AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to PinterestPinterestPinterestShare to MoreAddThisMore6
December holidays are just around the corner and unavoidably you’ll want to get a new toy for Fido. What must you get? A ball? Something he can rip the stuffing out of? An interactive game to stimulate his brain? So lots of choices….
Researchers at the university of Bristol recently conducted research checking out the toys pet dog like and those they get bored wish in a new study that will be published later this year in the journal animal Cognition. In their study, 16 Labrador retrievers were given toys to play with, while researchers recorded how long it took for the pet dog to get bored. Labs were chosen for this study because they tend to be very playful and take pleasure in toy time. Investigators checked different types of toys, toys with different colors, and toys with different smells.
Here’s what they found:
Dog like soft toys that change shape as they chew and toys that make noises.
Dogs were undoubtedly interested in new toys, but only for short periods of time. Dogs instinctively like to explore new things, so they will likely show an interest in any new toy.
After a short time with any toy, a pet dog will lose interest in it.
So what does this research tell the pet dog toy shopper:
When you get your pet dog toys, try rotating which toys your pet dog gets to play with so “old” toys become “new” again when they have been put away for a few days before making another appearance.
Don’t expect your pet dog will sit and play with a toy for hours. just because he plays hard with your special gift for only a few minutes before casting it aside, doesn’t indicate he doesn’t like a toy. That’s how dog’s play.
Dogs are social animals and their preferred toy is one that you play with, too. a lot of dogs take pleasure in a good chew on a toy now and then, but nothing’s better than a toy that engages you with your dog. So if you find that the stuffed pig in a Mrs. Claus suit absolutely hilarious, your pet dog will absorb your enthusiasm when you play with it with him.
So this holiday season, think good chew, squeaky sounds, and toys that let you get down to play with Fido. look for toys that you’ll want to play with because Fido’s favorite toy will always be the one you’re playing with along with him.
pet dog ToysPet Behavior