If you are a dog owner, you must have experienced a moment where your dog ripped apart their brand new toy into pieces, leaving you to wonder why they did it. As much as we love our furry friends, their tendency to destroy their toys can be frustrating and costly. In this blog article, we will discuss why dogs destroy their toys and what you can do about it.
Why do dogs destroy their toys?
- Instinctive behavior
Dogs have an innate need to chew and shred things, which stems from their hunting instincts. In the wild, dogs would hunt and tear apart their prey to eat it. This behavior is still present in domestic dogs, and they need an outlet for it. - Boredom
Dogs can become bored and frustrated when left alone for long periods without any stimulation. In such situations, they may turn to their toys as a source of entertainment and chew them up. - Anxiety and stress
Dogs can experience anxiety and stress in various situations such as when left alone, during thunderstorms, or fireworks. To relieve their stress, they may start chewing on their toys. - Teething
Puppies go through a teething phase where they chew on anything they can get their paws on to relieve the discomfort in their gums. Providing them with chew toys can help them alleviate their discomfort.
What can you do about it?
- Provide appropriate toys
Make sure you provide your dog with toys that are safe and durable enough to withstand their chewing and shredding. Choose toys made of tough materials such as rubber or nylon. Some great options include:
- KONG Extreme Dog Toy
- KONG Jaxx Triple Barrel Dog Toy Large
- KONG Jumbler Ball Dog Toy
- KONG Quest Wishbone Dog Toy
- KONG Safestix Dog Toy
- - Rotate toys
Dogs can get bored with the same toys quickly. To keep them interested, rotate their toys regularly. - Provide mental stimulation
Keep your dog mentally stimulated by playing games such as hide and seek or teaching them new tricks. You can also provide puzzle toys that require them to use their problem-solving skills. We stock a range of puzzle toys to keep dogs stimulated, here are some great options:
- Buster Food Cube Lime
- Buster Soft Mini Cube Magenta
- KONG Gyro Dog Toy Small
- KONG Wobbler Dog Toy - Exercise
Dogs need exercise to burn off excess energy and stay healthy. Regular exercise can also help alleviate stress and anxiety. - Train your dog
Teach your dog basic obedience commands such as "leave it" or "drop it" to prevent them from destroying their toys. - Supervise your dog
Keep a watchful eye on your dog when they are playing with their toys. This will enable you to intervene if they start destroying them.
Dogs destroy their toys for various reasons, including instinctive behavior, boredom, anxiety and stress, and teething. Providing appropriate toys, rotating them regularly, providing mental stimulation, exercising, training, and supervising your dog can help prevent them from destroying their toys. By understanding your dog's behavior and needs, you can provide them with a safe and healthy outlet for their chewing and shredding instincts.
Summary
- Dogs destroy their toys due to instinctive behavior, boredom, anxiety and stress, and teething.
- To prevent your dog from destroying their toys, provide appropriate toys, rotate them regularly, provide mental stimulation, exercise, train your dog, and supervise them.
- Understanding your dog's behavior and needs can help you provide them with a safe and healthy outlet for their chewing and shredding instincts.
