Toy suggestions

[styric]

I've stumped 4 different store owners and my trainer on this one.

Orion gets walks daily but now that she is over a year old her main form of exercise is hiking. Basically, we hike with my bf and his Husky/Whippet for at least an hour and a half outside the city. A normal hike will go through some of the forest, out into the prairie then swimming in a large retention pond or river. In the winter, we hike until it drops below -30. We usually spend most of the time throwing something for her to chase and bring back as it's her absolute favorite game. She'll jump off docks, climb low trees and spend 20 minutes zig zagging in 4 foot grasses for a well thrown toy. She even carries it for us.

The last time we were out, she was catching a chuck-it ball at 300 yards and was getting a crowd watching her. I was so proud :D

I'm looking for a rugged throw toy that can float, handle being tugged and thrown around by tug/fetch obsessed Orion - if we don't throw the toy for her she'll throw it for herself. It gets cleaned and put away after a hike so it's not for general chewing. It should be bright colored so it's easy to see in the water and in long grass, preferably softish for an easy grip in the water and easy catching as she catches them in midair. Easy to clean is a must, throwing toys come back covered in mud, drool, water and bits of leaves.

Kongs on a rope don't work as she thinks they're uncomfortable to catch and she breaks frisbees in under 5 minutes just running along with them and just doesn't like catching them in general. Balls are too small to find in the woods/long grasses. The firehose on an elasticated throwing loop isn't bad and is what we're using now as the shape/grippability is just right but she accidentally punctured it a few times with a particularly enthusiastic catch and the stuffing comes out if you wing it far. It also doesn't handle cold very well.

We have 3 air dogs that have been relegated to in house fetch, they pick up dirt like nobody's business and it's impossible to get bits of leaves out of them.

My trainer suggested a hunting dummy or leather Shutzhund style toy, but I'd have to order those online so have no idea what is a good brand/site. I saw a few that you could scent train with as they have pockets, which would be interesting because she will track the toy by scent if she loses it by sight I just don't know how durable they are so would like reviews/personal experiences with them.

We're planning on taking Orion camping this summer to enjoy the hiking trails so a good rugged toy is a must while we're there.

Thanks :)

[trish603a]

i have a kong frisbee that we have had for about 6 months, i too have a frisbee destroyer. It is red, has flexible rubber, and it floats. It is the easiest thing to clean and flexible so she can catch it easily.

[Weltterr]

You need a Wubba. The water Wubba is made of neoprene and is in very bright colors. It dries faster than the other wubbas - but it is a bit less durable. The regular wubba material is stronger, and it does float, but it takes alot longer to dry. They are sold online and in various pet stores. It is a large ball with very sturdy and long streamers at one end.

[lgslgs]

Do you have a boat store nearby that might have a bright colored, durable buoy that would work?


Lynda

[salling12000]

Gander mountain has those training things (don't know the name of them) that are soft, good for the water, bright colors, not sure about how easy they are to clean though. If you have a store near by or a store like that then you wouldn't have to order it. Your trip sounds like fun. Enjoy!

[magadog]

Originally Posted by Weltterr

You need a Wubba. The water Wubba is made of neoprene and is in very bright colors. It dries faster than the other wubbas - but it is a bit less durable. The regular wubba material is stronger, and it does float, but it takes alot longer to dry. They are sold online and in various pet stores. It is a large ball with very sturdy and long streamers at one end.

I was going to suggest this toy also.
My two dogs love it and it holds up very well, especially if used only for fetching and under supervision. They are brightly colored aswell.

Are links allowed on here??

If so.......

Water Wubba

[hokisteph5]

When I took Samson to a swimming appointment a couple months ago, he used this toy from Bamboo. It's called the Combat® Extreme Toss n’ Pull Dog Toy.

[BrewskisMommy]

How about the invincible rings? Do they float? I know they are brightly colored and durable; just not sure about the floating part!

[beans]

Have you tried an Orbee ball? They're tough, bouncy, and float. You can get them with or without a rope attached:
Orbee-Tuff&reg Ball with Rope<br> 5 out of 5 Chompers

There is also an online retailer of SchH products/videos (also a dog breeder) that has an online video discussing them in detail (won't let me post the link). If you can find it, the Orbee demo video might be helpful to watch.

[Nishasmom]

This is the best frisbee EVER!!! It is super tough (even for tug-of-war); flies great, and floats !

Granite Gear Flyer Dog Disc from REI.com

We bought one of those hunting retriever things your trainer suggested from Petsmart. It was bright orange, and only $8.00; Nisha poked a hole in it. If you squeeze the water before every toss it still works.

[Kyree]

I highly recommend an Orbee ball. I know you said balls are to small but the rope might help.

My boy goes nuts when I pull it out. Its tough, soft and floats and had a short rope for tug. Also cleans easy. If the rope comes off its actually better when its re tied



Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Ball with Rope

[Kyree]

If you search Google for Orbee ???????? there is a video you can watch about the ball

[styric]

I've picked up a wubba (they always looked too delicate but I'm giving it a chance) and am looking for the bamboo toy which looks perfect in the pictures but I'd have to play with it a bit to see for sure. Thank you for the suggestions :) The orbee ball is is next on the list if I can find it here.

[styric]

As an update, a friend brought me a very large softish blue rubber ball from a vet conference in Nova Scotia. It's larger than my fist, bright blue, bounces like you wouldn't believe, floats.. I was a bit meh at first since balls are so difficult to find in long grass, but this one is quite large but still easy to carry.

It's also not commercially available, she was given it as a promotional item for an arthritis medication for dogs (Deramaxx I believe, will have to read the stamp on the ball). It's nearly indestructible too.

She loves it more than the firehose or wubba, so those are on the shelf until she manages to lose this one. She wont put it down and even sleeps with it. I just wish I could pick up another 6 of these.

[Brat Pack]

My boys all love Cuz toys... they come in all sorts of sizes and shapes. I use a bright orange one in the biggest size available for fields...I haven't lost one yet but that could be due to my dogs never wanting to put them down lol.

Link- PetEdge: Tough By Nature Bad Cuz