Playing with toys is a great way to bond with your dog, however make sure that the play sessions do not get out of hand by becoming too boisterous, or your dog becoming too possessive.

When out and about with your dog, take a toy with you to allow for some play and to encourage exercise. Balls and other throw toys are great fun but do not throw sticks for your dog and be sure to discourage them from playing with sticks – stick related injuries to the mouth and neck are a common and serious finding in veterinary practice.

Toys should be kept out of reach of your dog and only be brought out to play with when supervised, especially toys with a squeaker in them – choking hazard.

Try and find your dog’s favourite toys, as then you will be able to use these as rewards when training, which cuts down on the amount of treats that you will need to give them. It is also a good idea to rotate your dog’s toys every so often so they don’t get bored.

Again, keep play sessions short and regular, and try to encourage your dog to settle down and be quiet once the play session has ended.

Your dog’s toys and treats requirements will change during the course of its life. KONG realises the importance of the human-canine bond and has developed a range of fun and durable interactive toys that address these changing needs for all the stages in your pet’s life.

Kong can help with:

• Relieving boredom & stress. Boredom is a leading cause of problem canine behaviour. Providing your dog with mental & physical stimulation helps keep them happy and busy.
  
  
• Solving chewing problems
  Most dogs love to chew so it’s important to teach them which items are acceptable to chew in a positive and fun way. Use a stuffed KONG and provide constant praise when they play with it rather than your favourite shoes! Vary KONG toys and treats to keep sessions fun and interesting.
  
  
• Excessive Barking
  Most problem barking is due to boredom, stress or attention seeking. The more you do to mentally and physically stimulate them, the better. If excessive barking is caused by fear or aggression, more professional help may be needed.
  
  
• Separation Anxiety
  This is a common cause of canine stress and using mock departures is an effective method for treating this problem. Repeated brief departures will gradually adjust your dog to being alone – initially for one or two minutes, then slowly and randomly increasing the duration as they gain confidence. Separation anxiety occurs within the first 15 minutes after you leave so give your dog a stuffed KONG five minutes before you leave.