Cathy Moon
Well-known member
Back in the 80s when I got my first dog, a poodle mix named Heidi, I took her to puppy and obedience training regularly. The trainers were a couple who bred and showed Siberian Huskies.
They were probably the best trainers I've ever worked with, because they taught us so much about dog safety and health as well as obedience, with mostly rewards based training, back when dominance/wolf theory was so popular. They seemed to be far ahead of their time.
Regarding dog toy safety, they taught us that throwing solid or nearly solid rubber balls and other toys is very dangerous, as a small dog's jaw can easily be broken when trying to catch something heavy. As well, these heavy toys when thrown can hit the dog's head or face, causing irreparable eye injuries to breeds having 'buggy' eyes, such as cavaliers.
Another type of toy that is very dangerous is any toy (such as a tennis ball) attached to a rope, because when the dog does a 'death shake' with it, the ball or whatever is on the end of a rope can hit the dog's head and face causing permanent eye injuries.
I hope I haven't upset anyone - I've tried not to be too descriptive. Our trainers actually described injuries, which I've carried in my mind all these years.
They were probably the best trainers I've ever worked with, because they taught us so much about dog safety and health as well as obedience, with mostly rewards based training, back when dominance/wolf theory was so popular. They seemed to be far ahead of their time.
Regarding dog toy safety, they taught us that throwing solid or nearly solid rubber balls and other toys is very dangerous, as a small dog's jaw can easily be broken when trying to catch something heavy. As well, these heavy toys when thrown can hit the dog's head or face, causing irreparable eye injuries to breeds having 'buggy' eyes, such as cavaliers.
Another type of toy that is very dangerous is any toy (such as a tennis ball) attached to a rope, because when the dog does a 'death shake' with it, the ball or whatever is on the end of a rope can hit the dog's head and face causing permanent eye injuries.
I hope I haven't upset anyone - I've tried not to be too descriptive. Our trainers actually described injuries, which I've carried in my mind all these years.