Dog Toys - Toughest Soft Toy?

bargain huntress on 26/01/2019 - 03:47

I have a part staffy who loves methodically destroying things, and also seems to have a real longing for soft toys.

He has stolen and dismembered a couple of my other dogs toys, and one of my Dad's. He seems to understand and respect that he can not have my stuffed bear though.

I have never given him a soft toy because;
it seemed like it wouldn't last very long and be a waste,
and my Mum worries it may encourage him to take toys he's not allowed - but now I wonder if he is taking them because he doesn't have any. - Opinions on this please?

And also what is the toughest soft dog toy?

I found a brand called Tuffy, and the octopus' are supposed to be extra tough and 'rated 10 on the toughness scale'. But: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R2VZALDWR94IVN/re…

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Comments

  • Gandalf the Thrifty on 26/01/2019 - 05:54
    +1

    I've found tough toys usually have a weak point that the dog finds and then still rips the fluffy guts out under 10 min. Eg body is kevlar like material but face is soft fabric.

    Some of the Kong toys were little bit tougher. Can't remember all the rest of brands we tried but they get more expensive and never seem to last very long, no matter what they advertise.

    Sometimes we buy cheap soft toys from op shop

    • bargain huntress on 22/10/2019 - 21:02

      I've tried the cheap soft toys, i do feel a bit guilty about the carnage, and the family is not impressed with the mess.

  • ms_caz on 26/01/2019 - 08:09

    We have had tuffys for a couple of chewy labs. They like to play "mine" ie pull and tug over the one toy.

    We've had numerous shapes over the years and they seem to stand up to all kinds of chewing and rough play eg the duraforce ones that are just a boomerang or a donut shape. Also the sea creatures that are just a flat stuffed shape. They have loved their Lizard but he has suffered a bit of a tear - he is still useable but is coming apart at the seams a bit.

    There are some Kong softies that seem to stand up to it - we currently have a bear and an elephant kong toys

    One of my dogs is far more interested in soft toys than the other, and strangely enough his favourite is a soft beanie bear which he gently chews and mouths at. He searches incessantly for its squeaker (which of course it doesn't have). I don't think I have ever seen them playing "mine" over this one.

    I should say that generally the toys are supervised eg we don't leave soft toys out in the yard with them if we are not home - other toys eg hard rubber kongs we have left out, with no drama, but I have heard sad stories about dogs choking on rubber kongs.

    Hope you find some suitable toys.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/01/2019 - 08:42

    Smaller PET plastic bottles are good (eg coke 375ml bottles).

    • bargain huntress on 22/10/2019 - 21:03

      they dont last very long. he eviscerates watering cans.

  • RyanMK on 26/01/2019 - 09:50

    My dog loves soft toys. He loves dismembering them and slowly ripping out all the cotton inside. He doesn't do it all in one sitting though. It would take him 2-4 weeks depending on the size of the toy.

    I now usually buy soft toys in bulk online for cheap for him. It only works out to probably $2-3 a toy.

    • TheOneWhoKnocks on 10/02/2019 - 20:11

      Hey mate got a link for some cheap toys?

    • TheOneWhoKnocks on 23/02/2019 - 22:58
      -2

      ?

    • bargain huntress on 22/10/2019 - 21:05

      where abouts do you get the bulk toys?

      he does it in half an hour so quite a bit more toys would be necessary

  • Strahany on 26/01/2019 - 09:51

    +1 on the PET bottles but you have to watch them in case they destroy it and eat the plastic. I’ve found that once you’ve watched them destroy it and not eat it a few times then you can be confident.

    As for actually toys, though, Kmart has a solid range of toys in the $4-$8 range. Some seem stronger than others (I always pull on them to feel the strength of the joints) and there are often a few made out of a corduroy kind of material which has proven to be really tough and last for a big mouthy Lab.

    • Strahany on 30/01/2019 - 16:31

      Just thought I’d add to my previous comment.

      On top of the corduroy-like material offerings, there are some newer toys made out of some thick, rough, almost canvas-like material with extra reinforcement along the edge. These are still $5-$8 each, and seem to be really well made.

  • Marty-69 on 26/01/2019 - 10:24
    +3

    My dog had a Kong "Wild Knot Bear" with internal knotted rope, I think it lasted for about a week and was $15. He also likes Ugg boots, that's when I stopped with soft toys. He now has a classic Kong (I fill it with peanut butter), rubber Kong toys and Kong (tennis) balls. A marrow bone will also keep him busy for a while. I'm not associated with Kong but should have bought shares before I got this dog ;-)

  • rompastompa on 26/01/2019 - 10:32
    +1

    Having a dissecting dog too, no toys will live too long. I think the only that has lasted is a massive rope toy (similar).

    Go to your local OP shop, you can get some soft toys for 50c. Make sure you feel the toys for beads/batteries, and stay away from those.

    As stated above, careful with bottles as plastic can get stuck in their teeth or can be swallowed.

  • [Deactivated] on 26/01/2019 - 11:26

    He dismembered one of your dads?

    • [Deactivated] on 26/01/2019 - 15:22

      No, his dad's stuffed toy which btw isn't an appropriate gift for an older man.

  • His_Holiness on 30/01/2019 - 12:55

    My greyhound is a significant chewer. I have yet to find a soft toy that has lasted any worthwhile length of time. You need to find a hard chew toy. The best toy I've come across is the Bionic bone. My local Petstock stocks them.

  • janeymac on 22/10/2019 - 15:05

    I can think of a few options for soft dog toys that may be suitable. Kong has a soft toy outer, and only rope inside, so there is no stuffing to remove. There are stuffed toys with velcro arms and legs that the dog can rip off and you reattach (look for Tearribles). And you can also buy toys stuffed with fleece strips that the dog can pull out, and you stuff them back inside ( or you can make your own). Your dog sounds very lovable! I hope you find a good toy for him :)

    • bargain huntress on 22/10/2019 - 21:08

      I've never heard of Tearribles before - do you think it would fool him?

      • janeymac on 22/10/2019 - 21:43

        Yeah, Tearribles are cute! The limbs all come off and you can stick them back again.

        • bargain huntress on 23/10/2019 - 11:38

          i think i will get him one for christmas. thanks for telling me about them

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