I was always told to limit a dogs toys

[buffy512]

I have been told to limit my dogs toys bc if they are overwhelmed with toys they will not be able to decipher what is able to be theirs and its easier to create bad habits when a pup is given options.

I would like to know opinions ideas thoughts and facts as well. Thanks in advance.

[Haleigh4512]

Samson has so many toys its ridiculous! But we have no problems with him!

[Maximo]

I don't agree with that theory. In my opinion, general training and maybe keeping toys in designated areas is more important. My boys know their toys are in their dog tent and they are respectful of things that are not toys. Granted, we keep things that might be attractive to chew out of reach. Like shoes with leather ties, for instance.

I do know many people who will keep some toys out of sight and rotate so their dogs don't get bored with the same toys.

[buffy512]

I agree about destination of toys. Like getting a toy box for them specifically. I was also thinking that until they get out of the puppy I want to chew on everything and anything stage just to introduce them to 1 toy. That is a stuffed squeaky toy. They will get their yak milk treats while in ttheir crate. As that will assist with time being in crate.

Ie: During situations in which they are caught chewing on a something not to be chewed on. (Of course prevention is key) I will grab their 1 toy and get excited and basically occupy their attention on this one toy. Once they realize hey. Only my toys. I can therefore give them a few different types. If I do catch them becoming confused on what is theirs. I will then go back to them having only one. Is that sound about right as far as my idea. Please be honest as I am just trying to create boundaries for the dogs. Im a firm believer in a well trained doggy!

[Magnus]

I've never heard that before... I don't leave out all the toys simply b/c it gets messy and I don't want to have to buy them new toys ALL the time if they get bored.

I agree with Maximo and Buffy512. I think it's mostly in how you train the pup. Keeps things out of reach that might get chewed. If caught on chewing something the pup shouldn't, reprimand.

[nina89]

I believe a dog learns the difference between their stuff and ours eventually. My sisters dog back at home is great with that. Now my little Chevy has room to grow...he has a basket full of toys, but my husband and my clothes are more entertaining to him lol

[buffy512]

Originally Posted by nina89

I believe a dog learns the difference between their stuff and ours eventually. My sisters dog back at home is great with that. Now my little Chevy has room to grow...he has a basket full of toys, but my husband and my clothes are more entertaining to him lol

Well of course Chevy wants mommy & daddys clothes.!!! They smell just like yall. He gets a kick out of it I bet. Hehe

[Draco]

I've heard of it but don't think too much of it. Draco has lots of toys, and so far his chewing has never gotten out off hand. He still shreds paper every once in a while but now sems content with all his toys.
I remember hearing something about makeshift toys not being the best. I can't remember it exactly but it was along the same lines with them not being able to tell the difference which I can believe. As puppies everything is a toy, but it's better to get them in the habit of playing with their toys instead empty tissue roll, or playing tug-o-war with an old sock.

[chattiesmom]

My kids HAVE a toy box - the problem is that the new pup Lacie doesn't think the toys BELONG in the toy box. Yesterday I picked up 25 toys in a line between the toy box and her favorite daytime bed. I didn't include the toys that were actually IN the bed and the others scattered throughout the house.

I'm pretty laid back and choose my battles carefully. The toys on the floor aren't battle worthy yet -- one of these days I'll teach her to put the toys up well maybe. Right now I just pick up the toys in the evening - and expect to find a row of toys before bedtime Gotta love that girl!

[JuliannaB]

Bailey too has a box, low enough that he can take any one of his toys out of.
We were lucky in that he never chewed on ANYTHING but these.
As I knew that dogs love to take socks, I took a pair with holes in it and tied it both in a knot so that he would know this was his and all other were out of bounds. For us, this worked very well.
As for getting bored with the toys, I'd say every dog is different, so whatever works for you and your precious.
Bailey typically only plays with his toys when it's playtime with us.
Funny thing, I play with him with a thick leather glove. This was a good way to play with him during his puppy months and not get pierced by those sharp baby teeth. Since then whenever he wants to 'fight' he gets this glove and he bites my hand, only when this glove is on. He also likes me to throw it down the hallway, where he takes it in his mouth and shakes it like it is a rodent

[yorkietalkjilly]

Tibbe has so many toys and he seems to love to get every last one of his current round(many in his doggie drawer for later rotation) out and on the floor all spread out here and there. It's like he's not happy until he's got all 15 or so of them out of his toy basket! He plays with them, chooses favorites for the day and yet he's VERY well-behaved, has no bad habits. He knows his toys over my things and never confuses them. I can't imagine how he knows to leave cell phones, TV remotes, ballpoint pens, house shoes and reading glasses alone but he does. Every month or so I put those toys away and get out another 15. I don't think the actual amount of toys he's got to play with at any one time has any meaning in his life at all.

[horsnaround]

I don't believe this. I have dog toys and grandkids toys and my dogs know the difference. Only problem toy is balls. As my cairn Maddi loves those .

[gemy]

Well I will bring a slightly different point of view to the toy question. When they are puppies I usually travel around the house with a pocket of two or three chew toys, so when I stop in-appropriate chewing I can reward with what you CAN chew on!.

But generally speaking we only have out their rope chews on an on-going basis. Their water toys are in their water bag, and are only used for training and water retrieval work. Their squeakee toys which basically kills my ears I only allow them to play with indoors for a bit of time - I last about 15minutes with three happy chompers squeak squeak squeak.....

With multiple dogs it is more difficult I have found. Because even if I get three toys ( I have learnt not to bother to get Razzle a small sized toy, because he turns his nose up at them, and will only go after the big dogs toys) of the same nature, naturally they all will gravitate to one particular toy; and that is when problems can quickly develop.

Mainly because I train with toys. the boys and when my gal was alive, always came to me to play with their toy. It is how you teach and maintain toy drive for reward training.

The boys love their balls, but the first ball out for chase is the supremely most valued toy! Even when I have a ball for each, it is that first throw with that first ball, that sigh, everyone wants.... And take a break for an hour, I use a different ball, and voila that now becomes supreme ball...

I think that interactive toys are the best, and quite frankly dogs do not need to be entertained 50% of their day. Routines of walking, grooming, feeding, washing, resting etc, are very comforting to dogs. Then spice it up with a new walk route, a drive to a more distant park, a new pet store visit, visit a friends home, hook up with a Sunday walking group in a new park, and you provide a very rich environment for your dog and for you too!

Find the toy is a wonderfull game for dogs and can be done indoors. With Magic's injury and his high drive, we now play with his ball in and around my chair. I hid it under my leg or some such, he sniffs it out and finds it, then lays it back in my lap. I roll it down and or to one side of the lounger and bam he finds it and brings it back, tail wagging excitedly. And very safe activity for him.

Anyhow just a few thoughts on the subject.

[DBlain]

Lola is toy crazy but does not seem to get into my things. However I was just visiting a friend that has a gran daughter and we found Lola routing through a Polly pocket type doll house taking out all the little figurines, we thought it was funny, but it was hard for her to tell the difference.

I have had to put Lola's toy box and toys out of reach, she is so over stimulated by toys it is for her own protection. When the toy box was on the floor it was either tipped over empty or she would be face down butt in the air trying to get to the last one. While she might only play with one at time she is not happy unless every last one is out of the box. She plays and squeaks for hours that I feel I have to give her forced breaks since she is huffing and puffing and spinning like a crazy dog. She is so cute to watch but sometimes I want her to settle down. So at our house toys are rationed out.

[DBlain]

Gail funny you should say that about hiding things I read somewhere where that is a very good way to play with your dog. Lola often does that on her own, she has several beds with loose pillows and she will burry her toy under the pillow then stand almost on top of the bed pulling and tearing and flipping it until the toy comes rolling out. She also dunks her toys like a basketball player in my laundry basket and small trash cans I have in my bedroom and office. She even dropped it into the cleaning ladies wash bucket. I finally bought some small pails at the dollar store which I leave around the house for her to put her toy in and out of, the trouble with the trash cans and the laundry basket is she can not get it out without knocking the basket over. LOL I now have all my small trash cans sitting on things like decorative hat boxes so she can not reach them, I was tired of finding tissues and so forth scattered around the floor.

I also will play hide and seek with the toy and hide it in a pillow case or under a throw rug, that is great fun for her.