Has anyone got any suggestions for good floating dog toys, preferably ones that are bright, can stand up to lots of wear and tear, not too bulky and not too expensive. I have done some water fetches with puzzle but would like to do a lot more, with a proper floating toy not a tennis ball that gets all soggy and horrible.
Re: Floating toys I used to have a great kong-on-a-rope that was designed for floating retrieves... Dogs loved it. Floated brilliantly, but that didn't stop me losing it in undergrowth somehow. The kong safestix float... Clare
Re: Floating toys The hexabumpers float well (1 orange, 1 black and white) but not cheap The white dummy in the photo floats and isn't big or heavy(I got mine from Sporting Saint at about 5 pounds each but you can find them online loads) The big red ball floats and is great as they can still see it while they're swimmimg. I got that from the pet shop I think it's made by Chomper, it does get soggy but it doesn't sink.
Re: Floating toys Word of warning - the green canvas dummies float, but if used too often get waterlogged and then sink. You then have a labrador swimming round and round in increasing frustration, refusing to come back to shore because THERE'S A DUMMY OUT THERE SOMEWHERE.
Re: Floating toys We use a floating kong (and have spent many hours trying to find it in the undergrowth too)
Re: Floating toys [quote author=Karen link=topic=4228.msg50596#msg50596 date=1390915687] You then have a labrador swimming round and round in increasing frustration, refusing to come back to shore because THERE'S A DUMMY OUT THERE SOMEWHERE. [/quote] Unless the Labrador is Dexter who would just think,'sod this for a game of soldiers,I'm outta here!' :
Re: Floating toys Thanks for all the suggestions, i will see what things are available at crufts as i have been saving my money.
Re: Floating toys Well now. Having a reluctant labrador, I would never throw anything I might want back, anywhere I couldn't easily get. For a water retrieve, an empty plastic bottle with optional masking tape strips for contrast, filled with a little water to give it chucking weight. Cheap and cheerful "scottish dummy" ;D ;D
Re: Floating toys [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=4228.msg50694#msg50694 date=1390942577] Well now. Having a reluctant labrador, I would never throw anything I might want back, anywhere I couldn't easily get. For a water retrieve, an empty plastic bottle with optional masking tape strips for contrast, filled with a little water to give it chucking weight. Cheap and cheerful "scottish dummy" ;D ;D [/quote] i like that idea, but we have a very outgoing labrador that will try her best to succeed, especially if it is with a ball in water, she never gives up then, she will get it in the end.
Re: Floating toys [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=4228.msg50694#msg50694 date=1390942577] For a water retrieve, an empty plastic bottle with optional masking tape strips for contrast, filled with a little water to give it chucking weight. Cheap and cheerful "scottish dummy" ;D ;D [/quote] Brilliant - I love clever'n'cheap ideas
Re: Floating toys [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=4228.msg50694#msg50694 date=1390942577] For a water retrieve, an empty plastic bottle with optional masking tape strips for contrast, filled with a little water to give it chucking weight. Cheap and cheerful "scottish dummy" ;D ;D [/quote] Brilliant. Will be making one forthwith. We have almost lost our SafeStix a few times, not due to a lack of doggie persistence but due to wave or tidal action that has swept it well away from the search zone. SafeStixes also sit very low in the water so they are not a great water retrieve toy, unfortunately.
Re: Floating toys The red clix dummies (which Heidrun describes as horrible - and they are a bit, for normal work) actually float really well because the inside is cork, and don't get waterlogged at all - they float high. I've never lost one, but haven't done many water fetches. They are also not too expensive, for a dummy, anyway.
