Joly Egg for a 5month GSD

[TrentL]

So Draven is going to be 5m this month and for Christmas I bought him a Jolly Egg, and I got the 8" thinking more of it as a ball I can throw and he'll chase around as it bounces erratically.

But I noticed it says the 8" is for "Small / Medium" dogs... and that I should get him that HUGE egg that he pushes around with his nose.

At the moment he has a hard plastic baseball that my kids had, and he likes to carry it in his mouth and rarely chews it, its more of a chase toy (He finds sticks to chew on... a completely different question)

Should I replace the 8" with the larger version? Or can he use both without issue?

[Ziltoid]

I've never used a jolly egg but as long as it isn't a choking hazard I'd think it would be fine. Dogs don't choke on tennis balls so can't see this being any different.

My 10 month old loves to play fetch with her old puppy Kong.

How do they play with the egg? Is it a nose around by themselves type thing? Or do you throw it with it bouncing odd directions?

[Verivus]

Originally Posted by Ziltoid

I've never used a jolly egg but as long as it isn't a choking hazard I'd think it would be fine. Dogs don't choke on tennis balls so can't see this being any different.

Uhm I believe there has been more then 1 thread on this forum about someone's GSD choking and dying on a tennis ball. One that I recall is Emoore's Cash. On the rare occasion Kaiser finds a tennis ball it is so small in comparison to his mouth. Always go bigger to be safe.

[MaggieRoseLee]

Jolly Egg by Jolly Pets

Your dog will be fine w/the 8" but I personally would get the Purple squirrel instead. Same tough rubber idea, I would get the large, and you can add treats or even kibble to make sure your pup stays involved with the toy.

Amazon.com: PetSafe Premier Squirrel Dude Dog Toy, Large: Pet Supplies

Amazon.com: PetSafe Premier Squirrel Dude Dog Toy, Large: Pet Supplies

[Ziltoid]

Originally Posted by Verivus

Uhm I believe there has been more then 1 thread on this forum about someone's GSD choking and dying on a tennis ball. One that I recall is Emoore's Cash. On the rare occasion Kaiser finds a tennis ball it is so small in comparison to his mouth. Always go bigger to be safe.

Well, they say you learn something new every day. Guess the tennis balls will be put away between play sessions now.

I've always left them out and in 20+ years of owning shepherds have never had an issue... Better safe than sorry though.

Thanks for correcting me =)

[KatsMuse]

IMO, I think the 8" would be fine.

Tennis balls, racket balls and any other small balls are a definite no-go, not allowed, toy in this house!

Ziltoid....DOGS DO CHOKE ON TENNIS BALLS! I have seen it first hand. The get slimy from saliva and can get lodged in the throat easily. We had a K9 choke to death at a picnic when this happened...he was playing with the children.
EMS even tried to save him and a vet was on scene. He died despite every effort. It was horrific!

As with any toy, I always watch the dogs while playing...don't want them to break off a piece and choke, etc.
(I can't tell you how many toys, supposedly "non-destructible", have ended up in the trash can after 20 minutes.)

BTW, my dog LOVES the jolly ball! She becomes obsessed with it.
It's so bad, that I have to put it away and only allow her to play with it on special occasions.

FYI : Also, not a good idea to have them play with it in the house...that thing can fly across the room! ...at least in my case.

Kat

[TrentL]

Thanks everyone!

Now to find something he can have in his kennel when I'm at work (he's in his kennel maybe 6hours a day while I'm at work.)