Squeaky Toy Survival Rates

What is it about the squeaker in a dog toy, that in most homes, it must be removed immediately and destroyed? For some homes, squeakers remain safely intact inside the toy. For most others, such as mine, squeaker survival rates are only a matter of minutes.

A squeaker may be long gone, but the toy itself remains, with a hole as evidence that a squeaker did in fact exist for only a brief moment. Realistically, the fate of a squeaky toy is RUFF! Long live the toy after the squeaker, only to have a hole that slowly sends stuffing into the world all over the house. As one could say, it snows in the house. Every day. All day. Giving doggo parents a job to constantly clean up “snow.” Some may find gumption to go down the path to surgically stitch up the hole. Others, like myself, have given into the permanent hole having a permanent place in the home. The cycle continues either way.

For homes that experience continued squeaker destruction, there are some tricks to consider attempting to see if they work in your home. First, squeaker-less toys do exist but not in abundance. If you are not aware they exist, try one. This doggo momma has learned they can tell whether or not the toy has a squeaker, and if it does not, they are more likely to not tear a giant hole in the toy to get to it. Additionally, smell is a giant factor. When one brings home something new, it does not smell like the home. I have learned through observation that any item, whether toy, shoe, rug, ottoman, couch, etc., is less likely to be a target if it smells like the home. Therefore, wash the toy and then give it to your dog. By washing and drying the toy first, you will remove the new smell from the toy that makes it stand out from your home and thus reducing the chance of toy destruction. Disclaimer, all dogs are different, but in my observation in a multi-doggo house, toys last longer if they do not smell new when I share with the dogs.  

For other items that you cannot wash, such as an ottoman, couch, rug, etc., keep them in the basement or another area separate from the rest of the house where the dogs will not be for a few days before moving them to their final spots in the home. This will allow a new piece to absorb the smell of your home. If that is not possible, put the piece in its place, add blankets over it that have been a part of the home. This will help the new piece of furniture absorb the smell of the home. This works for fabric in our home. It has not been tested on items that are less absorbent such as leather and wood. But it is worth a try!