Close Menu
The Happy Puppers
  • Home
  • Behaviors
  • Health
  • Nutrition
  • Breeds
  • Grooming

Subscribe for Updates

Get the latest news and updates from The Happy Puppers

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
The Happy Puppers
  • Home
  • Behaviors
  • Health
  • Nutrition
  • Breeds
  • Grooming
Facebook Instagram Pinterest YouTube
The Happy Puppers
Home » Dog toys importance in developmental stages

Dog toys importance in developmental stages

Dr. Shruti BhattacharyaBy Dr. Shruti BhattacharyaJuly 10, 2021Updated:April 30, 202520 Comments9 Mins Read Dog Behaviors
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Email Telegram
Dog toys importance
Dog toys importance
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest WhatsApp Email Telegram

 

Dog toys importance. A complete guide to choosing the right toy for your pup

 
“What did you get me momma? Is that a new dog toy? Give it to me. It won’t last two minutes in my mouth. It’s so much fun to destroy this new toy. You wait right here. I’ll bring you the carcass of this toy in no time”. I bet this goes through Delta’s head every time he receives a new dog toy and true to his word, he annihilates his gift in minutes. But even so, we get him new toys whenever we visit the pet store.
 
In this article, I will discuss the dog toys importance in the proper mental and physical development of dogs. So do not miss out on any of the points and read the article all the way to the end. 

 

Dog toys importance and role in dog development
 

Topics covered in this blog post

    • Dog toys importance in dog’s life:
    • Lets have a look at the importance of dog toys to the overall development of our fur babies?
  • Conclusion
  • Frequently asked questions

Dog toys importance in dog’s life:

As we all know, dogs are naturally born hunters. Seek and destroy is in their nature. In the wild, they hunt for survival. Overtime, domestication of dogs has eliminated their need to hunt on a regular basis. However, has this also rid them of their instinct to chase and kill? No. Their instincts of chase and hunt is still intact though curbed compared to their wild ancestors. This is the reason why they make great fetch players, tug of war experts and escape artists..!!

Lets have a look at the importance of dog toys to the overall development of our fur babies?

  • Keeps them engaged and helps build independence: Toys are the best way to keep your little pooch engaged while you get some work done. Otherwise, as in my case, I have Delta following me everywhere around the house. So, I give him a toy full of treats. While he is busy trying to get that treat out of his toy, I can get some valuable work done either around the house or on my laptop. 

On the other hand, toys allow dogs to spend time with themselves and not feel the constant need to be around us. This is very important as it builds confidence in them and promotes independent behavior. 

Toys also play a very important role in counter conditioning of dogs who suffer from separation anxiety. During the stage of behavioral reprograming, the dog is given a toy and allowed to stay alone for a few minutes. The toy keeps the dog busy and keeps his or her mind away from the fact that the guardians are not around.  As the duration of time the dog is confident in spending alone increases, the separation anxiety of the pup recedes. Over time the pup is comfortable in staying alone.   
  • Tires them out: This is another great point in favor of dog toy importance. Just the way studying makes our brain tired and allows us to fall asleep, similarly, toys provide our dogs the much needed mental stimulation which tires out their brain. 

Studies have shown that engagement with toys for dogs is equivalent to us solving a Sudoku puzzle. A tired dog is less likely to engage in excessive barking behavior, be a little less bothered of firecrackers and be less inclined to go outside on the evening of Halloween.

 
When I have a deadline and really need to finish my work, I would give Delta, a homemade chew toy full of his favorite treats to keep him occupied. Once he gets the treat out, he will bring the toy back to me. I will refill the treat and hand it back. This generally goes on for a long time, thus enabling me to finish my work.
 
 

  • Critical thinking and problem solving: This has to be my favorite point in relation to dog toys importance. Toys are like block puzzles for our pooches. It promotes critical thinking and problem solving behavior. It helps to develop the analytical part of the dog’s brain. 

Toys also make them realize that you cannot get everything just by tearing it apart. When I give Delta a toy full of treats, his first instinct is to tear it apart and get to the treat. Eventually, he realizes that he won’t get any treat out that way. That’s when he will try to find other ways to get to that treat. He will try to insert his nails into the cloth, scratch the toy etc. thus keeping him thinking for a long time. A small time engagement with toy is almost equal to a 30 min walk.

  • Helps out dog guardians during lockdown: This dog toy importance is recognized by all dog guardians who are in a work from home schedule. We may have many friends but our dogs only have their guardians. Therefore, when you are home, it is natural for your pup is natural for your pup to demand your attention. 

As I mentioned earlier, if you have an important assignment of work to finish, you can give your dog a puzzle toy to keep him or her busy while you get the work done. Therefore, dog toys not only stimulate your dog’s brain, it also gives them busy when you are not available to play with them.

  • Fun: This is one thing we are all familiar with. Toys are fun, even if they don’t last more than 5 minutes in our furry friend’s hands. But as long a that toy is intact, you can be sure, your fur baby is enjoying himself/herself.
Great resources for puppy training:
Dog toys act as incredible resources for puppy training, whether you are training your puppy to stop puppy biting behavior, or training him or her to adapt to the crate, toys provide a sense of familiarity and home to them. They can also act as distractors which helps during training your pup to stop biting.  
  • Encourages good behavior: Dogs have a natural destructive instinct. Having lots of toys can help us teach them, what they can destroy and what they cannot. Delta sleeps with us and absolutely loves ripping the mattress. However, this behavior only comes out when my husband and I are not home. Thus, purely out of boredom. A couple of times when I have caught him in the act, I have told him a stern ‘NO’. When he left the mattress and came up to me he was rewarded with a toy and treat (positive reinforcement). When he tore his toy, he was not stopped or said ‘NO’. After a few practice sessions, he understood that its okay to tear the toys but not the mattress. Thus, it promotes the good boy behavior.
 
  • Increases bonding: Playing with our pups increases the bond of friendship. It builds up trust in them towards us. Toys have proved to be an asset in training, like in case of playing fetch. It also trains them to communicate with us. Like with Delta, if he wants to play fetch, he will bring his ball and put it on my chair or on my lap. If he wishes to play tug of war, then he will bring his homemade rope toy in his mouth and sit next to my chair. So basically, he gets to pick which game he wants to play.
 
  • Increases social behavior: If your dog is not a visitor friendly pup and prefers to growl and bark at them, toys can provide a great solution to that problem. Before bringing the visitor in front of your dog, provide them a toy which your dog likes and ask them to give it to your pooch when they meet him/her. If the dog is presented with the toy by the visitor, it increases the chance of your dog accepting the visitor into your home.
  • Reduces behavioral problems: Delta has known me since the time he opened his eyes (His mother had abandoned the litter and he would not have made it without my help. You can follow his rescue story here. So you can understand how attached he is to me. He had high separation anxiety. If he was in a room and I was standing right outside, he would keep clawing at the door and whining till I come back. If I went out of the house for work, then I would be sure to come back and see everything that Delta could get his hands on, completely trashed, chewed or torn to pieces. Now, he  does  not have separation anxiety anymore. 

To be honest, I was never much bothered with the destruction he would cause in my absence. I always kept the most important things locked up. But I was very bothered with him eating something he should not. Thus, I started to make some homemade toys with treats for him. He would be given the toys right before I would leave.

The first time I gave him a toy and left, I came back to a house with no destruction. Thus, I have been following the same ritual till now and it works like a charm. 

 

Conclusion

Now you know about dog toys importance in the life of your pup. They ensure proper brain development, help in training, reduce anxiety and help form their personalities. Which type pf dog toy is your favorite? Mention it in the comments section. If you wish to share and stories or anecdotes with the world, feel free to contact me on any of my social media channels. I will be happy to share your story with the world. 

 

To be notified the moment my next post is published, kindly leave your email address in the follow section so that you never miss out on any important information.

Thank you for reading and see you in my next blog post.
Cheers

Frequently asked questions

When to wash dog toys?

Since your pup puts the toys in his or her mouth, it is better to wash them every few days, especially his or her favorite ones.

Can dog toys be washed?

Yes, most dog toys can be washed in the washing machine.

What dog toys are good for puppies?

Most rope toys and toys made of cloth and fiber are safe for pups. However, always keep an eye out and make sure that your pup does not ingest any part of the toy.

Why do dogs destroys toys?

Dogs are instinctive hunters by nature. Destroying is a part of their nature.

Why is my dog obsessed with squeaky toys?

A lot of dogs love the squeak of the squeaky toys. If the squeaker is lost, they may lose their interest in the toy.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Telegram WhatsApp
Previous ArticlePeriodontitis in dogs: treatment options
Next Article Gum diseases in dogs: the complete guide
Dr. Shruti Bhattacharya

    Related Posts

    Puppy Behavior: Understanding and Solving Common Issues

    February 19, 2025 Dog Behaviors By Dr. Shruti BhattacharyaUpdated:April 29, 20250

    Best Valentine’s Day Ideas Guide for Dog Parents

    February 14, 2025 Dog Behaviors By Dr. Shruti BhattacharyaUpdated:April 30, 20250

    Dog Digging: Expert Guide to Stopping Destructive Digging

    January 24, 2025 Dog Behaviors By Dr. Shruti BhattacharyaUpdated:April 29, 20250
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Popular Posts
    Dog Breeds

    The rescue stories of my boys

    By Dr. Shruti BhattacharyaNovember 15, 2019 Dog Breeds Updated:April 30, 202513 Mins Read

    As I begin this journey of blogging, I feel it would not be right to…

    Should dogs wear clothes? A complete review

    December 9, 2019

    Commercial dog food: Which is best?

    January 5, 2020

    Raw dog food: Benefits and risks

    January 29, 2020

    Subscribe for Updates

    Get the latest news and updates from The Happy Puppers

    Latest Posts

    Best Guard Dogs for Families: 2025 update

    April 24, 2025

    Best Dog Breeds for Elderly: A Complete Guide (2025)

    April 9, 2025

    Tooth abscess In dogs

    February 27, 2025

    Puppy Behavior: Understanding and Solving Common Issues

    February 19, 2025
    Contact Author

      Stay In Touch
      • Facebook
      • Pinterest
      • Instagram
      • YouTube
      • LinkedIn
      Disclaimer
      Disclaimer

      The articles of The Happy Puppers are not meant as a substitute for regular veterinary care. When in need, contact your vet as soon as possible.

      Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn
      Important Links
      • #4656 (no title)
      • About Author
      • DISCLAIMER
      • Get In Touch
      • Privacy Policy
      • TERMS AND CONDITIONS
      • Understanding Dog Behaviors: Training, Psychology, and More
      Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
      • #4656 (no title)
      • Privacy Policy
      • TERMS AND CONDITIONS
      • DISCLAIMER
      • About Author
      • Get In Touch
      © 2025 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.