Dogs love being in the outdoors. All the tossing, hopping and biting add up to the level of activity. Since it is advisable for the overall health of the dog, it goes without saying that a little engagement each day counts. But, the experience might not be as exciting if you were to play without including toys.
Whether you prefer soft or hard toys, tug toys make playtime quite enjoyable for your furry friend. On this note, you need a selection of best tug toys for dogs to enhance activities and make it worthwhile.
Like other toys, it would be quite a challenge to find the right one for your dog. Luckily, there is a variety to choose from, and you will most likely select a suitable one. Below are reviews of some of the best toys for your pup.
Top 10 Best Tug Toys for Dogs
A toy that comes with multiple uses makes playtimes more exciting and beneficial to the dog. This Booda Tug Rope couples up as floss for dogs’ teeth and a training tug toy for your furry friend.
Key Specifications
- Material: Wax-coated nylon, natural cotton fibers
- Design: 3-knot twisted rope
- Durability: Made of natural fiber that doesn’t fray
- Suitability: Tug of war, teething toy
The Booda 3-knot tug rope is an excellent choice for playtimes with puppies as well as older dogs. The rope is hand-twisted using wax-coated nylon which is known for its superior quality. It is soft on dog’s teeth which makes it an excellent toy for tug of war training and other dog games.
The 3-knot design provides biting surfaces for the dog without worrying about chocking on aggressive chewing. The natural fibers are safe to use on dogs. Also, the rope is mint-scented and contains baking soda for flossing as the dog plays. The toy measures 13 inches which is suitable for all dog sizes.
Pros
- Sturdy rope
- Ideal for young and old dogs
- Helps with cleaning dog’s teeth
Cons
- Not suitable for aggressive chewers
The Booda tug rope is ideal for tug of war training and other games where the dog needs to bite and pull.
2. KONG Tug
A suitable toy should be attractive to the dog so it can spot it from a distance. The KONG tug will spice up the dog’s playtime and come in handy when tugging.
Key Specifications
- Material: Multi-layered fabric
- Design: Stuffed toy with twisted rope handles
- Durability: Quality stitching
- Suitability: Tug of war
This tug toy is not only attractive for playtime with the pup but also useful for tug of war training. It comes in various designs such as monkey, frog, lion, and moose. It is minimally-stuffed to create a good weight and surface to bite and chew.
Durable dog toys are hard to find, but as long as they serve the intended purpose, they are worth the buy. This colorful one holds up well with regular use as long as you supervise the playtime. The material resists biting and chewing but works for puppies and small breeds of dogs.
Pros
- Attractive and creative toy
- Suitable for puppies
- Quality handles for control
Cons
- Not suitable for aggressive breeds
The Kong tug toy is an excellent choice for puppy training and general exercise both indoors and outdoors.
3. K9to5
You agree that the right tug toy for your dog has to be robust, durable, and easy to grip. This, among other benefits, is what the K9to5.
Key Specifications
- Material: Jute
- Design: Bite pillow with rope handles
- Durability: Double stitching and tough biting surface
- Suitability: Strength training, fun outdoor games
Most dogs are house pets, but it does not harm training them for strength and defense. If you want to train your dog as a guard, a tug toy will surely come in handy. The toughest dog toys are made of superior material to last long.
This K9to5 tug toy comes in tough jute with durable rope handles. These handles provide a firm grip while training, so you have control over the dog.
It not only works when training your dog for strength but also for bonding time. For aggressive dogs that love to bite, this toy provides a tough surface that does not rip on regular use. It makes a great toy for outdoor activities as a part of enhancing the dog’s exercise.
Pros
- Durable material
- Easy to grip and bite
- Quality construction
- Sturdy ropes
Cons
- Not suitable for super-strong dogs
This K9to5 is ideal for training young dogs. It withstands aggressive chewing and biting and, therefore, great for active puppies.
4. Bull Fit Dog Bite
One of the challenges while finding tug toys is getting one that works for large dogs. This Bull Fit tug toy is suitable for medium to large dogs; thanks to the quality construction and stable structure.
Key Specifications
- Material: Fire hose
- Design: Tough bite surface with rubber rope handles
- Durability: Handmade, secure stitching
- Suitability: Tug of war, agility, police K9, ring sport, etc.
Large breeds of dogs tend to chew and bite on every surface ripping toys all around. This tug toy is appropriate for active, massive dogs proving a sturdy surface to bite while withstanding the repeated pressure. It is a toy for big dogs and can hold up to 100kg/ 220 pounds.
The design of this tug toy makes it suitable for multiple dog activities and training. It can come in handy as a strength training toy or as a bonding toy for outdoor exercise with your dog. The handles are specially designed to help you control the dog during activity.
Pros
- Sturdy structure
- Perfect for large dogs
- Floats in water
- Bright color for easy visibility
Cons
- Only useful for supervised training
The Bull Fit is sturdy enough for training large dogs that tend to chew on surfaces.
5. REDLINE K-9
REDLINE K-9
Your furry friend deserves a little treat when training. The REDLINE K-9 would be a meaningful treat for your pup and subsequently come in handy during exercise.
Key Specifications
- Material: Jute and nylon
- Design: A tough biting pillow with a single handle
- Durability: Double-stitched using industrial grade thread
- Suitability: Tugging, puppy training
This set of pocket reward tug toys comes with three similar pieces. Each has a sturdy nylon handle on one side to help control the dog during exercise. The tug toy comes in quality material that the dog can bite on. It is strong enough to withstand pulling as the dog plays tug of war.
Since tug toys can wear quickly, it is essential to find one that is well-stitched, so it holds up for a longer time. This particular one utilizes industrial-grade thread as a double-stitch to ensure the handle, and the seams remain in good condition for an extended period.
Pros
- Holds up even with strong dogs
- Perfects size for puppies and older dogs
- Ideal for puppy training
- Withstands chewing and biting
Cons
- Does not clean easily
This set of tug toys is recommended for puppy training or as a pocket reward toy for any dog. It is ideal for a fun exercise in the indoors or outdoors.
6. RedLine K9 Bite
RedLine K9 Bite Suit
One of the factors to consider when looking for a suitable tug toy is the quality of the material used. This Redline bite proves to last with all the normal biting and tugging pressure.
Key Specifications
- Material: French Linen
- Design: Bite surface with a single handle
- Durability: quality stitching to last long
- Suitability: IPO, Schutzhund, Ring Sport, etc.
It is designed to work for all breeds of dogs as far as strength training is concerned. The premium French linen used to make the toy resists tears to last an extended period. More to this, the biting surface is tightly stitched to prevent ripping with the repeated biting and tugging,
The good thing about this toy is that it is suitable for all dogs. It measures 3 inches by 10 inches which works for puppies as well as older dogs. The handle provided helps to control the dog as it tugs ensuring stability during training.
Pros
- Sturdy fabric
- Quality construction
- Suitable for all dog breeds
Cons
- Does not work as a chew toy
The Redline works great for any dog and seems to hold up with regular tugging exercises.
7. ANG Interactive
When finding a toy for your furry friend, it is essential to find one that can help you enhance the bond and improve the interaction with your dog. This ANG is a great example.
Key Specifications
- Material: Aluminum alloy telescopic pole, bungee cord, braided cotton blend lures
- Design: Extendable wand with two ropes
- Durability: Well-built to withstand tugging
- Suitability: Strength training, physical exercise
This toy is a great interactive piece as well as a training tool for your dog. It comes with quality and durable material to hold up despite the regular pulling and chewing. On this note, the package comes with a replacement rope to ensure the dog enjoys it for an extended time.
The wand is expandable to help with training the dog to jump and reach for the rope. Also, it helps to control the dog as it bites on the rope during tugging. The rope surface is sturdy and provides a suitable surface for the dog to bite and chew.
Pros
- Suitable for hyperactive dogs
- Sturdy construction
- Creative design
- Ideal for training puppies
Cons
- Not ideal for super-strong dogs
The ANG is an ideal choice for training a puppy to jump, tug, chase, and bite.
8. Petstages
Petstages Rag Rope
$5.24
The best dog chew toys are those that it can chase, bite, and chew without ripping them apart. This Petstages couples up as a chew toy and comes in handy during tugging games.
Key Specifications
- Material: Cotton and denim
- Design: Intertwined rope and fabric strips to make a ball
- Durability: Tough biting surface to last long
- Suitability: tugging, teething, fetch rounds, puppy training
This toy is an ideal choice as a puppy’s first toy. It comes in handy in training it how to chase after the ball, bite, chew and tug. The tough fabric and rope is useful during tug games and also helps to soothe gums when pup starts teething.
The rope and fabric pieces hanging from the ball help it to slow down so that the puppy can bite on chasing it. This feature makes the toy an interactive piece as well as a handy toy for young puppies.
Pros
- Ideal for chewers
- Great for puppy training
- Helpful for exercises
- Strong material
Cons
- Small
- Only suitable for puppies
This tug-toy is recommended for its simple design and would be ideal for the puppy’s outdoor activities where it can run, bite, chew and tug.
9. Alligator Outward Hound
Outward Hound Squeaker
$10.94
It is clear that an attractive toy will have the dog chasing after it on sight. This Alligator from Outward Hound is an excellent example of an attractive toy with a couple more benefits to your pup.
Key Specifications
- Material: Tough fabric
- Design: dog-shaped, plush, not stuffed
- Durability: Chew shield technology construction for tough chewers
- Suitability: tugging and other physical exercises
The toy features a no-stuffing design packed with squeakers that dogs love. It becomes easy for the dog to shake, bite, tug and chew on the toy without worrying about ripping it apart. Also, the tight construction of the toy makes it suitable for aggressive and hyperactive dogs.
The seams of this toy are sturdy to withstand the frequent pulling and chewing. The toy comes in three different sizes including mini, large and extra-large. Also, they come with multiple squeakers to enhance playtime.
Pros
- Chew proof
- Great for active dogs
- Suitable for all dog breeds
Cons
- Not ideal for large, energetic dogs
This tug-toy is recommended for the squeakers and is ideal tugging and biting on soft surfaces.
10. Tuggerz Monkey
Puppies love the squeaking sounds, and it would be a good idea to get a toy that delivers that. This particular one from Outward Hound is attractive and will enhance the dog’s playtime.
Key Specifications
- Material: Plush material with rope handle
- Design: Tiger or monkey
- Durability: strong rope construction
- Suitability: Tugging, puppy training
One of the exciting features of this plush toy is the tug-to-squeak design. It will ensure the dog keeps tugging so it can get the squeaking sound. The toy comes with a durable rope handle to help with controlling the dog as it pulls.
The dog can bite on the toy’s head to press and get the squeaker sound. The toy has one jumbo squeaker in the toy’s head which works perfectly for dogs that love to bite and chew.
Pros
- Great for all dogs; large or small
- Creative squeeze head
- Sturdy rope for control
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy chewers
The Tuggerz is strong enough for tugging games with puppies and dogs that are not aggressive chewers.
Key Information
Things to Avoid
As much as tug toys help in training and playtime for dogs, various items could be causing more harm than good. A good example is a laser pointer toy. While this type of toys seems to hold up longer, dogs can learn to hunt on moving light patterns. In turn, this can translate to the dog wanting to chase any moving light such as that of a moving car at night.
Easily-detachable parts of the toys could also pose a risk to your furry friend. Even with well-trained dogs, a small object could choke or hurt the dog as they play. Therefore, it is essential to select robust and compact toys for super aggressive dogs.
Material
With the pulling, biting, and chewing that is expected while using tug toys, the material has to be sturdy enough to hold up for some time. Tug toys with rope parts should be tightly stitched to ensure it does not rip off during play. Also, the biting surface should come in a sturdy, chew-resistant material.
There are different materials for tug toys including rubber, cotton fabric, linen, silicon, etc. The material to choose depends on how aggressive the dog is and whether it chews and bites on surfaces repeatedly. For puppies and small breeds, any material can work but again depending on how active the dog is.
Durability
Dog toys hardly last a lifetime. But, the aim is to find one that can serve the dog for quite some time in the right condition. You do not want to pick one and discard it on the first play date. On this note, the material, style, and quality of construction determine how long the toy lasts.
However, these factors might not be ideal when selecting a tug toy for your dog in regards to durability. The main factor to consider is the type of dog, its level of activity, and the purpose of the toy. If you are getting one for multiple uses, then it would make sense to select a heavy-duty dog toy. That way, it will serve the purpose and last an extended time.
Safety
Although it can be hard to determine the level of safety of a toy to the dog, you can consider some factors to ensure the toy is as safe as possible. A great way is ensuring you get the right size of toy for your dog. Toys that suit puppies might pose a choking hazard to large mature dogs.
Also, ensure tug toys do not have hanging ribbons, thin ropes, or rubber bands which could be dangerous for the dog. One essential safety measure is to make sure you discard broken toys to prevent the dog’s access to small parts. With squeaky toys, be sure to supervise since dogs can go all the way to destroy the toy to find the source of the sound.
Bottom Line
When looking for ways to please your dog, it is essential to include a few tug toys for quality playtime. Dogs are visual characters and will learn better and have more fun with toys around them. They need an object to chase after, bite, or chew and tug toys would be ideal solutions.
As a beginner, a few tug toys will not only help with training your dog but also enhance the quality of time the dog spends in the outdoors. With just one toy, you can expect an excitement galore, lots of fun, and increased activity levels for your dog. Additionally, you get to bond better while keeping your furry friend active and healthy.
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Razvan
Razvan is a dog trainer and veterinary technician with over 10 years of experience working with dog daycares, animal shelters, vet clinics and private dog training. Razvan is one of the lead publishers on Dog Struggles covering the latest product reviews and dog health advice.
