 19, 2016

      I’ve started cutting all the outside tags off before giving the toys to Jax. He gravitates to the hanging tags first for some reason. I’ve begun scouring the “clearance” bins in various pet stores looking for discounted items. I hit the “mother-load” the other day on Christmas toys. They won’t be around long but I didn’t see flames or smoke from my wallet either LOL

  • Claudette Pope
    December 15, 2016

    Ziggy is Horrible with toys also. I did find two that he has not been able to destroy. I ordered a ball that makes noise as it rolls. Its extremely hard with groves in it so he can grab it with his mouth. He has has it for a year now with No scratches, tears, or breaks. I’ll have to look up the place that I ordered from.