05/20/2026
Article written by me (Shannon) ☺️ for the Boykin Spaniel Society. Volume 50 No. 2 Spring 2026 (page 16).
The Off Switch: Why Puppies Don’t Need a Toy Box Full of Distractions
“The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain’t so.” — Mark Twain
This is simply the opinion of someone who loves puppies more than words can describe. I love everything about them—the puppy breath, the curiosity, the innocence, and the sweetness. Watching a young dog explore the world is one of life’s simplest and greatest joys.
But I also believe that many of the unwanted behaviors we see in dogs are behaviors we accidentally create.
Modern dog culture tells us that puppies need constant entertainment. Walk into any pet store or browse online and you’ll be convinced that your puppy needs dozens of toys to stay happy and healthy. Before long, the living room looks like a toy store exploded and Amazon boxes keep arriving at the door.
But more toys do not necessarily create a better dog.
In fact, I believe the opposite is often true. An endless supply of toys can create overstimulation rather than balance. Puppies bounce from one object to another without learning how to settle themselves or focus their minds.
Instead of filling a room with distractions, I believe in structured engagement.
When my puppies play, I interact with them. I set up obstacles and simple challenges that allow them to move their bodies and think at the same time. But I do not leave them unsupervised with a pile of toys. When bedtime comes, everything gets picked up. The environment becomes quiet and predictable, and they learn one of the most important life skills a dog can have—how to self-soothe.
What we give puppies teaches them something, whether we realize it or not.
Cotton toys teach them to chew cotton. Squeaky toys can encourage the instinct to kill birds or small prey. Endless tugging can teach them that releasing an object isn’t necessary. For every action, there is a reaction.
This isn’t about removing fun from a puppy’s life. It’s about being intentional with it.
Constructive play does far more than a toy ever could. Go for a walk together. Practice simple agility obstacles. Let the puppy climb, balance, and explore under your guidance. Engage their mind, and the body will follow.
One of the greatest gifts we can give a young dog is teaching them that they don’t need to be entertained every minute of the day. The “off switch” is just as important—if not more important—than the “on switch.”
Dogs that learn how to settle grow into calmer, more balanced companions.
Patience plays a big role in this process. Too often we rush puppies through their development, trying to accelerate learning or fill every quiet moment with stimulation. But puppies, like children, benefit from time, structure, and calm guidance.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is slow down.
Instead of giving a puppy ten toys, try giving them one. Better yet, hold that toy yourself and engage with them. Build a relationship instead of a toy collection.
Because in the end, puppies don’t really need more things.
They need us.
