Treat dispensing dog toys - what to look for

Many dogs aren’t into toys at all, and that’s fine because we have  to accept the dog we have, not the one we may have expected him to be or any of the ones our friends have. Few dogs, however, can resist a toy that dispenses treats.

The benefits of treat-dispensing toys

If the treat-dispensing toy can be made to roll while being chewed, a dog will find it even more engaging. For many dogs, this fulfils prey drive in a safe way, and for those with short concentration spans, these toys offer a longer occupation time while we get on with something else.

Once our dog has been exercised, he is more likely to settle with a toy that can be persuaded
to deliver something edible while we get on with managing a conference call or one of the day’s many other tasks. If we have to go out, the dog can relax with his gently rewarding treat toy and then be ready to sleep.

If you have a dog that comes home wired for action, whether from an exciting walk or something stressful, such as a vet visit, happy interaction with a treat-dispensing toy releases endorphins to help him change his mindset to something mellower. Most dogs will soon learn to relax in anticipation of the treat toy arriving, as dogs are really good at linking circumstances, and this should result in a calmly attentive dog instead of a dog that keeps demanding attention or needs to be quietened.

How to choose a treat-dispensing toy for dogs

We ought to be very careful with whatever we choose as a treat-dispensing toy, as we have to avoid rough edges and anything that isn’t robust enough to withstand the treatment our dog is going to give it. Some breeds have very powerful jaws indeed!

It is important that the toy does not release its contents too easily. I knew one dog that used to drop hers down the stairs, eat the scattered treats, and then refuse
to engage with the toy further, even if it was filled up again. We should have the option of loading the toy in a way easy for human fingers, especially if we have arthritis or other conditions that limit our own dexterity. Similarly,
 if the toy has pockets in which treats can be inserted, getting these out again should be safe for all shapes and strengths of canine mouths. And, of course, it is important that the toy can be filled with a variety of different treats. This reinforces engagement from the dog as they are anticipating ‘what will it dispense this time?’ We also want the toy to accommodate whatever we choose to feed our dog, rather than restricting its use to everyday kibble.

Chewing is well known to release soothing endorphins, but it also releases saliva, which we don’t want spread all over the home, and treat-dispensing toys offer the double whammy of this, plus the possibility of tiny food morsels being left stuck to the inside, so whatever toy we choose has to be durable as well as easy to wash and dry on a frequent basis. It must be very robust to survive not only the chomping of dog jaws and buffeting by paws, but also the effects of hot water and dog-safe disinfection agents. This is especially important in households that include children, or adults with compromised immune systems.

Smooth-surfaced toys are easier to clean, but ridges are more rewarding for the dog to chew, so we have to compromise here, and toys designed with a series of soft wide ridges that offer good mouth-feel can bridge that gap while still being safe and enjoyable for the dog. However, we are best to steer clear of items with sharp seams joining parts of the toy together, for not only are these uncomfortable for the dog’s mouth but they indicate weak areas in their construction. Similarly, and especially with puppies that still have their sharp thin milk teeth, such toys should not have the possibility of painfully catching teeth, lips, and tongues. It really is worth paying extra for a well-made safe toy with comfortable mouth-feel, especially when accommodating dogs whose breed head shape differs from the prototype wolf ancestor!

Treat-dispensing toys for training

Treat-dispensing toys can be invaluable for adding an extra reward to training exercises, such as find-it and scent trailing, because the toys fulfil the prey-drive sequence under our direction and you both perform as a team. This means our dog finds our presence super-rewarding, which helps the dog to see us as a valuable accomplice rather than an impediment that is always trying to stop them doing something their instincts tell them they want to do.

The first reward, however, should always be out of our own hand, and only then should the dog be given the treat toy, otherwise we encourage freelancing as the dog thinks it can provide its own reward without us. This is especially useful with independent types, such as Terriers, and can be a great help to pet dog owners focusing on working with high instinctive prey drive rather than constantly having to oppose it. To have the dog turn to us for a reward once it has made a ‘find’ really speaks of a great relationship.

Treat dispensing toy for multi-dog households

If you have several dogs, the protocols are different. A treat-dispensing toy should only be used when you are engaging one dog on its own in solo play or training, or to occupy one dog away from the others, who should neither be able to see nor get to it.

Dogs don’t do sharing: they do ‘mine’, and keeping a group of dogs together in harmony can easily and permanently be disrupted if one has something that another thinks they should have instead. So, treat toys can be used to encourage a dog to work with us, or for a dog to enjoy on his own safely, but never in any type of situation where one has something and others can see and want it. Humans may think one toy each, or one each and a spare will do the job, but what frequently happens is that one dog ends up with all the toys and the other has none.

Professional working dog trainers can field a group of dogs together in apparent harmony, but a lot of background work goes into training each individual before they ever come together as a team, and even then, there can be the odd hiccup of discord. Professionals know how to anticipate and deal with that, but we don’t need to involve ourselves or our pets in this kind of challenge.

The best kind of treat-dispensing toys are a valuable addition to the pet dog owner’s armoury, and many of us bless the day they were invented. They can smooth over so many potentially challenging situations with relatively little effort, and provide an extra source of happiness for our pets.

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The perfect chase begins and ends with treats! Zeus ChewChasers are enriching treat toys designed to promote activity and long-lasting enjoyment. Made from smooth, food-grade natural rubber, they feature compartments that securely hold your dog’s favourite lickable pastes or treat sticks; such as Zoë Better Bones or Zoë Licky Snack.

These cleverly designed toys channel your dog’s energy through play – keeping them active, focused and engaged. With rounded edges and ridges, they’re tough yet gentle on gums, and dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. There are three interactive shapes available:

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•  The Rugby Treat Ball zigzags unpredictably, creating a tasty challenge with every bounce and roll

Each toy offers a new way to make treat time more engaging. Simply add Zoë Better Bones or Zoë Licky Snack as an incentive, then watch the fun unfold. You can even freeze the toys for a chilled treat that extends playtime and keeps dogs licking for longer.

Available in sizes for small, medium, and large dogs, Zeus ChewChasers bring together play, reward, and enrichment in one smart design.

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