Best Dog Toys, According to the Experts: Our Dogs

This toy is durable and covers everything that can make a dog happy forever. Inside is a rope and some squeakers to get and keep their attention, and it usually ends up being my dog’s cuddly toy. –-Theodore Liggians

Banjo gets anxious when he is left alone, but like most Labs, he is anxious very driven by food. Mochi, our little guy, is a serious chewer. If he doesn’t chew on anything, he’ll start digging holes in our living room rug. So when I know I’m going to be gone for a few hours, I pull out the Kongs. I stuff them with mozzarella or peanut butter (or both), and my two dogs stay happy and occupied the entire time I’m gone. –– Desiree DeNunzio

My dog ​​is a beast when it comes to toys and is almost spoiled each the only toy we gave him for a day or two. That was until we met the Kong Extreme dog toy line, which worked perfectly for him and kept him entertained. We can use it as a reward by filling it with peanut butter when he’s been nice that day. It comes in several different shapes and sizes, and he seems to enjoy them all! –– Jared DiPane

Most plush toys are no match for my dog, Junebug, who tears them apart within minutes. This Fluff and Tuff ball takes her weeks to get the yarn out. Because of this, she’s obsessed with it and takes it everywhere (even though it’s too big for her little body — an adorable bonus). He stays true to it even when it’s nothing more than a sad, tattered, holed shell. Eventually, I throw it away and buy him a new one and the cycle starts all over again. He was at his third beach ball in almost a year! Worth the money. –-Kim Wong-Shing

My dog ​​loves two things (besides his people): food and toys. This puzzle combines both for endless fun. I received this dog treat puzzle as a gift, after months of rolling up towels and old T-shirts to make thought provoking toys for my chihuahua mix. Now, I use it whenever I don’t have a chance to take my dog ​​on his long evening walks.

All the moving plastic parts make it look complicated, but it’s really simple to set up. Just hide your chosen treat or kibble in the hidden cubbies, cover it with a plastic door, push the slider to keep the door closed and that’s it. I found this to be a great indoor option for my dog ​​to burn off some energy and also test his brain. –-Alexandra Garrett

My pup Alistair has been crazy about his Dogobie flying disc for as long as we’ve had him, which is almost 14 years. A disc made of flexible silicone, it’s relatively indestructible and as easy for me to throw as it is for him to catch, and it’s easy to find in the brush after a miscast, thanks to its neon colors. Alistair is a year old, but he still gets excited every time he sees his Dogobie come out to play. If only he returned it with as much vigor as he pursued it. –-Jim Hoffman

It’s easy to overlook the importance of toys in a dog’s life, but toys are necessary for your dog’s well-being — and for your own peace of mind. A tired and mentally engaged dog gets a lot less crap than a bored puppy. Toys can help modify bad behaviors, keep your dog mentally occupied, tire them out, and provide a suitable outlet for dogs prone to destructive chewing.

All dogs have different personalities and activity levels, so you’ll want to gain an understanding of your pup’s individual needs to find the toys that best suit them. Dog toys generally fall under three categories:

• Active toys: Balls and frisbees, as well as ropes and woven toys for pulling, are great for interactive play and getting your dog their much-needed exercise. If your dog is very active, toys can also be used as training motivators.
• Enrichment toys: These toys keep your dog busy and mentally stimulating. These can range from puzzles and treat-dispensing toys to a sturdy, rubber toy that you fill with treats like a Kong. By working to get treats, your dog is trying to “solve a problem,” which stimulates their brain and gives them something to do. These types of toys are designed to keep your dog engaged when you are busy with other things or can’t do anything with them.
• Entertainment toys: Did you have a favorite stuffy or doll when you were a child? Dogs are no different and get just as much comfort from carrying around a favorite toy. Anxious dogs in particular can benefit from having a stuffed companion. Just be careful because some dogs are aggressive chewers and should not be given soft toys. Avoid stuffies with squeakers, which are easy to dislodge and swallow.

Chewing is a natural dog behavior, but if your pup tends to chew on things they shouldn’t, it’s a good idea to find suitable alternatives. Most of us know that cooked bones are a big no-no because they can chip and break and get stuck in your dog’s throat or intestines. Your best bet is something easily digestible and commercially available (like Greenies), or even better, a hard rubber chew like Nylabone or Kong. As always, consult your veterinarian on the safest options for your dog.