Why are there squeakers in dog toys

Dogs are descendants of wolves, and both share a strikingly similar DNA construct. When people started breeding dogs, prey drive was bred to be more intense in certain breeds and less intense in others. Ideal for those ultra-determined dogs, you can expect hours of play with an Outward Hound Invincibles toy. It spans a total of 33 inches and features multiple rows of squeakers for endless play.

The constant auditory feedback characteristic of a squeaky toy lets them know their bite is effective enough to create a reaction. Keep biting! The Outward Hound Firehose Squeak N Fetch dog toy is made with double-stitched seams and real firehose material that is durable enough to withstand even the toughest of chewers. Many dogs also love toys that grunt or make other noises. They are self-reinforcing. Dogs are individuals, like us, and they have likes and dislikes.

Others leave their toy intact and functional for years. For my dog, part of the fun of getting a squeaky toy seems to be that he gets to engage in the entertaining challenge of getting the squeaker out of the toy. My guess is that, as is the case for all behavior, it is a combination of genetics perhaps prey drive and neoteny?

McConnell P, London K. Play Together, Stay Together. Behavioural Processes. The influence of breed and environmental factors on social and solitary play in dogs Canis lupus familiaris. Preferences for toy types and presentations in kennel housed dogs.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science. Home Cat Care Center. Written by: Manette M. Kohler, DVM. Ingesting a squeaker or a toy can cause very serious complications and may require surgery to remove what was ingested.

This applies especially to toys with real fur or to very soft plush toys. This can increase the lifespan of the toy, too. One other thing to keep in mind, in addition to what the toy is like, is how it is used. However, if you use a soft plush toy or a toy with real fur and tease her by dragging it on the ground and keeping it just out of reach, she may decide playing with you is tons of fun! It can be discouraging to play tug and never win.

Try to end the game before your dog loses interest. A simpler explanation is that dogs like squeaky toys because, well, they squeak. In other words, they like the feedback of a sound coming from the toy when they bite on it. When you think about it, a squeaky toy is a powerful tool for getting something that dogs crave — the attention of a human. Try this experiment: Give your dog a toy with no squeaker, and lavish attention on her every time she picks it up.