Wonder why your pup doesn’t like that new toy you got her? A recent study published in Animal Cognition explains why dogs prefer some toys to others.
According to researcher John Bradshaw (from the University of Bristol's Veterinary School), “...dogs perceive toys in the same way that wolves perceive prey, they prefer toys that either taste like food or can be torn apart, however the latter can cause health problems if the dog accidentally swallows some of the pieces.”Adding to that, Co-author Anne Pullen said that the toys should be "soft, easily manipulable toys that can be chewed easily and/or make a noise."
While dogs always showed interest when presented with a brand new dog toy, they quickly became bored if the toy had hard surfaces or didn’t make any noises. Even with soft and squeaky ones, dogs eventually got over the novelty.
The solution? Play with your pup! "For an animal as social as a dog," Bradshaw explained, "toys only become really exciting when they are part of a game with a person. Few toys will sustain a dog's interest for long if the owner is not around to offer encouragement." He added, "If a dog has to be left on its own, it is most likely to enjoy toys that can be chewed, make a noise when played with, or are designed to be eaten as they disintegrate (such as a chew)."
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To read the full article, visit Discovery News.
