The best
Plush Toys for Dogs:
Reddit reviews
From 3.5 billion Reddit comments
The following content includes affiliate links for which I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you should you make a purchase.
The best of Plush Toys for Dogs by number of unique Reddit comments:
Top Reddit reviews mentioning Plush Toys for Dogs:
I love that he has the face and head of a dog way bigger than he is. Good boy! My pup knows yellow duck and it makes me so excited when I tell him to get it and he does. I should work on some others.
BTW: Yellow ducks have survived three of my aussies. One for each of them. The only toy none of them have ever destroyed. I replace them because they just get gross after a couple years. They aren't tough toys. I don't have any idea why they last. But none of my pups have ever town theirs up. Each of them coveted theirs.
I am going to also suggest vet visit to rule out medical issues first. Also discuss with your vet whether a referral to a veterinary behaviorist is worthwhile.
Have you since had her spayed or is she still intact?
One thing that has helped some puppies or mothers is a Snuggle Puppy. Although, to be honest, I am not sure if it would make things worse for her if you did not preemptively change batteries on the heartbeat simulator and the battery ran down when you weren't nearby.
This was my Yorkie’s “lover” for his whole life lol.
I got mine this one for Christmas, and another got this puzzle. We just started so we will see how well this works, but it was an idea from my dog trainer.
My terrier mix puppy rips every single plush to shreds within minutes or hours of getting it except this stuffed duck which has lasted two and a half weeks so far and is still fully intact. I don't know if it's the texture of it or what. Clearly by the reviews, some dogs are still destroying it, but I've been super impressed with what it has survived so far and it's her go to toy and gets roughed up a lot. I've also heard good things about the softer toys from the Bark Box Destroyers Club.
This worked wonders for our golden- she slept through the night from day 1. Doesn’t work for everyone but was a lifesaver for us. Also can be found in local pet stores. SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy, Biscuit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0722XGRMB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_OibOuckZeHxhI
/u/8armstohugyouwith describes it well. I bought mine on amazon, you can also make your own for cheaper.
This seems like a waste of $40 but it is worth every penny. Also usually available in Petco and similar.
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0722XGRMB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_56O8FbWMAW684?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Btw he is a cutie pie!
We bought our puppy a plush toy off of Amazon which has a heart beat and a warming pad. It makes her feel like she's not alone in her crate. Works wonders!
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000NVDDXM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_5VFSFbSK5P7X2
My dachshunds love laying with each other so maybe a snuggle puppy? for her to cuddle up against. It has a heartbeat sound device and pet safe disposable heating pads that you put inside of it. The amazon reviews have a bunch of examples of people using it for their pets including the sad/lonely pups.
Have you tried a flirt pole? It’s kind of like a giant cat toy and you can move it around to mimic small animal movement. My dogs love it and get super engaged. Then I used the e collar to get a solid “out” command to get them to disengage while in motion, and also to drop it when they catch it. Might be worth a try!
Crate training was a bit simpler for us when we bought a hot water bottle (wrapped it in one of our shirts) and a snuggle puppy (which simulates a heartbeat). The snuggle puppy also has a heat pack, but we didn’t really think that part worked well and went with the hot water bottle instead. We went through three nights of torture, to him settling down in two minutes. It was great.
Amazon has it:
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NVDDXM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GBGLEbXFNHZE1
Also, lots of stuff to chew on (natural alternatives are great, antlers or dried fish skins), and a comfy bed for the crate, shampoo for baths, toothbrush and toothpaste to get them used to regular teeth cleanings, and we put poop bags on reoccurring order with amazon - they go fast! Oh and a harness for walks. :)
I got my puppy at 9 weeks, but still felt like getting one of the puppy stuffies that can have a heating pad put in it and had a heartbeat was really helpful for him adjusting to not being with his littermates. I imagine that would be even more true for such a baby.
We bought a tail teaser for mine. It is a lot of fun and she uses up quite a bit of energy within 10 mins. She absolutely loves it and could play that forever. It also helped a lot with her leave it training. If she does not leave it in the first go, I just take it away. So she started to leave it on the first go so she could continue playing. This is the one I bought Outward Hound Tail Teaser Durable Dog Wand With Soft Plush Toys https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_mL7PBfMAqqDGW
Edit: mine is not very treats motivated. She only wants to play. So it has been really tough and this has been great.
Sounds like she's bored and understimulated. Shibas are a nippy breed who needs something to do.
FORTUNATELY, entertaining a shiba is easy: Passive entertainment often isn't enough though. Shibas are bred to hunt, and if you don't give them a way to channel that drive they will hunt you and drive you bonkers.
Solution: Flirt pole. 15 minutes is enough once or twice a day.
The puppy is probably stressed and absolutely freaking the hell out. I wouldn’t be leaving him alone if I were you, unless it’s for naps. Does it have toys, food? Do 5 week old puppies even eat solid food yet? That’s crazy. Well, you literally have a canine infant so it’s going to bark, cry and be a small stressed out dog. Maybe try some music, some ppl say it helps. You can also get some toys that help with separation anxiety like this, maybe also read some articles on how to ease separation anxiety. Do you have any friends that have sound knowledge with dogs, or maybe their parents? Not trying to be rude but you sound very young, I would even suggest taking the pupper to the vet to get checked and getting professional advice and help with how to raise the puppy.
It might not help you this eve unfortunately, but I have heard good things about these and we picked one up for when our pup comes home.
It might help to play with him a bit to tire him out.
I am planning on spending the first night or two (and potentially longer) sleeping by our pup to help her adjust to spending time away from her family so that might be one option.
I would agree that he was too young to be taken away from his mother but you just have to work with that now. I would suggest this - https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS
It’s a stuffed dog that has a heat pack and has the recording of a heartbeat. Really soothes some puppies, especially the younger ones.
It is too young for them to be away from their litermates and mother but there isn't much you can do now. You can buy cuddly toys with heart beats and heating that that may help you like this
I would keep the crate near you at night when you feel ready to put them in there, as long as they know your nearby they will settle. I slept on the couch for a couple of days then took the crate upstairs and had my puppy by my bed. Puppies learn bite inhibition from their litermates so be aware that you may have issues with nipping. That being said mine was 11 weeks old when I picked her up and she's so mouthy so it's not a guarantee they won't be!
This worked really well for my last puppy at night. He's 10 months old now. I still turn it on for him just because, but I don't use the heat packs anymore.
My puppy did that and I kid you not I looked up separation anxiety on Amazon and came across this thing called a snuggle puppy, reviews were amazing, I reluctantly tried it. The first night I had it she slept the entire night through for about 9 hours. She was only 7 weeks old too. Smart Pet Love Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy, Brown Mutt https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_mvQ.xbEX9NMPX
I'm only about a month and a half in but since it seems you've been struggling with the crate training part, the Smart Pet Love Puppy made it SO MUCH EASIER. She even immediately started sleeping through the night. The prices on Amazon fluctuate but I'd spend even more on this again if I had to. The heartbeat calms her down and even now I don't turn it on and it's still her favorite toy.
It also helped when I got her the smallest crate at Petco—a cat sized one. Half of it is filled up with her Smart Puppy and a Snuggie, so she has never once had an accident in her crate.
Once keeping her in the crate became easy, it was easier to potty train. That's all I have to add to what VFR800Rider had to say.
https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Squirrel-Interactive-Puzzle/dp/B0002I0O60
My dog loves this thing. Got it from a family member after we adopted my dog and figured he would just destroy it. It looks like a cat toy. Boy were we wrong. Used it as a training tool to teach him "give" (or "drop it"), as he would fetch each squirrel and bring it to us. They're apparently scented and that's why dogs love them so much.
I think Top Paw is a Petsmart-specific brand, and I haven’t been able to find Perry for you either :( it’s not the same, but this duck toy looks similar.
The vet said our pupper was getting chunky so we bought a very active toy. It’s called a flirt pole and you need a good sized space to use this toy…we don’t play with it in the house. After 10 mins with this thing, our boy is all tuckered out. He’s a 70-75 pittie and we have to hide the toy in a closet or he’ll lose his mind.
Outward Hound Interactive Dog Training Toys and Agility Kits https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZDQA2J5SAADY6N77TNEA?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
We bought some hard ones since my pup is an aggressive chewer. If you aren’t into the nylabone similar chews we got a few of these toys and she LOVES them and for some reason no matter how much wear and tear it smells like coconuts.
Toy: BarkBox 2-in-1 Interactive Plush Puzzle Dog Toys - Squeaky Pet and Puppy Enrichment Toys for Small, Medium, and Large Dogs | Consuela The Cactus https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NVW6X6J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_HZ5522Y7DKW2YRW6HCRD
It was a gradual comfort thing, mostly. The first 2-3 weeks were really rough - I’m single and it felt like I’d never get to leave my house again, but one day he just stopped getting upset. I did get him a “snuggle puppy” which has a little heartbeat contraption and a heat pack, and that settled him a lot. I also played crate games which helped him get used to going in the crate during the daytime. I also play calming classical music for him during down time. (we didn’t have a nighttime issue because I slept with the crate against my bed and my hand draped over it so he could wake up and see me, and by 12 weeks he was sleeping in my bed at night because I wanted to cuddle, lol.)
Something to remember is puppies can only be alone for as many hours as they are months old (up until 5-6 months, then they need potty breaks every 5 hours unless they’re an adult with impeccable bladder control in a situation that doesn’t allow for a dog walker etc.) So for a 7 week old puppy, I’d say 1-2 hours during the day is the max. At night 4 hours is pretty good, but if he’s having water during those breaks I’d expect him to need to pee again in a couple hours. I don’t restrict water at night, but got lucky that my guy loves his sleep as much as I do. Puppies gain a LOT of bladder control between two and four months, so that will help greatly.
Crate games: https://caninelearningacademy.com/fun-crate-games-for-your-puppy/
Snuggle puppy: SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000S753WK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_T8HHG8BRHA62RYE5RY0S?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
My pit also loves destroying stuffies, but we’ve had great luck with these hide-and-seek type toys. Having a task/goal/whatever (finding all the little stuffies) keeps him engaged, and while they are looking ragged after a few weeks, this is the longest a stuffed toy has ever lasted with Mitch. Highly recommend!
Agreed - this is really normal puppy behavior. That's really nice of your dad to step in. When your puppy does nap, try to take a nap at the same time, it'll give you a chance to re-charge.
also, get a snuggle puppy. For us, it was life changing.
I am not a professional but thought I would share with what I have done that worked for me and my pug. My puppy only cried the first and second night and has slept through the night ever since. (I realize that I may just be lucky but still want to share)
- blanket over crate or crate cover
- at night he sleeps with the snuggle puppysnuggle puppy with the heart beat on. (There are cheaper options that are supposedly similar) I didn’t find the heat pack necessary to continue after using the few I had. I
- one of my t-shirts that I have worn is in the crate so he has my scent.
- during the day on the first couple days we played a game where I’d put treats into the crate and give a big praise when he’d get in - when he came out I wouldn’t acknowledge him. He then would go in on his own so I would give him lots of treats and praise if he did. Also they say giving them their meals in their crate can be helpful but I didn’t do this personally.
- Make sure during the day to have the puppy spend some time alone in the crate. It can be hard but it is good for them. I always give a treat when I put him in the crate in the day.
- never pull him out of the crate. Let him come out on his own.
This is what I worked on that helped me when I first got my pup but I know they may just be help tips in general. Best of luck with your adorable pup! :)
My dog isn't interested in fetch either (and she's a lab!!) but she loves the flirt pole! I got this one on amazon. It's held up great :)
StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Pet Toy, Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_vzztyb0MZ25AN
I got this one from amazon. It's pretty big, so unless you have some really high couches it should be okay. It has little sliding doors to make the food easier/harder to get out too.
I haven't had it long though, so I can't vouch for durability or anything.
Just an FYI - this comment was auto-removed because referral links aren't allowed. If you want to post something from amazon, it needs to be chopped down to just the item number, like this:
I have an 8 month Yorkie is pretty high energy but not as a high as a husky mix. First thing I’d suggest is mental stimulation games. Our trainer in class last week taught us a very simple one where you can use Amazon box and put them down and place treats inside. It teaches them to sniff them out. We also our boy a treat puzzle ball, which has been a GOD. SEND.
However, the best thing for physical exercise to wear them out is this Tail Tease toy. . We can’t use it with our boy right now (just got fixed 3 days ago) but, last weekend when it was stupid hot outside and we couldn’t do longer walks, this thing wore his butt out within 10 minutes. I can’t recommend it enough.
There are some behavioral aid toys (cuddling toys) which might be useful. SmartPetLove is the most popular, but there are some cheaper versions as well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0722XGRMB
A peanut filled and frozen Kong might also help to reduce the anxiety.
your dog will develop separation anxiety if you continue to isolate the dog while you are gone for work, without preparing it to be isolated properly. i don't know where you got the idea about ultrasonic devices...that's not going to decrease your dog's anxiety . it will just make it more fearful.
i would consider the following
- roping someone into staying with the dog at home
- daycare - allow your dog to be with other dogs while you are gone.
- trying a heartbeat toy - https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS
- desensitizing & training your dog to being home alone. there are a lot of online resources on how to do this - https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/leaving-puppy-alone/
if any of these options don't work for you , you might want to reconsider rehoming the dog or apply for work from home jobs only. these days its very hard to even have a dog and be able to go to work, you need to be able to afford to send your dog to daycare, or someone needs to be home all the time ( for most families it's often the mum and kids).
Some dogs can be trained to be home alone just fine, but many don't make it through the training. it's reliant on breed temperament and personality.
For HER it is, lol. To help keep her in there, fold a T-shirt that you have slept in, put it on top of the blanket. Cover the crate part way with a towel, making it dark is the best. This heartbeat and warmth toy helps to soothe them too. SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_SIBeFbXND8QZ8
They sell them on Amazon, but I just made mine myself. I used an old broom handle and tied a rope to it. On the other end I put a toy. He loves it!
Here's a generic because it's way cheaper than the brand name: generic flirt pole
As a fellow owner of an energetic dog, my advice is that one of these will be the best thirteen bucks you ever spend on your dog.
I have this one. Similar concept but seems to be cheaper. My dog gets them out pretty quickly but she still enjoys it. She doesn't chew up her toys though. A dog that likes to rip soft toys would have this one apart in minutes.
A couple things to try instead:
Sometimes dogs act like they hate rain at first but once they get going, they're more than happy to stay out in it. Or try dog booties and/or a doggy raincoat for her.
Some Humane Societies have indoor pavilion areas for dogs that you can sign up to use in a group setting (You usually have to pay though). Is she okay with other dogs? Is so, maybe look into this.
You'd be surprised how much exercise a dog can get in a small area like an apartment with one of these bad boys.
http://www.amazon.com/Kyjen-PP01056-Hide-A-Squirrel-Squeak-4-Piece/dp/B0002I0O60
This thing keeps my shiba happy for hours. He loves digging the squirrels out of the tree, and he flings them around the room when he gets them out, or picks them up by the tail and shakes the life out of them.
The Snuggle Puppy toy is an absolute life saver for puppies starting crate training! It has a battery powered heart that beats and basically mimics litter-mates to help the puppy feel more comfortable sleeping. As soon as we started using it our puppy started sleeping through the night! Also works for mandatory naps in the crate. Highly recommend getting one!
I had a problem with one of my Rottweilers being insanely high energy. Even as a pup he did wonderful with training and commands, but when he got excited and hyped up he wouldn't listen to anything and would be out of control. The simple fix for him was a flirt stick https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Tail-Teaser-Flirt/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?keywords=flirt+poles+for+dogs&qid=1656798982&sr=8-5
This was his favorite. It was an outlet for some reason that no toy/bone/chew/exercise would scratch the itch. I was told that possibly it gave him more stimulation for his "prey drive"
We got a heartbeat toy and our puppy never had anxiety issues.
Since you need to stay indoors for a bit, you might try the Outward Hound Tail Teaser Durable... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042I5G2I?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share I use this with my English Lab on days when it’s too miserable to go outside. It’s also a good way to burn off some extra energy before a quick training session. And it’s both mentally and physically stimulating! A 2fer!!! I swear 10 solid minutes of this toy is like 30 minutes of fetch in the backyard!
Get a snuggle puppy toy
https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS
And before you leave the pup, give them a puppy-safe treat of some kind so they associate you leaving with something good. Also don't make a big deal out of leaving
Our TWC loves hide and seek plush toys.
I’ve had dogs in the past that I raised from puppies. My husband hasn’t. We adopted our first puppy together on April 11th. He was very excited and couldn’t wait. I was dreading it. I knew there were going to be sleepless nights and how hard it is. This sub always talks about the puppy blues and I had them before I even met our new puppy. All of this is to say it’s about expectation management. If you know what you’re getting into it doesn’t feel as bad waking up a few times during the night to let them out to pee. Yes there will be accidents. Use enzymatic cleaner and invest in a carpet spot cleaner, we got the Bissel spot clean preheat,- it has saved our carpet. Crate training is key. We put this in the crate with our pup and he loves it. heart beat toy
He's too young and misses his mommy and siblings poor guy. They make heated animals and ones that have a heartbeat. You should give him lots of warm cuddle buddies. Don't give up on him. He will take a while to adjust to you.
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat Stuffed Toy - Pet Anxiety Relief and Calming Aid - Brown and White https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NVDDXM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_60D9PEVNWKMJ93538NEA
I got this one for my 10 month old GSD puppy and she has yet to destroy it
Outward Hound Interactive Dog Training Toys and Agility Kits https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_XHHF4XT2FKSPEG6MPXW8
I paid $10 more for it at a local dog store RIP
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat Stuffed Toy - Pet Anxiety Relief and Calming Aid https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NVDDXM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4GWP7RBDR4A1836DK95V
OMG had no idea these even existed. I kind of want to get our dog one even though he’s like 14 months now haha
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat Stuffed Toy - Pet Anxiety Relief and Calming Aid https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000C9YHFS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_92SJ5673ECW192T1HM0X?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
These stuffed animals have heartbeats and hand warmers. I foster kittens, and they like these.
It's a dog puzzle/food/treat dispenser. Someone recommended it to me here in this subreddit. Here is the link! (it's the large sized one)
Starmark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Pet Toy, Large, Yellow/Green/Purple https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_TPJ0VWAC1XXFWDCHA2A0?psc=1
Bulldogs in general should not really be "open feed" dogs - they are prone to GI issues and should be fed 2x daily. (My Frenchie is prone to gastritis, so we have to feed him 4x daily!)
I would say you should look for a treat puzzle or feeding toy of some form - make her work for her food. It forces her to slow down. (Something like this - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=twister_B07YLCYMLS )
We got our puppy this toysnuggle pup, it was super helpful with night sleeping. Made her feel like she still had someone sleeping with her in the crate. Also vet ASAP. We lost our pup at 2 years due to kidney failure. Love your boxer pups!!
She is beautiful 💜
My 12 year old chihuahua is extremely anxious, so I bought him one of these and it really seems to help him. Highly recommend!
I got this toy for my seeing dog who ended up hating it but my blind dog LOVES her flirt pole. It really triggers her prey drive and she goes crazy for it. This is the one I got, which is larger than a cat equivalent. It may take a moment for him to understand the “game” but this is great to burn energy, have fun and try out some commands like “drop it” “leave it”. Outward Hound Interactive Dog Training Toys and Agility Kits https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_73TGECP12VS4E77VEC2D
i’m 49 and I have never felt older … my puppy kind of broke me but it does get better . I was you a few weeks back. He turned 5 months on Feb 17 and it’s slightly better.
I found some puppy brain games on youtube. And I do some training with him in the evening. Using his brain tires him out much better than walking .
Also , I got a flirt pole Outward Hound Tail Teaser Durable... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042I5G2I?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share . It’s like a dog sized cat toy but the best part is you can sit on the couch or on a chair and play with the puppy from there . Honestly, this was best purchase because I’m too tired sometimes and this lets him play and get energy out without wearing me out too much . If i do it right before we turn in for the night he sleeps longer and more deeper.
I use this one with my dog and we’re loving it. He’s 45pounds Aussie ACD mix, and it’s still holding up! (Though I don’t usually let him chew on the rope though) I also have one from another brand that’s heavier and probably even more durable, but I find that a little too bulky to play in indoor, this one I feel much easier to use! Outward Hound Tail Teaser Durable... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0042I5G2I?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Be patient. Puppies are hard, no doubt. But you are doing better than you think. Something that helped save my sanity is buying the snuggle puppy (linked below). It has made nighttime in her crate infinitely better. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NVDDXM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_NMMB39QZERG0XKH18QAT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Stay strong.
The one I use is Outward Hound-- it comes with toys that look like something small and furry and my pup LOVES them. Its here https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Tail-Teaser-Flirt/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=rvi_4/131-8305128-5906162?pd_rd_w=kXBwS&pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&pf_rd_r=JECC3SWS7509BS87Z257&pd_rd_r=92e9a873-3ee0-4b2e-bf7a-238584601f05&...
I just ordered a collapsible one though so I can bring it to the park and get a larger run area. The collapsible ones might be a little less durable (so say reviews) but I am giving it a shot
We got this for our Husky Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Squeaky Puzzle Plush Dog Toy She promptly destroyed the log. She’ll take one of the squirrels and walk all around the house crying/whimpering just like you’re describing.
If you haven’t already, get a snuffle mat. Great way to engage the brain while giving them some food, so you can feed him when you don’t have the time to hand feed you’re still working him. A bobble toy like this is an awesome intro to puzzle toys. Mostly so you can gauge how receptive he is to it. This is my dogs favorite!
I can only speak from my personal experience (my current and only GD). When she was new to the house, about 4-6 months old, 25-35lbs, she would pant pretty hard at night, and I had the same concerns.
For us it didn't develop into a problem, and she grew out of it after a few weeks, maybe a month. She's now 13 months, a lanky 55lbs, and sleeps under my bed every night, breathing easy as can be.
​
Side note: I'm new to this sub, don't know how popular these are... but EVERYBODY should get a teaser wand for their GD! It's my GD's absolute favorite toy, it has lasted way longer than her other toys, and a couple 5-10min play sessions make a huge difference in her attitude/energy level the rest of the day (along with bones, sniffing games, etc). We had a few sessions early on with a trainer, and their advice to get a teaser wand was probably the most valuable thing I learned from them (and I learned a lot of valuable stuff from them).
Our puppy loves rolling on his back and swatting at his flirt pole. His breeder had cats, so I often wonder if that’s where he gets it. Anyways, highly recommend it!
A snuggle puppy, it has a heat pad and a heartbeat pad inside, it helps to soothe a new puppy
To help with the separation anxiety / howling she’s experiencing, you should try finding one of these snuggle toys - it imitates a littermate and will hopefully help your pup sleep alone. https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS
You could also try making something like this with a ticking clock, a hot water bottle and some soft blankets, if you can’t find one that ships to your location.
Your puppy is going to struggle to socialise and know dog body language - that’s most of that she’d be learning in these last two weeks. So work really hard on organising safe play dates and getting in to puppy schools / working with trainers to help teach her those behaviours. And know she might struggle with it. Having your own dog at home will hopefully help, once they’re safe to be together.
Good luck! Hopefully others have some more useful advice for you.
I have a 9 week old bernedoodle. I made the mistake of putting his crate in the laundry room the first night. I did buy him a puppy stuffed animal with a fake heart beat so he would feel at home but I didn’t really introduce him to the crate until the first night when it was time for bed. He screamed for the first hour or so and eventually went to sleep. The next day, he pretty much refused to go anywhere near the laundry room. I did a little reading and moved his crate into my room. I then practiced putting him in it and sitting next to the crate for short intervals. For the next 2-3 nights, I slept on the floor next to the crate so he would know I was close. He’s fully accustomed to his crate now and doesn’t cry for more than a few seconds when left alone. Your puppy probably just needs to know that you’re going to come back for her and that her crate is a safe place. I highly recommend this toy and sleeping on the floor for a night or so.
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NVDDXM?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Sorry for delay in reply. I customized this flirt poll toy (which hasn't failed to motivate the 3 poms and one labradoodle pup...or whatever they're called):
But the poll and two toys it comes with gave him like 80% of the happiness (that and the red babble ball with the lights are my little guy's favorite toys by far).
Best, Christian
https://www.amazon.com/SmartPetLove-Snuggle-Puppy-Behavioral-Brown/dp/B000C9YHFS
Believe it or not this thing worked well for us. After about a week ours was putting himself to sleep in his crate and now seeks his crate out when he wants alone time. Crate training has been very beneficial.
I have a 70lb very strong mix and went with a cheap one off amazon (.https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Tail-Teaser-Flirt/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?crid=2UL1958PGFRFX&keywords=flirt+pole+for+dogs&qid=1640154762&sprefix=flirt+pole%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-4). We've gone through two. They never snapped, but the blue handle became unglued eventually on both (the poles are surprisingly strong). I wasn't in love with the rope (hurt my hands when playing tug), so I just made my own. Lowes sells 3ft sections of 1/2 schedule 40 PVC in the irrigation section for a few dollars. Then I bought some rope for about $15. 1/2 inch PVC is narrow enough you can just feed the rope through and tie a big knot on one end. One the other end, tie a tug toy (I scavenged the toy from the store bought pole - you want something light weight and cheap). Took about 5 minutes to assemble and most of that was just me trying to open the packaging on the rope. The DIY pole is better for outdoor play, but the store bought one is much less likely to damage something in the house if you get carried away.
Some people go with 1" diameter PVC for extra strength but its heavy and doesn't come in 3 ft lengths so you'll need to cut it and you'll have to fashion something so the rope doesn't get pulled through (some instructions say to use 2 inch washers, but you could also put a 1 inch to 1/2in adapter on there and tie a knot.
Poodles are really athletic normally, so maybe she has trouble being mobile, but still has the energy to be bored and destructive. Maybe you could feed her with a kibble dispensing toy, that way you can get some activity out of her food drive.
StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_FQJKZXXHGNKS13AYVZ7H?psc=1
Nope not too late. Just keep at it. Get a snuggle puppy or a old ticking clock they both help to soothe a puppy, play soothing music, cover the crate so it is nice and dark, sit in front of the crate when he is in there, talk soothingly to him,
As for toilet training -
Be sure to take him out every 20-30 minutes, extended as he gets older and can hold his bladder more
before and 10-15 minutes after food
10-15 minutes after drinking
Straight after waking, playing and training
Enforced naps are a godsend - overtired puppies become monsters, we did a minimum of 1 hour sleep = 1 hour play, sometimes he slept for 2 hours but still would only get 1 hour play.
Take him out to toilet on a leash at all times, reward with a high value treat and praise him as if he just won you a million dollars. If he doesn’t toilet within 5 minutes, take him back inside and crate him, try again in 10 minutes.
We used a schedule book and wrote down everything our puppy did, made it easier to know when he was due for what
It does get easier.
What country are you in for food recommendations?
I have this Bob a lot food ball it's a bit of a pain to fill, but sturdy.
Things like Yak cheese chews are good
Put her crate next to your bed.
You can look at getting a Snuggle Puppy for her. It is a stuffed toy with a heartbeat simulator - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0722XGRMB?pd_rd_i=B0722XGRMB&pd_rd_w=JRpxQ&pf_rd_p=7ea8e9d0-fed1-49e8-a002-f2d3f5cb151d&pd_rd_wg=RMaDw&pf_rd_r=4ZNGD7ZCWET49PAPVZ9F&pd_rd_r=087a03ab-2cf6-4c9a-9abf-b806f274ecf7
When my dog was younger the ones that have a bunch of small toys in a larger toy were his jam. like this puzzles are his goals to now as good is what’s up like these
Treat puzzles, I buy Lilly these like bags of a variety of small sized toys off Amazon for like $15. Perfect size for chi mouths. She also loves those hideaway toys and where it’s like some squirrels inside a tree stump or another one I had was 3 mice inside a slice of cheese
Your welcome! I would also recommend this feeding toy. It really works! Here is a video link: https://youtu.be/vGQ8kTRRDBo
Here is an Amazon link:
StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Pet Toy, Large https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_SHNKHPGTH6ZZQD7NABPX
It isn’t a bone, but my coonhound LOVES this toy. I think it is perfect for his hound instinct because it gives him something to smell/track/hunt around the house. He’ll push it around for hours.
https://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-Lot-Interactive-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4
I've used this feeder toy for the past 2 years, twice a day for my 80 lbs GSD who destroys toys on the regular. It can be a bit of a pain to fit multiple cups of food in, as the access hole is small but with only 1 cup, it shouldnt be a problem. You can adjust the difficulty by opening or closing the openings.
Zoomies are a sign of an under-stimulated, under-exercised dog. Either he is being left alone too long, or he just has very high energy needs. A lot of puppy ownership, especially with labs, is energy management. If his energy (mental and physical) needs are being met, he should alternate between playful/energetic (but not out of control) and rest/calm.
My dog is also 1 and his favorite toy, by far, is a flirt pole. 10 minutes running after it and he is wiped out. Just be careful because they can get obsessed with it and push themselves beyond their limits. My guy will sprint and jump for a couple of minutes and then I force him to take a break to catch his breath. The breaks are good impulse control exercises as well, since he needs to sit and wait to get going again.
https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Tail-Teaser-Flirt/dp/B0042I5G2I
Also, if he is slipping out of his collar, why not just try a front-clip harness? Or a Halti?
Absolutely. I would go with an upholstery or sailcloth thread and use canvas, sailcloth, burlap, or tarp fabric
If you want something significantly easier:
https://www.amazon.com/BarkBox-Interactive-Stuffed-Squeaky-Consuela/dp/B07NVW6X6J
We have an 8-week lab that needs lots of naps. It's hard to tell if this is actually what helps since I've had it in his crate from the start, but I leave this in the crate with the heartbeat on and I think it makes him feel safe whether we are in the room or not. We also leave the tv on during his naps or play calming puppy music.
My puppy did! This was his first night at home in his crate here in NJ, after we picked him up in Ukraine and flew him home. I made it very comfortable for him and lined it with comfy blankets, and this snuggle puppy was absolutely invaluable - it has a beating heart in it which really comforts the puppy. He snuggled up to that thing for weeks and never, ever cried in his crate.
Lots of good advice here. This snuggle toy with a heartbeat made a huge difference for our pup during traveling and crate training. Definitely worth the investment in my opinion.
Someone recommended a stuffed animal that has a heartbeat (needs batteried) before. We p used it up and it really, really helped us.
It's on amazon. It's not cheat but it made a huge difference for us.
SmartPetLove Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Toy, Biscuit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0722XGRMB/ref=cm_sw_r_apanp_8dRbiyTQnKXS6
Water buffalo horn. Better than cow hooves. Just be careful, mine figured out how to pull a single fiber off of it. I only buy mine in person, never online. That way I can pick one where the fibers of it are more tangled.
Also try Duckworth. There is something about that toy that some dogs find perfect. It only has one big squeaker in the middle, so it's easy to find. I found my dog dislikes small squeakers, and will chew them out. There are no limbs to chew off.
Try a few toys until you find your dogs preference. My girl destroyed so many toys until I found what she likes
Yeah - so the Alligator is made by Kong; we got that in our local pet shop.
The squirrel toy was on Amazon, though - made by Outward Hound:
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle, XL https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005VS9WO6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KVR8XKGDM5NEFCKQ1NV7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
We have one of these - since we first brought him home. First night - 2 whines. Second night - one whine.
NOTHING since and he's nearly 6 months old now. We also feed him in his crate and never use the crate as punishment.
Hope this helps.
Sorry you are having such a hard time with your puppy,
All this could be because she is so tired, try to Force naps - give her one hour play/activity then one hour or more sleep…place puppy in crate and sit with her, put a blanket over the crate to make it dark and play soothing music, get a Snuggle Puppy they have a heart beat and a heat pad, it will help her settle better.
Make sure she has peed before going for a nap, then crate her and let her cry, she wont cry forever, til you can get a snuggle puppy, play her the soothing music, it will help heaps.
She ignores redirection and has the zoomies so much because she is overtired, once you can get her suitably rested, she should become a calmer puppy.
On the nighttime part, I was in the same boat with my pup not wanting to settle down until I just said screw it and started taking him for a walk every day around 7pm. I know we can debate the dangers of taking a pup out before getting all his shots, but I felt most dogs in our upper middle class neighborhood are probably vaccinated and it was worth the risk.
After I started doing that he was so much better. He now just lays down on our mantle under the TV and sleeps until it's time to put him down for the night. Maybe your pup just needs to be ran around more in the evening. If walks aren't an option for you yet, the Outward hound tail teaser is a great way to get them to run around and chase something, my dog love this thing. It's basically a big cat toy. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0042I5G2I/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_ZDE35JT5DR6Z00YGCJZG
Yep that behaviour is him being over tired…you have to be a tough mumma and stand your ground, he wont sook for long, as long as you dont give in, as soon as you give in once, he will know that is what he has to do to get out each time.
Also get a snuggle puppy, if you haven’t already, they are wonderful at helping puppies settle
https://www.amazon.com.au/Smart-Pet-Love-Snuggle-Behavioral/dp/B000NVDDXM
You can maybe put some peanut butter with the treats in the king to help it stick to the sides and make it harder. If you want your dog to play with something for a while I recommend something like this Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Squeaky Puzzle Plush Dog Toy - Hide and Seek Activity for Dogs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005VS9WO6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_NYP7RC6V6FH6G8H3B9WC?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 I would not recommend this exact one because I think that they are poor quality but I got my puppy a toy like this and he will play for a long time trying to get them out, also if he gets them all out you can just put them back it and it should take them a bit to get them out again
StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_G0WTG80WDTBAEPACYKE4
Pros: you can adjust the size of the hole for different sized kibble, pretty tough, puppy likes it
Con: it's a little annoying to put the food in
Another popular toy that's like this is the Kong Wobbler.
So when you decide what kibble brand you want to use, they should have a feeding guide on the back that will tell you what to feed based on age and weight. I feed Diamond Naturals because I had issues with Iams, Purina, and Hills, but I’ve only been able to find it at Cal Ranch. I wouldn’t feed wet unless the dog needs it as it can cause a buildup of more plaque and the dogs digest it much quicker, which leave them hungrier.
You should start a feeding schedule. I feed my dogs at 9:30 am and 9:30 pm, and they get treats during their training sessions throughout the day. Something else you can do is get an interactive feeder. I like this one because the dog needs to knock it over to get the food. It’s a mental exercise and a little bit of physical exercise too, and it stops them from eating too quickly.
Got you fellow golden-bro.
BarkBox 2-in-1 Interactive Plush Puzzle Dog Toys - Squeaky Pet and Puppy Enrichment Toys for Small, Medium, and Large Dogs | Consuela The Cactus https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NVW6X6J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MEEEHS9VVD1FSFHCMZWG?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1