Playing and chewing are natural canine behaviors. Though some dogs will play or chew more than others, dog toys are essential items for all dogs. In fact, behavior problems can develop when dogs do not have the proper outlets to follow their instincts.

Dog toy options are nearly endless, so choosing toys for your dog can be overwhelming. Some owners end up with a heap of toys gathering dust because they do not interest their dogs. How do you choose toys that your dog will actually like? A dog's toy preference depends on her personal style of playing and chewing. Try a few different types of toys for your dog and learn how she likes to play and chew. If you seem to end up with too many toys, try putting a bunch of them away for a while and reintroduce them in the future. Months later, your dog will think they are brand new. You can use the following list as a guide to choosing the best toys for your dog.

It's important to remember that all toys can pose a risk if your dog ingests them, so play should be supervised, especially with aggressive chewers. No matter how durable a toy seems, there is still a possibility that pieces can be chewed off and ingested.