TOYS & CHEWS

Being puppy raisers for Guiding Eyes for the Blind a pup's toy list is restrictive.  Soft vinyl toys and toys with strings are not allowed as they can potentially be dangerous.  Rawhide and other hide chews are also forbidden. Through the years, labs in the puppy program have required surgery to remove toys parts and other objects.  Before purchasing a toy consider your pup's playing behavior and let common sense help be the guide.  In addition to being safe a toy must have dog appeal and be age appropriate.  Some toys do not make the list because they are too durable and could knock a tooth out if a pup tries to catch it in flight.  Other toys such as stuffed animals are frowned upon.  Stuffed animals are cute but if a pup is left unattended the toy  may be shredded and the stuffings ingested perhaps resulting in the tragic death of a pup. Always remember to supervise pup/dog with any toy.  The following are a list of toys that many big dogs truly enjoy.

 
Jolly Balls
Rigid, non-deflatable, made of nontoxic polyurethane, and have a handle.  Multiple sizes but even the little guys enjoy playing with the large size one.  Caution -- Pups that are aggressive chewers may destroy the handle.
Planet kong
Virtually indestructible toys such as kongs, goody bones, space ship, and balls.  Goody bones and space ships can be inserted with small biscuits.  Kongs can be stuffed with low calorie peanut butter and shredded carrot.  Great for aggressive chewers.  "Glow-in-the-dark" kong comes with an attached nylon rope, so remember to put this toy away if your dog chews on rope material.  The glow-in-the-dark kong is made of a softer rubber and toy annihilators might be tempted too chew it.
Happy Dog products
Interactive tennis bone that has a tennis ball on each end.  The "stretchy" tennis bone is not as rugged as the original product.  The giant size is too large for Labs.  Happy Dog also makes larger size balls which are safer for big boys to play with.
Clutch Ball
Made of softer material but has interesting grooves enabling even young pups to pick up the large 8 inch diameter size.  This ball squeaks which adds to the fun.  The clutch ball is not a toy to be left out of doors as UV light eventually affects the ball's integrity.
Floatable Frisbee by Nylabone
Made of soft durable plastic that has a raised bone shape which dogs fine easy to pick up.  Long lasting.
Kevlar Frisbee
Dog Bite resistant flexible Frisbee fabricated from kevlar and rubber.
Doggy Hoot Fling Rings
Constructed from canvas on a rope ring base.  Choose between Cat-a-Whirl or Hurl-a-Squirrel.
Air Dog toys
Made from the same materials and process as tennis balls.  They are rugged and durable have a wacky bounce and can even be tossed in water.  They have several styles a 3" cube, 6" bone, 8" stick and 5" ring.  Caution -- Some pups may try to remove the fuzzy green surface. 
Hol-ee Rollers
An innovative toy made of tough, flexible rubber that is honeycombed and hollow.  A recently introduced toy has a ball in the center and floats which adds to a pup's interest.
Buddy's Bone by Sun Pet Toys
Strong and highly durable bone shaped toy that flashes whenever it hits a hard surface.  The bone has a rubber textured ball on each end and will hold a small biscuit.  Buddy's bone come into two sizes but even the little guys can carry around the large one.
Nylabone
The hard variety of nylabones are allowed and come in a large variety of shapes and sizes.  Avoid the edible and soft puppy bones as pups can bite off chunks of these bones which can cause obstructions. 
Sterilized Bones
Plain and non-rawhide filled sterilized beef bones are permitted.  Biscuits can be hid in the bone for an extra treat.

If you have suggestions for toys to be added to this page please contact us!
Remember always take time to "paws" for play!



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