Treats & Toys

Originally written in 2011. Product names, prices, and availability may have changed.

Golden retrievers are notorious for destroying toys. Most stuffed toys last less than 10 minutes in our house. Over the years we have found a few durable toys that stand up to serious chewing and keep our dogs entertained for hours.

Nylabone

Nylabones are our number one favorite toy. They come in different shapes and sizes and are incredibly durable. Chewing on Nylabones actually improved Quincey's dental report at the vet. We buy them regularly and replace them every few months when the edges start to get sharp.

KONG

KONG toys are incredibly durable and keep your pup entertained for a long time. The Classic KONG can be stuffed with treats, peanut butter, and even baby carrots. A great trick is to fill the KONG with peanut butter and freeze it overnight — it will keep your dog busy for much longer.

For puppies, the KONG pacifiers are perfect for teething. Roxy loved hers and it kept her from chewing on everything else in the house.

The KONG Wobbler is another favorite. You fill it with kibble and your dog has to knock it around to get the food out. It is great mental stimulation and slows down fast eaters.

Chuckit Amphibious

These toys are waterproof, super durable, and they float! They are perfect for the pool and the beach. Roxy absolutely loves jumping for them and could play fetch with a Chuckit toy all day long.

Tennis Balls

You cannot go wrong with the classic tennis ball. Our goldens love them. We buy multi-packs at Walmart so we always have plenty on hand — they tend to disappear in the yard.

Treats

Our dogs also love carrots and peanut butter stuffed in a KONG. Quincey gets half a banana with his breakfast every morning — the vet recommended it to help with his seizures. Healthy treats like fruits and veggies are a great way to reward your golden without overloading them with calories.