Every dog has a unique and separate personality. When it comes to toys, it’s one of their favorite things that they enjoy.
Toys play an important role in a dog’s growth as they offer mental and physical stimulation and even emotional support. Since not all toys are the same, finding the best toys that are safe, long-lasting, and fun for your pet is essential.
Selecting the appropriate toy for your dog training can become challenging because of the wide range available in the market.
While some dogs love chewing, others like to spend their time fetching or cuddling with soft toys. The suitable toy depends on your dog’s play style and energy levels. Whether you’re a new dog owner or have had experience with the furry four-legged pet, here’s a blog that helps you choose the right toys for your dog depending on their personality.
Why do dogs need toys?
Just like dogs require physical exercise through walks, they also need mental stimulation to be healthy and happy. Whether they are running after a ball, catching a frisbee, or trying to extract kibble from a puzzle, physical and mental exercises result in a happy dog.
A dog with no stimulation (either physical or mental) usually ends up negatively expelling their built-up energy through actions like chewing on their owner’s socks or ruining a part of the furniture. That’s the reason why it’s so significant to make your dog receive abundant stimulation.
Benefits of dog toys
Dogs tend to get bored easily, and this can negatively impact their health. They can get lazy and cranky if they are not getting enough exercise; they might be so energetic that they do not know what to do with it. This energy can result in unruly and bad behavior. Dog toys can prevent these from happening.
A quality dog toy engages your dog’s mind. It lets them utilize their inborn instincts—whether that is running, hunting, or problem-solving. It also makes these pursuits enjoyable for your dog, so they have fun while living a healthy life. Just like humans, dogs enjoy playing—dog toys are a great way to make them play engaging and educational games.
Understanding your dog’s personality
Before purchasing toys, pay attention to how your dog prefers to play. These are common personality types:
- Heavy chewers: This type of dog prefers chewing, so they require hard and durable toys.
- Curious dogs: They enjoy problem-solving and interactive games.
- High-Energy dogs: They like running, chasing, and playing fetch.
- Gentle & cuddly dogs: Usually this type of dog desires soft and comforting plush toys.
- Water-Loving dogs: Have fun playing with water and swimming.
Once you learn your dog’s play style, it gets easier to select the right toys.
Different kinds of dog toys
Balls
Balls are the favorite toy of dogs. If your dog is young and teething, you can give them a soft plush ball, while older dogs can play with a slightly harder tennis ball.
Rope toys
A rope toy has a string so that the dog can bite, and you can grab the opposite side and start a tug-of-war. Dogs enjoy the toys that are challenging for them to play with.
Stuffed toys
Just as toddlers get attached to their stuffed animals, the same can happen with your dog. Stuffed toys are soft, and they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Because they are soft, they don’t hurt the dog’s mouth.
Chewing toys
It is completely natural for a dog to want to chew even after finishing teething. Since the option of fingers is off the table, a couch or a bed can find itself being chewed by their jaws.
For this problem, you can use a chewing toy. It can be in the form of sticks, ropes, bones, animals, rings, and other shapes. Some dogs are powerful chewers, while others aren’t. So these toys are durable and become a good match to your dog’s chewing power.
Treat-dispensing dog toys
These are toys in which you have to put a treat inside. They can be refilled with your dog’s favorite treat. Your dog should know how to use the toy to access the treat. It provides hours of entertainment to them as they turn, twist, and chew up the toy so that they reach the yummy treat.
Puzzle toys
These are a type of toy that tests your dog’s intelligence. They can be physical toys or electronic games for dogs. They educate your dog on coordination as well as assist in the development of their instincts.
Points to be considered in choosing a dog toy:
Several things should be kept in view before you buy a dog toy.
1. Age of your pet:
A dog’s age is a key factor to consider when buying toys. When the dogs are puppies, their teeth are smaller, and therefore they need to be given smaller toys that fit in their mouths. During teething, soft rope toys serve them well since they match their urge to chew. As the puppies develop, more toys are available for them to play with. They can be provided with interactive toys like tug toys, balls, frisbees, and others that can make playtime fun. As they grow, mentally stimulating toys become more vital. They assist the dogs to develop into smarter, sharper, and happier beings.
2. Dog size:
The size of the dog is critical in deciding the toy. Based on the size and the breed of the dog, the correct size toy can be selected. For a small breed of dog, a small/medium-sized toy can be selected so that it can be lodged in his jaws, because if it is too large, then he will be unable to play with it. On the other hand, if you have a big dog, a small toy can become a choking hazard since it could swallow it by mistake.
2. Energy levels:
Toys are an energy outlet for those dogs that have excess energy and excitement. Hyperactive dogs tend to be slightly aggressive and skittish, so sturdy and tough toys would be best for them. Hard rubber toys that can withstand aggressive chewing are a perfect option. They come in various sizes and shapes. Playful dogs also enjoy playing fetch with their owners; thus, tennis balls and discs, also referred to as frisbees, and bone-shaped toys are some of the best fetch toy options.
3. Time spent alone:
When you have to leave your dog at home, you need to ensure that they have enough means to entertain themselves for the time you are away, and what better way to pass the time than with toys?
To help ward off boredom, treat-dispensing toys are the best choice for pets. These help keep your dog busy for hours at the same time as they try to figure out how to get the treat out. Besides, you can also use flavored toys, or you may experiment with tugging toys that you place on the wall such that your dog tries to pull it off.
4. Dog temperament:
- Milder dogs: Some dogs can easily play with toys, and all they want is a cuddle companion. For such cases, squeaky and soft toys are ideal. Such toys provide comfort to their gentle soul and become almost like best friends to keep them company every day.
- Traumatized canines: Toys serve as excellent comfort items for traumatized canines. These animals require an avenue to vent their fear or anxiety. Some canines are more violent and turn to biting as a form of defense mechanism. You can assist them in redirecting the pent-up negative feelings by offering them toys that they can chew on. Long-lasting chew toys can be chewed on a lot and are a big relief for some of these dogs. Some traumatized dogs require a gentle approach. Plush toys are an excellent choice for these dogs since they hold the familiar, homely smell and would serve as a security blanket for them. Do not forget to purchase a plush toy suitable for your dog’s size. A toy that is too large can be overwhelming for them, and a toy that is too small is unlikely to bring much comfort and be cuddly enough.
- Violent dogs: If you’ve got a chew-happy-aggressive dog, then durable chew toys are the apt choice because aggressive dogs tend to tear their toys apart with their violent chewing process.
Thus, select the chew toys that can withstand your dog’s tough chewing for a considerable amount of time. You are also advised to select chew toys that also serve as dental toys so your dog will be able to satisfy his need to chew as well as get his teeth clean.
5. Mental stimulation:
Some dogs prefer mentally stimulating games. This is where puzzle toys are helpful. Puzzle toys have different levels of skills. As soon as your dog completes a level successfully, he can progress to more challenging skill levels.
Every level will test his mental strength and ability. Dog puzzles are made in such a way that they will challenge your dog. They have compartments and mechanisms that would force your dog to learn how to access the reward you have placed inside for them. These toys will keep your dog engaged even when you’re not around.
Invest in the ideal toy for your dog
Choosing the appropriate toy for your dog is important for their physical, cognitive, and emotional health. As each breed of dog possesses a distinct personality, knowing what they enjoy—whether they prefer to chew, play fetch, cuddle, or solve mental problems—helps in picking the toys that keep them occupied.
Other aspects like size, age, energy level, and temperament also come into play in helping you determine the ideal toy. Giving them the ideal toy prevents boredom and harmful activities, stimulates their brains, and promotes an even stronger connection between you and your pet.
With safety, durability, and enjoyment in mind, you can ensure your dog has fun during playtime with a toy and remains healthy and engaged.