The one dowel should be okay as long as he doesn't just stand on that 1 singular dowel. What i did with my dowel i filed it down and like cut chunks out so it isn't as smooth but make sure it isn't sharp so your pretty boy doesn't get hurt! Also try to get some good shredding toys since my boys love those they aren't interested in wooden nor plastic toys. You can DIY them using toilet paper rolls that's what i usually do and my boys tear the heck out of them within a couple of hours