Squeaky Toys

Dog toys can be great tools not only for play, but for dog training as well. One of the most beloved toys dogs love is the squeaky toy. Squeaky toys are great for fetch, tug-of-war and stretching games.

Choosing the Right Squeaky Toy

Dogs usually respond well to vibrant colors and high-pitched squeaky sounds. These qualities usually grab a dog’s attention and keep it. In addition, squeaky toys can also be used as effective training tools because they have a high desire factor that your dog loves.

Pros and Cons of Squeaky Toys

Professional dog trainers from Animal Behavior College, a leading dog training school, explain the pros and the cons of using squeaky toys, their effectiveness and what to look out for.

Pros

• Most squeaky toys take very little space and are easy to carry.
• Squeaky toys can be effective rewards when training or practicing tricks.
• Noise from the toy can assist in getting and retaining your dog’s attention in distracting settings.

Cons

• Squeaky toys should not be used as chew toys. As mentioned earlier, some can be dangerous when torn, exposing the squeak mechanism that could be swallowed and lodged in a dog’s intestinal track.
• Some squeaky toys made of cloth can be easily torn apart with aggressive chewing.
• Every dog is different. Some dogs will find the squeak unappealing, or annoying, and will not want anything to do with it.
• Some dog owners do not like the sound of the squeak from the toys.

Keep in Mind

For safety reasons, your dog should never be left unattended with a toy that can be torn apart or shows signs of wear. Squeaky toys typically have a hard plastic squeaker in them and could be dangerous if your dog ingests it or any other part of the toy. If you choose to use a dog toy for training (squeaky or silent), the reward toy should be taken away and placed out of reach when training sessions are over.

Are you interested in training dogs? Sign up for Animal Behavior College’s dog obedience training program by clicking here.