How to Find the Perfect Toy for A Dachshund
Dachshunds love their toys, literally to pieces. Have you ever noticed your dachshund is a bit more captivated with certain toys compared to others? Why is that? Well, there is actually a specific formula for finding the right toy for your long dog.
If you are looking for your Dachshund’s next favorite toy, you are in luck. Here’s how to find the perfect toy for a Dachshund.
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Tips To Find The Perfect Toy For Your Dachshund
Dachshunds need lots of toys to keep them busy and stay happy. But, finding the perfect dog toy for your dachshund isn’t always easy. Unfortunately, most of the time, their dog toys don’t last long enough, make a total mess, or become a choking hazard.
My dachshund’s toys just weren’t holding up…until I figured out why certain toys lasted longer than others.
The color, texture, noise, size, durability, IQ level, and smell will determine how long your dog’s toy will last.
Color:
Have you noticed that your doxie is drawn towards certain colored toys vs others? Well, that could be because they can actually see the toy’s color. That’s right! Despite what you were told, dogs are not completely color blind.
Dogs can see two colors: yellow and blue. Everything else looks grey to them.
Dogs have fewer cone receptors in their eyes than we do, so they are limited to the colors they are able to see.
Do me a favor, put on your puppy eyes for a moment and imagine a room that is colored in shades of gray and there is a bright yellow toy on the floor. I know I would be pretty excited to check it out, wouldn’t you?
So, the #1 way to choose the best toy for your dachshund is to find one with yellow or blue as the dominant color.
Texture:
My Dachshund, Eko, loves to chew his toys to bits in a matter of minutes. One day, I noticed that he wrapped up his dog toy with large ridgy bumps in a blanket and was chewing it that way…which I think is pretty darn smart.
I could tell that Eko didn’t like chewing the toy with the poky bumps unless it was wrapped up in a softer material. His mouth must be more sensitive to this type of toy.
Extra soft or hard and tough, whatever toy your doxie tends to enjoy chewing and playing with the most, focus on that type of toy for your wiener dog.
Noise:
Dachshunds absolutely love plush toys with squeakers! Dachshunds are a hunting dog breed, so anything that sounds like an animal’s squeak will attract them to that toy.
My doxies even enjoy the crackle toys that have the water bottle inside. Something that makes noise is usually a winner for these pups.
Size:
Miniature Dachshunds are considered a small dog breed, but that doesn’t mean they need tiny sized toys.
In fact, my mini dachshund, Reno, loved to play with large-sized toys and balls that my German Shepherd loved to play with. The bigger the better for him. He loved to pummel and drag around a large toy.
So, despite your doxie’s size, don’t limit them to just small-sized toys, they may really enjoy something bigger than you think.
IQ Dog Toys:
When dachshunds are bored, they become destructive. You need to have plenty of dog toys that make your doxie use their brain power to keep them mentally stimulated for a longer period of time.
An interactive dog toy that keeps your dachshund busy and engaged will reduce the chance of boredom and destructive behavior. Solving doggie IQ puzzles can help develop your doxie’s intellectual skills and increase their excitement to learn by including yummy treats with playtime.
My Choice for IQ Dog Toys is the Bob-A-Lot (from Amazon).
This is an interactive treat or food dispensing toy that keeps my dogs busy for a very long time. It’s so much fun to watch your doxie interact with this neat toy. Watch my YouTube video of Eko playing with his Bob-A-Lot toy.
Related Post: How To Stop Dachshund Behavior Problems
Durability:
A perfect dachshund toy doesn’t have to last days, just a couple of hours would be great. Dachshunds are famous for shredding their toys into tiny bits…and they love every minute of it. So, finding a toy that won’t break apart so quickly is a bonus find.
Not Too Tough: Now, from my experience, the tough, thick rubber “strong chewer” dog toys don’t always work either. I always have a Kong dog toy available for my dogs, and they don’t chew on it. But, I add some peanut butter to it and pop it in the freezer for a long lasting treat, so it does have some good use.
Not Too Flimsy: The rubber latex squeaky toys have the squeak, but their thin layer of rubber doesn’t last and is a choking hazard. These toys are usually done squeaking in seconds and pieces of rubber get swallowed way too easily.
Not Too Expensive: My doxies don’t act interested unless the toy can be destroyed. Some doxies may like to keep their toys around for more than a couple of days, but mine find enjoyment in tearing them into pieces. So, I don’t believe in purchasing super expensive toys, because I know they are very short lived.
Less Mess:
Many plush dog toys are full of stuffing, which makes a big mess in the house and can be swallowed quickly by your dog. A soft, plush squeaky toy with no stuffing (from Amazon) is a better choice for your Dachshund.
Scent:
Now, this is more of a Bonus tip that will help your dachshund love their new toy even more.
Give the toy your scent.
Your dachshund loves you and is in love with your “natural human” scent. Wrap your dog’s new toy in your laundry, your sheets, anything with your scent on it for a day or two before giving your doxie the new toy.
Related Post: Separation Anxiety Solutions For Your Dog
Top Toys For Dachshunds
Based on our tried-and-true dog toy tips, I’ve rounded up some top picks that your Dachshund is sure to enjoy.
1. Bob-A-Lot
Bob-A-Lot Features:
This is THE dog toy for all dog breeds that get bored easily! Yep, I’m talking to all of the Dachshunds out there.
If your Dachshund has a super busy mind like mine do, they need plenty of toys that will challenge their brains in a fun way.
Treat dispenser toys, like this one, are the best solution when it comes to keeping your doxie’s attention and giving them a reward. They love it!
The Bob-a-Lot is the best of them all. I’ve had my dog’s Bob-a-lot for about 10 years now. I ended up buying two of them (one for each doxie) so they could play at the same time…in separate rooms of course.
My vet suggested fleece dog toys for my doxies because they are easier on their teeth and don’t fray like rope toys (which are dangerous for their digestive system).
This is our favorite fleece dog toy combo – the Enrichment Tube! (pictured above with sweet Gretta)
This fun combo comes with two fleece dog toys and the tube itself is treat dispenser that they can roll around. It’s an absolute favorite for my little long dogs. It keeps their noses and their brains busy – which keeps them out of trouble.
My sweet mini, Gretta, literally begs for this toy! I have to set aside time each day to let her play. It’s an easy way to get her moving and excited – great for her mental stimulation.
The Interactive Dog Ball (from Amazon) has three play modes: slow mode, fast mode, and interactive mode (responds to your dog’s touch). It rolls around the floor, lights up, and makes a light ‘chirp’ noise to keep your doxie playing for a long time!
Use this faster charging cable for the interactive ball. Your pup will want to play with this pretty often, and the included cord charges a bit too slow!
Here’s a cute video of Gretta playing with this toy: Interactive Dog Ball Video.
BarkBox Penny The Pineapple Features:
You can’t beat the BarkBox quality and low price for such a neatly designed dog toy. Penny the pineapple features 3 layers for longer lasting fun, it’s second layer toy is yellow in color, and it squeaks. There is a small amount of stuffing under the first layer of this toy only.
ZippyPaws Popcorn Bucket Features:
The popcorn bucket dog toy features soft, yellow colored pop corn balls that the dog can practice pulling out of the popcorn bucket. It’s got the yellow primary color, it is a fun interactive toy, and it squeaks. But, this toy will have a good amount of stuffing.
Dog Puzzle Box Features:
If you have a smarty pants Dachshund at home that finds ‘regular’ doggie IQ toys too easy…try this puzzle toy.
This is a level one of three different poker boxes. Each quadrant of this puzzle is trained one at a time to help your pup navigate through the doors and drawers to get to the treat.
Eko is super serious when he is working through this poker puzzle box. He just goes right to work yanking the handles and pulling open the doors. It’s a sight to see! Here’s our YouTube video of Eko working through the poker box.
What is your Dachshund’s Favorite Toy? Let us know in the comments below.
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Thanks for the article! Have you found a great brand for the most durable plush toys? My pups can chew through anything it seems.
Hello, As far as durable, and not too expensive – Bark Box Toys top the charts for me. My Dachshund, Eko, takes a little longer to get through those toys, as they are often multi layer – so that is great for a dog that loves to chew threw things fast.
My dachshund/chihuahua mix doesn’t have any interest in toys of; any kind. We got her from a shelter when she was about 4 and have had her for a little over 5 years. We have bought toy after toy and nothing seems to interest her. The only thing she “plays” with is a rawhide stick that she will flip around the room for a few minutes then lie down and chew it for a bit. Any suggestions? We have spent a ton of money on different types of doggie toys and nothing seems to hold her interest even for a very short time.
Hi there, No worries, some can be this way. My dachshund / beagle mix, Bastian is the same way. I believe in the last 15 years, I only saw him pick up a dog ball for a few seconds and drop it.
Some dogs just aren’t into dog “toys”… BUT, most do love dog treats and chew bones. Doggie chew bones with ridges are usually a favorite among the “non-toy” dogs.
It’s ok if your pup doesn’t care for toys, if she favors things that she can chew…she may be more of a bone and treat kind of dog. Or, have you tried dog ropes or puppy blankets for her to chew on?