What to Get for a Dog That Is Picky About Toys

It can be quite frustrating spending a chunk of your paycheck at the pet store, just to find out that your pup doesn̵7;t want to play with anything you get for him. He may seem picky about his new toys, but maybe he just not know how to play with them. Interact with him, show him how the toys bounce or make you happy when he chews on them. With a little variety and enticement, he̵7;ll be in doggy wonderland in no time.

  1. Flavored Toy Bones

    • You don̵7;t want to leave your hound alone with any type of rawhide bones, just in case he were to swallow a big chunk and choke. As an alternative, you can get him a flavored treat bone. These durable toys, made from a specialized type of plastic or rubber, are designed not to shatter. They come in a slew of flavors, from peanut butter or vegetable all the way up to beef or bacon. Baxter will be so driven by the scent of his new bone, he won̵7;t want to play with anything else.

    Hollow Rubber Toys

    • Sturdy rubber toys are designed for chewing. But of course when they̵7;re empty, they can be quite boring. Entice Baxter to gnaw on the rubber toy by stuffing it with a mixture of his kibble, canned sweet potatoes and a touch of peanut butter to seal it all in. It̵7;ll be more exciting than eating from a bowl and since he has to work for his meal, he̵7;ll be getting rid of some of his pent-up energy. If Baxter is highly food motivated and clears out all the food in minutes, freeze it beforehand the next time you stuff it. He̵7;ll only be able to get a little out at a time, making him want to go back and play with it for hours.

    Rope Bones

    • Rope bones are a short piece of rope with a knot on each end and are designed for chewing. If Baxter devours his minty treats, get him a mint-flavored rope bone. It might be more enticing than a plain old rope toy. As an alternative for an inside-friendly toy, get him a rope toy that has a rubber ball attached around it. Slip a bit of peanut butter under the ball before he gets his mouth on it. He̵7;ll be too motivated to play with his meat-smelling toy to notice that you walked away.

    Soft Toys

    • You̵7;ll also want to pick up a few plush toys for your furry pal -- a lot of dogs like ones with squeakers. Before giving it to him, leave the new soft toys in your hamper for a few days. The toy will start to smell like you, rather than the foreign pet store. Baxter should have a stronger desire to play with plush toys that smell more familiar to him. Just pick up any soft squeaky toys before leaving the house. They can pose a choking hazard if your pup happens to shred them to pieces.