petKORE FloTek™ Tug

Both are retrieving objects used in dog sports or hunting. There's the elongated, sausage-shaped dummy with filling (available in many variants and firmness levels) and the food dummy, a bag with a zipper for filling with food. There are also special forms, such as the duck retrieving dummy, which is designed to resemble real game. Important: a dummy is not a tug toy – it's meant to be searched for and brought back.

Dummies, retrieving dumbbells, play balls, throwing rings, frisbees, and bite tugs are suitable for retrieving. These toys are easy to throw, pick up, and bring back by the dog. For retrieving games, it's important that the dog toy is clearly visible, comfortable to carry, and matched to your dog's size. For retrieving from water, make sure the toy's material has buoyant properties.

For active dogs, retrieving toys, throwing toys, and tug toys are especially suitable. These include play balls on a rope, frisbees, throwing rings, retrieving dumbbells, dummies, and bite tugs. These dog toys promote movement, engagement, and shared activity between dog and owner. Food dummies are also an excellent way to tire out active dogs through scent work.

Several factors are decisive:

• Size/weight (small for puppies and small dogs, e.g. as a bite tug-XS; small dummies are also suitable for large dogs as a marker object)
• Material (jute/cotton soak up water, fire hose or polyester-nylon blends withstand any weather, leather is durable but needs proper care)
• Buoyancy (important for water training – here too, pay attention to a sturdy outer material)
• Color (bright colors for good visibility, earth tones for more advanced scent training)

For large dogs, larger, sturdy dog toys made of robust materials are suitable. These include larger play balls, dummies, retrieving dumbbells, and bite tugs made of jute or fire hose. For catching or retrieving games, bite tugs with a hand strap or rope are best suited. It's important that the toy isn't chosen too small, so it can be picked up easily and isn't swallowed.

For tugging games, dog toys that sit comfortably in the hand and are sturdily made are suitable. Hand straps can also make the tugging game easier. Bite tugs, play balls with rope, or tugging toys made of jute, cotton, or robust material are especially popular for this. It's important that the toy doesn't fray, is checked regularly, and matches your dog's strength.