Dogs love running, fetching and catching with their beloved families, so encourage some fun playtime with the right dog toys. Find affordable options with this helpful list.

Match dog accessories to your dog’s specific size. It’ll help you choose the right toys for your four-legged friend. 

• Most smaller breeds don’t love toys as big as they are. Small dogs can catch and carry smaller things much easier. Try vinyl and soft toys — they can compress and are easy to tote around. Little dogs also like squeaky toys.
• Larger dog breeds can choke on small toys, so select larger options, such as rubber toys. For both interactive and solo play, rubber toys provide hours of fun, and they’ll help exercise your dog’s jaw and mouth.
• Is your dog gentle or animated? Does your puppy love burying things or running around? Consider their activity level and temperament when selecting toys.
• All toys require a little trial and error. When you introduce a new toy, supervise your dog — at least until you ensure the toy is safe.

Determine the type of chewer you have — constant, hard or tough. This will help narrow the chew-toy scope.

• A tough and/or constant chewer will need more than a stuffed animal. Choose soft toys for dogs that only like to fetch, carry them around and cuddle with them.
• For heavy chewers, focus on more durable toys, such as chewing bones. They’ll help relieve boredom while removing your dog’s tooth plaque. Try a variety of flavors, including the ever-popular peanut butter.
• Enjoy fetch and tug games with long-lasting rope toys. They’re good for teeth and encourage interactive play.

Let your dogs chew and chase toys you make yourself. It’s a creative option your wallet will love.

• Round the edges off an old foot-long stick. It should be about an inch in diameter — broom and plunger sticks work great. Tightly wrap a towel or old shirt around the stick, securing the edges with hefty tape. These homemade toys make for a great game of catch.
• Recycle old socks by tightly stuffing them in a larger, more durable sock. Tie off the ends until you have a solid chew toy that works for fetch or tug-of-war.
• Old jeans also make great tug toys because denim is so durable.
• Get kids in on the fun by making toys as a family. Dog toys are easy to create and require materials safe for children. Double-check all work to make sure the toys are durable. Also, always supervise your pet when playing with homemade toys. Eating old clothes can clog their digestive system.

A treat is a special way to tell your pets you love them. Here are some suggestions for selecting and using treats:

• Are you training your dog? Treats are a great reward mechanism, because they positively reinforce certain behaviors.
• Rawhide chews and bones help keep dog teeth clean and come in a variety of flavors, shapes and sizes.

Include a dog house in your pet’s accessory collection. It’ll help protect your pet from cold, windy, rainy and hot seasons. You can build a shelter yourself or purchase a ready-made kit, complete with easy-to-assemble instructions. Place extra toys in the dog house — they’ll keep your pet happy and entertained.