Dogs can differ greatly from one another—tiny to big, fluffy to sleek, playful to obedient. Every dog, just like people, has their own distinct personality.
While their breed may influence a big part of their personality, each dog has its own behaviour and attitude, making them unique bundles of joy.
Most dogs are happy, energetic, and loyal. Unfortunately, some dogs may adopt unwanted and improper attitudes that can disrupt peace in the household. In some severe cases, they can even harm themselves and others.
If your dog indulges in destructive behaviour, there are solutions you can consider to curb these tendencies. One such cure is using interactive pet toys. These toys are great for helping improve your pets’ well-being in various ways.
Let’s look at the different types of interactive toys your pets can use to improve their behaviour, as well as touch upon the impact of these pet toys. Let’s jump right into it!
Defining Destructive Behaviour
Destructive behaviour is a broad term that can cover a wide range of actions that a pet may engage in. Essentially, it’s when a pet damages property, objects, others, or themselves. This behaviour can occur when they have unfulfilled needs or excess energy that needs to be shed.
In some cases, dogs and cats—particularly younger pets—outgrow these behavioural problems without human intervention. However, some adult pets may continue to engage in these destructive tendencies, potentially causing harm to themselves or household objects in the process.
This is particularly true for dogs who have separation anxiety and lack exercise. Destructive behaviour can cause plenty of problems around the household, like restricting guests from coming over to dealing with multiple broken pieces of furniture every couple of days.
That said, destructive behaviour can stem from a variety of factors, and it’s essential as a pet owner to help your furry friend overcome and rechannel this excess energy into more positive activities.
Interactive pet toys, of course, are one of the best outlets for your pets to redirect your energy. This is because they’re designed for pets and are built with their specific needs in mind. They’re also versatile and can be enjoyed no matter what your cat or dog’s breed is, making it good for multi-pet owners.
With all that said, the question then becomes: how do interactive toys help pets overcome this behaviour? Let’s jump into it right now.
How Interactive Toys Help Reduce Destructive Behaviour
There are many reasons why interactive toys are excellent things to have when you have an unruly pet at home.
Here are some reasons why having interactive toys can be beneficial for your pets.
They Cure Boredom
Interactive toys are the perfect items to help stimulate your pet’s mental and cognitive faculties. These toys are fun to play with, occupy their time, and keep them mentally engaged.
These toys help calm your pet by keeping them active, whether through physical play like a tug toy or mental challenges like a puzzle feeder. When a dog or cat uses these toys, they’ll feel less likely to act out on your other household furniture since they’ll channel their focus on these items instead.
And they’re not doing this because of pure obligation! These toys are fun and provide a sense of accomplishment. This is especially true if you pick the best interactive toys from Zach’s Pet Shop that match their personality.
Energetic dogs, for instance, may feel bored with a puzzle-based toy, but they’d love a motion-activated ball sensor. By picking the right interactive toy, you can make your dog feel less bored, making them feel happy, calm, and stimulated all at once. Best of all, they’ll lay off your belongings too!
They Help Burn Off Steam
If you live in a small apartment or if your pet spends long hours in a kennel, they’ll not just be bored, they’ll be frustrated and restless. They may bark, chew, or scratch your belongings as a way to release their pent-up energy.
To keep your pet from behaving negatively, giving them interactive toys to play with can help keep them active and stimulated. In particular, motion-activated toys and puzzle toys can all be engaging for pets, making time spent in these enclosed spaces feel less of a drag and more something fun and exciting.
As a result of their enjoyment of these items, your pet’s mood will likely improve over time—making them less likely to resort to bad behaviours. This, in turn, makes the household more happy and safe for everyone.
They Reduce Separation Anxiety
Many dogs act out because they’re anxious and stressed. This can stem from a variety of sources, with some common ones being their owner leaving them or a relocation to a new and unsettling place.
In any case, a nervous and anxious dog typically copes with their anxiety in a destructive manner. They could dig up garden beds, scratch furniture legs, chew on paper, and do a whole list of destructive behaviours. Understandably, you’d want to do something to halt these actions.
Interactive toys help provide comfort to your pet and soothe their distress. Heartbeat plush toys, for instance, provide a rhythmic beat that resembles a heartbeat, which can provide a sense of security to pets who feel scared when they’re alone in an unfamiliar place.
When your pets are calm, they’ll be less likely to engage in destructive behaviour. So if you suspect your pets have anxiety, then consider buying them an interactive toy to keep them company—especially if you separate from them for work or school often.
They Help Reinforce Good Behavior
Another way interactive toys can help stop bad behaviour is by being a motivational force to your pets. Pets are reward-driven, with playtime, walks, and food being some of the things they look forward to on a daily basis.
You can use their love for play to your advantage. Pets favour interactive toys and want to play with them often. You can hold onto these toys, restrict their usage, and use them as a source of motivation for your pet to engage in better behaviour.
For instance, if your dog stays in its dog bed patiently instead of jumping on the furniture or barking at strangers, then you can reward them with a fun and engaging toy. If your dog chews furniture, you can give them the chew toy or a treat-dispenser toy as another outlet.
By strategically timing your interactive toy sessions with your pets, you can discipline them and make them less likely to engage in bad behaviour.
They Can Be Played With Independently
Interactive toys are great for pet owners as they are for their pets for one main reason: they help pet parents reclaim ownership of their time.
With an interactive toy like a self-moving ball or a puzzle feeder, pets can engage in solo play and keep themselves entertained without needing their human around.
These toys help keep pets busy without the owner needing to constantly check up on them. Moreover, it also keeps them away from engaging in destructive behaviours. This can be a big burden off the owner’s shoulders.
As such, having an interactive toy or multiple is a great way to get your pet to become more content in solitude without having to resort to destructive tendencies.
What Other Toys Help Reduce Destructive Behaviour in Pets
Pet owners can consider a wide range of toys to help reduce their pet’s destructive behaviour. That said, these pet toys come in a wide range of designs—and not all of them are advanced in form.
These toys can be broken down into different categories based on their main utility. The most popular pet toys include the following:
- Chew toys: Made with durable rubber and natural materials to help promote healthy dental hygiene in dogs.
- Sensory toys: Engages pets by providing a different and new texture, sound, scent, or lighting experience.
- Comfort toys: Reassures pets by mimicking the warmth or softness of their littermates or owner.
- Smart toys: Toys designed to dispense treats, balls, and other playthings to keep the pet active and alert.
Final Thoughts
It’s important to remember that each pet has different needs and can respond to different toys uniquely. Experiment with these pet toys and get your pet to try a variety of them—you will make them more stimulated and preoccupied that way.
All the best in training your pet!