Great question! Toys can be a fantastic aid in training pets, especially when you want to make training sessions fun and engaging for your dog. The right toys can help with everything from basic obedience to advanced tricks, as well as provide enrichment for mental stimulation. Here are some types of toys that are particularly effective for training:
1. Interactive Puzzle Toys
Purpose: Mental stimulation, problem-solving, focus
Examples: Kong Classic, Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel, Nina Ottosson Dog Puzzle Toys
Why they're great for training: These toys challenge your dog to think and solve problems. They can help improve your dog’s focus, patience, and cognitive skills. Puzzles are excellent for teaching your dog to use its brain, which can also be a great way to tire them out mentally after a training session.
2. Treat-Dispensing Toys
Purpose: Positive reinforcement, rewarding behavior
Examples: Kong Wobbler, Buster Cube, PetSafe Treat Ball
Why they're great for training: Treat-dispensing toys reward your dog for playing with or manipulating the toy, making them perfect for positive reinforcement training. You can use them to reward good behavior or keep your dog engaged while you're working on basic commands. They can also help with crate training or separation anxiety.
3. Tug Toys
Purpose: Motivation, teaching impulse control, building bond
Examples: Tug-A-Jug, Mendota Pet Rope Tug, West Paw Zogoflex Hurley
Why they're great for training: Tug toys are great for teaching your dog impulse control and self-restraint, particularly when working on commands like "drop it" or "leave it." Tug games can also serve as a reward for a job well done during obedience training. They're perfect for teaching your dog when to start and stop pulling or playing, which is also a great exercise in reinforcing basic manners.
4. Fetch Toys
Purpose: Recall training, physical exercise, teaching retrieval
Examples: Chuckit! Ultra Ball, Nerf Dog Tennis Balls, Frisbees (like the Hyperflite K-9 Flyer)
Why they're great for training: Fetch toys are classic for teaching your dog to retrieve and return an item, which is not only fun but also great for reinforcing the "come" or "fetch" command. Playing fetch regularly can help with building your dog's recall ability and release of energy.
5. Training Dummies
Purpose: Targeting, retrieving, focus
Examples: SportDOG Training Dummy, Ruffwear Quencher Bowl (used as a retrieve target), LupinePet Training Dummy
Why they're great for training: Training dummies are often used in obedience and retriever training to teach dogs how to focus, track, and retrieve objects. They're perfect for teaching “fetch” or “bring it” behaviors in a controlled manner. You can use them for scent work or to improve your dog's focus during training.
6. Squeaky Toys
Purpose: Engaging, stimulating, promoting excitement
Examples: KONG Squeaker Tennis Balls, ZippyPaws Squeaky Toys, Multipet Chilly Bone
Why they're great for training: While squeaky toys can often be seen as just for fun, they can also be used for training to encourage movement, attention, or to get your dog’s focus. They are great for use in fetch and recall training, as the squeak can help encourage your dog to focus on the toy. Additionally, they can be used to teach impulse control, as you can reward your dog with the squeaky toy after successfully completing commands.
7. Snuffle Mats
Purpose: Nose work, search and find, mental enrichment
Examples: PAW5 Wooly Snuffle Mat, ZippyPaws Snuffle Mat
Why they're great for training: Snuffle mats are perfect for encouraging your dog’s natural foraging behavior and promoting scent training. They’re also an excellent way to slow down fast eaters or dogs that tend to inhale their food too quickly. These mats help with nose work, teaching your dog to use its sense of smell, which is great for both fun and training.
8. Clicker Training Toys
Purpose: Clicker training, positive reinforcement
Examples: Starmark Clicker, Petsafe Clik-R
Why they're great for training: While not technically a "toy," many trainers use clickers in combination with toys for rewarding specific behaviors during training. The clicker serves as a consistent marker for desired actions, making it easier to teach your dog new commands and tricks. Pairing a toy with a clicker can help reinforce the behavior you're trying to teach.
9. Chew Toys
Purpose: Teething relief, focus, calmness
Examples: Benebone Wishbone, Nylabone Dura Chew, KONG Extreme
Why they're great for training: Chew toys can be useful in teaching your dog proper chewing behavior, especially if they have a habit of chewing on inappropriate items. You can use them to redirect your dog’s attention to something appropriate and reward them with a chew toy for good behavior. They're also great for puppies during teething.
10. Flirt Poles
Purpose: Focus, impulse control, energy expenditure
Examples: Tug-A-Jug, Flirt Pole by the Doggie Dance Studio
Why they're great for training: A flirt pole is a great way to work on focus and impulse control. This toy consists of a long pole with a toy attached to the end of a rope that you can move around in fast, unpredictable motions. It can help with teaching “leave it” or “stay” commands, as well as engaging your dog in active play.
Choosing the Right Toy for Training:
When choosing a training toy, consider:
Your dog's personality: Is your dog highly energetic or more laid-back? Puzzle toys or chew toys might work better for calm dogs, while energetic dogs might thrive with tug or fetch toys.
Training goals: Think about what you want to achieve. If you're working on obedience, tug toys or treat dispensers may be best. For scent work or cognitive stimulation, puzzle toys and snuffle mats are excellent choices.
Durability: Make sure the toys are safe and durable, especially if your dog is a heavy chewer. Brands like KONG, West Paw, and Nylabone make long-lasting options.
Remember, the key to effective training with toys is to make sure you pair them with positive reinforcement, consistency, and patience!
