Toughest Toys

Absolutely the **best** thing anyone ever did for Tinkerbell when she was little was hand her a Nylabone == one of the "Nylabone Durables" (they're flavored mildly but they can't chew big hunks off - just tiny flakes). She chews antlers, loves stuffies -- but there ain't NUFFIN like a brand new *slurp up excess mouth watering stuff* NYLABONE. When she gets stressed - time fur a nylabone. When she starts to obsess about something .. time fur a Nylabone. Now the 'chewable' ones she'll have gone in a heartbeat. But for that "GOTTA CHEW MOM" time? Nylabone. ICE is also under-rated. Don't give a super hard-rightout-fo-the freezer to a small pup -- it can break a tooth. But an ice cube that's been in your drink for a minute or two? RAH! When teething it actually makes teething pain subside. A dog who obsess's over water? Ice gives them gradual "water" to drink that they don't play with. It's a handy- free - you can always get one toy. Luna's Ear ... er ... wait ... that's unique to my situation. The pug must have EXCELLENT bite inhibition -- she leads Luna around by the ear still 5 years later. And I mean Luna's entire ear is STUFFED in the little pug mouf .... with the pug DRAGGING the bigger dog everywhere. Luna never objects ... you'd think Luna's right ear would be permanently "longer" -- nope -- just gives them something to do. Sorry -- I think Tink would object if I sent you Luna for a while LOL

Thank you Callie, I had some old nylon bones from our other dog (pre chewed ends). so I took some liver sausage and mashed it on the ends, it didn't stick but I think the flavor took, because now Freida won't leave it alone.

I have to try one of the toys that you stuff, I always worry - don't laugh- that they will hurt their tongues from all that consant licking.

Thanks for the tips.

Brown used to chew on sterilized beef bones. You can find them at the big-name pet stores. They come in several sizes, and they're hard like rocks. They'd last forever (like years, not months or weeks). And judging by how much it hurt to kick one accidentally when walking, I imagine they'd make a pretty handy weapon should you ever need to knock out someone lol. I know you mentioned Kongs already. Did you try to black one, which is harder? That's been successful here, although my crew really just want to mutilate squeaky toys.

We thought we had a powerful chewer with Tonka, our Bullmastiff, but Ruby's even more powerful (pittie mix). For both of them we've had great luck with Nylabones (Galileo style). Also, the black Kongs have held up when we stuff them with peanut butter and other things.

 I don't know the size or age of the dog in question. Bugsy is a destroyer supreme and BIG.

With Kongs go black and oversized (my dog used to take the entire top off XXL black kongs)

Be careful with the beef marrow bones as my guy cracked one as a pup - he was darn lucky it didn't crack a tooth - he only gets raw bones now

The everlasting fun ball is good and the Orbee ball is good - I put a small treat inside them and let him go at it

Busy Bones are good, well unless your dog realizes that they can unscrew it and get the rawhide disc off

West paw designs make a bunch of toys the Hurley lasts OK

There is a company called Goughnuts - their stuff has a guarantee

I used old jeans as tug toys because there is NO soft toy that will survive

Thanks everyone this information is very helpful.

Of course I had to go buy dog food yesterday (and learned why I have to buy Large Breed puppy and not just regular puppy food - they told me it has to do with slowing down grown in large dogs to prevent hip issues later - I am hoping that there is a reason for the large breed food and they are correct) - she gave me four brands to pick from.

But while there I purchased a Kong Beast toy, thinking it being a Kong product it should be good.  Well, got it home and gave it to Fredia in the evening (after her meal and after some ball playing outside), she had it less than 30 minutes and broke a piece off the nylon ring.  They say it is Strong Duroflex, but it seems like hard plastic to me.

I plan on taking a picture of it and sending it to them for a refund.  It cost me 12.99 plus the mileage to get it.

I now wish I would have tried the black Kong, seems that is what works for everyone, Freida is only 6 months old, but she sure likes to chew (thank goodness she doesn't chew on furniture!)

I am on a learning path here, thanks again for the input.

I love the kong!! I have 2 and use them for meals. I stuff a combo of wet kibble and canned food in and keep them in the freezer. It takes Shane at least 1/2 hour to finish a meal now. I do recommend either feeding this in a crate or on a blanket because it can get a little messy.

I also have the everlasting treat ball and the bob-a-lot for keeping him busy other than at meal times. He has antlers and nylabones but he only chews on them randomly. I also buy bully sticks for those times when I absolutely need him to be distracted but they're pricey.

My old joke about dog toys is that I just skip the choosing and buying and give the money to the dogs to chew up.    Mine are all very destructive chewers.  Nylabones are popular but I don't consider them toys.  I buy cheap toys and supervise, supervise, supervise because Gabby will swallow chunks and Belle gets guardy.