Pooches love to play as well as gnaw squeaky dog toys, and pooch owners will find that kind of toys to be their pets' favorite. But why do dogs love squeaky toys, what is so useful about them and do you wonder if it is worth your money to get one? If you want to know more, then read on and be informed.
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Why do dogs like squeaky toys?
All fidos love squeaky toys, but why do dogs like squeaky toys with a passion? What is it about dog squeaky toys that draws out such a reaction from pooches? There are several reasons or theories that would explain such behavior from your pet.
First reason or theory is that the hunting instincts of your canine are what make the animal go crazy over such toys. All pooches are descendants of wolves, and both species share a strikingly similar DNA pattern; thus both dogs and wolves exhibit and share similar qualities in their personalities.
The squeaky noises that the toys make sounds that an injured or scared prey would make. When a fido hears the squeaky noises of the toy, their instinctual wolf-like drive shows up, and it will "attack" the toy. The dog will only stop "attacking" the toy when it ceases its squeaking noises.
A fido playing with squeaky dog toys is simulating the act of chasing and capturing prey. The terrier, herding and sporting canines have a strong hunting instinct, and they will like the squeaking sound of a toy. Most heavy chewers are large dog breeds that started as hunting animals in the beginning, and these pooches will love chewing on a squeaking toy.
The second reason or theory as to why pooches love squeaky dog toys is due to the immediate gratification that their actions create. Your pet enjoys the immediate reward that comes from the squeaky sound a toy being played. Your dog also knows that their bite if effective enough will produce a reaction.
Lastly, your squeaky pet dog toys just because it gets your attention and it wants you to notice it. The need for a fido to draw its owner's notice is one of the results of its interactions with humans. One thing to keep in mind about the attention-getting antics of a canine is that such actions in some cases are not favorable. If a pooch tends to chew on such toys a lot and its owner gives it little attention, then those attention-getting antics is a negative behavior.
The Health Benefits of Squeaky Toys for Dog
Believe it or not, squeaky toys for dogs have actual health benefits for your pet. First and foremost it's a form of exercise to keep the canine from getting bored and mitigate any destructive behavior due to its boredom.
Even if pets are domestic dogs, they still need stimulation to channel their natural prey drive. Also, these kinds of toys are excellent outlets for their chewing instincts thus sparing your household objects like shoes, furniture, etc. Also, a toy's squeaking sound is an excellent motivational and training tool for getting your pooch's attention and as a way of rewarding any good behavior that it displays. Lastly, squeak toys will help your pet go through its teething period since it can be a painful experience.
Why do dogs need squeaky toys?
So why do dogs like squeaky toys? What is it about such toys that make them an essential part of your doggie's life? Your dog needs squeaky toys because it entertains and motivates your pet as well as sparing your household furniture along with other belongings from its chewing jaws.
Just remember that these kinds of toys will not substitute actual interaction and playtime, but are merely tools to aid you. Bear in mind that if your pet feels neglected it will chew a lot on a squeaking toy to get your attention. That kind of attention-getting from a dog is not a good one.
Can I use Squeaky Toys as a training device for dogs?
Indeed you can see that a squeaky toy makes for a useful training tool to stoke your pet's natural prey drive by guiding it and molding its instincts to a form that you desire. Additionally, a squeaking toy serves not just a physical motivator, but as an audio reinforcement for successful training tasks. If you compare squeaker toys to some items commonly used in training, the former is superior in some ways.
Squeaky Toys for Dogs Buying Guide
Buying squeaky dog toys with taking into account several factors is not a good idea. Consider the following things before getting a toy:
- The toy is safe for use - The primary concern of any dog owner is their pooches' safety and checking if the toy is harmless both to humans and dogs is a must. A squeaking toy must be made from non-toxic material and has no choking hazards. The squeaker of a toy (the one that makes a squeaking sound) can be a choking hazard if the toy is sub-standard in quality.
- The durability of the toy - Not all pooches chew equally since some chew less or frequently, while others are aggressive chewers that will ruin anything they gnaw. For dogs that chew like there's no tomorrow, your squeaking toy has to tough enough to last for a long time. Constantly replacing ruined toys is costly in the long run. The fact may not be evident at first, but durable squeak toys saved you a lot of money.
- Fit for a particular dog - Just as all fidos are not equal when it comes to chewing stuff, they also are not equal when it comes to size. Large squeak toys for small dogs will not fit their mouths, while a little squeak toy is destroyed in a short time or worse swallowed by a large canine breed. The shape of the toy is also a factor. Do you want a toy in the shape of a ball, a plushie, a rope, etc.? Some canines have a preference for one form or more.
- Overall usefulness - Generally speaking, a squeak toy serves a training tool, motivational device, positive reinforcement, and entertainment tool. Most if not all toys have all these characteristics, so you need to worry about getting the wrong one. To be sure, inquire if the toy has all of those traits.
Squeaky dog toys safety tips
Safety is the primary concern when it comes to squeaky toys for dogs if only to ensure that your pooch doesn't suffer any harm. Here are some tips to ensure the safety of your pet:
- Get toys that are designed for canines. Human toys have hazards unlike those made for fidos. If you have to give a human toy to a pooch at least remove anything that it can ingest or swallow.
- Stuffed animals are not safe for dogs due to their fillings. You can check the child safety label to see if the toy is for kids three years below since it's probably safe to play. Still, it is a good idea to avoid any stuffed animals completely to be on the safe side.
Keep an eye for signs of vomiting, lethargy, loss of appetite, painful abdomen, changes in behavior, constipation, and diarrhea in your pet since they can be symptoms that your precious swallowed something.
Now the symptoms may not necessarily be due to ingested materials since it could be a common illness. But if the signs show up after your pooch damaged its toy, then it's likely that it swallowed something. Regardless of whether your pet ingested something or has an illness, you need to visit the veterinarian is as soon as you can.
Conclusion:
Squeaky toys are genuinely one of the best behavior development tools for dogs of all types. Just make sure that you get the toughest dog toys available so that those toys can last longer and save you money from buying replacements. The term "indestructible squeaky dog toys" is a misnomer of sorts since there is no such thing as indestructible objects much less a toy.
The trick to getting the right kind of toy for your pet is to get one that would fit it. A small dog needs toys designed for its breed, while Pitbull dog toys are as the name states for Pitbulls or heavy chewers.
Regardless of what kind of squeaking doggie toy you get for your precious pooch, remember that toys are aids and tools in playing, not substitutes. You and your beloved dog playing will double the fun of playtime with toys.
