Every dog is different.

For Ru, it’s all about engagement.  When we come home, she will seek out a toy and gently press the toy into your leg, inviting you to play.  If Ren is her target, she will pick out a toy and offer it to him.  If he just isn’t interested, she’ll patiently try another...and another...until she finds one that he wants.  If that still doesn’t work, she goes for the ankles.

For Ren, like everything else, it’s all about giving 110%.  When playtime begins, he throws himself into it with everything he’s got.  If you’ve ever met a Staffy, you know their determination is hard to match.  Left to his own devices, Ren would happily destroy just about any toy within reach.  Offer him a tug toy though, and he’s ready to participate in a spirited game to see who’s the stronger tugger.  Whether it’s with Ru or another human, he’s just happy to play.

Tug is a fantastic game to help mentally stimulate your dog while also providing physical exercise.  It’s also an excellent way to bond.  Interactive play, whether with their human or another dog, is a very powerful bonding experience.  Ru almost demands playtime out of me when I come home.  Ren has to get his hugs and kisses out of the way before it’s time to engage. 

We use fleece to create our handmade toys because it is a durable material that is easy to care for.  It’s soft and gentle on dogs’ mouths and they tend to like the feel of it while engaged in play.  It’s a soft material, but can stand up to a lot of enthusiastic tugging.  Ru likes to perform her T-Rex routine, standing tall and pulling with all her might.  Ren likes to test your endurance.  He will pull repeatedly until your arms are exhausted...or you just give up.  Most of the time, they prefer to play tug with each other; giving my arms a well deserved break.

If taken care of, a well-made fleece toy should last a very long time.  These toys are certainly stronger than they look.