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We just celebrated Christmas and my 7 yo GSD received no less than 5 toys from Santa My mom sent him one of those unstuffed plush toys and I immediately knew it would not be a favorite, as it has two squeakers in it but nothing for him to sink his teeth into.
Of the 5 toys, his favorite turned out to be a brown, oblong toy filled with an accordion-type plastic noisemaker that is very loud; it seems to provide just the right amount of tension for his bite as well as stimulation for his ears. He has been playing with it non-stop since yesterday and just bites it over and over and over and over and… well, you get the idea. I gave him a stiffer, purple, nylon toy (with squeakers) which he bit into and discarded almost immediately and two other plush toys (also with squeakers) that he played with for a little bit but that, apparently, are no match for Mr. Brownie.
What is your dog’s favorite toy and why do you think that they prefer that particular toy?
My dog's first preference is to play with another dog, probably because toys don't play back. He also likes chewing, so he can spend hours with a Benebone. He used to like tug toys but also tried to chew them and they are usually not strong enough.
My last dog wouldn't play with anything. She was actually afraid of something as innocuous as dropped socks. Yet another sign she had been abused. If you casually pushed or tossed any type of ball, chew, or soft toy in her direction, she'd bolt with a look that seemed to say "you were holding it so it must be yours. I'd never have the audacity to touch your belongings." The only objects she seemed to enjoy were edible treats. A sibling who always gives her cats Christmas gifts kept sending me pretty nice dog toys despite multiple reminders not to. At least the local shelter got the benefit!
Last edited by Parnassia; 12-26-2022 at 03:09 PM..
My dog doesn’t know how to play with a ball, but he does like to kill any toy with a squeaker. It’s hard to say if the shape or type of the toy makes any difference. Our former dog, a Brittany, would always pick out squirrels at Pets Mart.
My dog, a Dutch Shepherd, likes all toys and is highly motivated to "kill" them within a very short period of time. The one toy she absolutely goes insane over is a large orange "Jolly Ball," the type generally used for horses. To date it is "kill" proof.
My dog doesn’t know how to play with a ball, but he does like to kill any toy with a squeaker. It’s hard to say if the shape or type of the toy makes any difference. Our former dog, a Brittany, would always pick out squirrels at Pets Mart.
Same with our Shi Tzu. We get a $4 squirrel at the dollar store, she tears it apart, takes a month or so. At least that's the only thing she chews on.
I had a GSD/malamute who loved anything plastic with a squeaky toy, double points if it was pink. Most ferocious looking dog in the neighborhood (but a completely friendly guy) would proudly show his pink squeaky toys to anybody who would pay attention. He also liked a particular rubber rat with a squeaky toy.
I have a hound mix that doesn't like toys, unless other dogs are playing with them. Only then will she pay attention, and mostly to annoy them.
I had a rottweiler that loved the Tufftoy brand of stuffed animals. Really dense stuffed toys with double stitching. Gave him something he could really chew on. His favorite was the shark, but he was pretty happy with the lamb as well.
Current dog is a lab that has a fondness for a Mr. Bill toy where the squeaker says "oh no!". It isn't a particularly durable toy, but he is a lab with a soft mouth, so it works out. I think he must have about 10 of those around the house in various states of dismemberment. I have started to name them:
Headless Bill (obvious reasons)
Outdoor Bill (stays on the porch and is only allowed on walks)
Buffalo Bill (from Silence of the Lambs. This Bill has no stuffing anymore, only skin)
Look Mom, no hands Bill (again, pretty obvious)
Limping Bill (missing a leg)
My dog's favorite is this orange bull - the brand name is Mighty. It has squeakers in the arms, legs, head, and body.
He will immediately chew a hole in the head - rip off a horn or an eye - but then he still plays with it. I pull out and discard any loose stuffing (there's just a small amount in the head) and he's good to go.
Besides the squeakers, I think he likes the texture of the microfiber fabric.
My dog doesn’t know how to play with a ball, but he does like to kill any toy with a squeaker.
This is my dog to a T: as long as he thinks that he is killing the toy, he is content. In fact, the more noise from it, the better.
[/quote] It’s hard to say if the shape or type of the toy makes any difference. [/quote]
I hadn’t noticed a difference either until this Christmas. It would be interesting to see what your dog did with toys of different colors, textures, shapes and/or fill.
My dog, a Dutch Shepherd, likes all toys and is highly motivated to "kill" them within a very short period of time. The one toy she absolutely goes insane over is a large orange "Jolly Ball," the type generally used for horses. To date it is "kill" proof.
Any particular reason she seems to prefer the Jolly Ball?
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My mom sent him one of those unstuffed plush toys and I immediately knew it would not be a favorite, as it has two squeakers in it but nothing for him to sink his teeth into.
