Some dogs may be afraid of specific things because they were exposed to them as puppies, they were not properly socialized as puppies, or they had a bad encounter with the object. Thus, dogs can get scared of certain toys, such as squeaky toys.
Do Dogs Love or Hate Squeaky Toys?
Although the first time a dog/puppy experiences the squeak may be confusing to them, squeaky noises become a favorite of dogs.
The dog’s reward circuits light up as they chomp down and make a satisfying noise. They can’t help but squeak over and over again for more of the same satisfying sensation. Squeaker toys are popular with dogs since they tend to catch our attention.
Do Squeaky Toys Hurt Dogs’ Ears?
Dogs can safely play with squeaky toys; they aren’t ‘bad’ for their hearing. These tests are commonly used to identify canine hearing loss or impairment.
In addition, most dogs react instantly to the higher frequencies produced by the squeaking sound. Therefore, the vast majority of veterinarians agree that squeaky toys designed expressly for dogs are safe.
Are they Afraid of a Toy or the Sound?
This is something that really depends on the individual dog. If they have had a bad experience with an object, such as a squeaky toy, it may be the sound of the squeaking they don’t like. However, it is possible that the actual toy is the problem.
For example, if a puppy gets attacked by a duck at a young age, it may become afraid of anything that resembles a duck.
Do Dogs think Stuffed Animals are Real?
When they hear that pathetic squeak, many dogs’ powerful predatory instinct takes over. Those dog breeds bred for hunting and retrieving might rationalize a squeaky toy as a small animal.
Soft, fluffy, and sometimes modeled after real animals, many squeaky toys also make plenty of noise. Whether the dogs think that these are real animals is unknown.
But some dogs behave the same way with a squeaky toy as they would a real animal. Others treat squeaky toys the same way they would any other toy. It depends on the individual dog.
Should You Try to Get Them Used to it?
It’s worth trying to show your dog that they have nothing to worry about when playing with squeaky toys. Showing them that it is a source of fun as opposed to fear may get them to relax and enjoy the toy.
However, some dogs do not get over their dislike for certain toys no matter what we do. In this case, it’s best to simply avoid squeaking toys.
Final Thoughts on Why Is My Dog Scared Of Squeaky Toys
There are different reasons why dogs may be afraid of squeaky toys, whether it’s due to a negative experience at a young age or simply not liking the toy. The squeak itself is not harmful to your dog as they are always hearing tested before they make it to store shelves.
Most dogs absolutely love squeaky toys as it awakens the prey drive within. So whether they believe the toy is a real animal or not, they will have lots of fun with it.
But if your dog really doesn’t like the squeaky toy, don’t try and force your dog to like it. Sometimes, dogs simply don’t like certain types of toys. But it all depends on each individual dog.