How to help a Staffie cross amuse himself

[darklady64]

Hello. We brought a lovely Staffie cross dog home from Battersea on Monday, so we are still getting to know each other, but so far he seems a lovely dog who loves people. However, does anyone have any recommendations as to toys to keep him amused? He doesn't seem too interested in the large hide bone we bought him. He perks up at squeaky toys, but most of them don't look anywhere near sturdy enough to withstand his chew. I have started teaching him about treats hidden inside things, but the ones I've tried him on so far have kept him going only for about 5 minutes. Also I'd like to find something that he loves for when we eventually start getting him used to being on his own for a short time, and to teach him to amuse himself when needed as, much as we all love a game of catch or fetch, we can't do this 24/7! Any tips or suggestions would be very gratefully received by us both! Thanks

[phillipp]

My dpups favourites are a Kong with peanut butter in and the antler chew.

She has one toy that she wrestles but that lasts 10 minutes at most.

With the Kong, I buy plain peanut butter no added salt and make sure it's not flavoured with anything dangerous for dogs, like some sweetners. Fill it up and put it in the freezer for a couple of hours.

It doesn't last hours, but longer than most other things.

[ChocolateRaisin]

Another vote for Kongs. You may want to buy a red one to start with and if he likes it and is a powerful chewer to may want to upgrade to a black one.

I soak my dog's kibble from his daily ration in boiling water, let it cool and then stuff into Kongs. Once he was used to how a kong works I then started freezing it so it lasts much longer. There are loads of healthy kong recipes on the internet as well if you want alternatives to kibble.

Chew roots are really good as well.

[2plus1]

We get the knotted rope toys for our staffy and he loves pulling those a part but they take some time. Soft toys with squeakers in last all of about 2minutes if that lol.

[JoffreyBaratheon]

Staffie cross here, too.

The black Kong is the only toy her jaws don't destroy. The other colours are not so strong. I've heard Boomer balls withstand staffs as well but not bought her one, yet.

The other thing are deer or buffalo horns. She'll chew on one of these for hours. Although there is a debate about how safe they are so I watch her and if it starts to look too sharp or splinter, I bin it. So that's no good for unsupervised doggies.

A very big, tough rope tuggy thing as well. I've had 3 staffs now and never had one who didn't adore hanging off ropes by the jaws!

[darklady64]

Thanks everyone for all your great suggestions.

Going to try him with a chew root and probably a Kong too, and explore the other options as we go.

Thanks for your help.

[triballeader]

My SBT xEBT is a truly rough and tough on most toys.

Black kongs are very good. Mine will only look at them if they have food stuffed in though. It takes mine 4 months to destroy the largest KONG Jumbler ball. I also bought her the largest KONG Wobbler into which I put kibble for her to chase round and bat. Its a bit battered 12 months on but going strong.

The huge dog ropes from The Range last about a month.

The absolute fave that she has not made any dent into is her Boomer Ball. Designed to amuse polar bears and tigers these are the toughest toy of all and as a bonus they float on water turning a dog paddling pool into a new form of entertainment. Buy the biggest one so your dog cannot pick it up. It can take a few goes for a SBTx to work out how to play with it but once they have got it they will play till their energy level runs down. This is about the only toy mine can use on her own for any real length of time. www.companyofanimals.co.uk/brands/boomer-ball

[alwaystimeforcoffee]

Do you have a garden? We got our dog an automatic tennis ball launcher a while back and he loves it- especially good for those days where we haven't been able to take him for a walk! They're quite pricey but well worth it in my view www.findmeagift.co.uk/go-dog-go-automatic-tennis-ball-launcher.html

[JoffreyBaratheon]

Although a staff's jaws will kill a tennis ball in one second! Mine was given one once - it was wrecked within 30 seconds.