Research Confirms That Dogs Need New Toys
Sometimes you are undecided about which toy to buy for your dog. The decision becomes complicated especially if the animal is a little nervous. Before choosing the toy, you have to evaluate some factors, including: duration, dental protection, safety, shape, etc. But it’s also important to know your dog’s needs, because it’s not the same as training an energetic puppy or an adult dog, which probably prefers other types of toys.
It is undeniable that knowing your dog’s tastes is not automatic, it takes time, observation and experience. How many times have you bought a toy and once you get home, the dog ignores it or is more intrigued by the wrapper? And in that moment you wonder why on earth they prefer one game over another or which are the characteristics of the games that appeal to them the most. In this article we will answer these and other questions and explain why dogs need new toys.
What does the research reveal?
Faced with the question, many researchers have tried to find an answer and solve the mystery. Some published studies indicate that dogs, because of their hunting instincts, prefer objects that resemble a prey, perhaps for the taste, for the shape or for the sound.
To be more precise, these researches have shown that dogs play for several seconds with toys that have particular flavors, which they can easily break, and in fact reduce them into a thousand pieces, or which make sounds that awaken the instinct to soccer player.
At the same time, it has been found that silent or hard toys are not interesting for dogs, precisely because they cannot chew them and they do not make any noise. These data show that dogs prefer easily manipulated and above all new objects. Yes, that’s right, new. Because?
Dogs easily lose interest in things. They don’t have a favorite game. Once they get used to it, they get bored and leave it aside. Unless you play the game, of course. We must not forget that dogs are sociable creatures and that only if you interact with them in this playful moment, they will not lose interest in games.
Dogs don’t care about the characteristics of the object. They will continue to play with you, because what they care about is sharing this moment with their master. It doesn’t matter if you hit a ball that makes noise or a tree branch. They just want to be with their boss and have fun playing.
How to choose the best toy for your dog?
Each dog has their own personality and tastes, although it is clear that everyone prefers those easily manipulated objects. For this reason, it is advisable to buy products that are easy to chew, make noise or have a particular taste. For example, rubber or plush toys can be an excellent idea. As is a simple plastic bottle.
Push and pull games can also be a good solution, as long as there is a person on the other side participating in the game. They are especially indicated in puppies, in fact at this age the little ones need to download more energy.
Plush or rubber toys are especially suitable for dogs that spend a lot of time alone. To attract the dog, they have to make sounds and they have to be manipulable. But be careful, you must always be sure that the toy is safe, that it does not spoil easily, to avoid the risk that the dog swallows a few pieces.
And the games with flavor? They can undoubtedly be an excellent alternative. They are chewable, bone-shaped in various sizes and flavors, veal, ham, cereal, salmon, chicken or lamb. These products are especially useful when you are teaching your dog to obey some kind of command, in fact these toys are a kind of reward for the dog.
And finally, you must always observe how the dog reacts when offered new toys, to avoid dangerous situations that jeopardize the health and well-being of your pet.
