Pet parents love to pamper their furry babies with all the toys in the world and it’s understandable. However, the number of goodies you give them can largely impact their behavior.
Dogs are obsessed with their toys. Unlike cats that get bored too easily, pet canines treasure the things they love the most. However, pet parents must know where to draw the line.
How many toys should you give your dog?
Dog psychology and behavior expert, Steve Del Savio, warns against giving your pet dog too many toys as they are overstimulating and do not help them settle down.
The dog psychology expert recommends giving not more than one or two toys at a time and engaging the dogs in different trainings to keep them calm.
He says dog owners who are guilty of not spending enough time with their pooch shower them with a lot of toys, expecting it to keep their mind and body challenged.
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However, it can turn overprotective as the mind is overly engaged at all times, while the body doesn’t get the required amount of exercise. Too many toys and a lack of exercise can leave your dog overstimulated and make it more difficult to settle down. They may also develop anxiety and frustration.
Steve says the dog must be taught to stay calm and relaxed without any toys or distractions. You can still engage them in structured exercises and then treat them to fewer toys.
What actually helps your dog’s behavior
Just like humans, dogs can become frustrated when they are indoors all the time. Here are a couple of things the dog behaviorist recommends doing.
- Make sure they get enough exercise daily.
- Send them to Adventure Camps or centers with access to playgrounds if your schedule doesn’t allow you to take them out.
- Hire a dog walker if you cannot do it yourself.
- Engage your dog’s mind in different challenges to avoid boredom.
- Make sure you’re calm and confident around your dog as they easily pick on your energies.
Steve Del Savio is a dog psychology and behavior expert with over 15 years of experience. He is the Owner & Founder of Pack Leader Dogs, who has “turned his passion for animals and their behavior into a flourishing career in dog training,” according to the official website.
