Chew toys might not be the first item on your list of puppy supplies, but having several toys for your pup to chew is a must, especially for Bernedoodle pups, who are well known for being heavy chewers.
Such toys can help keep your puppy stimulated and prevent it from chewing and gnawing your shoes, furniture, and other household items.
However, finding the right chew toy for your Bernedoodle can be tricky. To help you with that, we’ve created this guide to the best chew toys for Bernedoodle puppies.
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Why Buy Chew Toys for Your Bernedoodle Puppy
For your Bernedoodle puppy, a chew toy is more than just something to play with.
Chew toys play a massive role in your pup’s development, promoting stimulation and well-being during one of your puppy’s most important stages – teething.
Like human infants, puppies go through a teething stage, which can often be very uncomfortable. Typically, teething starts when a puppy is 4 months old. During this stage, chewing and biting will become your pup’s obsession, as it helps them alleviate their sore gums and teeth.
If you’re not careful, your puppy will gnaw through everything chewable around your house, be it shoes, pillows, blankets, rugs, or clothes.
By providing it with appropriate chew toys, you’ll ensure your Bernedoodle puppy has a safe and constructive outlet for its natural urge to chew, preventing any destructive behaviors and keeping it mentally stimulated.
Best Chew Toys for Bernedoodle Puppies
As you browse the market for the best chew toys for your Bernedoodle, you’ll soon find just how huge this market is. There are tons of chew toys available, catering to various types, sizes, and ages of puppies and adult dogs.
Different chew toys also serve various purposes, as some are more suitable for stimulation and others for alleviating discomfort.
Rubber Chew Toys
Rubber is probably the most popular option for chew toys, mostly due to their high durability, making them the most cost-effective choice for puppy owners.
Such toys come in a great variety of shapes and sizes, so you should be able to find the appropriate one for your Bernedoodle pup relatively quickly. What’s more, they are often designed as food puzzles, allowing you to hide treats to encourage stimulation and keep your Bernedoodle puppy busy for a long time.
Rope Toys
Rope toys are probably the best option for Bernedoodle pups going through the teething phase. Such toys help soothe sore gums and teeth, providing some dental benefits, too, as chewing rope toys can help remove plaque from your pup’s teeth, supporting its dental health.
Puzzle Toys
If you want to keep your Bernedoodle pup busy for a long, buying it a puzzle toy is a great choice. Chew puzzle toys, such as the Classic Kong, force pups to work out how to get to the treat hidden inside, stimulating their mental exercise and keeping their teeth away from your shoes and furniture.
Safety Considerations
Choosing the best chew toy is also about its safety. When looking for one, avoid materials that might contain harmful chemicals, such as phthalates or BPA, which may leach out while chewing.
Opt for latex-based products and non-toxic rubber, and be always sure to check the label before buying the toy.
You should also be careful when choosing the size of a chew toy for your Bernedoodle pup. Too small, and it might pose a choking hazard. Too large, and it can make it difficult for a puppy to chew on it.
You should also pay attention to rope toys, which may unravel with time and create strands your puppy may swallow accidentally.
Encouraging Appropriate Chewing Habits in Bernedoodle Puppies
Although buying your Bernedoodle puppy a chew toy is the most critical step in ensuring its proper development during the teething phase, you can’t simply throw your pup a toy and expect it to play with it.
Proper training is equally essential here.
That said, let’s go through the key steps to take when teaching your Bernedoodle appropriate chewing habits using a chew toy:
- Distract and Replace: As soon as you find your puppy gnawing on something it’s not supposed to, distract it and replace the chewed item with a toy. If you’re consistent enough here, your dog will quickly learn what it should and shouldn’t chew.
- Add Chewing Sessions Into Training: When playing with your pup with a chew toy, try to teach it commands like ‘drop it’ or ‘leave it.’ Bernedoodles are very intelligent, and they are fast learners. Teaching your pup such commands will help it quickly learn how they should behave, not to mention they will definitely come in handy later on as your puppy grows into an adult dog.
- Always Reward Good Behavior: Rewarding good behavior with treats and praise will help encourage good chewing habits. So, whenever you see your pup opting for a chew toy instead of your favorite flip-flop, be sure to reward it with something.
With all these methods combined, you should be able to quickly teach your Bernedoodle appropriate chewing habits, preventing it from destroying furniture, shoes, or any other item around your home.
Key Takeaways
As your Bernedoodle pup goes through its teething phase, providing it with chewing toys is an absolute must.
Quality chew toys will promote your pup’s mental stimulation and dental health, preventing it from destroying your furniture and shoes.
Discover our blog for more Bernedoodle-related tips, or check our available Betnerdoodle litters if you are still thinking about owning your own Bernedoodle puppy and need a little nudge.
