Appropriate Kennel Toys

Question
I have a 11 week old male choc. lab puppy that is kenneled for a few hours a day in between my husband and my work schedule. I'm concerned that he is getting dehydrated while we're gone but I didn't want to leave water in there as one, he's likely to spill it all over and two he won't be able to relieve himself. Is it safe to leave cellery in the kennel with him or it that a choking hazzard? Do you have any other suggestions?

Answer
Yes, you are correct a stalk of celery could be a choking hazard.  As long as you aren't gone over 4-5 hours, he will do fine without anything to drink or eat.  I wouldn't leave anything in the crate except a Nylabone or maybe a Kong.  

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into
pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages.  If you are not
there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs.  Keep a
close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in
pieces.  Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed.
I don't trust any of the consumable chews.  The dogs just gnaw them down to a
dangerous size too quickly.  These problems are the worst with, but not
limited to, large, aggressive chewers such as Labs.

Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds.   Ones I made
lasted much better.   Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the
foot.  Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope.   Melt the ends, and tie  knots in it.   Get
them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer.  Watch
carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.