Not All Dog Toys Are Created Equal: A Guide to Playtime
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Tired of finding your dog’s toys torn to shreds in a stuffed animal crime scene? I’ve rounded up the best strategies to extend the life of your pet’s favorite toys. From smart play habits to the best durable picks, here is how to maximize fun and minimize the mess.
Before diving into my top picks, remember that toys shouldn't be accessible 24/7, especially stuffed animals! Managing when your dog has certain toys keeps them rewarding and can even help correct unwanted behaviors like their complete destruction.
If your pup targets shoes or furniture, correct the unwanted behavior within a few seconds to a minute or so of said behavior; the dog will not connect the scolding to that behavior if done too late. Next, swap those unwanted items out for a durable alternative like a frozen peanut butter-filled Kong Extreme. This teaches them what is appropriate to chew on while protecting your belongings. Just be sure to limit heavy chewing sessions to 10–15 minutes to prevent jaw pain or tooth fractures. Setting a designated 'toy time' each day helps reduce anxiety and keeps the excitement alive!
Lastly, you might be wondering how you can participate in your dog's playtime. Playing with your dog is a wonderful bonding experience, and it can even serve as a reward instead of treats, helping to keep your dog engaged and healthier!
To keep toys rewarding, it's important not to leave them out all the time, as this can diminish their novelty and lead to boredom and restlessness in your dog. Next thing you know, boom! You just lost a pair of shoes lol. Similar to the 10-15 minute rule we established for chew toys, the same principle applies to toys used for playtime.
Ropes and tug toys offer excellent opportunities to bond with your dog without relying on treats. However, remember to use these toys only when you plan to play with your dog. Do not leave ropes unattended, as they can become shredded and your dog may eventually lose interest. Let’s keep the excitement alive during playtime!
Add in some new elements
Sometimes, your dog may look at their toy and let out a sigh. That's when you know it’s time to introduce something new. Here are some ways to make a toy more appealing during playtime.
1. **Add Treats**: Enhance your dog's interest in its toys by adding treats! Instead of just using one type, try layering 2-3 different kinds. For example, start with peanut butter (check out this dog-safe peanut butter without xylitol!) Then add a training treat of your choice, followed by some broth. Finally, freeze the toy. This variation will keep your dog guessing about what treat they’ll find next.
2. **Freeze the Toy**: Freezing the toy can create a new challenge for your dog, especially when it has treats frozen inside. This extra challenge will encourage them to focus on getting the treats out instead of destroying the toy, providing new mental stimulation. This method is particularly effective for moderate to heavy chewers.
3. **Soak Toys in Broth**: Soaking your dog's toys in broth can give them a new flavor and scent, which may help stimulate your dog's appetite. This technique is especially beneficial for dogs that may be having trouble eating or showing little interest in food.
Know your dog.
Understanding your dog’s unique personality, from their chewing habits to their anxieties, is the secret to picking toys they'll truly love. Every pup has their own favorite textures and flavors, so have fun discovering what makes yours wag!
Just remember to always supervise playtime. If a toy begins to splinter or break, or if your dog seems suddenly lethargic, remove the toy immediately and contact your vet. Keeping an eye on them ensures their favorite games stay safe and happy
Start when they’re young!
Establishing boundaries when your dog as a puppy can significantly increase the likelihood of raising a well-behaved, less destructive dog. I learned the importance of teaching commands like "leave it" and "drop it" from my friend and coworker, Mariah, a professional dog trainer.
Mariah emphasized that these basic commands are essential for preventing your dog from chewing or swallowing unwanted items and for reducing the risk of guarding behavior and food or toy aggression by teaching these basics. During a demonstration with her three-year-old Labrador, Salish, she showed how effective training can be by dropping chocolate in front of him. When she commanded him to "leave it," he completely ignored the treat!
“To achieve this level of training, it is best to start when the dog is young, but it's important to note that no age is too old to begin training.”- Mariah
I’m so lucky to work with Mariah, a former marine mammal trainer and our expert dog trainer, who has shared so much wisdom with me over the years. Pictured with her are her three incredible service labs: senior Mako, my best buddy Salish, and sweet Nalu, the youngest of the trio. They are a true testament to her expertise and bring so much love and personality to everything they do!
Toy recommendations
~ For adult dogs: 1 year + over ~
Now that we’ve gone over when and how to play, now I will be giving you a list of some of the toys I recommend and that customers have given me great feedback on.
Kong Extreme (via Amazon) - Great for heavy chewers, especially when filled with treats and frozen. Consider layering the Kong with treats or kibble if on a diet, xylitol-free peanut butter, and then freezing for the ultimate treat-and-toy that is sure to keep them guessing.
Starmark Everlasting Sprocket (Via Amazon)- Great for medium chewers. The center of the toy is a sunken treat. One that your dog will have to work at to chew, similar to a puzzle game, but not entirely! You can buy replacement treats as needed. Great for a bit of a challenge and is mentally stimulating.
Outward Hound Tough Skinz- These toys are soft yet seem to be one of the only durable soft toys on the market, per what I’ve heard from customers! These toys are harder to puncture due to the puncture-resistant fabric, and they also have a squeaker. These toys are pretty popular amongst my regular customers.
TUFFY Ultimate Tug-O-War- When you want to join in on the games, this tug-of-war toy is truly a TUFFY! The material is harder to puncture than most similar to Outward Hound. Just make sure you use the toy only when playing together, not just as a chew toy.
WOOF HonestChew Infinity- I absolutely love the WOOF brand dog toys, and these are no exception. Crafted with chewers in mind, they also feature high-quality materials free of nylon and plastic, which isn’t always great for chewing, especially for allergy-sensitive dogs. These are crafted with food-grade plant material to ensure safety when chewing. It also has nodes on one side to soothe that instinctive gnawing desire.
Playology Squeaky Rubber Ball- The Playology Squeaky Rubber Ball is an innovative, scent-infused toy designed to keep your dog's interest. It’s a favorite for tough chewers because it’s incredibly durable and lacks the dangerous fuzz found on tennis balls. They offer various shapes and scents, making them a top-tier choice for mental stimulation—even if the smell is a bit much for humans which I personally am not a fan of lol!
Toys for puppies
~Less than 1 year~
Puppies have sensitive teeth, so it’s vital to avoid toys that are too hard, as they can cause painful breaks. Stick to softer toys specifically designed for young dogs rather than adult power-chewers. If you have a large-breed pup who's already a heavy chewer, you can try adult toys under close supervision, just skip the real bones until their adult teeth are fully in! Here are a few puppy-approved favorites that my customers love.
Nylabone Teething Puppy Chew Freezer Bone - Peanut Butter Flavor- This toy is one of the most well-received by puppy owners. Great for young puppies who are teething and need something soft and squishy with bristles to massage their gums. It's also peanut butter flavored to peak interest and it's also freezable to add some extra strength and soothing element for their gums if needed. You want to make sure you dip it in water or broth before freezing.
Nylabone Puppy Starter Kit Chew Dog Toys - 3 Pack- This variety pack allows you to try different strengths of chews for your puppy. If you aren’t sure how strong your puppy’s teeth are, start with the rubber bone. If your puppy is quite the chewer go for the stronger one. There is even a treat bone inside! (Disclaimer: Do not let your tough chewer pup chew the rubber one, that is for teething. He will destroy it if you let them!)
WOOF Pupsicle -The WOOF Pupsicle is a personal favorite for my dog, Charlie, but it’s even better for puppies! This interactive toy uses treat inserts designed to be licked rather than chewed, providing 20–60 minutes of mental stimulation. It’s perfect for crate training or helping anxious dogs stay calm while you’re away (check out these calming treat inserts!). For an extra challenge, try freezing it to make the fun last even longer! I use a mix of store-bought WOOF inserts, but you can also make your own treats with the treat molds, which is fun too.
Make sure you choose the right size toy and inserts for your pup, available in S, L, and XL
This is the one I use for Charlie, Small Pupsicle.
Charlie enjoying his frozen woof treats! This treat I made with the treat mold.
Here’s a glimpse of the treat-making process before I freeze. All healthy ingredients blended up!
Make playtime fun again!
Although it can be stressful to pick out toys and find ones that will last, I hope this post inspires you to try some different things during playtime. If you do it correctly, not only will playtime be fun for your pup, but it will also be rewarding for you, building an even deeper bond. Let’s make playtime truly a bonding experience with our pets and make it fun again. These moments don’t last forever!
