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As part of a larger initiative to educate dog owners on proper nutrition, effective training, and other ways to raise a happy and healthy dog, the Dogington Post is reviewing products, toys, foods, treats, and trainers in our first annual Dogington Post Awards Program!
Each week, we’ll present 3 nominees in a particular category. And, YOU, our readers, will have an opportunity to weigh-in on your favorites, to help us choose a winner!
Nominees from each category for the Dogington Post Award have been selected based on strict criteria including safety, durability, quality, craftsmanship, and manufacturer ethics.
This week, we’re presenting the nominees for Best Dog Toy for 2012!
An excellent dog toy will encourage active playtime, stimulate your dog mentally, or provide a safe outlet for natural chewing behavior.
Dogington Post’s Best Toy nominees are:
1. PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys: PrideBites are more than just a stuffed dog toy. These cleverly designed toys are tough enough for tug-o-war, feature sewn-in squeakers that won’t lose their sound even after hours of chewing and fetching, and they float, making them a great pool toy or beach bag must-have! Besides being downright adorable, PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys are durable enough for even the most active chewers, lightweight for hours of tireless play, and totally machine washable! Best of all, they promote active playtime for both you AND your dog together!
PrideBites are available in dozens of different dog-friendly shapes and sizes, from bones and fire hydrants, to cats and even a mustache, you’re sure to find a PrideBite that fits your dog’s personality!
What’s more, PrideBites gives back to the dog community through their “Buy a Toy, Help Save a Dog” program. For every single toy sold, PrideBites donates $1 to animal shelters and other organizations that help dogs in need.
Because of excellent craftsmanship and quality, a product that encourages healthy, interactive play between dogs and their humans, and their dedication to giving back to the dog community, PrideBites has easily earned Dogington Post’s nomination for Best Toy in 2012!
2. Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles: There are a zillion plastic puzzles and treat-hider toys on the market, but none as skillfully made, durable, and fun as the classic wooden dog puzzles by Nina Ottosson. A healthy and well balanced dog needs mental stimulation in addition to physical exercise and healthy diet. Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles are an excellent way for your dog to get the brain exercises he needs.
Much more durable and rugged than the cheap plastic knockoffs, these are the only puzzles currently on the market that meet California’s strict health and environmental standards for composite board. Plus, they’re available in 14 different difficulty levels, from an easy first-timer’s puzzle to a more complex puzzle for seasoned dogs.
Besides just being plain ol’ fun for your pooch by providing a necessary mental challenge, Nina Ottosson Wooden Puzzle Toys are excellent as a tool for dogs that eat too fast. Instead of putting your pup’s food in a bowl and watching them scarf it down, fill each little compartment of a puzzle and challenge your pup to find all his food!
These puzzle toys are great for entertaining dogs of all ages, especially puppies and senior dogs that may not be ready or able to explore the great outdoors.
3. Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Glow for Good Ball: Hard to believe a simple ball made our TOP DOG Toy for 2012, right? Well, this isn’t just an ordinary ball! The Orbee-Tuff Glow for Good Ball is bouncy, it floats, it’s super tough for super chewers, it’s got a minty scent that dogs love, it glows in the dark for nighttime play, it’s totally recyclable, and it’s made in the U.S.A.
(It also fits in the optional Planet Dog Wood Chuck ball chucker for high-flying, fetching fun!)
If those attributes aren’t reason enough to make the cut, 100% of all proceeds from the sale of this awesome ball go to The Planet Dog Foundation, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to support canine service programs.
There they are, our nominees for the Best Toy of 2012. Which toy do you like best? Or better yet, which toy does your dog like best?
Leave a comment with your selection to vote for your favorite!
Shirley
says:Nina Ottosen
NICHOLE
says:Nina Ottosson- Dog Casino!
Ben
says:PrideBites dog toys!!
Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles of course! Keeps the mind active! Our dogs love them!
Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles
Jeff P
says:PrideBites for sure!
Katie
says:PrideBites are the best toys! My dog loves them!!
Chelsea Papish
says:PrideBites Dog Toys!
Margaux
says:PrideBites Dog Toys
Kev
says:PrideBites
Larry
says:PrideBites toys!!
Stephani Spruill
says:Nina Ottosson Wooden Puzzle toys, absolutely!!!
Emily Yan
says:Nina Ottosson toys are amazing !!
Blue Lan
says:I love Nina Ottosson .
OB Cindi
says:JUST CUZ rubber balls are the GREATEST DOG TOY invented. My Rhodesian Ridgeback mix loves these rubber balls with “feet” and gets major air jumping to catch her “GOOD CUZ” ball. I bought a large ball sized chuck-it and it fits the JUST CUZ BALL perfectly. When this ball hits compacted sand at dog beach, it makes a huge bounce. It doesn’t leave the dog with sand in its mouth like a tennis ball. Dogs who don’t even fetch balls will steal this ball when my dog and I are playing with it on dog beach. GREATEST BALL EVER MADE!!! I give a standing ovation to the makers of JUST CUZ balls!
Annalinda Li
says:Nina Ottosson rocks!
Dorothy
says:Nina Ottosson is the best !!
popo kuo
says:Nina Ottosson
Jayme D
says:PRIDEBITES!!!!
Lauren Grenader
says:Pridebites
Aidan Israel
says:PrideBites all the way!!!!!!!
Ben Deschner
says:PrideBites!
Ryan Ladd
says:PRIDEBITES
Eric Bormaster
says:No question – PRIDEBITES!!
Anita Bormaster
says:PRIDEBITES all the way!!!
KML
says:WAHOO!!! PrideBites has been named the “BEST NEW DOG TOY OF 2012” by Pet Business Magazine. VOTE FOR PRIDEBITES!!!
Abe Jacobs
says:PrideBites are awesome, my dogs love them!
Ross Golding
says:PrideBites are the best!
Ross Golding
says:PrideBites Dog Toys
Shelli Veatch
says:PrideBites Toys!
Hans Bjerkan
says:PrideBites Dog Toys
Ned Brown
says:PrideBites dog toys!
Wooden Dog Puzzles Nina Ottosson is the best toys ever!
I LOVE Nina Ottosson toys!!! All puzzles I saw/own/tested/gave away as a gift are loved by dogs and dog owners alike… I want to give my vote to Nina Ottosson. Her products have convinced me and our dogs.
christie foster
says:Pridebite interactive dog toys:)
Felicia
says:Pride Bites!
Daniel L
says:PRIDEBITES!
Jason Yang
says:Nina Ottosson dog fighter
Stevie Brewer
says:Pridebites
Kyle Brewer
says:Pridebites
Amanda W.
says:Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Glow for Good Ball… by far my german shepherds favorite toy he has ever had! he won’t put it down and he has had it for almost a year now and it still looks like the day I bought it!
Tina McElhattan
says:Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles
Caryn R.
says:PrideBites interactive dog toy!
Marilyn Thompson
says:PrideBites Dog Toys
James Blonde
says:Pride Bites is the only toy for an MI-6 Agent at work all day!
Peter
says:Nina
David G.
says:Nina Ottosson puzzles
Sue K.
says:Nina Ottosson
Ashlee Gonigam
says:Nina Ottosson! All her toys are amazing.
Chuck
says:The Nina puzzles
Vickie Swarowski
says:# 2 Love the Nina Ottosson products!
Pat
says:Nina Ottosson all the way
Nancy K
says:Nina Ottosson wooden dog puzzles !
Jared Mendeloff
says:Pride bites!!
Adam Shapiro
says:PrideBites!
PB!
Bites of Pride!
Oh no, my dog bit into the wooden Nina Ottosson toy and has a splinter!
Ellie
says:They don’t splinter like wood!
Jaclyn Jacobson
says:PrideBites! For sure 🙂
Steven B.
says:Pride Bites!!
Nina Ottosson is the best in the range from all the Dog toys. She is the one who invited the first game with always the comfort of the pet as her starting point! And it is not only for dogs, even cats, parrots, rabbits, monkeys use her durable games with great pleasure!
Mikael Lindstrand
says:Nina Ottosson toys are wonderful, me and my dogs love them.
Lena
says:Love ALL the Nina Ottosson puzzle games!!
Katarzyna
says:Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles
Marianne
says:Nina Ottosson…the absolute best
We are proud to be the North American distributor for Nina Ottosson’s line of wooden interactive puzzles. These high quality, innovative designs are changing the way we play with our companion animals. Make em think
We are proud to be the North American distributor for Nina Ottosson’s line of wooden interactive puzzles. These high quality, innovative designs are changing the way we play with our companion animals. Make em think!
Jilana Ordman
says:Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles! Dogs don’t get many chances to get smarter, and these things work!
Steve
says:Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles and all her puzzles get my vote.
They are great for dogs that are very intelligent and highly active dogs. We got a medium difficult one for our Cirneco puppy, and he solved it on his first try
Ben Balson
says:PrideBites Dog Toys!
Mike Saig
says:PrideBites!
Helen
says:I vote for Pride bites…..the cutest toys ever!!!
We’re a big fan of the Nina Ottosson interactive wooden puzzles! Our dogs go LOVE them!
jackie
says:I vote for Nina Ottosson. My 3 terriers all benefit from the mental stimulation these puzzles provide.
Duane Brewer
says:Pride Bites!! Wonderful toy for your pet.
I vote for Nina Ottosson.
I purchase one of her dog puzzles every year for Xmas for my dachshunds to play with, which they love.
Chrissy Vancour
says:Definately Nr.2. Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles….it’s not just a plain toy,,it’s way more….good exercise for the brain..just only playing, walking aso is not enough for a dog…
Maria
says:Nina Ottosson dog toys
Elise Halprin
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys are the Best!
Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzle. These are AMAZING!
Paula Fuller
says:Nina Ottosson dog toys are the best! I vote for hers!
Jan Isaksen
says:2. Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles
2. Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles
Kara L
says:PRIDEBITES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Caroline Kleiner
says:PrideBites of course!!!
Cindy Phelps
says:Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles
Dede McElroy
says:Love the Nina Ottosson toys! Keep my girls occupied and happy!
Tammy Johnson
says:Definitely the Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles. My dog gets so excited when I bring her puzzles out for her.
Francine Beckman
says:Pridebites Dog Toys are the best!
Diana Wild
says:I vote for Nina Ottosson interactive puzzles. Her puzzles are such fun for a active and inquisitive dog looking for something fun and staifying!
Diana Wild
says:*satisfying
Amanda
says:Planet Dog Glow For Good ball – this is our pups FAVORITE!
Melissa isaacs
says:Nina ottosson puzzles are the best
jane
says:My vote goes to the Nina Ottosson wooden puzzle, just got one for a Christmas gift for my puppies!
Lori
says:Nina Ottosson’s Wooden Puzzles because my dog loves his.
Nina van Oorsouw
says:Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles
Wendy Endelman
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys are awesome!
Katie Thomes
says:Planet Dog Orbees get our vote! My dogs are heavy chewers and the Orbees are the only balls that last!
bparker52
says:Pridebites!
Matthew R
says:Pridebites Interactive Dog Toys all the way!!!!!!!! They have my vote!!
I am very proud of my interactive Dog treat Puzzle games, they really challange the dogs mind and prevent boredome and behavior problems. My dogs love them and I vote for my games. All the best from Sweden. / Nina Ottosson
shik
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys are the best!! dogs go crazy for them!
Helane Knecht
says:definitely PrideBites!!!!
itzik elbaz
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys !!
~~~~~~~R-O-C-K-S~~~~~~~ !!!
Lauren Hoffman
says:PRIDE BITES ALL THE WAY!!
Dvir
says:PrideBites is my vote!!! Awesome toy my dog loves it!!
Alex
says:PrideBites yea
Helane
says:PrideBites is my vote!!
Ellen
says:PrideBites are the best. My dog loves hers.
Teresa
says:PRIDEBITES!!
Steven
says:PrideBites!
Kevin
says:The PrideBites Interactive Dog Toy gets my vote!!!!!
Lindsey Garrison
says:PrideBites for sure! They last forever, and they are super colorful and cute!
Johnna
says:Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles
Jon Sadow
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toy!
Laura
says:Nina Ottosson Wooden Dog Puzzles!!
Kate Williams
says:Nina Ottoson toys for definite. My guys love them and it really gets them thinking & so tires them out much more than just playing with a ball. Great!
Tomten
says:Nina Ottonsson’s Dog puzzles without a doubt. They are the best interactive games, and the best game for dogs by far!
Nichole
says:I vote for Nina Ottosson interactive puzzles. Her puzzles are a lifesaver to a constantly inquisitive dog looking for something fun.
Rachel Powell
says:Pridebites for the WIN!!!! The best toys and the guys who run the company are awesome!
Ryan Andrews
says:PRIDEBITES Interactive Dog Toy hands down! These guys are the best in the business, and have a very bright future moving forward!
Linda Ludwick
says:PrideBites are the BEST dog gift ever!
Linda Ludwick
says:PrideBites are the BEST!
Abby
says:PrideBites Rock!
Margie Cohen
says:PrideBites are wonderful dog toys
Lisa Wodecki
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toy!!!
Karen Palans
says:Pride Bites!
Linda T
says:PrideBites are the best!!
PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys
Debbie G
says:PrideBites!!!!
Kristine
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys, my dog loves the Michigan “M”. Go Blue!
Kat OSullivan
says:PrideBites! They stand up to hard chewers like a Cane Corso. Ours love them!!!
MM
says:PrideBites! 🙂
Richard and Gale Lourie
says:Our vote goes to PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys. We have bought several toys for our dog friends.
Sharon Seigel
says:PrideBites, what more could a dog want?!
Mandy W
says:PrideBites is awesome!!! They get my vote!
Lindsey Granlund
says:PrideBites!!
Stuart
says:Pridebites. It’s the favorite of my lab Buckley
Leona Slaton
says:Pridebites
Clay Buck
says:We absolutely love PrideBites so they get our vote for sure!
Adam Rosenbaum
says:PrideBites. Enough said. Championship
Amanda Dreyfuss
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toy!!!!
Elissa Sanders
says:We’ve got Goldie The Fish! Winky loves it!
Elissa Sanders
says:Pride Bites is THE BEST!
Russell Cavin
says:PRIDEBITES FOR PRESIDENT! My dog Kevin won’t chew on anything else.
Blaire
says:Pride Bites for sure!
janet blevins gruenwald
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys
Erik Gruenwald
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toy
Kara Michelle
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toy Hands Down!
Sean Knecht
says:PrideBites Dog Toys!!
Daniel Lampe
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toy
Loni Peterson
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toy 100%!
Sam Lampe
says:PrideBites Dog Toys
Kylie Brewer
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys
Karen Lampe
says:PrideBites Interactive Dog Toys!
Karen king
says:PrideBites interactive dog toy