Experts warn that dogs with an unhealthy obsession with their favourite toys may struggle to calm down, sleep less during the day and exhibit 'addiction-like' behaviour.
Experts warn that dogs with an unhealthy obsession with their favourite toys may struggle to calm down, sleep less during the day and exhibit 'addiction-like' behaviour.
Scientists from the University of Bern analysed data from over 1,600 dogs and found that those with the highest toy motivation were more likely to be working or sporting breeds, such as German Shepherds and Terriers. These intensely toy-driven dogs were more likely to be overexcited, struggle to relax after play and sleep less during the day.
The researchers suggest that owners should be concerned if their dog's enthusiasm becomes so extreme that it struggles to regulate its behaviour, relax after play or switch its attention to anything else. Warning signs of an unhealthy obsession with toys include constantly fixating on a ball or toy, struggling to calm down after play and sleeping less during the day.
The scientists stress that loving toys isn't a problem in itself, but rather the excessive motivation that can lead to behavioural dysregulation. They used the 'addiction-like' concept as a descriptive and practical model to characterise the excessive reward-seeking behaviour and loss of self-control in some dogs. The study found that many of these behavioural traits were already present when the dogs were puppies, suggesting the tendency develops early in life.
The researchers also found that dogs used for sport or work showed much higher levels of toy obsession than family pets, with breeds such as Belgian and German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers and Yorkshire and Scottish Terriers being particularly prone to this behaviour. On the other hand, scent hounds and spitz-type dogs, such as Beagles and Akitas, scored the lowest in terms of toy obsession.
The study suggests that owners should be aware of the potential risks of excessive toy motivation in their dogs and take steps to mitigate it, such as providing alternative rewards and encouraging relaxation after play. The researchers hope that their findings will contribute to a better understanding of canine behaviour and help owners to identify and address potential problems early on
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