We have a toy “graveyard” basket at our house. You know….the place where all the toys that had “squeakers” when 
they were new go when the dogs tear the squeakers out and are immediately not interested in the toy anymore.
I always wondered why in the world the dogs were so excited by toys that squeaked, but would immediately and sometimes obsessively try to get to the “squeak” in the new toy….only to be done with the whole toy once they pulled it out and “destroyed” the squeak?
Simply put, the best instincts based reason is that they see the toy as prey and it is their hunting instincts that drive them to destroy the toy. When in the wild, their prey would make noises, much like the squeaks, and so this noise reminds them of their instinctual desire to hunt. This is likely why squeaky toys are the most commonly torn apart toys and why some dogs will lose interest in a squeaky toy once it has stopped making noise.
With some dogs this instinct is so strong that they will chew apart toys with little provocation. You won’t even need to throw it in order to for the dog to start to see the toy as prey. It’s smaller than them and you are giving it to them and they have likely associated it with the same action as when you give them food. So…..some dogs may try to “eat” the toy at this point, while most are merely trying to find the food in the toy, even if there isn’t any.
Sometimes it may simply be boredom that causes the dog to teat apart their toy. It doesn’t have to be anything specific that sets the dog to tear the toy to shreds besides simple boredom. They get all of the use they can out of the toy in one go and there isn’t anything left. Whether it was because they were alone for too long or they just decided they were bored.
Do your dogs tear the squeak out of toys? What kind of toy drives your dog nuts?
My previous dog had a soft octopus and tried to destroy it but couldn’t. All his other toys he did. He was a shih-tzu and passed after almost 17yrs old. My 7yr old yorkie plays with the same octopus and can’t destroy it he tries his utmost. Sometimes I think he’ll break his neck the way he goes at it. I’ve never seen a dog play fetch by himself, but he does. I bought him a lamb chop dog toy and that was history after 2hrs. Bought him 3 more and needless to say, within 30 mins all the squeakers were out and he was surrounded by the ticking and still pulling the rest out. Well that did it for me now he has 2 favorite toys which he can’t destroy and always brings them to me when I wake up in the mornings and when i come home but he always puts them back in his secret place and never leaves them out when he’s not playing with them.
I have a hard time finding toys that can’t be destroyed for my boxers and pit mix. Where did you get your toys? Do tell!
Toys at Pet Smart are color coded.
Black is the toughest toy to break.
Also Plsnet Dog has indestructible toys.
Good to know!
My Pit’s also play w soft toy in the shape of hamburger and they love it, we fund this toy in the park, search internet for it can’t find it…
Hi. I am a first time dog owner. I was blessed with a baby boy Chiweenie… Well I got him when he was just 2weeks.. He is now 10months and just as full of life.. I buy all kinds of time and by the end of the night he has the stuffing everywhere and the squeaky part is chewed up.. Then he doesn’t stop there he then starts ripping it an eating the material… Why does he do this?!?!? Plastic toys are worse.. I just stopped buying those.. Please tell me what to do…
Hi Christina! Thanks for commenting on our article! Domestic dogs are descended from wolves and some theorize that the squeaky noise is reminiscent of the squeaking sound frightened or injured prey would make, appealing to your dog’s hunting instincts. Once the squeaker has been removed, the prey is “dead” and your dog’s job is complete. The best advice I can give is to provide toys for your baby that can’t be shredded. I like the Kong brands and you can find a cute one here: https://www.amazon.com/KONG-Floppy-Knots-Medium-Large/dp/B01L0QQNJE/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1532021554&sr=1-5&keywords=tough+dog+toys&dpID=51-J5Bw3rEL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch – Best of Luck!
I am currently stitching this exact toy back together 😂
I have the same issue with my pup! At 5 months she would take over a month to destroy a toy but now she can do it in minutes. I love the Kong wubba toy but she can shred that completely in just days. I found that Nola one is good but she isn’t usually interested in those. She has resorted to socks when I don’t replace her shredded toys quickly enough. Help!!
I have a sock stealer too. 🙂
Watch out for those socks! They can cause bowel obstructions. I found that out the hard way!
It makes complete sence that its a dogs instinct to get sqeakers out ig thier prey and not be interested afterr the conquer. So now its time for the development of none distructable sqeakie toys for both Dogs and Cats. I have both they are all best friends. You ask why a cat well i know they arent following the dogs , so the same instinctual purpose is in cats to.