Outward Hound: Four Great Dog Toys
Downside: Dogs know when you have toys. Rating: ^^^^^ (5 out of 5 peaks) Ideal User: Everyone within 10 feet of a dog.
Dog toys have come a long way from the days of used tennis balls, warped
Frisbees and old leather shoes. Canines are more than living room
ornaments, burglar alarms and second thoughts. These days
companies are solely devoted to producing high-end technical dog products
from backpacks to tents to collapsible bowls, so it's no wonder Fido finally
has his own batch of outdoor toys rather than some human's
hand-me-downs.
The Flying Squirrel doesn't mind being captured. Grab him by a paw and hurl him like a Frisbee. An aerodynamic body creates a ton of lift and the spinning blue and orange feet of durable rubber will taunt any discdog. It might not sail as well as a regular Frisbee. It wobbles in mid-air and often bee-lines for the ground before you intend it to, but the novelty of the Flying Squirrel makes up for any soaring issues. Plus, the raised sides make him easy to pick up whether he lands on his feet or back. And the rugged nylon construction floats on water. Turn it upside down and it becomes a makeshift food tray if you forget your tote-a-bowl. The squirrel comes in three sizes for your whirling pleasure.
www.chuckit.com msrp: $10.95 The Hover Craft. When you want something that looks and flies more like a Frisbee but won't get shredded like the last plastic disc you lent to Rover, get yourself a Ruffwear Hover Craft. The vibrantly-colored wheels of nylon and cordura won't damage your dog's mouth or suffer bite marks. It can get dirty and slobbery but they're a breeze to wash. I've even tossed mine in the washing machine (just don't make a habit of it or you might wear down the stiffness). Reflective webbing trim, combined with brightly colored 1680-denier ballistic nylon makes for a highly durable and floatable disc. It's easy to see in all conditions. The large Hover Craft is regulation size and weight for long throws and extended games of catch and fetch. Mine has lasted four years! Take that to Wham-O! The smaller "cabin fever" version is great for smaller dogs, roadtrips or indoor play.
www.ruffwear.com msrp: $15.95 The Chuckit! is a goo-haters dream toy. For everyone disgusted by grabbing a slimy tennis ball or Frisbee full of dog drool, the ChuckIt has arrived. A long plastic handle helps hurl the ball farther than ever without wearing out your arm or sliming your hand. Made of lightweight, durable plastic, the Chuckit! uses a standard-size tennis ball with a "ball claw" for hands-free pickup... so you NEVER have to bend down again. It takes a little practice, especially if you throw "like a girl"- like me - but in no time you'll be hucking, or chucking, that ball 100 to 140 feet. When Fido retrieves (and drops) the ball, simply place the claw over it and press down firmly. The Chuckit grabs the ball and sets you up for your next toss.
www.chuckit.com msrp: $12 Stuffed Wear - Catch and Fetch Toys - (pictured) A star, a dog bone, a hockey puck, and a fish. Choose from a variety of stuffed shapes that beat your old stuffed animal for a chew toy. Actually. Stuffed Wears are 'fetch' toys. As a chew toy they last all of about a week before you're picking up scraps of cutting-room cloth strewn across your living room floor. Though built from durable 1680-denier ballistic nylon, act fast to get the toy away from doggies' teeth. They'll love to gnaw on it if given the chance and then it's adios dog toy.
www.ruffwear.com msrp: $9.95 — Reviewed & Written by Jill Adler, MountainZone.com Contributor |
