Circulate TOYS
For dogs who like to play with toys
Keep three sets of toys, in three different
buckets or bags to rotate for interest, cleanliness and learning, and one
bucket for highly prized play items.
Toys can be a great motivators for rewarding dogs and cats. Make note of
which toys your pet favors so that you may employ them in bribery and reward.
Keep those for special
time in a special set. Label the buckets; 1,2,3 and Special.
Many dogs value their security in terms
of personal possessions. If your dog is so inclined, pay attention to those
needs by seeing that the “stash” is protected and not raided. A towel or small
blanket to hide the bucket or dish from view is often satisfactory. Change the
play toys bucket every other day, keep the Specials for obedience praise.
Check toys for safety, wear and
cleanliness. Wash kongs, hard rubber toys, frizbees and nylabones with water
and a bit of bleach, then dish soap and water, then rinse really well. The
bleach will cut the saliva and the dog smell. Launder fluffy toys in a toy
wash, hot water and unscented detergents. Dry the fluffy toys in the dryer. If
they do not survive the laundry, you did not want them for your dog and do not
repurchase them. Discard used rawhides; they get germy quickly.
