Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Dogs

PawTracks may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Why doesn’t my dog like toys? Disinterest might mean something really bad

Find out what it could mean if your dog loses interest in toys

Vera Lawlor
By

Like humans, dogs are distinct individuals. Whether we’re talking about their personality traits, funny habits, or toy preferences, no two dogs are exactly alike. While some dogs love squeaky toys, others might be frightened by the noise they make and prefer to play fetch. Similarly, some pups prefer carrying around stuffed animals, but others play tug of war with their favorite blanket.

Some dogs love their toys so much it can lead to toy aggression. But what happens if your dog doesn’t like toys? As it turns out, it could be a sign of a troubling problem. We’re here to help you get to the bottom of your dog’s disinterest in toys.

Dog sleeping near toy
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Why dogs may not be interested in playing with toys

Certified canine behaviorist and trainer Russell Hartstein of FunPawCare in Los Angeles says clients often reach out to him concerned that their dogs won’t play with toys. There could be many reasons for this, says the trainer, including:

  • Boredom and depression: This often happens when a dog is forced to spend long hours alone.
  • Your dog doesn’t know how to play: Dogs need to be motivated to play with their toys.
  • Your dog needs a play buddy: It’s hard to play games such as tug of war or chase without a friend.
  • They are stressed and afraid: This may be true of dogs rescued from an abusive situation and can’t relax enough to enjoy interacting with toys.
  • There could be a health issue: Older pets might be experiencing canine cognitive dysfunction or have arthritis pain. Your dog may have a problem in their mouth, such as tooth decay or gum disease, that makes it uncomfortable to play with toys.
  • The toys aren’t interesting enough: Dogs get bored quickly. To keep things interesting, toys need to be swapped out every day.
Dog playing with puzzle toy
Courtesy of Amazon Image used with permission by copyright holder

What to do for a dog that doesn’t like toys

According to animal behaviorist and dog trainer Kyle Kittleson, one of the main reasons that dogs aren’t interested in playing with toys is that they don’t find the toys motivating. Pay attention to what naturally motivates your dog, whether that’s roughhousing, treats, or playing chase, and choose toys that match those tendencies.

Recommended Videos

Dog toys break down into the following categories:

  • Tug of war: Use rope toys or rubber rings, for example, the .
  • Chase and retrieve: Use balls or Frisbees, such as the .
  • Hide and seek: Use toys with cavities for hiding treats, for example, the .
  • Pounce and shake: Use squeaky toys to encourage this type of play, such as the popular .

Veterinarian Karen Becker advises using toys carefully to ensure your dog’s safety. Your pooch’s temperament, size, and age should all be considered when choosing the safest toys for your pet.

Sleeping dog with teddy bear toy
Image used with permission by copyright holder

How can I get my dog to like toys?

Some dogs need to be taught to like their toys. Kittleson recommends positive reinforcement training using these steps:

  1. Hold a toy in one hand and a treat in the other. Encourage your dog to touch the toy and once they do, get excited and give them a treat. Repeat this exercise until your dog is consistently touching the toy for a treat.
  2. The next step is to put the toy on the floor and encourage your dog to touch it. As soon as they touch the toy, get excited and give them a treat.
  3. If at any point your dog picks up the toy in their mouth, raise your excitement level and give them additional treats. The goal is that your dog learns that playing with their toy leads to a yummy reward. Eventually, your encouragement and time spent together will be enough to keep your dog engaged in playing and you won’t need to use treats.

Another easy way to teach your dog to play with toys is to encourage playtime before feeding them a meal, says Kittleson. In this case, dogs look forward to playing with their toys because it’s always followed by food.

Woman playing ball with beagle
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Finally, if your dog does start to show interest in toys, be aware that their preferences may change depending on their age, say experts at the American Kennel Club. Teething puppies might enjoy biting down on rubbery chew toys while adults may prefer chasing Frisbees, and senior dogs might opt for softer plush toys. It’s such fun when you find a toy that gets your dog excited, and playing together is a great way to bond with your buddy.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Vera Lawlor
Vera Lawlor
Contributor
Vera was the pet columnist for 201 Family magazine and has contributed pet and animal welfare articles to Bone-A-Fide Mutts…
Why won’t my dog bark? Here’s when pet parents should be concerned
Can't figure out why your dog won't bark or if it's a problem? Here's what we dug up
Dog barks outside in a lawn

A dog that doesn’t bark often, or at all, seems like a dream come true to pet parents (and their neighbors). In reality, a quiet dog can be cause for concern, especially if a previously noisy pup suddenly becomes quiet. If you have a quiet pet, you might wonder, why won't my dog bark?
Barking is both a normal dog behavior and an important communication tool for dogs, so it's natural to be a bit worried if your dog isn't barking. The good news is that there are plenty of reasons your dog may not be barking, and not all of them are cause for concern! However, if you're worried about your dog, it's important to remember that even if your dog’s lack of sound isn’t from a serious health issue, you can’t go wrong by asking your trusted veterinarian for advice.

When do puppies start barking? What does it sound like at first?
According to Certified Canine Behavior Consultant Mikkel Becker, puppies begin vocalizing around 2 or 3 weeks of age. At this early stage, you’re more likely to hear whines and grunts. When your puppy reaches 2 to 4 months, these vocalizations will start to turn into barks, though each dog reaches milestones at their own pace. If you’re worried about your pup’s vocal development, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian to rule out any potential issues.

Read more
Why is my dog whining? 6 common reasons and what you can do to stop it
If you wonder "why is my dog whining?" — check out the possible causes
Sad dog resting his head near a shoe

Let’s be honest: No matter how much we love our fur babies, living with a dog that's a whiner can drive you crazy. Whining can be irritating, heartbreaking, and even anxiety-inducing for owners. Whether it's distracting you from work, making you sad to leave the house, or making you worry that something is wrong with your dog, figuring out why your dog is whining and what you can do about it is important.

No matter how disruptive it is, always remember that whining is a form of communication for our dogs, say training experts at the ASPCA. The key is to properly interpret the noise and figure out how to work with her on it; to try to answer the question, "Why is my dog whining?"

Read more
Video: Dog snoring isn’t that unusual, but this pup sounds just like a cartoon character
Dogs snore for a few different reasons
A small puppy sleeps in their owner's arms

Sometimes real life seems fake, and this dog certainly fits into that category. If you've never seen a dog snoring before, you're in for a surprise. This particular pup looks so silly while sleeping that you might imagine you're actually watching Pluto the cartoon dog. That's why the viral TikTok video posted by yowritten has the internet in stitches while watching the hilarious beastie.

We all know dogs love to sleep, but this one might be the king of it. The video opens to show a large pooch lying down in his favorite sleeping position, deep in slumber. On-screen text says, "Bro sleeps like he's in a cartoon." As the camera zooms in we get to watch his jowls move every time he breathes out. In addition, you can hear the distinct sound of a snoring dog, almost as if he were in a movie.

Read more