Expert warns against trying to calm your dog with too many toys — what you should do instead
A playful dog is not always a happy dog, hints a pet expert. Steve Del Savio, founder of Pack Leader Dogs (@packleaderdogs), shared rare advice about smothering dogs with toys that trigger overstimulation rather than fulfilling their needs. Drawing on his 15 years of experience, Savio divulged that he has witnessed either pet toys spread all over or a large, overflowing toy bin in most homes, which does more harm than good. While it is not a good practice, the sight also indicates a problem that runs deeper than simply keeping a dog engaged.
In a TikTok post, Savio explained how toys keep the dog from receiving the purpose and challenge it needs for better health. “So a lot of times, what happens with that is, you have a dog who is underfulfilled, not being challenged enough in the body and the mind,” he said. To compensate for this deficiency, pet owners oversupply loads of toys to their pets and keep them busy. “People feel guilty about it. They think it’s a good thing because I’m giving my dog a ton of things to do.” Unfortunately, toys do not completely benefit the dog’s physical and mental needs, leading to feelings of unfulfillment and frustration.
As the dog craves a sense of purpose, the pet toys keep them overly engaged and stimulated at all times. “This toy, this bone, this Bully Stick, this enrichment toy, over and over. The dog never has the ability to actually just settle down,” Savio noted, adding that pet owners must make an effort to teach their dogs to relax. Toys can be “counterproductive” in that sense and interfere with the dog’s ability to calm down. The dog psychology expert suggests that pet owners focus more on structured exercise and less on buying toys for them. Engaging your dogs with a combination of both can help keep your pawed pal in a healthy state of mind.
“Playing with a toy inside the house will never replace a bike ride or a long walk where the dog follows your lead,” a part of the post’s caption hinted. For pet owners struggling to make time for their dogs, Savio encouraged them to reconsider their schedule and squeeze in some minutes with their dear pets. However, if that seems far-fetched, people can opt for services like Adventure Camp, run by Savio’s Pack Leader Dogs, that focus on fulfilling pets’ exercise and social needs in addition to instincts and training.
@packleaderdogs Does your dog have access to a ton of toys? This may seem like a good idea but can backfire and lead to a dog becoming over stimulated, which will make it difficult for them to settle down. Throughout my career of going into peoples homes and helping them with their relationship with their dogs, I often saw huge toy bins or toys all over the place. My first thought... this dog is not getting enough exercise or challenge in their life. Dogs want to have a purpose. Instead of giving their dog a purpose, many owners will buy a ton of toys, thinking it will create engagement and keep a dog happy. In reality, the excessive amount of toys keeps the dogs mind stimulated and usually just ends up being used to practice frustration due to a lack of being fulfilled. The best way to give your dog a purpose is to be their leader and provide structured exercise as well as games and play. Playing with a toy inside the house will never replace a bike ride or a long walk where the dog follows your lead. Yes, toys will provide some enrichment inside the house, but the reason most people provide excessive toys is they dont have enough time for their dog. I understand that people are very busy in 2024. I just want you to understand that providing that big toy bin will likely not help your dog feel fulfilled. If time is the issue, it may be required to take a step back, look at your schedule, and figure out how you can make more time for your dog. If there is no possibility to make more time, try to find a place to send your dog daily like our Adventure Camp service, where we focus on fulfilling your dogs exercise needs, social needs, instincts and training. Constant toy play can make it very difficult for a dogs overstimulated mind to ever relax. Pair that with a lack of exercise, and you have a nice cocktail to create anxiety and frustration. Love you❤️
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The pet advice struck a chord with many pet owners on the internet, with many chiming in with their go-to habits with dogs. “We have 6-7 toys, he plays with them all equally, but still will just lie on his bed and fall asleep. So are we ok then?” asked @livelaughtoaster.bath, and @jackiet19_ shared, “We have the toy bin and toys all over. I will definitely put them away.” Although the commenters had doubts about how they might teach their pet to do nothing and relax. The ideal toy count for dogs is between 5 to 10 in a rotating selection, per Beco Pets.
You can follow @packleaderdogs for more pet tips and advice.