Homemade Dog Toys : Introduction
Your dog is your best friend, right?
Dogs are so loveable that you often can't resist buying them the best things, and this includes dog toys. Our dogs dote on us, so we tend to want to dote on them by buying them things! However, while purchasing goodies for your dog at the pet store is advantageous because the toys been pre-tested against a wide variety of dogs for usability and safety, individual dogs act differently toward different types of toys.
How many times have you bought or received a dog toy only to have your favorite buddy completely ignore it no matter how exciting the toy looked and moved? While it may have seemed aesthetically pleasing and "dog-like" to us, it is important to note that what dogs, like humans, are individuals and may thus not have the same likes and tastes as we do. Even though it certainly seems like it at times!
While we all would like to get our dogs the best things, sometimes it's good to see what he likes first before purchasing things at the pet store. Does he like chew toys, moving ball toys, or "fetch stick" types of toys? The answer is not always obvious. You see, while we may not want to accept it, 50% of a commercial dog toy is in the packaging, vibrant colors, and branding and is made for the benefit of HUMANS. It only makes sense that before you run to the store to buy all manner of things that you might test the waters to see what your dog likes... For instance, a dog may not be able to tell the difference between the shape of an expensive dog rope toy with bells and whistles and one you just made at home. He might even like the homemade toy better! This is where dog toy prototype testing comes in handy.
It can be a little embarassing when friends come over and see your dog playing with toys that you made yourself! But in any case, if you find one of these free dogtoy archetypes that your pet really likes you can go out and try and buy the equivalent item at the store. Test their interests first with the free stuff, and then you can spring for something you know your canine buddy will like!
