Plush toy destruction--I need some help plz

[DogMom2012]

I have two 18mnth old lab/heelers. I love all the cute plush dog toys there are available. However I can't purchase any for my kids because they totally DESTROY any and all plush toys. We've tried them all: the extra, heavy, indestructible ones that are double stitched, the ones without stuffing. We even got a pair of fire hoses that were made out of ACTUAL fire hose material. They lasted about 30 minutes. My mother has attempted to make cute chew toys using heavy material and quilting thread. Those lasted about 10 minutes. Braided ropes don't survive at our house either. The only thing they haven't managed to totally mutilate are the KONG treat balls. Is there anything else out there that I could try? I would love to give the kids something they can cuddle with but is it a futile dream?

 

[stardogs]

Stuffies are only allowed as training rewards here. The only toys my crew gets outside of that are rubber Planet Dog, West Paw, Busy Buddy, Chuckit, and Kong toys and nylabones of various types. It's just so much safer for everyone and they like it just fine.

 

[MicksMom]

...We even got a pair of fire hoses that were made out of ACTUAL fire hose material. They lasted about 30 minutes....

The firehose bumper I have came with a tag that said for supervised play only. They aren't totally indestructible, but are made to hold up under rough play/retrieve sessions.

...The only thing they haven't managed to totally mutilate are the KONG treat balls. Is there anything else out there that I could try? I would love to give the kids something they can cuddle with but is it a futile dream?

Have you tried the Kong brand of stuffed toys? I really can't attest to how well they hold up- my Lab is pretty gentle with his stuffed toys, now. I'll be honest, when he was young, I thought he'd never be able to have stuffed toys without me sitting right there with him. But between me cutting tags off the toys, and putting them away when he started putting them away when he started pulling at strings, he learned how to have them without destroying them.

 

[PuppyInMotion.com]

Unfortunately that is just how it is.

As others say it is a treat, and I have yet to hear of a good plush toy alternative.

My guy likes ripping his apart too, but I just keep buying them for him b/c it makes him so happy. In my case, he does not completely rips it into a million pieces and I can restitch it up with heavy thread for a few more uses.

I guess I would try to stick to the pure rubber toys in your case, but i know that isn't what you are going for here.

Cheers!

 

[Assamiea]

The only "plush" toy that has held up in my house is the plubber toy I got from Petsmart (it's made by Toyshoppe). It's basically a thick rubber toy covered in material with minimal stuffed parts (the duck I have only has a plush beak). My yorkie destroys plush toys and this one has held up really well, except the duck no longer has a bill but it still has fabric covering the rest of the toy. The fabric seems to be really well attached to the rubber.

 

[crazedACD]

I used to pick up stuffies at yard sales (sometimes you can get a bunch for like $1). Make sure they eyes/nose were soft or they were taken off. But now I'm wary of bed bugs and stuff .

Anyways, I've wondered if you couldn't 'train' dogs not to go crazy on toys. Keep a close eye on them for a while, and give them a timeout when they start ripping on the toys. I also have an overabundance of stuffed toys, well of every toy, and I think it lessens the murdering of toys-they don't just have one or two to focus on and destroy.

Also, take a look at the 'hugglehounds' rabbits and bears-they are stuffing free, but they are heavy duty too with layers of mesh inside (not thin like the skineez).