How to Make Your Dog Love Their New Toy: 5 Vet-Approved Ways
You might notice you’ve bought your dog plenty of new toys, but they just don’t seem interested. They might run over to the fancy ball, sniff it once, and walk away. Is it something you’re doing wrong, or do you have a dog with a lower activity level or different play preferences? There could be a few reasons for their behavior, but you can try encouraging them to pay more attention to their toys.
Continue reading to learn how to make your dog love their new toy.
The 5 Ways to Make Your Dog Fall in Love With Their New Toy
1. Fill It with Treats
One surefire way to get your dog more interested in their new toy is to fill it with their favorite treats. If they seem interested in their Kong but don’t stick around long enough, try filling it with a small amount of dog-safe peanut butter (free of xylitol) or their regular food or treats! When dogs see that they get something yummy from playing with their toys, they are more motivated to use them. There are many toys to choose from, like treat dispenser balls and pet puzzles.
Pros
- Great way to give treats
- Reusable
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Messy cleanup
- May contribute to excess calorie intake if not portion-controlled
2. Get Excited
Another great way to get your dog excited about their toys is for you to be excited! When you buy them a new toy, introduce it to them with excitement to show that it’s something positive. Present it as a great new activity for you and the dog, rather than simply placing it in with the rest of their toys without interaction.
Bring the toy in with a smile on your face, wave it around in front of them a few times, and show them that it’s a new present for them.
Pros
- Fun for you
- Better engagement
- Positive reinforcement
Cons
- Can spoil your dog
- Can teach bad behaviors (i.e., coming home = new toy)
3. Interact with Them
Interacting with your dog and their new toy can encourage them to play with it. You can interact with your dog by bringing a new rope toy out in the backyard and playing tug of war. Or play fetch with their ball after letting them sniff it and getting acquainted quickly. Show them this is a fun way to play with you and a positive way to bond and build your relationship.
Pros
- Builds relationship
- Interactive play
Cons
- Could build on bad behavior
4. Use It as a Reward
A great way to get your dog to love their new toy is to present it to them as a reward. You can bring in your toy and hide it for a while rather than give it to them right away. Wait until they listen to a command or use it in training, then give it to them. You can use a toy that dispenses treats, so they recognize it as something they get when they’ve performed a desired behavior.
Pros
- Positive reinforcement
- Great for training
Cons
- Might be expected
5. Find the Right One
Sometimes, when it comes to new toys, your dog might not love them right away because they aren't appealing or fun. It can take trial and error to find what suits your dog’s play style, personality, or energy level. For example, if you have a dog with an increased tendency to chew inappropriate items, such as shoes, getting them a chew toy might help redirect that behavior toward an appropriate outlet. Try turning to something that will positively redirect their behavior.
Pros
- Supports good behavior
- Helps to find a lifelong favorite
Cons
- Expensive
- Time-consuming
Conclusion
Finding a way to get your dog to love their new toys can be a lengthy process. Whether they seem to turn their nose (or snout) up to the expensive, high-end, and highly rated toys or seem to destroy some too easily, their reaction depends on the toy you select and how you give it to them.
Be patient with your dog and try not to force toys on them or throw them in a pile with the rest. Learn their individual preferences and behavior patterns to determine which toy will work best for them.
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Featured Image Credit: Alena Veasey, Shutterstock
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Nicole has loved animals of all sizes her whole life so it's no wonder she has dedicated her career to helping them through what she loves best: learning, writing, and sharing knowledge with others. She’s the proud mom of two dogs, a cat, and a human. With a degree in Education and 15+ years of writing experience, Nicole wants to help pet parents and pets around the planet to live happy, safe, and healthy lives.
