There is nothing that gets your dog excited more than playtime. Your dog loves to play and they love everything associated with that; tug, toys, spinning in circles like a drunk puppy, and ball time.
Your dog can have a lot of fun playing with tetherball toys because they incorporate all of these elements of fun.
Tetherball toys come in many sizes and shapes so you are guaranteed to find one that is appropriate for your dog, and fits your needs as well.
If you add a flirt pole into the mix, you actually have the opportunity to sit back and relax as your dog tires himself out.
So let’s take it deeper to see if backyard tetherball for dogs is the right fit for you!
What is a tetherball for dogs?
A dog tetherball is just like a tetherball set for people, meaning it’s a long pole with a cord attached and a ball or toy at the end.
Dog tetherballs have a shorter pole than the human versions to make it easier for dogs to play with them.
Can dogs play tetherball alone?
Of course! You can introduce a tetherball toy for your dog to entertain themselves.
This way, your dog can expend energy while you are busy, or if you have had to step out for a moment. The added benefit to all of this? It keeps dogs busy.
There’s nothing worse than a bored dog when toddlers are coming out of them a thousand different ways! If you have more than one dog they truly enjoy each other’s company playing on this tetherball together.
And for when you are home, it’s a highly engaging toy to use to engage in some active play as well.
Keep in Mind – Beyond just keeping them busy, this tetherball offers other benefits for your pup. This toy promotes agility, and allows them to exercise on a daily basis not much needed from their human parents.
Do tetherballs help dogs with exercise?
Tetherballs are fantastic exercise for dogs whether they play solo or have another human playmate. Dog exercise requirements can vary depending on age and breed.
Older dogs are usually much larger (great dane) and a bit younger dog needs a little less exercise. Smaller working breeds generally need more exercise.
You want your dog to exercise enough until he’s tired but not completely exhausted. If a dog with a lot of energy plays too long, he may become overtired, which can be bothersome, or at times may be dangerous. This could be especially true for older dogs or young puppies.
Walking is a great exercise. However, most dogs also exercise when they play. Dogs also exercise when they play, instead of just walking. It’s also tiring for humans to play hash-same games or tug!!
For this reason, some dogs can play tetherballs and they can do it in their own, or to some extent without you having to engage.
What do I need to look for in a tetherball for my dog?
If you’re starting to feel convinced that a tetherball would be a great fit for your dog, there are some things you may want to think about before you purchase one.
Size
When you are purchasing a dog toy you should always take into account the size of both your dog and the toy you are purchasing.
Not all toys may be appropriate for all sizes of dog.
First – You need to consider your dog’s size and strength. For example, if your dog is a toy or miniature breed such as a chihuahua or toy poodle, a large tetherball set that is designed for a giant breed such as a Newfoundland or Great Dane is probably not going to be suitable. Think realistically for your dog, and he will appreciate the thought!
Some tetherballs even come with adjustable heights or a selection of sizes so that you can pick the tetherball that is best suited to your dog’s size.
Breed
While the size of your dog is of great importance, sometimes the breed needs special consideration too.
Some smaller types of dogs are muscular and have great strength, even if your dog is on the smaller side.
One breed that can really throw their weight around is the miniature bull terriers.
The last thing you want is to have purchased a tetherball toy set, only for your dog to shove it over within minutes because he is too strong for it.
Head’s Up! Most tetherball toys say on the package the weight of the dog it is for. It would be wise to try to check your dog’s weight before buying a tetherball toy.
Age
The age of your dog is significant as well.
If you have a puppy, they will need a little exercise to not over-exert themselves to the point where they don’t want to play anymore.
Along the same lines, different breeds will be at a different age where they are ready for more physical activity.
Most larger puppies and older dogs will love to play tetherball in your backyard, but eventually there will probably come a time when tetherball isn’t a good idea especially if your dog is older and has health issues.
Older dogs probably will need to have a softer object to play with because older dogs have weaker teeth and are generally weaker.
You should consider all of this when thinking about tetherball for your dog and continue to reassess different styles of toys like tetherballs as your dog ages.
Material
Selecting a tetherball for your canine companion is not an easy decision.
Your pup may have a preference for certain toy types and materials; however, even more importantly, you should be mindful of the toys’ safety for your canine.
Not all dog toys are safe, especially for puppy and younger canine. If your dog can chew and destroy those toys, they may even bite off and ingest sizeable piece(s).
Before selecting a tetherball to use with your dog, explore any toys that your dog loves the most and how they typically destroy those toys.
A tetherball made of dog rope might be a great option for tug of war games; however, if your dog is also a chewer, it’s NOT the best option.
On the other hand, rubber is best for chewing dogs; however, rubber may be too hard on the end of a tetherball if your dog gets a good “run” on it and could potentially injure itself and others while swinging.
Durability
In addition to the materials you must consider the durability of the tetherball.
If your pet enjoys a more robust style of play, you should think about finding a tetherball that has a pole made of flexible fiberglass or metal.
It will also need to have a touch ball or rope. the balls made of rubber that is thicker will work great for dogs that like to shred things.
You should also look at a tetherball toy that includes a nylon cord to make sure the cord won’t snap easily.
There are also tetherball toys that are suspended with bungee cords that will lead to a long lasting choice.
Control and Stability
Tetherballs vary in terms of how you set them up.
Some tetherballs have a base that is dug into your yard and others are designed to simply hang from a branch in a tree.
Although it is often easy to hang from a branch; you need to be mindful of the branch’s strength and the size and weight of your dog!
Placement
The location of your tetherball will influence its style and design.
If your dog plays inside rather than outside, consider the available sizes and styles of tetherballs.
It probably goes without saying, any outdoor tetherball set needs to be weatherproof.
Weatherproof doesn’t just mean waterproof. It also means resistant to extreme temperatures and UV rays.
This is especially important for very strong sunshine, which can make things brittle. And that’s the last thing you want for a toy that is going to be pulled and played with frequently.
If you’re looking for an inside tetherball, size may become an issue, so you don’t get a tethered toy hitting your furniture or light fittings.
Cost
When buying toys for our dog we sometimes want to consider the price.
You’ve heard the saying, “buy cheap, buy twice” and that holds true for tetherballs that are really not of great quality, which means they really won’t last very long.
If your dog loves his tetherball and he destroys it after just a few days, he’s going to be disappointed.
In addition to durability, inexpensive toys can be manufactured with harmful or questionable materials.
Because of these factors, you should always purchase the best tetherball you can afford for your dog.
Brands
A well-known brand has a reputation to uphold.
This usually means their products have been recommended and the customer has confidence that the product has been tested, rated and in most cases is a better quality product.
Reputable brands also usually provide good customer service. This is especially important if something goes wrong with your tetherball.
They answer questions, replace the product if there is a defect.
Customer Ratings
Like all things for your furry friend, check out some reviews for the product and the brand to get a sense of quality and value.
Better yet, ask some of your dog-owning friends what they recommend!
Final Thought on Backyard Tetherball Toys for Dogs – Should You Buy One?
Of course, we all want the best for our dogs – if we didn’t want the best for our dogs, we wouldn’t be reading an article about buying a tetherball toy for them!
However, making a purchase often leaves us a little rattled, wondering if we made the best choice for our dog. How do we know that we made a good decision?
After reading above, you can have confidence that you have thought of everything before rushing out to buy a tetherball.
Back to the question, do you buy your dog a tetherball? Yes. Definitely. Your dog will love you forever (of course, they love you now)!