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What are the best toys and safe chews for a 9-month-old GSD puppy?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | German Shepherd | Male | unneutered | 2 months and 4 days old | 47 lbs

I'm struggling to find toys that are fun and suitable for my 9 month old gsd pup. I have a kong, a kong ring and a couple of rope toys. He seems to like the kong for a little and the rope toys are fun for tug of war. I have children with stuffed animals and I don't want him to attribute those to chew toys if I get puppy toys that looked like stuffed animals...Also for chew time are Bully sticks the safest/best thing I can give him or do you have any recommendations for that as well?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on January 25th, 2019

Thank you for your questions about Luke. I agree and would advise against stuffed toys as he will confuse them. Do keep the kids toys put away as he may think they are his anyway!!!
Offer him a variety of toys. Nylabone makes a variety of chew toys for dogs. My only warning though is that the hard toys can break dog’s teeth if they are aggressive chewers. Some toys can break apart and you must always be vigilant to remove and replace these toys to prevent him from swallowing pieces as that could lead to intestinal obstruction.
Experiment to find his favorite type of toys.
Dogs like bully sticks but too much can make some of them sick to their stomachs. Same with something like a greenie. Always monitor him when he is chewing something because dogs can choke on these.
I like to stuff a Kong with kibble, seal the opening with peanut butter (xylitol free) and then put it in the freezer for a few hours.
I hope this answers your question and please feel free to post any additional questions.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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