Why Dogs Love Noisy Toys?

Insights that I have found so far

Tomi Smith
SYNERGY
3 min readFeb 10, 2023

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a dog chewing with a ball
Image from Kris on Pixabay

Dogs have been our faithful companions for generations, and they’ve evolved from being just simple hunting partners to integral members of our family. And if you’re a dog owner, you’ll know that the toys and accessories that make up their world occupy not just physical space in your home but also a special place in your heart. But have you ever stopped to wonder why dog toys make so much noise? Let’s dive into this barking good mystery!

Squeaks that resemble prey calls

Despite being domesticated, dogs still have the hunting instinct ingrained in their genes. A squeaky toy can excite your dog because its sound resembles the calls of prey. In the wild, such squeaks attract a dog’s attention and trigger their hunting drive, as they use their hearing and sense of smell to locate and track prey, leading to digging or chasing behaviors.

a dog jumping in a pool
Image from Katrin B. on Pixabay

Awakening a dog’s hunting instinct

Most dogs with a hunting pedigree are easily attracted by squeaks. Their instincts associate squeaks with adrenaline rushes. When they hear sounds similar to animals that are frightened or hurt, they can become excited. Hunting behavior in dogs in the wild consists of several steps: search, track, chase, capture, bite, kill, and finally, eat.

When a dog hears the squeaks of a toy, it may treat playing as a hunting action, becoming enthusiastic and active. You’ll find that many dogs will bite the toy fiercely and shake their heads with force, trying to “kill” the “prey.” In the wild, this action can usually break the spinal column of small animals. However, toys are different from real prey, and if a dog ingests toy parts by biting and breaking a toy, surgery may be needed to remove them. Therefore, owners should be especially careful.

Training aid for dogs

Noisy toys also serve as valuable tools in dog training. For instance, toys that make a distinctive sound can be used to signal the end of playtime or to call your dog back to you. Additionally, toys that produce noise can also be used to distract your dog from engaging in undesirable behavior, like barking or chewing on your furniture.

Toys that make noise are a crucial and fascinating aspect of a dog’s life. They provide stimulation and entertainment, and satisfy their instincts, all while serving as a valuable tool for training. So the next time you hear a squeak or a rattle coming from your dog’s toy, know that it’s not just meaningless noise — it’s helping your furry friend stay happy, healthy, and tail-waggin’!

a dog playing with a ball
Images from Katrin B. on Pixabay

Thank you for reading! Hope you found this article informative and enjoyable. If you liked what you read, don’t forget to clap and follow me for more exciting content. Stay tuned for more updates, and keep learning and exploring the amazing world!

See you next time!👋

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Tomi Smith
SYNERGY

Sharing about health, tech, tips and my life.