German Shepherd Toys

Exercise is a GSD’s one true love, after their family, of course! Since the breed was bred to work, they enjoy any form of mental and physical exercise. However, since the breed is known to develop joint problems, low-impact exercises such as swimming, brisk walking, light jogging, and scent work are most beneficial.

German Shepherds require a minimum of 3 to 4 hours of physical exercise every day. In addition to this, 2 to 3 hours of daily mental stimulation helps to keep their minds calm when indoors. German Shepherds are a pleasure to train, however, training isn’t optional. Since this breed is immensely protective of its family, they can develop aggression if not trained well. Obedience training with German Shepherds is an excellent way to bond with them, especially if you are using lots of positive reinforcement through treats and toys. 

Here are some of the best types of German Shepherd dog toys for your pooch - 

Squeaker toys 

Squeaker toys mimic the sound of scared prey and are therefore instantaneously liked by dogs with a high prey drive, like GSDs. Squeaker toys are also an excellent way to grab a dog’s attention which makes them great for training and obedience. 

Plush toys

Plush toys, like the name suggests, are to offer comfort and security. Whilst adult GSDs enjoy plush toys, it is the puppies who care for them the most - you’d most often see puppies napping with a plush toy because it gives them the same sort of comfort that they received from their mother. As they grow into adults, it is often the same plush toys that are played with. 

Rope toys

Rope toys are for a great game of tug-of-war at the beach, park, or almost anywhere outside. They’re also great for fetching and chewing. Rope toys are often used to calm hyperactive behaviour by directing the dog’s focus and energy onto chewing and holding the toy instead of channelling energy onto destructive or negative behaviour such as destructive chewing, howling, pacing, barking etc.

Fetch toys

Ah, the good ol’ fetch! Dogs like GSDs have a very high prey drive, and enjoy chasing things on end - which is why balls are an excellent addition to their stash of go-to toys!

Puzzle toys

German Shepherds are the world’s most intelligent dog breed - second only to the Collie. Now, that means something - they absolutely love using their brain. GSDs enjoy puzzles - it gives them something positive to focus on rather than stare listlessly out of the window or at the door waiting for you to come back. Besides, puzzles toys are excellent to stop destructive behaviour, aggression and separation anxiety -  all of which are often seen in German Shepherds.

Chew toys

Like it or not, German Shepherds will chew. The question is - what are you giving them to chew? Part of this non-stop chewing stems from the breed’s boundless energy that isn’t channelled to good use. As a result, you got yourself a dog that won’t stop until he/she has chewed the whole house. The solution? Chew toys. Chew toys re-direct negative behaviour onto positive chewing that helps with dental health, mental stimulation, and boredom-busting.