Avoid the Dog Boredom Blues with a PetSafe® Toy

Give Bingo a Toy, Yo!

This post is sponsored by PetSafe®. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the Busy Buddy line of toys from PetSafe and the importance of preventing bordedom by providing appropriate toys, but Dog & His Boy only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. PetSafe is not responsible for the content of this article.

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Back-to-school is almost here, which means that vacations have faded into happy memories, lazy afternoon hikes are over and impromptu picnics are no longer an option. We are now moving into the season of dull routines and the return of the boredom blues.

Kids will soon be back in class, nodding off during compelling lectures about the importance of algebraic equations. Moms will be rushing to the office through the stop-and-go morning traffic crawl, slamming her brakes and flipping her bird. Stay-at-home dads will finally be able to grab a few moments of silence and solace…after the laundry is done, the dishes are washed, the cupboards are stocked, the baby is asleep and vomit has been scrubbed off the ceiling fan.

In short, things are getting back to a mundane, predictable, dare I say boring normal. It’s a time to return to tight schedules, homework after supper and explosive touchdowns in the third inning when the score is 3 under par. I’m not a sporty gay, but I’m pretty sure that’s a thing.

As much as this is a period of transition for us, it’s also a period of adjustment for our dogs. After months of having his entire family around all the time, each day filled with play bows and belly rubs, Bingo now watches as we rush through showers and shoelaces and charge through the door with a pat on his head and an ‘atta boy for good measure.

As we dive into deadlines, pop quizzes, lunch meetings and mean girl pranks, Bingo is at home on the couch, alone, waiting patiently for us to return.

One important contributor to unwanted or destructive behavior by our dogs, not to mention increased stress and it’s correlation to poor health, is boredom. As we are running through our day, Bingo is staring at the same four walls, eyeing that limited-edition Erte print hanging above the television, knowing he shouldn’t but desperate to add some spice and matting to his day.

Dogs are social by nature, and playful, curious and lovers of fun. They want nothing more than adventures with their pack. And you know what? We are Bingo’s pack. As pet parents, we need to take that seriously.

During this time of transition it’s important to make sure your dog has plenty of toys to occupy his time while your family is working hard to bring home his bacon- free-range please. PetSafe® offers literally hundreds of toys from squeaky to rubbery or bouncy or toughy.

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Since our four dogs are big, bully-breed boys totaling 320 pounds, we only buy tough toys and some of the best that we’ve found are from PetSafe’s Busy Buddy® line. Some of our favorites are the Squeak ‘n Treat Ooga, the Squeak ‘n Treat Booya, the always popular Jack and the Fun Durable toys.

When choosing toys for a pack of dogs that have been known to carry bricks into the house, we need big toys. We need tough toys that can withstand the chewing, the gnawing, the tugging and the thud of crashing to the floor when Galileo throws it across the room.

Not only do Edison & Co. love these toys, they also make the most practical and economical sense for my family. If we don’t choose interesting, creative and tough-as-nails toys for the dogs here at Deaf Dog Central, then either they won’t play with it or they’ll destroy it in five minutes- and trust me Foster will swallow anything that he can forcibly fit into his esophagus.

Each of these toys are designed to be used with or without treats. The Ooga, Booya and the Fun Durables are equipped with a “treat meter” that randomly spits out a treat. This design feature keeps their attention, increases engagement and the amount of time they play with it. My boys are using their bodies and their brains during playtime while stimulating their nose and their tastebuds. The deafies don’t give a rip about the squeakity-squeak, but the ones with functioning ears love to make their toy sing. Win-Win-Win.

The Jack is the most popular and long lasting in our house. It’s big, made of differently colored and shaped pieces and it offers the option of adding treat discs which are included. You can always order more treats once the get-you-started sample is gone.

We have tried just about every toy that is labeled or designed for intense chewers and, to be honest, the only toys that haven’t disappointed are the Busy Buddy toys from PetSafe. Want to try them out on your dogs? Then listen up!

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!

PetSafe and Edison The Deaf Dog have teamed up to give away not one but TWO bundles of Busy Buddy Toys. Each bundle includes the Squeak ‘n Treat Ooga, the Squeak ‘n Treat Booya, the always popular Jack and the Fun Durable toys, and you get choose the size you want! CLICK HERE TO ENTER!! But don’t wait! The contest ends on Wednesday, 8-26-15 at 11:59 PM.

What are your favorite ways to prevent your dog from getting bored? Have you tried Busy Buddy toys from PetSafe? Which one is your favorite?