Why are Dog Toys Important?

Dog toys are simple pleasures that enrich your canine's life. Not only fun and exciting, but toys provide essential benefits that support canine development, mental stimulation and overall well-being.

So our furry pals like toys, but which ones? Are certain breeds drawn to specific toys? Is there a reason why some dogs are ball-obsessed, while others like to disembowel soft toys? We've got the answers with this complete guide on dogs and their toys.

Why Do Dogs Love Toys?

Dog toys are essential for your four-legged family member, and here's why.

● Toys tap into your pet's base instincts. For example, retrievers chase frisbees and balls because it's in their DNA to do so. Squeaky toys? Exciting for dogs historically bred to hunt.

● Toys offer entertainment and reduce boredom - saving your shoes and sanity in the process.

● Burning a ton of energy, a short play session burns is roughly the same as a 30-minute walk. A tired dog is a happy one (and less likely to misbehave).

● Toys comfort sick pets. They also provide solace to puppies recently separated from their mothers and litter mates.

● Toys contribute toward canine development and minimise behavioural issues like excessive barking and chewing furniture.

● Toys help strengthen the bond between humans and dogs, building trust, loyalty and affection.

● Pack mentality demonstrates that dogs aren't solitary creatures. Toys provide entertainment, comfort and interaction when you're not home.

Do Dogs Have Favorite Toys?

Do you spoil your hound and shower them with gifts? If your dog's pet toy basket is heaped high, you might notice something curious or mildly infuriating; there's always that toy dogs carry around while ignoring all of their other playthings.

Yes, dogs do have a favourite or a couple of preferred toys. It might be a well-used plushie or chewed-up toy they've been attached to since they were young.

There isn't a one-size-fits-all toy every pet adores. Whether it's because they like the colour, texture or smell of one, the reason for individual toy preferences remains largely a mystery.

One popular view is that some dogs have the same emotional attachment human children have with baby dolls, seeing playthings as puppies to look after. In particular, the maternal instincts of female dogs kick in when they protect and care for a specific toy in an act of "mothering".

Your dog's breed might affect the toys they like and how they treat them. For instance, unlike mothering, where dogs treat toys gently and carefully, breeds with high predatory drives might be inclined to rip and tear their toys. At the same time, toys with squeakers could entice hunting dogs because the high-pitched noise mimics their prey as they pounce on them.

Your dog's obsession with a toy might be due to some memory association. For example, after being separated from your pet for a while, you might give them a toy when you see them again. This toy could represent the happy memory of having you back in their life.

Drawn to toilet rolls or socks, it's also common for pets to become attached to household items you'd prefer they not play with. Fortunately, training methods like counterconditioning could help them lose interest in inappropriate items and encourage them to play with real pet toys.

Does Play Ever Become Obsessive?

Instagram is filled with cute dogs engaging in sweet, innocent and funny behaviours, like carrying their toys and playing with each other. But can these seemingly harmless behaviours portrayed on social media take a turn for the worse? Unfortunately, yes - toys can evoke aggressive or destructive canine reactions that necessitate interventions.

Establishing boundaries can become critical if toy obsessions result in unpredictable or even dangerous behaviours. This is particularly true for a"mothering" female pup who might snap at other dogs or people who get too close to the 'baby' she's caring for.

Unchecked toy obsessions don't just affect others but can also impact your pet, resulting in detrimental mental and physical problems.

For example, consider a ball-mad Labrador who repeatedly plays fetch without breaks or drinking water. In their fixated state, they won't notice their surroundings or potential dangers, like passing cars, potentially putting their well-being at risk.

In another scenario, a dog might obsessively hide their toys from other pets, causing them to whine and get anxious about concealing its prize from siblings. In such cases, intervention might also be required to reduce your puppy's stress.

How to Set Boundaries at Playtime

From supervised play to providing routine and rotating toys, the below provides ways to prevent playtime from taking a nasty or unexpected turn.

Supervised Play

While toys entertain pets when you're not around, leaving them to play alone may yield unnecessary risks. This is why we advise supervised play, as it can prevent harmful habits and behaviour from forming and could, ultimately, lead to your pet's life being saved!

In the example of a fetch-obsessed pet, watching over them as they play allows you to establish playtime duration and determine when it's time to stop.

Limited Access to the Obsession

If a toy addiction has reached boiling point, the simplest solution is to remove the source of the problem - the toy - from your pet's orbit.

The best course of action would be to hide their toy - out of sight and out of mind - or rehome it entirely.

Limit Playtime

Introducing the toy at specific times of the day can reduce obsessive behaviours and provide your dog with a desperately required routine.

Diversify Toys

If your dog has a soft spot for a plush toy, add a little diversity to his collection with similar playthings. Offering a couple of options might help your pet forget about its current fixation.

Don’t Have Too Many Toys Around

Overwhelmed with choice, your dog may struggle to differentiate between toys and non-toys, leading to confusion about what they can play with or sparking an obsession over something that's not a toy.

Introducing select toys one at a time prevents the above from happening.

Provide Outdoor Access

While playtime is essential to your dog's day, it shouldn't substitute walks.

Taking your dog on walks around the neighbourhood allows them to sniff, provides daily exercise and expends energy. Even with all the toys in the world, your dog still requires regular physical activity.

Conclusion

Many dogs love their toys almost as much as their humans and may even have a favourite.

Why dogs enjoy some toys and reject others remains mostly unsolved.

They could have unique preferences similar to us humans or become fixated with specific toys based on their breed. Some female dogs, driven by their maternal instincts, might choose to care for their toys.

Regardless of their preferences, the role of your pet's toys is immeasurable and invaluable.

While toys bring joy, playtime can have a downside if your dog becomes toy crazy, emphasising the need to endorse a healthy relationship between pets and their playthings.

Ultimately, no amount of toys can compare with the attention you give your pet as a dog owner. Playing, bonding and affection with your pet triumphs over any gift you give them.