Rawhide chewing toys are a popular choice, but they can be dangerous. Old rawhide chews tend to get rotten and smell bad. Also, they may cause diarrhea. If you decide to use hooves, pig's ears, and other non- or semi-digestible treats, be sure that they are too large to be swallowed whole, or small enough to pass all the way through your dog's system. The right chew toys can be great for puppies, letting them sink their teeth into something while helping to keep their teeth clean at the same time.
Kong-type toys, especially when filled with broken-up treats or, even better, a mixture of broken-up treats and peanut butter, can keep a puppy or dog busy for hours. Only by chewing diligently can your dog get to the treats, and then only in small bits. First double-check with your veterinarian about whether or not you should give peanut butter to your dog. Be sure to choose a Kong-type toy of appropriate size for your dog. There are also 'busy-box' toys, which are large rubber cubes with hiding places for treats. Only by moving the cube around with his nose, mouth, and paws can your dog get to the goodies.
Soft stuffed toys are good for several purposes, but aren't appropriate for all dogs. For some dogs, the stuffed toy should be small enough to carry around. For dogs who want to shake or "kill" the toy, the toy should be the size that "prey" would be for that size dog (mouse-size, rabbit-size, or duck-size).
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