Now that you have everything ready for your new Goldendoodle puppy, it’s time to talk toys. But, not just any toys, chew toys. Most people don’t know this, but puppies chew a lot. They go through a teething phase like our human babies. During this time, it seems like everything is a chew toy. So, if you want to save your furniture and shoes, we recommend chewing toys. Keep reading to find the best chew toys for a Goldendoodle puppy and the worst.
Ensuring Safety
Before we start talking about the best chew toys for a Goldendoodle puppy, we need to talk about safety. Every year hundreds of dogs are rushed to the emergency clinics for toy-related accidents. Most owners don’t realize that there are some essential steps to take when choosing your dog’s toys.
Here Are A Few Rules To Go By:
- Correct Size- Giving your puppy too large of a toy could mean cracked teeth. Too small of a chew toy could be a choking hazard. Every chew toy has various sizes intended for different weights. It is best to keep within the products recommended size chart.
- No Loose Parts- Any toy that you give your puppy should not have any loose or dangling parts. That means no ribbons, buttons, or moveable pieces. Puppies are compulsive chewers and will chew these pieces off and eat them. Loose parts are not only a choking hazard, but can also become lodged in the intestines.
- Inspection- You should be checking toys every day. Any toy that is compromised is a hazard to your dog. Always look for chipped pieces, cracks, and all parts are functioning.
- No Sharp Edges- Toys with sharp pieces could damage your puppy’s teeth and gums. They could also pose as an intestinal blockage if accidentally swallowed.
- Avoid Stuffing- If your dog is being left alone with toys, it is best to avoid stuffing. Puppies destroy toys in the blink of an eye. Stuffing poses a choking hazard and blockage potential. Getting unstuffed toys for when you are gone is safer.
- Avoid Batteries- If you have toys that are battery operated, it is best to leave them for supervised playtimes only. If your puppy chews into the battery, they could get severe burns and poisoning.
- Know Your Dog- If your dog is an aggressive chewer, it is best not to choose soft toys. And vice versa.
- For teething puppies, you want to choose something softer. A good rule is that it is too tough if you can’t make an indention with your fingernail. As your puppy ages and gets adult teeth, they can handle tougher chews.
- Supervision- The most critical part is always to supervise your puppy with any toy. All toys break and can pose a danger, and nothing is indestructible.
If you follow all of these safety rules, then your puppy should have no problem with most toys.
Toys Not To Buy
Now that we understand safety concerns let’s talk about toys you want to avoid. These chew toys can be dangerous and pose risks that most people do not understand.
Nylabone Plaque Attacker
Nylabone is one of the first branded chew toys. They make some wonderful edible chew toys. But, toys such as the Nylabone Plaque Attacker poses a real danger to puppies. This toy, and many like it, have small sharp pieces meant to stimulate and clean the gums. But these pieces easily fall off, and your puppy will likely swallow it.
Rawhides
Rawhides are strips of leather that are chemically processed with formaldehyde and arsenic. Not only are these chemicals harmful to your puppy, but the rawhide itself is a choking hazard. Hundreds of dogs a year are hospitalized after ingesting pieces of rawhide that get lodged in the intestines. The only way to remove them is with surgery. Even with supervision, it is best to stay away from the rawhide bones, rolls, and strips.
Soft Rubber
Stay away from soft rubber chew toys. These toys fall apart, and your puppy is more likely to eat the pieces. These small pieces can come off slowly at first but can make the entire toy crumble with aggressive chewing.
Cow Hooves And Antlers
These chew toys can be used with constant supervision, but you should be warned. These hooves and antlers can cause significant damage to aggressive chewers. Puppies have cracked teeth and even break their jaw on these bones because of their durability. There is also the risk of the hoof splintering and causing damage to your puppy’s mouth and digestive tract. If your dog is a soft chewer, it is safe to use with supervision.
Cooked Bones
Cooked bones of all kinds splinter and can cause the same issues as cow hooves. Bones that you typically get from pet stores are all cooked, and therefore should be avoided. You can, however, go to your local butcher and ask for raw cow knuckles for your puppy to chew. They will love the flavor and nutrition.
Anything Not Digestible
Until your puppy has grown, you will want to choose chew toys that are 100% digestible. This will eliminate trips to the vet and any safety issues that you might have with other chew toys.
Best Chew Toys
Now it is for the moment you’ve all been waiting for. Below is our list of the best chew toys for a Goldendoodle puppy.
Petstages Dogwood
Natural sticks can splinter and cause injury to your puppy’s mouth. If your Goldendoodle loves sticks, then they will love these natural Dogwood flavored chews. This toy is durable and tastes excellent. They are also safer and come in a variety of sizes.
Jack & Pup Bully Sticks
Bully sticks are great for the touch chewer. Bully sticks are full of flavor to encourage chewing, and they are 100% digestible. These sticks come in several sizes to match your pup the best.
AFreschi Turkey Tendon Rings
The Turkey Tendon Ring is great for chewing and providing a little more challenge. These natural rings are easy to digest and full of flavor. Your puppy will love the shape of these rings. You will enjoy the long-lasting durability without compromising safety.
Rachel Ray Nutrish Soup Bones
These bones are a great treat and chew toy in one. They have a great smell and robust flavor. The Soup Bone is nutritious and completely edible. They even come in regular and mini sizes for smaller puppies.
Whimzees Alligator Dental Dog Treats
Whimzees come in several shapes and sizes as a fun treat for your Goldendoodle. They not only help your puppy teeth but they also safely clean teeth and gums.
Yaky Churro Himalaya Cheese Treats
These natural Yak milk cheese sticks make the perfect chew toy for any puppy. These sticks start hard, and as your puppy chews, they become soft and pliable. They are easily digestible, durable, and tasty.
Homemade Jerky Chews
If you own a dehydrator, you might be interested in making your own jerky chews. You will love saving money and having control over what goes into your puppy’s treats. Here are a couple of our favorite easy recipes.
- This homemade jerky has an easy step by step instructions. They even give you instructions on using your oven as a dehydrator. With so many protein options, this is a great place to start. These recipes are perfectly marinaded and keep your puppy coming back for more.
- Here is another great dehydrated sweet potato recipe that is sure to be a hit. Dehydrated sweet potatoes can be a great teething toy for your Goldendoodle puppy. The only thing we would not recommend about this toy is attaching it to a rope. The rope could break with chewing and become a choking hazard.
Staying Interested
Now that your puppy has a variety of toys and chew things, you may be wondering why they don’t seem interested. In the first few days, they seem excited and love their new toys. But then the novelty wears off. How do you prevent this?
With puppies, less can sometimes mean more. They can get overwhelmed with so many options that they choose nothing at all. To keep your puppy engaged, there are a few things you can do.
- Toy Rotation– Have enough toys that you can switch them out every few days. You will want at least ten toys/chews per day, and enough to last through 2 weeks of rotations. Every time you bring out an old box, it will be like new all over again.
- Variety– In this rotation, make sure that you have a variety of different chew types, flavors, textures, interactive, and unstuffed toys. The mixture will keep your puppy interested. It will also help you learn what he likes or dislikes.
- Work Rotation– Have a different rotation for when you are gone to work. These particular toys should be your dog’s favorite and keep them from being bored throughout the day.
This might sound like a lot of toys, but it is a sure-fire way to keep your puppy engaged in his toys. It will keep your puppy happy, and your property safe from puppy teeth.
In Conclusion
While your dog grows and you get a sense of what they enjoy, you can add even more variety to their chew toys. You will soon find out what your dog’s favorite choice of chew is, and what he doesn’t like at all. Hopefully, you can get through the teething years without too much damage to your furniture and shoes.
Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Doodle Board!!
