As dog owners, we recognise the importance of giving our dogs interactive dog toys to keep them entertained. We should pay attention to their needs and keep them stimulated. Stimulation can be broken down into two components: mental, which means allowing your dog to think, and physical, which means allowing your dog to release their pent-up energy. Just like humans, dogs can also get bored, and they need an array of activities that can help in preventing dog boredom. The lack of stimulation in a dog’s life can be easily combated in a variety of ways, such as giving them outdoor walks, letting them interact with other dogs, and of course playing with them.
While you may have your dog’s best interest in mind, there may be some obstacles in your way from giving your dog their perfect playtime. As owners, we might suffer from busy schedules and may not have the means to spend quality time with our dogs. This is more prevalent in owners who have to work or go to school. No need to worry though because there are other means to keep your dog occupied despite the presence of other responsibilities. Let your dog enjoy all the benefits of playtime and keep their paws happy and busy with our incredible interactive dog toys at eDog.
What are interactive dog toys?
Typical dog toys come in two varieties, simple plush or chew toys that don’t have much of a function but can help in comforting your pup, an example being our puppy heartbeat toy or co-play toys such as tugs or tennis balls that require support from somebody.
Interactive dog toys are different from the aforementioned toys because they actively respond to your dog as long as they have your dog’s participation. These toys function on their own, meaning that your canine companion will be more likely to spend more time with these toys. The key feature of our interactive dog toys is making playtime fun for your dog with little to no human assistance.
How to choose the best interactive dog toys?
In the world of interactive activity toys for dogs, different types of interactive dog toys function for varying purposes. While you can categorise these interactive toys based on the age of the dog, such as interactive puppy toys, or function, such as dog brain toys, there are four basic types of interactive dog toys. If you take the time to familiarise yourself with these types of self playing dog toys, you’ll likely determine what is the best fit for your dog. At eDog New Zealand, we house a surplus of distinct interactive toys perfect for any breed and personality.
Electronic interactive dog toys
These dog toys contain an electronic component, meaning that they are the best for dogs who are left alone for long periods. For example, these toys may move a laser pointer around the room for your dog to chase, or give verbal commands for your dog to follow. These toys also tend to have additional functions such as taking photos or two-way speakers that allow you to communicate with your pup.
Treat-dropping interactive dog toys
These interactive dog toys are self-explanatory as they simply give out treats to your dogs for performing a desired behaviour. Food-motivated dogs are sure to love these toys. Dog owners simply need to fill their plastic toy with kibble or the dog’s favourite treat, and it will make sure your dog has fun.
Ball-launcher interactive dog toys
From the name itself, this type of toy launches a ball for your dog to catch and retrieve. Generally, these toys require more human interaction as most of them feature a mechanism that requires the manual insertion of a ball once it has been launched. There are toys designed with no human interaction as well such as the interactive dog ball, which is really bouncy and allows dogs to catch and play by themselves. This toy, in particular, is perfect for dogs that love playing fetch.
Hide-and-seek interactive dog toys
These toys come in a plethora of styles, sizes, and shapes; but generally they all feature some type of hidden treat that is intentionally made difficult for your dog to access. There are many components of this type of toy, and it is a perfect game for those dogs that are naturally curious.
What are the benefits of interactive dog toys?
Physical and mental stimulation in our pets’ lives is key to reducing destructive behaviour and overall improving their well-being. You can prevent your dogs from growing depressed or restless as long as you give them things to do and challenge them. As you’ve probably heard from your veterinarian, exercise is really important in dogs, and these products encourage activity in dogs as that is how they are designed. This means that your dogs will have the opportunity to exercise even in a home environment.
These toys are also key in dramatically decreasing your hound’s anxiety and boredom. They ultimately address behavioural issues such as destructive chewing or nuisance barking, as these issues usually develop from neglect. As these toys are interactive, you as an owner can simply set it up, rest easy, and focus on other tasks you need to do. These toys give a lot of variety and flexibility within a dog’s life and are also easy to use from an owner’s perspective.
We at eDog New Zealand stock a variety of different dog-related products such as the aforementioned interactive dog toys for puppies and adults, and other training equipment. If you are aiming to keep your dog looking stylish and groomed, we also recommend accessories such as our dog leashes and dog grooming kit to give your dog that extra oomph. We have a range of different types of collars, such as anti-bark collars, bark collars, citronella collars, and shock collars, that can help you train your dog properly.
If you’re unsure about anything on our website and need additional information, give us a call so that our customer service team can guide you. You also have the option to contact us via email or live chat.
We ship all orders through New Zealand Post and accept orders nationwide. Be sure to check out our website for various promotions, such as our free delivery deals. We offer fast shipping to Perth and Sydney, and we are also open for pick up at our warehouse. We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and 12 months of limited warranty on all our quality products. Show your dogs you love and care for their health and give yourself a break as well from purchasing our interactive dog toys here at eDog New Zealand.