Does your dog have enough dog toys? Five? Ten? Fifteen? A crateful? Do you have leftover toys for visiting dogs? If you answer yes, you are so doing the right thing. If you answer maybe, think about stocking up on a few more through this great membership partner!
Why So Many Toys?
Why is it that dogs want so many toys? Well, the psychology of dogs says that dogs want multiple toys for any number of deeply embedded reasons, from simple to strange. Because they have multiple toy needs and wants. First, of course, is the desire for something to ward off boredom. Toys stimulate dog brains and are actually good for dogs’ mental well-being. They will shift from toy to toy throughout the day to keep mentally engaged. A dog without multiple toys is likely to slow down and get mentally lazy! Besides, they then lack their primary outlet for fun, which is playtime with toys.
Dogs simply love to play. They play in different ways based on their personalities. One of our dogs brings us a pull toy and drops it at our feet then grins – dogs can grin – and the message is simple: play with me, now. Another of our dogs parades around the house with a soft toy in his mouth making a trilling sound as if to say “Look at me; I’m the center of the world.” He is. He wants attention, but rather than play time he wants a good belly rub and ear scritches.
Stress Relief
Some toys help dogs when they get stressed, like during thunderstorms. One of our dogs piles stuffed animals on top of his bed when there are thunderstorms and dives in under all of them, just like we humans crawl under the covers. He’ll sometimes do the same when he knows we are leaving without him. He’s simply found his way to cope with separation anxiety.
Our dogs are retrievers, so having a plush toy in their mouth is a natural. They somehow think it is like retrieving a bird in the field. Other dogs that are used to some sort of heredity may want to chase, or tug, or even toss their toys. Still others love herding some of their toys just as if they were out herding sheep. Don’t forget semi-soft toys either, especially for outdoor play. Frisbees, tennis balls – every dog loves the chase. Some dogs have strong chewing instincts – probably going back to their ancestors’ chewing wild game in some forest – and need a couple toys just for chew time.
Never Too Many Toys
The point of this is that you can never have too many toys, too many fun things for your furry friends. Do the toys last forever? No: I have a sewing bin set up that gets filled with injured toys needing a few stitches here or there. I toss an armload of toys at a time into the wash to refresh them after just too much indoor and outdoor play.
What is most fascinating is how dog toy play is a story of dog heredity and nature. Dogs were bred for different purposes hundreds of years ago, from herding to hunting, gathering downed ducks from the water, and more. Their toy play replicates what their ancestors did eons ago.
A new toy is a reward and playing with your dog with that toy can be a big moment of excitement and sense of reward for your furry friend. That’s why for me, a trip to the hardware store, the pet store, or the grocery store – anywhere there are quality dog toys – usually means a new toy. New = reward for being great dogs and they appreciate it. They love those new toys to bits!
–morningmountainview
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