HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT DOG TOY: A COMPLETE GUIDE TO TOY TYPES AND THEIR PURPOSE
- adriennmolnar85
- Apr 30
- 7 min read
When it comes to dog toys, the variety available can be overwhelming — soft toys, squeakers, chew toys, puzzles, and more. But what might surprise you is how few people actually know what each type is designed for or how to use them effectively. I’ll admit, I was once one of those people too. After working with dogs for over a decade as a trainer, I decided to put together this guide to help you better understand the purpose and proper use of different dog toys.
Not all toys are created equal. While chew toys are often safe for solo time, most dog toys should be used under supervision to prevent accidental ingestion or tearing. Toys should be rotated regularly to keep them exciting and should always be checked for wear and tear. When used wisely, toys can hold their value, act as high-value rewards, and deepen your bond with your dog—especially if they’re not left out 24/7.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you—but every toy I recommend is chosen based on years of hands-on experience working with dogs and understanding what truly engages and benefits them.
Soft Toys (Plush Toys)
What They Are
Soft, stuffed toys that may come with squeakers or crinkly materials.
How to Use
Great for cuddling, light play, and fetch with gentle chewers. Avoid leaving them with heavy chewers unsupervised, as they may ingest stuffing or squeakers. Soft toys are a great way to teach your puppy to play gently. Supervise your dog and ask them to be gentle with their toy. Take the toy away if they start to chew it heavily.
Recommended For
✔️ Puppies (8 weeks+) for comfort and light play of tag of war
✔️ Senior dogs who enjoy light play or snuggling
Trainer’s Tip
Look for double-stitched or reinforced seams for added durability. You can leave this with your dogs while they sleep if you are confident they won't be chewing through it during the night.
My Recommendations
Rope Toys & Tug Toys
What They Are
Toys made from knotted rope, often used for tug-of-war games.
How to Use
Great for interactive play. Tug toys help teach impulse control (“drop it” commands) and are a great outlet for energy. As you can control the intensity of the game, it is a great way to teach your dog to self-regulate and manage excitement levels. A great way to play is to do short sessions of tagging broken by short breaks of calmness. Asking your dog for a calm sit & focus can help to bring down excitement levels before resuming to play. You can also introduce rules like 'Teeth touches the skin = end of fun'. If you want your dog to release the toy, simply hold it still and avoid motion. It is easiest to do this by holding the toy pinned to the ground. If your dog isn't very interested in the rope toy, try moving the toy sideways in a sweeping motion near the ground to peak their interest
Recommended For
✔️ Dogs 3 months and up
✔️ Active breeds that love to pull or need a mental challenge
Trainer’s Tip
Allow your dog to win sometimes - no one enjoys a game they can never win! When you let your dog take the toy, pretend to run away and watch how quick they'll follow you! It creates a great opportunity to reinforce coming towards you while having something in their mouth rather than running away.
ENSURE YOU ARE TAGGING SIDEWAYS, rather than up & down to avoid spine injuries
My Recommendations
Squeaky Toys
What They Are
Toys with built-in squeakers that make noise when bitten.
How to Use
Excellent for dogs who love auditory stimulation. Use them for training, fetch, or hide-and-seek games. Squeaky toys are perfect to peak your dog's interest even when they are highly distracted. I love to use squeaky toys as a re-call tool and always keep one in my pocket when we are out and about. The sound of the squeaker can help getting your dog's attention even when your normal re-call is failing.
Recommended For
All ages, especially high-prey drive breeds like terriers
Trainer’s Tip
Monitor chewing sessions—some dogs will obsessively destroy squeakers to "kill the noise." I personally do not allow my dogs to play with squeaky toys without my supervision so I can preserve their value and use it to peak their interest
My Recommendations
Sometimes I simply carry plain squeakers in my pocket as they are small and easy to hide, yet super effective getting my dogs attention
Chew Toys
What They Are
Made of durable materials like rubber or nylon, chew toys are designed for long-lasting gnawing. They are great for teething puppies and heavy chewers.
How to Use
These are the toys you can leave with your puppies allowing them to chew. These toys help relieve teething pain, clean teeth, and satisfy natural chewing instincts.
Recommended For
✔️ Puppies (from 8 weeks)
✔️ Adult heavy chewers
Trainer’s Tip
Choose toys sized appropriately for your dog’s mouth and chewing strength. This is really important and can enhance your dog's chewing experience as well as lengthen the life of the chew toy. Most chew toys have a size guide to help you pick
My Recommendations
Balls
What They Are
Rubber, tennis, or squeaky balls used for fetching and chasing.
How to Use
Balls are perfect for fetch, training, and encouraging your dog’s natural chase instincts. However, it's important to monitor how much time your dog spends interacting with them. Some dogs—particularly retriever breeds—can become overly excited, which may evolve into obsessive behavior over time. While fetch is a fantastic way to burn off energy and provide physical exercise, it can also push some dogs into a highly aroused, over-stimulated state. If this state becomes a regular part of play, it can lead to anxiety or behavioral issues.
My own dog becomes completely fixated on the ball and starts to lose his mind after just 10 minutes of play. Because of that, I intentionally limit how long he’s allowed to interact with the ball. Instead, we play calmer, more structured games that encourage impulse control and self-regulation. One of our favorites is hide-and-seek with the ball, incorporating cues like "LEAVE IT," "WAIT," "STAY," and "WALK AWAY." It’s a great way to enjoy playtime while keeping things low-key and mentally enriching.
Recommended For
✔️ Dogs 3 months+
Trainer’s Tip
Avoid using tennis balls as they often made of materials that are toxic to dogs and they are relatively easy to chew - even when your dog isn't a very heavy chewer. If your dog loves to play ball, I definitely recommend to get some of the 'Chuckit' balls, they are amazing quality, last for ages and dogs absolutely love them!
My Recommendations
Puzzles
What They Are
Interactive toys designed to challenge your dog’s brain—these can range from treat-dispensing puzzles to hide-and-slide games that require problem-solving.
How to Use
Puzzle toys are fantastic for mental stimulation, especially for intelligent or high-energy dogs. They’re perfect for keeping your dog focused and engaged, particularly on rainy days or when physical exercise is limited. Start with simpler puzzles and increase the difficulty as your dog learns. Use them as part of mealtime to slow down fast eaters or provide enrichment while you’re busy.
I often rotate a few different puzzle toys throughout the week to keep things interesting. They’re also great for building confidence in shy or anxious dogs as they "win" treats by figuring out each step.
Recommended For
✔️ Dogs 16 weeks and older (start with beginner-level puzzles)
Trainer’s Tip
Supervise the first few sessions and guide your dog through the process to make sure your pup doesn’t get frustrated.
My Recommendations
KONG, Slow Feeders & Lick Mats
What They Are
Enrichment tools designed to make mealtime more engaging. KONGs are durable rubber toys you can stuff with food; slow feeders are specially shaped bowls that prevent dogs from gulping their meals; and lick mats are textured surfaces meant for spreading soft treats like yogurt or peanut butter.
How to Use
These tools are perfect for slowing down fast eaters, providing mental stimulation, and promoting calm behavior. Stuff a KONG with your dog’s kibble mixed with wet food or freeze it for a longer-lasting challenge. It's a perfect way to keep your pup occupied while you are out.
Slow feeders turn mealtime into a problem-solving session, reducing the risk of bloat and digestive issues and lick mats can help calm anxious dogs, making them ideal for grooming, vet visits, or simply winding down after a busy day.
In my home, frozen KONGs are a daily routine—they’re a simple way to keep my dog happily occupied, especially when I need to focus on work or pop out for something. Slow feeders have also been a game-changer for reducing gulping during meals, while lick mats are our go-to for calming sessions.
My go-to strategy is prepping a few KONGs in advance and freezing them. I use them daily—especially when I need my dog to settle down or stay busy while I work.
Recommended For
✔️ Dogs 8 weeks and older
Trainer’s Tip
Choose an appropriate size and firmness for your dog’s age and chewing style.
My Recommendations
Choosing the right toys for your dog isn’t just about entertainment—it’s about enriching their lives, encouraging healthy behaviors, and building a stronger bond between you and your pup. Whether it’s a high-energy game of fetch with a durable ball, a brain-teasing puzzle that challenges their problem-solving skills, or a calming session with a frozen KONG or lick mat, every toy has its place and purpose. The key is to match the toy to your dog’s age, energy level, and personality, and to rotate different types of toys to keep playtime exciting and balanced. With the right approach, toys can become powerful tools for physical exercise, mental stimulation, and emotional well-being. Happy playing!
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