http://www.breakawaycollar.com/ 

My dogs play so rough together that I actually haven't kept collars on them at all (besides walks and whatever) for almost the last year (they are both microchipped and not really into escaping. I decided I'd rather risk them running away without a collar which is not likely, than the daily risk of being strangled playing in the yard.) I've been meaning to get them these break-a-way collars for forever, now I am finally getting around to it.  Just thought I'd share in case anyone else was interested (especially if you have more than one dog. But even with one dog, crates + collars can cause problems too.)

I'll probably be nice and get them a few stuffed animals which will be destroyed in a matter of seconds too.

Are you getting your pets anything for X-mas?

Not a clue - probably chewies or something.  My Mastiff loves stuffed animals so I'll probably be getting her some new stuffies.  My older dog is a simple dog and just likes to chew.

Angie,

I like those collars! I too keep collars off my two (3 months and 5 months, both goldens) because of the way they play. They only go on when we go in the car for hikes....

Do either you or Roni know of any really tough toys. Bonnie- the 5 month old, is a really hard chewer. She has a hard rubber ball that she hasn't been able to get pieces off, but it's also hard for her to chew on. I'm thinking something like it, but smaller.

She loves her stuffed animals- has to kill it first(get the squeaker and stuffing out) then throws them in the air, runs with them, and sleeps with them! Our last golden used to tear the stuffing out then tear up the animal! Aren't dogs funny?!! lol

my dogs roughhouse like nobody's business, but they never get hung up on each others' collars. now that i wrote that, they probably will, eh? they wear collars pretty much all the time because there is the small chance that i'll need to break up a fight. haven't had that in years, but, well, i try not to let my guard down.

i'm not sure what my dogs are getting this year. they have nice, robust rubber bones at petsmart that i was checking out, but they're expensive, and i'm still trying to recover from this years vet bills.

Break-a-Way collars are a good idea. Especially for those rough-housers. My fuzzkids aren't in the escape habit either, but its good to know that they have ID's. My neighbors know where they live, so hopefully it will help too.

Priss - the red one, will probably get homemade treats. I have a recipe that I make 2 batches of. One with cheddar cheese, and one with peanut butter. She loves them! And its nice to know exactly what ingredients are going into what they eat.

Baybee - the black one, will probably get a few small stuffed toys. She has pretty much destroyed the ones she has already. And I've only had her 2 weeks!  Yeah, she'll get the treats too.

I have little pictures I made tree ornaments out of... my Christmas tree is decorated by poms.

I keep thinking that I'll make Pepper a truly indestructible toy - maybe with an inner layer of kevlar with fake fur tightly quilted over it! 

The supposedly indestructible toys last about 20-30 minutes at my house.  It can be interesting to see which avenue the dog takes to get inside the stuffed animal though.  The last time she bit the entire muzzle off of the "hedgehog," since there were no handy feet or ears to tear off.   Surprisingly, regular childrens toys last her the longest.  Probably because there's no squeaky inside.

She's just discovered the joys of popping bubble wrap (snuck off my pile of book wrapping material.)  She'd probably be ecstatic if I gave her a roll of that.

I'll probably just buy Sierra some of her favorite treats.  She hasn't played with toys in about 4 years.  My sister bought her a new bed so she's pretty happy with that.

There is a window platform in my cats' futures.  (Yeah, I know....I hijacked your dog thread.  Didn't think you'd mind.)  Ever since Melody got me birding online, I have wanted to give the same opportunity to my cats to do a little of their own birding thru the kitchen window.  I'd also like to get some carpeted steps for my fat-cat, Gizmo, but that will have to wait.  I am thinking I can build them cheaper than I can buy them.      :)

Linda