What are the best chew toys? Do you need a chew toy that’s built to last? Maybe you have a pupper who loves to rip and tear their toys.
We're here to help, we only ever want to supply things for your dogs that are the best possible quality and that includes our toys. We've done our homework and have found you some super tough dog toys for big and small chewers. You can be sure these dog toys will scratch your dog’s chewing itch!
Dogs need to chew, it's a natural behaviour as well as strengthening their jaw muscles. Dog's need to chew and they should be given access to appropriate natural chew treats and chew toys so that they don’t chew up things they shouldn't and which can pose real dangers.
Some smaller dogs prefer a small toy to chew away on. Even for little guys and girls, the toy must be strong and durable to withstand your dog's teeth. Here’s a roundup of our favourite smaller toys for super chewers.
Available in an array of beautiful toys, our Eco Range is specifically designed for dogs who like to play hard! The natural stuffing design is made with natural fibres and by-products, as well as being triple stitched seams which will keep your dog busy and the toy intact.
Audrey Avocado and Austin Aubergine are the most popular toys in our Eco Range for smaller dogs, both super cute and the little ropes are perfect for chewing and tossing around.
Dogs need something to get their teeth into and we've got some great options that will look great in any toy box. Our toys will allow your dog to really go to town on the chewing and strengthen their jaws, and will suit even the most aggressive chewers. Here are our favourite super tough dog toys for aggressive chewers.
My personal fave and our best-seller, Stickman is perfect for strong and super chewers, expect him to last a while. With his cute rope legs and arms, he's perfect for flinging around too!
Sid the Squid has a lovely round head that's stuffed with jute and is great for nibbling on! He's triple stitched and made from suede and will give your dog's jaws a great workout.
All dogs need to chew. Young puppies chew whilst teething, adolescent dogs chew to strengthen their jaw muscles and adults chew for fun. All dogs, even strong or aggressive chewers should be allowed to chew, it's just about choosing the right one to withstand aggressive chewing!
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How long can you leave your dog? I get asked this a lot so I'm here to help. It really depends on a few things like age, temperament, energy level, and lifestyle.
All dogs should be ok with spending time at home alone, it's a really basic training skill for therm to self settle and not be glued to us and that will help prevent separation anxiety.
But how long can dogs be left alone? Really, a healthy adult dog can go for six to eight hours without a toilet break. However, less is best when it comes to regular time spent at home alone. Dogs are super social animals and love their humans and being alone for too long can lead to depression and destructiveness. My own dogs are never left alone for more than 5 hours.
Puppies have teeny bladders and need to go out for the loo more often. Puppies are like babies and they're not physically or emotionally capable of being left home alone for as long as older dogs are. Also, as dogs get older, it’s harder for them to spend extended periods of time on their own too as they need more frequent trips out to the loo. Puppies really shouldn't be left for more than an hour or so which is built up as they get older.
Where your dog is when they're left home is super important. If you choose to leave your dog in a crate then remember that they shouldn't be left in it for too long. It's difficult for them to move around and stretch so a bigger dog-proof area is always a better idea.
When leaving your dog home alone, it's a great idea for them to be left with things to keep them feeling enriched and happy. Long lasting chews, dog safe toys and enrichment puzzles are helpful in keeping your dog engaged while you are away. Things like Beef Air Pipes stuffed with our delicious Pates will keep your dog occupied while you’re out. This helps keep your dog entertained and can even prevent destructive or disruptive behaviours such as barking and chewing things they shouln't.
It’s so important to maximise the time you do have with your dog. Take advantage of the chances you and your dog have when you’re together. If you know you’ll need to leave your dog home for a period of time, get up early to get some playtime in. Some dogs love a long walk so why not take them on one and work on training games at the same time. It's so important to make sure your dog has physical and mental stimulation before you leave. It’s also an opportunity for more bonding time and helps your dog cope with longer periods of time away from you.
When you leave your dog home alone, why not ask for some help from a friend, family member, or a professional dog walker. This gives your dog a chance to go to the loo, socialise with other people and dogs and enjoy some playtime.
If your dog struggles with alone time, it’s best sort out any separation anxiety issues right away.
All dogs should spend some time home alone, but it’s important to be thoughtful and considerate. Leave your dog alone for a reasonable amount of time given their needs.
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It's no secret that here at PetBuddy, we adore puppies, we'd happily play with puppies day and night! But what are the most common puppy problems? What do new puppy owners find most difficult? I remember being a new puppy owner and in that the lovely bubble of having that amazing bundle of fur, but also being worried about them constantly.
So I'm here to give you the lowdown of the most common accidents and illnesses and what I learned along the way.
The most common accident is when puppies eat things they shouldn't. Anything from the floor goes in their mouth so we need to be extra careful!
Puppies are naturally curious and inquisitive and everything goes in the mouth. Puppies discover the world through their noses and mouths so it's very normal for them to do this. It gives them experiences of new textures, tastes and smells whilst they’re learning. Chewing too is a big thing for puppies and when they're teething, they do this more to help relieve their mouth pain.
Puppies also eat things they shouldn’t out of boredom, puppies don't know what is safe or dangerous to chew and eat, It's all fait fair game to a pup! It is our responsibility as their owners to watch, guide and train them. Their curiosity will get the better of them if we ignore it and they will just chew and eat anything they can get their mouths on to see what it's like. Bye by chair leg!
If you know your puppy has eaten something unsafe, toxic, or have eaten something they can't digest, you need to call your vet.
Toxic things for a puppy to eat include human medication, particularly ibuprofen, raisins, grapes, chocolate, daffodils.
Remember, In the early stages of your puppy having eaten something they shouldn't, there may be no signs but the earlier they are seen by the vets, the easier and quicker it is to treat them.
As owners, we need to be cleverer than our puppies and keep them well away from as many hazards as possible inside house or outside. We should encourage our puppies to chew safe things like long lasting natural dog treats, we have a great selection of these here at PetBuddy! It's always lovely to give lots of positive reinforcement when they chew things you want them to!
Separation training is so important so where. you do leave your puppy alone in the house, be sure to not leave anything they can get their paws on where they may miss you and get bored. Consider crate training your puppies so when they are alone they're in a safe place with no access to harmful objects.
Be consistent with their training and be sure to teach them to "leave it" and absolutely make sure they have iron clad recall so if you do see a potential hazard, and your dog approaches it you can quickly recall your puppy back before they get their chops round it.
Puppies bones are much more fragile than those of adult dogs especially the ends of their bones where their ‘growth plates’ are which are the weakest part and more prone to breaking. This is why over-exercising them can be dangerous.
Puppies break their bones normally after an accident, falling off sofas and beds or been dropped, or puppies that have taken a knock after playing with the big boys and girls.
As owners, we should always be responsible and mindful of how fragile they really are! watch them on the sofa and bed and don't let them on furniture unsupervised, As much as children love top play with puppies, they're not as careful we us adults so be mindful of letting children play or hold your puppy by themselves. Careful with playing with larger dogs too, bigger dogs don't know their own strength a a lot of the time and accidents can easily happen.
To have a confident, well-behaved, well-mannered and well-rounded dog, you need to start training your puppy from very early on. It's amazing for mental stimulation and also builds a lovely strong bond with you.
Untrained puppies can be a terror and it can cause so many issues as they grow in to adulthood. There is a direct link between lack of training and many behavioural issues such as aggression, destructive behaviours and poor manners with other dogs.
Puppies’ immune systems in those early days aren’t fully mature so they can suffer from skin conditions caused by mites which isn't very nice at all for them.
All dogs can be prone to paw injuries and grass seeds in particular are a nightmare in the summer months. Especially if you have a dog with curly fur as they can get caught very easily a very common problem, but it can become severe as they can enter between the paw pads easily and then travel up the leg.
Fleas are very common in puppies sadly, pesky little things, prevention is always easier than cure so be sure to have them on a regular regime.
Never hesitate about seeing a vet if you notice any sore or swollen skin, or if your puppy is itchy or uncomfortable, or licking themselves a lot or limping.
We must remember though that some of our favourite Easter treats can be so dangerous to our precious dogs so we need to be really careful with what we leave our for the grabs.
From those delicious Easter chocolates to hot cross buns, many of our faves will result in a vet visit for our pups. Read on to find out which Easter treats are dangerous for dogs, and how to keep your pups safe during Easter.
All kinds of chocolate are dangerous for dogs, with dark chocolate and cocoa powder are more dangerous than other kinds of chocolate due to the higher levels of theobromine.
Keep all chocolate and chocolate-flavoured treats out of paws’ reach!
There's nothing quite like a cheeseboard after a lovely dinner but cheese is high in fat and salt, and too much of either can make your dog sick. Eating a large amount of cheese can cause dog's to have stomach ache and diarrhoea.
It's always lovely yo have flowers around the house all year round but did you know that some of these pretty flowers are toxic to your dogs? I love having tulips, lilies and daffodils in the house but sadly these can cause significant harm.
Call the vet at once!! It's just not worth the risk!! Our precious dog's are far too important to "wait and see".
Since the Covid Pandemic, the levels of dog ownership went through the roof. The working landscape has changed too, the amount of people now working from home or enjoying the benefits of hybrid working has increased hugely.
It's not easy to work with dog's at home though, barking on teams calls isn't normally the kind of input that's welcome. Having a puppy who craves your attention can be distracting and not conducive to a successful working day. It's always helpful to have a few ways to entertain your dog or keep them occupied when you are trying to stay focused on work.
Below are some good ways to keep your dogs occupied, as well as how to set yourself up for success while working from home with your pet.
Long lasting dog chews have so many health benefits, from teeth cleaning to satisfying the natural chewing instinct and releasing happy hormones. We have a great range of long lasting chews which amazing for keeping your dog busy and entertained.
Also Read - Understanding Separation Anxiety in Your Dog
There's times when dogs need to be entertained and keeping them occupied with a puzzle toy is a great way to keep them occupied. Dogs that have pent up energy benefit from being mentally stimulated and things like Snuffle Mats that have treats hidden in it are perfect.
Another great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated is by giving them a puzzle to solve. One of the most cost effective ways to hide treats and keep your dog entertained is the simple toilet roll game. Simply use an empty toilet roll holder, fold down the edges, cut holes in it and fill with treats. For a step by step check out our Instagram.
If you’re dealing with a dog with high levels of anxiety and one that finds it difficult to settle, there are lots of different treats that can help calm them down.
Herbs like Chamomile have been used as an ancient, herbal remedy for centuries and has been shown to help benefit pet health. It's properties really help ease a stressed-out pup into a more relaxed state.
Our delicious Fish Crunchies with Chamomile dog treats are perfect for relaxing your dog!
Creating a safe environment for your dog while busy (or away) at work is vital to the development of your new puppy or dog. It gives your dog their own space to be able to settle and snooze. Crate training is great but not every dog likes a crate so it can be a bed too.
Add a few toys, a tasty treat, and you will be set to keep your dog happy in a safe and comfortable space.
Walking and getting some fresh air has so many benefits for both you and your dog, it's amazing for your mental health and is a perfect way to give your dog opportunities to have a good sniff around and a enriched walk.
Different breeds will need different levels of exercise but lunchtime is a perfect time to take a break from work and head out with your pup. Even small dogs can benefit from a long walk and a tired dog will be less likely to become bored or destructive.
Just because you are working from home, doesn’t mean you have more time to take breaks during the day. If you cannot take breaks to walk your dog, you can hire a dog walking service to help. Here at PetBuddy, we have a fully insured and experienced dog walking service which we've been running for 10 years covering East London.
We help create a routine for your dog, which becomes a stress reliever and limits the anxiety of being left alone. Dogs learn to anticipate their walk routine, thus steering them away from boredom and the potential for destruction. It's a big help to pet parents!
To learn more about or to book our service, email us at petbuddyinfo.uk@gmail.com
As convenient and enjoyable working at home may be, it can be difficult for dogs to manage. Dogs like a schedule they can depend on, and when their home life changes drastically, it can become tricky for them. When you establish a new routine, the adjustment period can be frustrating, but with our tips, you can have a happy work life at home with your pup.
Since the Covid pandemic, many of us were spending much more time at home which was music to our dog's ears. It's not all good though, now people are returning to work we've seen a huge increase in separation anxiety.
Separation anxiety happens when a dog doesn’t have the coping mechanisms to be alone or without their owner. Their instincts tell them that being alone is a source of anxiety or fear. This is because if they have never been taught that it is ok and safe to be alone or without their owner so it becomes a scary thing for them.
Teaching a dog to be alone is such an important part of their training, it's as important as getting them used to new sounds, other dogs, scents and so on. It's actually one of the hardest things to train as we as humans like to feel needed. Often, inadvertently we create the issue of separation anxiety in our dogs by feeling guilty for leaving them alone and convincing ourselves they need us all the time.
There are a number of signs that may show that your dog is distressed when alone, which include:
It can be so upsetting to see our dogs so distressed and not having the right techniques to help them and manage this. But here at PetBuddy, we're here to help.
Identifying triggers for, and understanding the extent of, separation related behaviours can be difficult, as the majority of behaviour happens while your dog is on their own. Why not set up a camera that allows you to see what your dog is doing when you’re not with them. You will then be able to spot any triggers and see how their anxiety manifests and presents.
Dogs need both mental and physical stimulation in order to stay happy and healthy. If your dog isn’t getting enough physical or mental exercise, they can get bored and this might be contributing to their behaviour. If your dog has lots of energy left to use up, then being left alone could increase the chances of them having anxiety. As your dog runs out of things to do, you may see that their energy is directed to destructive behaviours.
Frustration in dogs can be tricky to spot but is often triggered by a dog’s inability to get at something they want or need. To see if this might be the cause, keep an eye out for things that may be causing your dog to become frustrated. It might be if they feel like they suddenly don’t have your attention and comfort, they might frantically try to find and recreate that comfort in some other way.
Previous negative experiences can have a big impact on how dogs behave. For some dogs, if they've had a negative experience when left alone before, this can cause fear and anxiety in the future when spending time by themselves.
You may notice their behaviour changes when you are getting ready to leave the house without them All your usual routines of getting your keys or your shoes, grabbing your coat, all can come to act as signals to your dog and may trigger a fear or anxiety reduced response.
If your dog is fearful and anxious when left alone, it could be that they are lacking in confidence, so the more we work on making them a happy and confident dog the more likely they'll be comfortable when left alone.
Training is amazing for increasing their self-confidence. Try teaching some new tricks and always reward any independent behaviour. The ability to self settle is so important so some gentle praise if they choose to settle themselves down somewhere away from you is perfect.
Work our how long your dog can be left alone for before they start showing signs of anxiety. Have a camera set up and leave the room, watch for any signs that they aren't happy and content in their own company.
Before beginning your separation training, there are a few things you can do to help set your dog up for success:
Some dog's are especially anxious and really struggle to be left alone to teaching them to self settle is really important.
You can try using a feeding tool such as a Lickimat. Top it with your dog's favourite things like banana, one of our delicious paste's, choose from Liver Paste, Salmon Paste or Turkey Paste. Whilst your dog is busy, go about your business as usual, leave the room and come back. You could also leave some of your dog's food scattered around the room when you leave. Try your best to leave your dog either sleepy from a long walk, a play or training session or occupied so they are more likely to be calmer.
This can all take time, dog's who have had issues for a while will take some time to unlearn these behaviours be ok having alone time, be understanding and patient.
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Have you seen Rawhide snacks in the shops and confused about it? Is it dangerous or is it not? Why would shops sell it if it was so bad?
You're right to be concerned and we're here to tell you why it's to be avoided and to offer up some natural and healthy alternatives!
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