Does this scenario sound familiar: You walk through the pet store and spot a cute toy. Obviously, you buy it, head home, and then squeak (or shake) it for your pup. You smile as their eyes grow wide and their tail begins to wag. Your dog is clearly excited to play. Congratulations: You picked a winner! Over the next few days, though, that excitement dies down. The once prized possession eventually gets thrown into the pile of old misfit toys sitting in the corner. That toy will live out the rest of its days collecting dust. When you finally bring a new toy home? Well, you enter the same vicious cycle.
Here’s the thing: Just like we get bored of the same old stuff, so do our dogs. After a few play sessions, that toy is no longer new, interesting, or entertaining. But, the solution isn’t to keep spending cash on more toys … and watching the pile of untouched playthings grow larger. Nope. Instead, try putting your dog’s toys on a rotation!
Rotate Your Dog’s Toys
To avoid toy boredom, stop leaving all of your dog’s toys scattered on the floor – in sight and in reach. Instead, to keep the excitement alive, choose three to five toys to keep out at a time. Stash the rest away in a closed bin and/or closet. Then, after a week or so, swap those initial toys for a different bunch. It’s just like the popular saying: Out of sight, out of mind. So, when you swap one squeaky toy for a crinkle one … or a tug toy for a durable chew one, your dog will most likely play with them as if they’re brand new!
Does Your Dog Have a Favorite Toy?
Remember Linus from Charlie Brown? He loved his blanket! It brought him security and peace. Well, just like Linus, many dogs grow fond of one particular toy. If that sounds like your dog – and he has a favorite toy – leave that one out of the rotation! Remember: The whole point of the rotation technique is to keep dogs interested in their existing toys. So, if your dog has a toy he never gets bored of, there is no reason to put it away.
New Toys Are Fun From Time to Time
Of course, you should get your canine companion a new toy from time to time. They make a nice birthday gift or a Gotcha Day present. Need help picking out a new toy? Check out THIS article, 7 Things to Consider When Buying New Dog Toys.
Additionally, don’t forget to wash your dog’s toys from time to time … and toss old, tattered toys. Is the stuffing falling out? Are the toy’s eyes or attachments dangling off? These could all be choking hazards, meaning it’s time to either repair or toss the toy!
