Compared to people who have our hyper-specific tastes and tendencies to be influenced by marketing, dogs are pretty easy to please. Though, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have definite favorites when it comes to their dog toys. In fact, few things can make a dog happier than their favorite toy, even if it’s something as basic as a ratty old chew toy or a particularly big branch!
However, what does your dog’s favorite toy say about their personality? Are dogs obsessed with puzzle toys automatically smarter than most canines, or does one’s preference for plush toys make them a natural-born cuddler? More importantly, what things do devoted dog parents need to keep their eyes out for when it comes time for holiday pet gift shopping?
To find the answers out, we turned to several different pet experts. They answer these questions and more, so if you’re curious what your dog’s favorite toy says about their personality, read on.
How does a dog choose a favorite toy?
The reasons that lead to a dog choosing a favorite toy or favorite type of toy are simpler yet even more inscrutable than they are in humans. If you have a favorite item you treasure, there’s probably a story behind it or a very personal reason why you’ve assigned it sentimental value. Dogs don’t have that kind of sentimentality, but there are other factors that influence their toy choices.
“Dogs usually pick toys as their favorite for different reasons,” says Sally Grottini, a service dog trainer and dog behavior expert for JustAnswer. “Starting with what age they are, what they were bred for, what makes them happiest for their activity level, how food motivated they are, what type of mental stimulation they need, and what toy may bring them the happiest interaction with their owner.”
Your dog’s life stage can have a particularly powerful influence over their toy preferences. “Puppies may choose toys that are interactive and make squeaky noises due to a limited sense of the world around them,” Grottini adds. “Like humans, as puppies grow and go through stages of development, their interests can change and lean more toward natural instinct on what their breed was bred to do.”
Balls, frisbees and throwing toys
If your dog is obsessed with playing fetch and is always plying you with tennis balls every time you hit the backyard, that speaks to an energetic, athletic personality. Veterinarian Dr. Berkcan Yanar describes these types of dogs as often having a “high-octane energy output” and a strong prey or chase instinct. Retriever dog breeds are especially often drawn to throwing toys, since it plays back into their natural instincts to “fetch.” These kinds of throwing toys are great for motivating dog parents to stay active and healthy, too!
Similar to throwing toys are automated toys, such as motion-activated animal toys and things that will move around on their own when you place them on the ground. Grottini says that these types of toys are often great for dogs from herding or hunting breeds.
Tug-of-war toys
What does it mean if this is your dog’s favorite type of toy? Dogs that can’t get enough of playing tug-of-war are often a little bit rambunctious, but also rather sweet and social, our experts say.
“Dogs that love tug toys such as rope have a personality of interactive play and being part of a team,” says Grottini. “They will share with their human or another dog because they love the interactions with others.”
Squeaky toys
Why do dog’s like squeaky toys? Our experts reveal that squeaky toys are often popular among puppies because they’re simple, interactive and sensorially engaging, as squeezing the toy makes a fun sound comes out. However, as noted by the American Kennel Club, there’s also a slightly more morbid reason why even full-grown dogs love squeaky toys: they simulate the sounds of prey. For a pup with a high prey drive, playing with a squeaky toy might be one way of working out their natural hunting instincts.
If your dog does like squeaky toys, make sure to buy them durable toys and keep a close eye on them while they’re playing. Grottini warns that if your dog chews apart a plush or squeaky toy, they may be at risk of swallowing the squeaker or some stuffing, which could cause obstruction or choking.
Plush toys
What your pup’s preference for plush toys says about their personality depends a lot on how they interact with it. If your dog likes to shake and shred plush toys as soon as they can sink their teeth into them, that’s another indicator of a high prey drive. However, if your dog is a softie with stuffed toys, Grottini says that they may see it as a comfort toy, or “a baby that needs gentle care,” and that these types of dogs tend to have very loving personalities.
Your dog might also have formed a positive association with a particular stuffed animal through their interactions with others.
“For instance, my Newf/Golden mix would only pick up his stuffed duck when his leash came out because he knew this meant a walk through town where business owners and patrons alike gave him much loving,” shares Grottini. “When they came to pet him, he would drop his duck and take the loving, and when the interaction was done, he would pick up his duck and continue walking to the next business.”
Hard chew toys
Chew toys can be comforting for teething puppies, and for older dogs, hard chew toys help them keep their jaws strong and their teeth clean. However, there may also be a slightly more cerebral reason why your dog is a serial gnawer and considers this to be their favorite toy.
“Dogs that are tough chewers and like the harder chew toys usually are more determined, focused and problem solvers,” notes Grottini. “These dogs like Kong or Nylabone type toys, and even better if it is a puzzle type toy.”
Puzzle toys
Are puzzle toys your dog’s favorite toys? Then, that mean they like a challenge. “Puzzle toys for treats or interactive brain games would predominantly attract the intelligent, curious problem-solvers; these dogs enjoy mental challenges as much as a rewarding physical workout,” says Dr. Yanar. “Puzzle toys should be appropriate to your dog’s skill level: too easy and they become bored; too hard and they become frustrated.”
Natural “toys”
No matter how many fancy, colorful, noisy dog toys you buy, some dogs will always turn their noses up at them in favor of a big stick they found while walking through the park. Why?
“When it comes to finding things on the ground, dogs are instinctive and run on instinct for many life events,” Grottini reminds us. “So when dogs pick up items from nature, such as rocks, sticks, leaves, etc., that is part of their inbred instinct. Before toys, nature was all they had.”
Just as a game of fetch triggers a Golden Retriever‘s retrieving instincts and a squeaky toy appeals to a hunting dog’s prey drive, your dog’s preference for scavenging natural “toys” comes from something innate and instinctual deep within them. Dr. Yanar also notes that dogs who gravitate towards random outdoor finds may be “more independent, resourceful, or may have a strong natural hunting or scavenging instinct.”
However, remember that playing with sticks, pinecones and other natural objects can carry the risks of splinters, obstructions and other dangerous threats to your pet’s health. If your dog has a preference for playing with sticks, the American Kennel Club highly recommends sourcing similar but more durable dog-safe toys as an alternative.
How to choose safe, high-quality dog toys
No matter what type of toy your dog likes, choosing safe, well-made pet products is of the utmost importance. As much as it would be nice to grab any pet toy off the shelf without thinking twice, not all toys are made equal.
That’s a fact that Seth Cody, co-owner of the durable dog toy company DogTuff, is keenly aware of. Cody founded DogTuff alongside his husband 15 years ago with the mission of producing safer, higher-quality toys for pet parents after their dog Sadie suffered lead poisoning from a store-bought toy. Though Sadie thankfully made a full recovery, it was a frightening and eye-opening experience for her parents.
“At the time, we didn’t realize that pet toys are not regulated in the same way as children’s products,” Cody reveals. “That experience opened our eyes; it’s ultimately up to manufacturers to ensure safety and retailers to carefully vet the products they carry.”
For Cody, choosing safe, durable, and well-made dog toys is paramount. While it’s a great idea for pet parents to do their due diligence and research the brands they’re buying ahead of time, Cody also offered a few expert tips that anyone can use when they’re out shopping in stores.
Plush toys
“Plush toys are best for interactive play with humans or other dogs,” Cody notes. “If used solely as chew toys, their lifespan is naturally limited. When shopping for plush options, it’s best to avoid toys with small appendages since dogs often target these areas with their back teeth. Simpler shapes tend to hold up better.”
Rubber chews
“Always choose BPA-and phthalate-free options,” Cody advises. “For hollow rubber toys, it’s critical that there is an air-relief hole opposite the opening. This prevents dangerous suction that can trap a dog’s tongue or create a choking hazard. Solid rubber toys should either be oversized (too large to swallow) or designed with ridges that allow airflow if lodged in the throat.”
Hard chews
“These are great for power chewers, but should be used with caution,” Cody cautions. “Dogs between the ages of 2–6 are typically the best candidates. Puppies are often too aggressive, and senior dogs are at greater risk of cracking a tooth as their teeth weaken with age.”
Safety tips
- Always size up for durability.
- Buy toys suited for the largest dog in the household.
- Rotate toys to keep dogs engaged and reduce wear.
