Hiya everyone,

The pups are 3 weeks old now and are getting about a bit - 2 of them kept escaping from the whelping box so they now have a nice new pen to live in. What I would like to know is what toys do you recommend - they are exploring a bit now, and some play fighting - well i say play fighting it's more like - i'll bite your ear while you suck my foot - sort of thing but it is starting. The little tiny one - crystal tips is her nickname is a right little escape artist and although she is a lot smaller than the other two is getting round like a good un - i left the door of the pen slightly ajar earlier to get the syringe for their wormer and she followed me right from the living room into the dining room - won't make that mistake again!!!

Anyway - any suggestions would be welcome - they have some squeaky balls in there, and some cat mouses - i know i need to watch these as they are fabric - but just thought they were easy for them to beat up for now - and they don't have catnip in them.

Thanks in advance

Nikki - Ebbie - clever trevor, crystal tips and bubbles (my littlun named this one) xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I used to give mine empty yoghurt pots and cereal packets a BIG cardboard box with a small door and a kong with something nice like marmite smeered inside, boxes are great as you can just chuck them away when they get pooey!!!!!!

Hi Nikki,
Brilliant now aren't they??!! :) They're so funny when they think they're being "fierce killers" and their "prey" sibling toddles away!

Re toys: I gave mine rubber bones (which, for her first litter, their mum kept taking from them and dropping them out of the pen - clearly she didn't approve! ;)), but the toys they had most fun with were empty 2 litre plastic pop bottles (these could be straddled and thoroughly killed) and....a coconut!

Also the little plastic milk cartons with the handle on that they can grip and nail brushes . They seem to like the feel of the bristles.
Lel

I have baby rattles and toys for my pups (when I have them) and balls, squeeky toys, and I get them from car boot sales, a lot cheaper from there, take them home and wash thoroughly. they also like furry toys but I make sure its the kind the fur does not come off.

I buy the latex squeaky toys as I find they are liked more than hard rubber, also the latex rings. A big sock well knotted is probably the favourite for tug of war.You can hang them from a crate roof, but make sure they are knotted well enough not to be swallowed if you just give them on the floor. My pups are a small breed so its safe for them. They just love mashing the cardboard tube from a kitchen roll (they are tougher than the loo roll ones), but I cut them in half first as they are a bit long. Small plastic pop bottles with the lid screwed down tight are also enjoyed. They also love playing hide and seek in a plastic bed turned upside down. They can dance about on the top and play chase running in and out of the entrance hole underneath. Most of mine dont take much notice of toys til 4-5 weeks, its much more fun untying my laces and tripping me up!! Buster cubes are great when they are a bit older, 7-8 weeks. I never give anything made from rawhide, but let them have pigs ears and rasks under supervision. Rib bones are great once they are weaned and mum is not there, small pups wont be able to get through them, but scrape off any lumps of meat/fat first. Unfilled cow heels ( check they are not too sharp) last ages and are safe for my size of pup, dont know about the bigger breeds, I guess they'd be ok as long as you reckon they are too big to swallow.

Thanks for all the ideas everyone - they are still a little young - although saying that - one of the girlies took an interest in the squeaky santa this morning - was trying to beat him into submission - he was in her spot lol.

Nikki xx

Pup also liked a small ball inserted into a sock and anactivity mat that the children had grown out of.
Lel

Woolies sell a set of coloured plastic 'tenpins', mine loved them. Also plastic milk or lemonade bottles, old towelling socks tied at each end, plastic drain pipe. Best fun was a kiddies play tunnel as mum would lay in it and get bundled by her babies.
Lorna