Why Do Dogs Destroy Toys [15 Potential Reasons Explained]

Dogs are wonderful companions, but they can also be destructive. This lead to a common question why do dogs destroy toys?

As a dog owner, you might be asking yourself why your dog destroys toys and other things around the house.

While we don’t expect dogs to follow our rules, there are some reasons that can help explain why they do so.

Here are some common explanations for why dogs destroy toys:

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Dogs destroy toys when they get bored

Dogs need to be entertained. They also need to be trained to play with toys, which means you have to buy them toys that the dog likes and can use.

Toys are a great way for dogs to keep themselves occupied, but they’re also useful in helping your pet learn new tricks or behaviors—like fetching!

Dogs are naturally curious and, as such, they will try to figure out how things work.

This can sometimes lead to them destroying toys that they find interesting or new.

If your dog gets bored with his or her toys, there are a few things you can do to help.

One option is to provide your dog with more toys to play with.

This will help keep him or her busy and prevent them from destructing toys.

You can also try to get your dog involved in activities that they enjoy, such as playing fetch or playing tug of war.

This will help to keep them entertained and prevent them from getting bored with toys.

They have a natural instinct to destroy stuff

Dogs have a natural instinct to destroy things especially when you leave them unsupervised.

They like to investigate, chew on and play with toys. This means that they are likely to destroy any new toy that you give them.

It is important for your dog to learn not to be destructive with their toys so that you can enjoy using them together as well as giving your dog some peace from having too many of his favorite objects around the house going missing!

For some dogs that are not trained properly, destroying their toys is a normal thing.

Poorly socialized dogs can destroy their toys

Socialization is the process of learning how to interact with other dogs and people.

It’s important for dogs to learn how to behave appropriately with their owners, other animals (including cats), and strangers.

Dogs that have not been well-socialized may become fearful or aggressive when faced with new situations.

If you want your dog to be able to enjoy playing with toys in the future, it is crucial that he socializes with other dogs at a puppy class or dog park near where you live or work soon after acquiring your pet.

Poorly socialized dogs won’t see any value in their toys, or can even see their toys as threats which can lead to destructive behavior.

Learn more about socializing a dog.

It’s an unhealthy fixation

Many dogs who chew on toys are suffering from anxiety. The fixation can be caused by a variety of things, including separation anxiety or boredom.

If your dog has a tendency to chew on things when left alone and is not given the opportunity to exercise enough in their daily routine.

Then it’s possible that they have become fixated on chewing because they lack stimulation or are bored.

Toys aren’t durable enough

Toys that are too small, soft, or noisy may be irresistible to a dog.

If your dog gets a toy and chews it up within minutes, it’s likely he will get bored with the item soon afterward.

If you want to encourage your pup’s hunting instincts and encourage him to play with toys that require more skill than just throwing them around the house (or yard).

Consider getting him a set of Kongs or some other type of puzzle toy that requires patience and concentration on his part.

These types of items can help strengthen their jaws while also building muscle strength in their bodies as well!

Another thing that could cause problems with destroyed toys is if they’re inappropriate for certain breeds.

For example, small dogs shouldn’t have access to full-sized balls because there could be a serious injury if one were swallowed accidentally by mistake.

Likewise for larger dogs who might accidentally swallow these things whole.

Learn more about why dogs bite.

Toys aren’t safe enough toys

Toys should be made of sturdy materials. Toys that are made with flimsy materials can be easily destroyed by your dog, who may chew or swallow pieces of the toy.

Toys shouldn’t have small parts that can be swallowed by your dog, like small beads or bells.

This is because these items are too small for her to digest and could cause choking hazards if she swallows them whole (and it’s also just gross).

If you’re buying a new toy for your pup, look for one that has no small parts—ever!

The size and age of the dog will determine which kind of toys are appropriate for them to play with.

Some breeds are more likely than others to destroy things quickly due to their size and energy level.

For example, Yorkshire terriers tend not only to destroy things immediately but also do so aggressively.

Please keep this in mind when selecting toys, so they don’t end up costing more money than necessary because they weren’t properly sized down beforehand.

They’re trying to get your attention

Most dogs want to play with you. They’ll do whatever it takes to get your attention and make sure that they’re the center of all your attention.

Whether that means barking at you, chasing after a ball or Frisbee — or eating whatever toy happens to be nearest when they see it.

Dogs are also very social animals who love interacting with humans (and other dogs).

Once an owner has given them the attention they need in order for them to feel loved and cared for by their human family members.

They will often continue looking for ways of getting your attention even after being trained not to do so out of fear that something bad might happen if one does not listen carefully enough!

This can lead some owners into thinking that there isn’t much else left for them but training their pets more effectively.

However, there are plenty more ways than just sitting down every night before bedtime reading through all those training manuals again…

Dogs could do anything to get their owners’ attention including chewing up their toys.

Their teeth are hurting them

As your dog chews on the toys, he’s likely to get his teeth sore.

The pressure that’s put on the teeth can cause them to feel loose or cracked, which could make them more sensitive and painful over time.

He may also develop a toothache or even lose a tooth if his gums become infected by bacteria in the mouth.

If your dog’s mouth feels tender after chewing on a toy for an extended period of time.

It might be time for you to take him in for dental checkups at an appointment with our vet immediately!

Learn more about ways to care for a dog.

They are depressed

If your dog is destroying toys because they are depressed, anxious, bored, or stressed, it might be a good idea to check in with the vet.

Your pup may need some extra TLC and attention to help them feel better.

If a dog has been barking at nothing for an extended period of time or has started approaching strangers in their yard without any reason (and yes this can be very scary).

Then they may have an anxiety disorder that needs treatment immediately!

A depressed dog will not only destroy toys but also destroy valuables if left alone for too long.

Toys that are too dangerous or inappropriate for a dog to play with

Toys that are too dangerous or inappropriate for a dog to play with include:

Small parts or pieces can be swallowed. It’s easy for dogs to accidentally swallow small pieces of plastic, rubber, or cloth. These items may cause intestinal blockages and other serious health problems in your pet if they’re swallowed.
Stringed toys can be pulled off the dog’s mouth, causing it to choke on them. This is especially dangerous if you have a small breed of dog like an English Bulldog whose jaw muscles are very powerful and strong enough to break down the string easily enough into smaller pieces too small for him/her not to swallow them whole!
Squeakers inside toy balls (or any other type of ball). These squeakers can get embedded inside any kind of ball and make their way down into your pet’s throat when they try playing with them!

They are stressed

Dogs can be stressed by a variety of things, including:

The new home or owner. Your dog may be scared of the new family member and want to leave the house as soon as possible.
A new pet in their life.
If there is already another pet in your household, try to introduce them slowly so that you can avoid any behavioral issues.
The addition of a baby or child who might want attention more than they do right now!
This could lead your pup into destructive behavior if they feel overwhelmed by everything going on around them at once (and sometimes it’s just too much).

Toys that are too small or noisy may be irresistible to a dog

Toys that are too small, soft, or noisy may be irresistible to a dog. Small toys can be swallowed and cause choking.

Soft toys can be chewed up and swallowed. Noisy toys may be too tempting to a dog who wants to keep playing but needs some quiet time for digestion.

A frustrated dog destroys toys

Dogs can be frustrated for a variety of reasons. If the toy is too difficult for your dog to bite, he may give up and go back to chewing on his own toys.

If the toy is too easy to bite (too soft), this will also frustrate him.

Likewise, if the noise level of a toy is too high or low, it could make him uncomfortable and cause him to stop playing with it altogether.

If the dog is frustrated with the toy then it can destroy the toy out of frustration.

Poor supervision by the owner

One of the most common reasons for toy destruction is the lack of supervision by the owner.

If your dog has a toy collection, and it is not supervised, he may play with it for hours on end.

This can lead to boredom and frustration which will cause him to destroy one or more toys in an attempt to make himself feel better.

The best way to prevent this behavior is by keeping an eye on how long you allow your pet to have each new toy before giving them away or throwing them out as they are worn out enough that they no longer bring pleasure when played with anymore.

Unintentionally destroying toys

Dogs may be unintentionally destructive when playing with their toys

Dogs are more likely to destroy toys when they’re bored, frustrated, or stressed.

If your dog isn’t getting enough exercise, he may become bored with his toys and decide that they’re not worth the effort of playing with.

Or maybe you’ve given him a new toy that he hasn’t played with in a while—and now he’s decided it doesn’t matter anymore.

If your dog is bored, she’ll find ways to entertain herself until she gets tired of the same old thing again (which can take a while).

Boredom happens at different times for different dogs; some will just be more prone than others because their personalities are different or because their training needs vary depending on their ages and experience levels.

Why do dogs like toys

Here are some common reasons why dogs like toys:

Dogs like to chew on toys because it helps occupy their time and keeps them mentally and physically stimulated.
Toys that squeak or have other fun sounds are especially popular with dogs.
Toys that are large enough for a dog to play with but small enough to be stuffed into a dog’s mouth are especially popular.
Toys that can be thrown or batted around are a favorite with dogs.
Toys that can be filled with treats or made to squeak when a dog pulls on them are also popular.
Some dogs like to retrieve toys from the ground or from high up in a tree.
Toys that are colorful, noisy, and/or interactive are especially popular with dogs.

How to handle dogs that are destroying toys

Here are some common ways to handle a dog destroying toys:

When your dog starts to destroy toys, it can be a frustrating experience.

Make sure you have plenty of toys available. This will help your dog have something to focus on when it starts to chew on toys.

If your dog is destroying toys in your home, try to create some boundaries.

You can put a toy away in a place where your dog cannot reach it, or put a toy away in a place where it is out of your dog’s sight.

This will help to stop your dog from chewing on toys that are not meant for chewing.

Here are some tips to help you handle the situation:

Provide a variety of toys that are appropriate for different activities.
Make sure the toys are durable and will not be easily destroyed.
Train your dog to play with toys instead of destroying them.
Separate toys into different piles so that your dog has to choose which one to play with.
Educate your dog about the importance of toys and how to properly play with them.
Provide incentives, such as food treats or play time, for your dog to play with their toys.
If your dog does destroy their toys, take steps to punish them and/or prevent them from doing it again.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we have found that dogs are not the only ones who can be destructive with their toys.

Humans can also misplace or forget where they put things and end up losing them too.

Now that you know why your dog is destroying toys, you can make sure to leave them out of reach so they don’t get into trouble while playing around with their favorite toys!