Does your dog love to dig, shred stuffing from toys, or show signs of anxiety? These behaviors can stem from boredom, frustration, or instinct—but the right toys can provide an engaging and positive outlet!
Burrow Toys: A Fun Alternative to Digging
Digging is a natural behavior for many dogs, whether it’s to relieve boredom, seek comfort, hide objects, or satisfy an instinct to hunt prey. Our golden retriever, Ludi, has always been an avid digger—both indoors with her toys and outside in the yard. To redirect her energy, we introduced burrow toys, and they quickly became her favorite!
Burrow toys encourage dogs to "dig" in a fun and controlled way, providing both mental and physical stimulation. The repetitive actions of searching and pulling out smaller plush toys mimic the natural digging instinct, offering a great way to burn energy and reduce stress.
Every morning, Ludi and I play a game where she pulls the toys from their “burrow,” and I place them back in—just like fetch! Since introducing these toys, she’s been far less destructive with her other plush toys and (thankfully) digs fewer holes in the yard!
Puzzle Toys: A Challenge for the Mind
Another great way to keep dogs engaged indoors is with puzzle toys. I was initially unsure how Ludi would react to these treat-dispensing challenges, as she tends to get frustrated when she can’t easily access food—she’s even walked away from a Kong toy before!
To ease her in, I started with a Level 1 puzzle toy and introduced a different one to our terrier, Sylvee, who typically loves treat-dispensing toys. The results were surprising:
- Ludi caught on quickly and enjoyed the challenge.
- Sylvee, on the other hand, got frustrated and resorted to picking up the puzzle and slamming it on the floor to get the treats out!
With a little patience and guidance, Sylvee eventually figured it out, but I realized that puzzle toys aren’t for every dog. Some may lose interest if they don’t get quick rewards, while others (like Ludi) thrive on the challenge.
A friend of mine gave her six-month-old puppy a puzzle toy daily while she was at work, but he became so frustrated that she had to stop. If you're introducing a puzzle toy, I recommend supervising your dog the first few times to ensure a positive experience.
Finding the Right Toy for Your Dog
Whether it’s burrow toys for diggers or puzzle toys for thinkers, finding the right fit for your dog’s personality is key. These toys can provide much-needed stimulation, help reduce stress, and turn boredom into a fun, rewarding experience.
For my girls, these toys have been a game-changer—I hope they bring just as much joy and engagement to your pup!