Small dog toys rank right up there with nutrition and exercise when it comes to keeping your pup healthy and happy. We know that boredom can lead to destructive behavior. Or worse, it can bring on long-term depression, so that your pup becomes an old dog long before its time. We love the toys below to keep our girls playing like puppies and enjoying life.
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Stuffed and Squeaky Toys
A small dog we know and love once said “you can never have too many lambchops.” Our family has nearly ten, in every available size. Their favorite? The one that’s twice their size. Scout shakes him to within an inch of his life on a nightly basis. And then when he’s thoroughly subdued, Phoebe uses him as a pillow.
True confessions: We never intended to buy dryer balls as small dog toys. Scouty wore us down on these with her relentless thievery. She is obsessed with these anti-static organic orbs we love for our clothes. Their impressive air time, unpredictable bounce, and satisfying shmooshy feel keep her entertained on the daily.
Leave it to Outward Hound to make a stuffed puzzle that squeaks too. This is the toy we bring out when our adult kids bring their small dogs to family gatherings, because it keeps everyone happy. My girls use the hollow tree for fetch, and our male granddogs are obsessed with the squeaky squirrels.
Puzzles
This was our very first dog puzzle. We’ve had it for a couple of years, and we still bring it out once a week. It’s challenging for puppies, but Phoebe and Scout now complete it in record time. Still, they love the thrill of the hunt and you can just see their pride in successfully hunting down the hidden treats.
And this one….it STILL frustrates the heck out of them. The lids pop off, no problem, but the drawers? These are such a challenge and keep them working!
This flippy test tube puzzle is hilarious both when it’s new and even now nearly two years later. When pups are first learning to make it work, they’re adorable in their exasperation. And once they unlock its secret, they still have to work hard to unleash the treats. Not only do they have to spin the tubes just right, they then have to chase after flying treats. Great puzzle.
Want to read about small dogs and intelligence? Take a look at our blog post Yes, Small Dogs Are Smart
Chew Toys
The pups go through stages where they only want to chew on these. They’re heavy and don’t fray as much as other nylon chews tend to do.
According to Phoebe, these handy t-bones must be tossed dangerously around to subdue them before chewing. Seriously, that’s what she does before settling in for a good chomping session. And if you’re in the way when she hurls one through the air, that’s too bad. The pups love the handles that keep these upright while they chew.
(Note: This page contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience and to help support our work. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Our full disclosure, disclaimer, and copyright notices are found here. )
