How many times were you told as a child to not play with your food? Probably more times than you can count. And while table manners are important for children, things are a little different for our furry family members. Believe it or not, dogs can actually benefit from playing with their food. And that’s where dog treat toys come into play!
Behavioral problems can develop if a dog’s intellect isn’t stimulated. By taking advantage of dog treat toys, you may be able to slow down a hasty eater, refocus bad behavior, or get in a training sesh since most dogs are highly food motivated.
Keep reading to learn more tips and tricks, as well as benefits of utilizing dog treat toys!
Types Of Treat Toys
Does your dog have a favorite type of toy? Chances are they do. Maybe they prefer fetching a frisbee over chasing a ball. Or toting around a soft teddy bear versus tugging on a sturdy rope. Dogs have preferences, just like we do. So chances are, your dog may have preferences when it comes to their treat toy.
For that reason, finding the right toys may take some time. But here are a few of the most common dog treat toys to consider:
Cube Or Ball Toys
These toys usually feature a hole that allows you to fill it with treats or kibble. Your pup dumps out the treats gradually by nudging it with his nose. It’s a great option for dogs that get easily bored. But for this reason, you may want to keep it on a carpeted surface to buffer the sound of the plastic hitting the floor, as well as prevent potential scratches on surfaces.
Trying filling these dog treat toys with our tiny bite Salmon & Chicken Jerky Topper-Trainer Treats to turn food time into fun time!
Elongated Bouncy Treat Toys For Dogs
These toys have unique shapes allowing you to insert longer treats in the middle. Your pup will go wild over our Chicken Coated Sweet Potato Stix! A welcome treat after your pup’s hard work. Not only do these treats smell delicious, but they’re made with wholesome, responsibly sourced sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are known for their rich vitamin and mineral content. They’re so delicious that we wouldn’t be surprised if your pup carries over their treat for a refill!
Puzzle Flip Board Dog Treat Toys
Puzzle flip boards have sliding panels, moving levers, and removable pieces. The skill level is high with this style of dog treat toy. You may have to help your furry Einstein at the beginning to make sure they don’t get confused or frustrated. We recommend using our Cheeze & Sweet Potato Tiny Bites. The tantalizing aroma of genuine cheese with sweet potatoes will delight your pup and you’ll have the chance to bond over this fun activity.
Weighted Bobble Treat Toy For Dogs
This style resembles a blow-up punching bag. Treats are put into the bottom compartment. Since it’s weighted at the bottom, it randomly falls, rolls, and wobbles when your pooch tries to get at the treats. Holes can be adjusted for different-sized treats as well as difficulty levels. Our Real Meat Pork Jerky, made with real pork and chicken, is a good match for this style. Break up the sticks into smaller pieces, insert them into the dog treat toy, and let the fun begin!
Dog Treat Toy Training Tips
Some dogs are more naturally inquisitive and will want to learn how to play with their treat toy. Others need a bit of coaxing and patience on your end. Here are some tips for success:
Tasty Treats Guarantee Success
Anytime you teach your dog a new skill you’ll want to use a high-value treat. Maybe something your dog doesn’t get all the time. It should appeal to their nose as well as their taste buds. We suggest starting out with our Alaskan Salmon Jerky. The treats are soft and yummy so you can break them up with ease. The smell of real salmon is too good for your dog to pass up. After she’s comfortable and excited with her new dog treat toy, you can try other treats. And what about popcorn as a treat – Can Dogs Eat Popcorn?
Start With An Easy Level First
If your crew is new to dog treat toys, you may want to start with a more basic, entry-level activity. Introduce the toy without treats and allow him or her to sniff and explore. Some people even remove the tops or lids until the dog gets the idea. Once they associate the dog treat toy with their favorite treats, there’s no turning back! Let them stay comfortable with each level before increasing difficulty.
Remain Patient
Just like people, each dog is unique. If your dog is stand-offish with her dog treat toy, you may need to show her a few times how to access the treats. Remember to keep the experience positive above all else.
Experiment
Like we mentioned earlier, it may take some time to find the perfect dog treat toys. You may not get it right on the first go. One pup may find a puzzle toy engaging, while another may be drawn to a cube-style toy. The treats are as important as the dog treat toy! If jerky doesn’t tempt your doggo, switch to our Cheeze & Sweet Potato Tiny Bites, and so on.
Our US-sourced, wholesome ingredients give you options you can feel good about. We have plenty of flavors and varieties to choose from! Find the perfect treat and toy, and your pup will be having fun in no time!
Bringing home your new pup and deciding on a name? Read Bringing Your Puppy Home: Several Helpful Tips and
Learn How To Name Your Dog here!
