Most people choose dog toys based on what looks fun on the shelf. As a trainer, I look at what the toy is meant to do.
After more than 17 years of working with dogs in their homes, I have seen toys used to build engagement, improve recall, develop a working dog's bite, settle a restless puppy and strengthen the relationship between a dog and its owner. I have also seen unsuitable toys create bad habits, damaged teeth and expensive vet visits.
There is no single best toy for every dog. The right choice depends on the dog, the goal and how the toy will be used.
This guide covers the seven main types of dog toys, what each category is actually for and how to choose the right one for your dog.
FIELD GUIDE
Seven Types at a Glance
01
Tug Toys
WE MAKE THISTug toys are one of the most useful training tools you can own. They are not simply something for a dog to pull on. Used properly, they can help build engagement, improve confidence, develop grip and give you a powerful reward that does not rely on food.
A good game of tug teaches a dog that interacting with you is valuable. You control when the game starts, when the dog gets the toy and when it is time to release. That makes tug useful for practising cues such as “take it”, “out”, “drop” and “wait”.
Different tug materials suit different dogs.
A soft-mouthed puppy or smaller dog may respond well to the Fluffy Tug Toy or compact Finn Mini Tug. The softer feel and manageable size can make it easier to build confidence without overwhelming the dog.
For dogs with more developed play drive, the Cowhide Tug Toy provides a natural texture that encourages chasing, grabbing and holding. The French Linen Dog Tug Toy is a practical choice for structured bite work, retrieve training and dogs that enjoy a firmer surface.
For serious drive and strong commitment, the Tug-A-Roo combines kangaroo leather, natural sheepskin and a reinforced handle. It is designed as a high-value training and interaction toy for driven dogs.
The best tug toys for dogs are not the ones left on the floor all day. Bring the tug out for short, focused sessions, make the game valuable and put it away when training is finished. See the PK9 tug toy collection.
MATCH THE MATERIAL
Which tug surface suits the session?
PK9 IN USE
Tug toys in training
Selected training examples
Flagship tug example
Tug‑A‑Roo – Kangaroo Leather Tug Toy for High‑Drive Dogs
Available
View Product
Soft tug example
Fluffy Tug Toy – Eco-Friendly Soft Tug for Play & Training
Available
View Product
Compact tug example
The Finn Mini Tug - Compact Cowhide Tug Toy for Play & Training
Available
View Product
Natural texture tug
Cowhide Dog Tug Toy – Natural Instinct Training Tug
Available
View Product
Structured training tug
French Linen Dog Tug Toy – Tough Bite & Retrieve Training | PK9 Gear
Available
View Product02
Flirt Poles
WE MAKE THISThe easiest way to describe a flirt pole for dogs is to call it a fishing rod for dogs.
It has a handle, a line and a moving attachment that the dog can chase and catch. You move the attachment along the ground, changing its direction and speed while the dog follows it.
A flirt pole allows a dog to run hard without requiring the owner to run at the same speed. This makes it useful for high-energy dogs, owners with limited space and training sessions where you want to create excitement while maintaining control.
The real value is not simply wearing the dog out. A flirt pole can be used to teach impulse control.
Ask the dog to wait before chasing. Release the dog to pursue the attachment. Allow the dog to catch it, then practise a calm release. The game becomes a cycle of excitement, control and reward.
The standard Dog Flirt Pole Full Set is suitable for general training, fitness and drive-building sessions. The Fluffy Puppy Flirt Pole uses a softer attachment suited to puppies and smaller dogs. For experienced handlers and serious working dogs, the Premium Maybach Flirt Pole is the top option in the PK9 range.
Keep movements low and controlled, particularly with puppies. Avoid repeated sharp turns, high jumping or slippery surfaces. The goal is productive chase and engagement, not uncontrolled running.
See all PK9 Flirt Poles.
BUILD A TRAINING CYCLE
Turn the chase into a controlled game
PK9 IN USE
Flirt poles in action
Selected training examples
Everyday flirt pole example
Dog Flirt Pole – Full Set Flirt Pole Attachment And Handle
Available
View Product
Puppy-friendly example
Fluffy Puppy Flirt Pole – Soft Sheepskin Toy for Small Dogs
Available
View Product
Premium working-dog example
Dog Premium Flirt Pole - The Maybach Of Flirt Poles
Available
View Product03
Fetch Toys
WE SELL THISFetch toys include balls, balls on strings and frisbees. They can be used for exercise, but their best use is often training.
A fetch toy gives you a moving reward that can help develop recall, engagement and play drive. The dog learns to chase the toy, return to the handler and either release it or begin another game.
I prefer fetch sessions with some structure. Instead of throwing a ball twenty times while the dog ignores everything else, ask for a simple behaviour before each throw. That may be eye contact, a sit, a short wait or a recall.
Balls on strings are particularly useful because the handle gives the owner more control. You can throw the ball, use it for a brief tug game when the dog returns and practise a release before starting again.
For small dogs, the Small Chuckit Fetch Ball with Climbing Rope Handle provides a more manageable ball size. The Medium Chuckit Fetch Ball suits many medium-sized dogs, while the Large Chuckit Fetch Ball on String gives larger dogs a more appropriate option.
For dogs that prefer chasing a flatter flying toy, the PK9 Durafoam Frisbee is lightweight, floats and is softer on the mouth than a hard plastic disc.
Fetch toys for training should remain interactive. A ball is much more useful when the dog sees it as something you control and share, rather than something they grab and take away.
See the PK9 balls collection.
CHOOSE A FETCH FORMAT
Match the shape to the way you train
PK9 IN USE
Fetch toys in action
Selected training examples
Small fetch ball example
Small Chuckit Fetch Ball with Climbing Rope Handle For Little Dogs
Available
View Product
Medium fetch ball example
Medium Chuckit Fetch Ball with Climbing Rope Handle For Medium Dogs
Available
View Product
Large fetch ball example
Large Chuckit Fetch Ball on String – Durable Fetch & Tug Toy
Available
View Product
04
Enrichment and Puzzle Toys
WE DO NOT SELL THISEnrichment toys for dogs are designed to make them think, sniff, search or work for food. Common examples include food puzzles, snuffle mats, slow feeders, treat-dispensing toys and scent games.
These toys have a different job from a tug or flirt pole. A tug toy builds interaction between the dog and handler. A puzzle toy gives the dog a problem to solve more independently.
Mental work can be particularly useful on rainy days, during crate rest or when a dog cannot complete its normal physical exercise. It can also slow down fast eaters and give puppies an appropriate task around the home.
Products such as the Kong Wobbler and Outward Hound puzzle range can be useful starting points. Choose a difficulty level that matches your dog's experience. If the puzzle is too easy, the dog may finish it immediately. If it is too hard, the dog may become frustrated or try to break it open.
Supervise the first few sessions. Some dogs carefully work through a puzzle, while others immediately attempt to flip, crush or dismantle it.
PK9 does not manufacture puzzle feeders or food-dispensing toys. Our range is focused on interaction between the dog and handler, but both types of toys can have a place in a balanced routine.
CHOOSE THE JOB
When can enrichment help?
05
Chew Toys
WE DO NOT SELL THISPK9 Gear does not make chew toys. We make training and interaction toys that are used with the owner.
That distinction matters. A tug made from cowhide, kangaroo leather, French linen or sheepskin should not be handed to a dog for unsupervised chewing. It should be brought out for training, used together and stored away afterwards.
Dogs do have a natural need to chew, especially during puppy teething and periods of boredom. The safest option depends on the dog's age, size, bite strength, dental health and tendency to swallow pieces.
A frozen whole carrot may suit some dogs as a supervised, short-term option. Food-filled rubber toys and veterinary-approved dental chews can also provide a more appropriate outlet. Choose an item that is large enough that the dog cannot swallow it whole, and remove it once it becomes small or damaged.
I am cautious with bones, antlers, hooves and very hard manufactured chews. If an object is harder than the dog's teeth, the tooth may be what breaks. Raw bones also carry risks that supervision alone does not completely remove, including broken teeth, splintering and swallowed pieces.
Ask your vet which chew options suit your individual dog, particularly if the dog has existing dental problems, a sensitive stomach or a history of swallowing objects.
THREE QUICK CHECKS
Before offering a chew
06
Plush and Comfort Toys
WE DO NOT SELL THISPlush toys can have a place, particularly for puppies and dogs that carry, cuddle or sleep with their toys.
Some dogs use a soft toy as a comfort object. Puppies may enjoy carrying something light around the house, and an anxious dog may settle more easily with a familiar item nearby.
The problem begins when the dog's main goal is to rip the toy open and swallow the contents.
If your dog removes squeakers, eats fabric or pulls out stuffing, a plush toy should only be used under close supervision. Take it away as soon as seams split or internal material becomes exposed.
Plush toys are generally not suitable for bite development, hard tugging or working-dog training. They tend to collapse, tear and give the handler very little control.
For structured engagement, use a purpose-made tug. For comfort, choose a soft toy that suits the dog's size and monitor how they interact with it.
WATCH THE BEHAVIOUR
How does your dog use a plush toy?
07
DIY and Improvised Toys
WE DO NOT SELL THIS, BUT WE LOVE THEMSome useful dog activities cost almost nothing.
You can roll treats inside an old towel and loosely knot it, place food inside a cardboard box filled with crumpled paper or make a simple snuffle mat from strips of old fleece tied through a rubber sink mat.
An old T-shirt can also be twisted and knotted into a basic tug. This can work for gentle games, but it will not provide the grip, handling or durability of a purpose-made training tug.
Frozen food activities can keep dogs occupied for longer. Wet food, kibble and suitable treats can be placed inside a rubber food toy and frozen. A larger frozen treat block can also be made in a container, provided the ingredients are appropriate for the dog.
DIY toys are best treated as temporary activities, not permanent objects left with the dog. Supervise the dog, remove cardboard and fabric once they begin swallowing pieces, and avoid strings or small components that could be ingested.
Homemade enrichment is excellent for adding variety to a dog's week. It does not need to look impressive. It simply needs to give the dog a safe job to do.
PICK A SIMPLE ACTIVITY
Four low-cost ideas
SAFETY
Toys to Avoid for Dogs
Some toys carry more risk than benefit.
I avoid antlers, hooves, very hard nylon bones and other items that do not give when pressure is applied. These can fracture teeth, particularly when used by dogs that bite down with full force.
Rawhide is another product I do not recommend as a general choice. Pieces can soften, separate and be swallowed, creating choking or digestive risks.
Standard tennis balls are fine for supervised throwing, but they are not ideal for dogs that sit and chew them for long periods. The abrasive outer felt can gradually wear the surface of the teeth.
Check squeaky toys regularly. If a dog can remove and swallow the squeaker, the toy should be discarded.
Avoid anything that splinters, breaks into sharp pieces or is small enough to lodge in the throat. No dog toy is completely indestructible, so regularly check for damage and remove toys before they become dangerous.
KNOW THE RISK
Why trainers are cautious with these toys
CHOOSING WELL
How to Match the Toy to Your Dog
The best training toys for dogs are chosen for the individual dog, not simply the breed written on a product label.
Start with drive level. A gentle puppy may need a soft, lightweight tug that moves easily and does not feel intimidating. A high-drive adult may lose interest in that same toy and respond better to natural fur, kangaroo leather or firm French linen.
Next, consider age and physical condition. Puppies need shorter sessions, softer movements and less repetitive jumping. Senior dogs may still love training games but benefit from gentler fetch distances and less twisting.
Think about your training goal.
For engagement and reward-based training, choose a tug or ball that can be quickly presented and hidden again. For recall and impulse control, a flirt pole or ball on a string gives you control over movement and access to the reward. For bite and drive development, use a properly sized tug with a surface that suits the dog's confidence and grip.
Supervision also matters. If you want something the dog can use more independently, choose a suitable food puzzle or vet-approved chew. PK9 tugs, flirt poles, frisbees and balls should be used as interaction toys with the owner.
Finally, pay attention to what your dog actually enjoys. Some dogs live for a tug. Others will do almost anything for a ball. Some are more motivated by movement than by the material itself.
The right toy is the one that helps you communicate with the dog and makes the dog eager to work with you.
START WITH THE GOAL
What do you want the toy to help you practise?
FINAL ADVICE
Choose Toys Based on Their Purpose
There are many types of dog toys, but they are not interchangeable.
Tug toys build engagement and provide a powerful training reward. Flirt poles create controlled chase and help teach impulse control. Fetch toys support recall, movement and interactive play. Puzzle toys give dogs a mental task, while suitable chews provide an outlet for chewing.
Choose the toy based on what you want it to achieve, then supervise how your dog uses it.
At PK9 Gear, we focus on toys that bring the dog and owner into the same game.
View our dog training and interaction toys.