09/05/2025
🐾Weekend Tips Series: Boosting Engagement Through Toy Play 🐾
If you’ve ever felt like your dog just isn’t that into toys, or you struggle to get them engaged, you’re not alone. Play is a skill—for both dog and handler—and sometimes we need to rethink how we approach it.
Over the next three days, we’ll share 3 simple tips that can transform toy play into a fun, engaging activity your dog will love.
Here's Tip 1: How You Introduce the Toy
Engagement often starts before the toy even appears.
📈 Check your dog’s energy first. If your dog is flat or distracted, they’re less likely to engage with play as their arousal level isn't pitched right. Before presenting the toy, pump up the excitement—tap your legs, use an upbeat tone, smile big, and get animated. Show your dog something exciting is about to happen.
🐇 Think prey, not prop. To your dog, toys represent prey. Prey doesn’t just sit there, nor does it hover around a dog’s face—it runs. A common mistake is hoping the dog will grab the toy if you dust it against their nose or shake it in front of them. For most dogs, that’s uninspiring and actually turns them off.
Instead, make the toy irresistible by bringing it to life. Run away with it, drag it along the ground, let it dart and dash like real prey would. Toys with long handles are especially useful because they give you more range to animate the movement.
👉 The way you present the toy is everything. Don’t hope your dog will grab it—turn up the heat and encourage them to chase it.
