Why dogs get bored with some toys

You’ve probably had it happen. You bring home a pricey new dog toy, your dog gives it some curious sniffs, and never goes near it again.

As Christmas approaches your dog is probably on your Christmas list. Here are some suggestions for choosing the right type of gift from Discovery News.

Researchers at the Waltham Center for Pet Nutrition in Leicestershire, England have been studying dogs and toys for some time.

And I totally want that job.
Imagine getting to play with dogs your whole work day
and calling it research.

What toys appeal most to dogs?

To avoid any future dog toy fails, think of their wolf ancestors stalking dinner. Dogs follow the same instincts when playing.

Dogs enjoy toys the most that they can chase (the prey), make a sound (the dying scream of prey), smell like food, can be torn apart or chewed (the fate of the dead prey).

Dogs are hard wired to investigate any new object, but unless it appeals to their inner wolf, it soon becomes boring. Which explains why they leave toys with hard surfaces to move on to your more interesting expensive shoes or a library book -- new objects with the scent of their human pack.

Or of course their favorite: toilet paper.

In an experiment with Labradors, one of the most playful breeds, researchers found that as soon as a dog got accustomed to the toy, it was no longer interesting to them and boredom set in.

When that happens the solution is for the owner to jump in and play with the toy and the dog.

"For an animal as social as a dog," [a researcher] explained, "toys only become really exciting when they are part of a game with a person. Few toys will sustain a dog's interest for long if the owner is not around to offer encouragement." Source

One of the reasons dogs make good pets is that, like us, they enjoy playing, even as adults, while most other animals (and sadly some humans) grow out of that behavior as they get older.

Dogs exploring their inner wolf can help humans connect with their inner child.

Comments

[Karen Friesecke]

When I get Dexter a new toy, he'll play with it for the novelty factor, but his favorite is still when I play "toy toss" with him. Dogs like to be with their humans.

[Jen @MyBrownNewfies]

Interesting. No wonder why Leroy doesn't like any of his toys!

[geogia little pea]

This explains why Georgia loves her stuffed animals to bits. Litterally ;) The squeaks don't last at all. Maybe when they stop, she considers them DEAD?

[cube]

Some dogs are more toy driven than others. Elke, our German Shepherd, will love anything we toss for her to catch and she will gnaw on it heartily before returning it.

Maxine, our Doberman, will pick a favorite toy and carry it around in her mouth every day until it falls apart. When she first came to us, she had a stuffed toy flea. It was very cute and definitely designed to appeal to humans, but, because it was flimsily crafted, Maxine soon loved it to pieces. At that time, she didn't seem interested in the other toys and my girls guilted me into buying two more fleas for her and they were loved to pieces before their time, too.

I've smartened up and now buy sturdy rope toys from the Dollar store. I don't know what is going on in her head, but Maxine walks around with them in her mouth and seems to like them just fine.

You never know what you're going to get with a dog.

[yellowdoggranny]

wish someone would do a test for Dexter..one day he wants to play with the large dove feather..the next day if you fly it in front of him he looks at me like I'm insane..

[Kirsten]

That makes good sense. Though last night it was wonderful to watch Star play by herself with a new toy while we got a break from her constant pestering for our attention...but I think such moments will be rare!

[Linda]

You are so right....I more than enjoy playing with the dogs...I find it a hoot!

Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com

¸.•*¨*•♪♫♫♪Merry Christmas to you ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
˜”*°•.˜”*°•.˜”*°•.★★.•°*”˜.•°*”˜.•°*”˜”

[Donna]

Meadow and Leah prefer to play with the same toys over and over again, while Toby will play with anything and everything....especially toilet paper. :-)

[threecollie]

We change out the toys...put them away as soon as they are put down. Now if we could just get him to stop either dumping them over the gate into the other room or chewing them up.

[Biteem]

I still think that humans (esp their owners) are the most favorite toy and playmate of dogs. I got a toy from biteem
and my dog loves to play with it. But as soon as she see me, she will leave her toy and will come to mama and play. :D

[Playmobil]

We all know that dogs love to play. Running, jumping, chasing, mouthing, chewing, wrestling, biting, and yes– even riding your leg, they’re all normal forms of play. You might want to discourage that last one, though, if you want to avoid public embarrassment.