Rank: | Photo: | Model: | Rating: | More Info: |
#1 |  | BEST OVERALL Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel | ||
#2 |  | Outward Hound Dog Brick Puzzle | ||
#3 |  | Jalousie 5 Pack Dog Squeaky Toys | ||
#4 |  | Fayogoo Grenade Chew Toy | ||
#5 |  | Pet Artist 3 Handles Bite Pillow |
Any German Shepherd guardian is fully aware that their pet is brilliant and hyperactive.
They know that entertaining this breed can be a full-time task, and most dog owners stress that they don’t have enough time to stimulate their pet’s intelligence to the fullest.
Toy manufacturers have conducted enough research to help pet owners to keep their dogs busy.
We’ve compiled a list of different types of toys for German Shepherds that will help you decide what to purchase for this clever animal.
There is no shortage of puzzle toys for German Shepherds driven to satisfy their intelligent natures.
If you have a puppy, your best buy might be indestructible dog toys for German Shepherds so that they don’t use your hands, shoes, or furnishings for teething, particularly for aggressive chewers.
While you focus on finding good toys for German Shepherds, you can also spoil their owners with gifts for German Shepherd lovers.
Practical gifts are always welcome, so the owner will appreciate your gift because their pet will love them more by adding to their box of fun.
Check out this 2021 Buying Guide for finding the best toys for German Shepherds. We have selected five toys that will keep your dog busy throughout the day.
You can decide to buy the winning toy for German Shepherds or go one better and purchase all five.
Your pet will be happy with one of these new toys and even happier if you come home with more.
Best Toys For German Shepherds – Reviews & Buying guide for 2021
Our Recommendations for the Best Dog Toys For German Shepherds
Our reviews evaluate the pros and cons of each of these toys, giving you an excellent idea of which toys will match your pet’s intelligence and requirements the most.
Best overall: Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel
- Size: Large
- Material: Plush
- Type: Interactive
The Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel toy puzzle for large dogs comes out tops on this list of German Shepherds’ best toys.
It’s a great toy due to its versatility – your dog can play hide and seek alone or with you as this plush toy is perfect for both options.
The squirrels squeak when your pet bites into them, making this toy even more adorable.
What adds to the allure of this top toy is that your pet will have several squirrels to hide and hunt-ensuring hours of entertainment and stimulation.
This hide-a-squirrel toy contains a hidey-hole in which to place three squirrels.
The entire toy is manufactured from durable materials to challenge your dog’s hunting and hiding instincts. This is our choice of the best toys for German Shepherds.
Pros
- Toys squeak when squeezed.
- Made from sturdy, durable materials for long-lasting fun.
- Satisfies your pet’s drive to work and hunt.
- Among the best toys for German Shepherd dogs to entertain themselves when home alone or interacting with their owners.
- Owners can buy extra single squirrels to keep the game going once the originals have been destroyed.
- Multiple play options involving tossing the squirrels into the air to feed your pet’s instincts; hiding the squirrels in the hidey-hole or elsewhere and encouraging your German Shepherd to get in on the hunt, or simply placing the toy on the lawn and waiting to see what happens.
- This is the best toy for a German Shepherd puppy or adult as it is gentle on their teeth and gums.
- Toy available in different sizes and is suitable for German Shepherds of all ages.
Cons
- Manufactured for durability, but there are no guarantees for the power of the German Shepherd’s biting power.
- The squirrel sizes do not change no matter what size toy you purchase–small, medium, large, or extra-large.
- Don’t expect this toy to stay intact for too long. Your pet will love it but will probably annihilate it quickly. The upside is that you will both enjoy the experience because of the joy it brings your German Shepherd.
- Get a replacement pack of squirrels when you order this toy to avoid the disappointment of being without the squeaky fun.
Runner Up: Outward Hound Dog Brick Puzzle
- Size: Medium
- Material: Plastic
- Type: Interactive
This is one of the best interactive puzzle toys for German Shepherds. Your pet will love figuring out how to move the sliders to uncover hidden kibble treats.
If your German Shepherd is anxious when you’re not around, this is the ideal toy to keep it busy.
Pros
- Ideal for the German Shepherd that inclines toward boredom, anxiety, or depression.
- A durable toy, made from plastic material.
- This is a food-safe toy that is easy to clean by hand.
- This is one of the best intermediate puzzle toys for German Shepherds.
Cons
- Do not clean this toy in the dishwasher–it must be washed by hand.
- Do not leave your pet alone with this toy. Supervise play if you want it to last beyond a few days, especially if your pet is aggressive during play.
- Compartments are not removable, making washing a little more difficult.
ALTERNATIVE: Jalousie 5 Pack Dog Squeaky Toys
- Size: Large
- Material: Plush
- Type: Squeaky Toy
Purchase a pack of five plush toys, three without stuffing and two that have stuffing.
These toys provide a great variety as each has a squeaker inside, and they make the best gifts for German Shepherd owners.
Pros
- Great variety of toys for active dogs.
- Good value for money if your German Shepherds have impulse control and resist destroying them in minutes.
- Made from strong, durable material.
- All materials are non-toxic and free of lead.
Cons
- Purchase this combination pack only if your German Shepherd prefers playing with toys to destroying them.
- Always supervise your pets to ensure they don’t swallow any materials if they rip the toys apart. Although the material is non-toxic, there is no guarantee that it won’t present a choking hazard.
- You might like to purchase two packs of these toys if the first doesn’t survive the distance.
ALTERNATIVE: Fayogoo Grenade Dog Chew Toy
- Size: Medium
- Material: Durable Rubber
- Type: Chewing Toy
If you want to get into a dog owner’s good books, then this grenade chew toy will do the job. As a large breed with a powerful bite, German Shepherds need something that can withstand a good chewing!
Pros
- Durable, chewable, food-grade toy.
- Perfect for strong chewers.
- Suitable for puppies and adults.
- Tested by aggressive biters and found to be nearly indestructible due to using the toughest tear-resistant materials.
- Add doggy toothpaste (or peanut butter without Xylitol) to keep your dog’s teeth clean and their breath smelling fresh.
- Contains an extra rope hole for tug-of-war games.
- Ideal as a fetch toy or for individual chewing time.
- One of the best teething toys for German Shepherds.
Cons
- The only discernible con about this toy is that it may tire owners out more quickly than their pets.
- Perhaps one more con is that this toy is not cheap but affordable. Add it to the list of ideal gifts for German Shepherd lovers.
ALTERNATIVE: Pet Artist 3 Handles Bite Pillow
- Size: Large
- Material: Cotton
- Type: Bite Pillow
Your pet will love this toy as much as you. There are three strong handles to hold while pitting your strength against the power of the German Shepherd’s bite.
Pros
- If you want to find the best toys for German Shepherds, this interactive toy is made from natural fibers that will keep you and your pet busy for hours on end.
- Three handles allow you to strengthen your grip on the toy when playing, making it more difficult for your pet to take the toy away from you than a normal rope toy.
- This dual-purpose toy enables tug-of-war games and acts as a bite pillow for bored pets.
Cons
- Natural materials are safe, but this toy may not withstand your German Shepherd’s jaw and body strength for too long.
- Best for bite training purposes rather than play; remove the toy once the training is over.
- Be cautious not to overdo bite training so that you don’t damage your German Shepherd’s teeth.
German Shepherd Toys FAQ
A German Shepherd thrives on loads of attention. Not only do these dogs want personal attention, but they also want you to entertain them.
Your pet sees itself as part of a team, which means it expects plenty of interaction.
One of the ideal ways to interact with your pet is to source the best toys for German Shepherd dogs.
Get toys for German Shepherds that help stave off boredom, especially when alone. Good toys for German Shepherds will also help to stimulate their intelligence.
Help entertain your pet productively to keep them from wrecking your home.
Quality toys and other games will also prevent your German Shepherd from suffering anxiety and increase their cuddle factor.
If you’re looking for more toy ideas for your GSD, why not check out Goughnuts Dog Toys, the Kong Extreme or the Kong Classic, Nylabone Dog Chew or Chuckit rubber toys.
How can I keep my German Shepherd entertained?
German Shepherds love anything that occupies their time in a fun way. They must use their energy in meaningful ways, or boredom takes over.
If your German Shepherd finds life boring, they tend to be destructive.
They will either start barking incessantly to get attention, stick their noses in the rubbish bins, wreck your garden and home or get depressed.
None of these results are pretty. The best way to avoid your pet’s unbecoming behavior is to keep them entertained.
Toys are one way to entertain your pet. German Shepherds love squeaky toys, toys that challenge their intelligence, tug-of-war toys, and anything in between.
You can buy great chew toys and rope toys for German Shepherds, which are great for teething or play, essential for GSDs as they are well-known power chewers!
Ensure that you purchase the right toys for your pet’s age range. Smaller items like some types of rubber ball toy are not suitable for adult dogs as they may swallow these, and adult toys may be too unmanageable for small puppies.
Other things to consider when you purchase toys for your German Shepherd are:
- Toys should be durable enough to last because German Shepherds take playtime seriously.
- Chew toys are excellent for teething puppies or adults that suffer from tartar buildup. These toys relieve discomfort and distract puppies from the pain while having fun, so get the best toys for teething German Shepherds that you can.
- Use appropriate toys as rewards in obedience training.
- Get your pet a soft toy to soothe anxiety while they’re alone.
- Puzzle toys are ideal for getting your pet’s brain working and growing.
- Teach your pet how to find stuff by hiding toys.
- Split play time into 10 – 15-minute sessions three times a day for puppies.
- Spend time playing and exercising for at least two hours daily for adults.
- Walk them regularly.
- Play a game of fetch and tug-of-war games.
- Play hide and seek with your pet.
- Take your German Shepherd hiking, swimming, running, and cycling.
There are innumerable ways to entertain your German Shepherd. If your methods involve using energy and they are with you, your pet will love you for your efforts.
How do you mentally stimulate a German shepherd?
German Shepherds love solving problems. Obedience training, learning new tricks, following scents, tracking, and many more activities help stimulate their brains.
There is an abundance of methods you can use to stimulate their big brains and keep them engaged.
Mentally stimulate your German Shepherd by:
- Teaching them to fetch the newspaper.
- Picking up sticks in the garden and storing them in one spot.
- Collecting loose items around the house.
- Solving puzzles with good toys for German Shepherds that involve finding treats. Puzzle bowls also help your pet to control gobbling habits.
- Kong toys are great to hide a tasty treat in and keep your German Shepherd focused for hours on end.
- Among the best chew toys for German Shepherds are toy bones – great for heavy chewers. Durable bones are the best if you want your pet’s toy to last beyond a day or two. Avoid giving your pet real bones as they can splinter and damage their insides.
- Something simple like going for a drive through town or in the bush is delightful for an intelligent dog that loves exploring new environments.
- Socialize your pet by regularly introducing them to new people and other animals. When you involve your German Shepherd in your daily life, you strengthen bonds, and they naturally become more protective.
- Do basic training at home by teaching your dog commands such as ‘sit, ‘heel,’ ‘stay,’ how to walk on a leash, and obey commands when off the leash.
- Create an obstacle course in the back garden to stimulate the German Shepherd’s senses, increase agility, and encourage physical exercise. You can make your own obstacle course, which can be as simple as gathering chairs to jump over or encourage your dog to leap across the swimming pool or leopard-crawl under low-lying objects.
- Sign up for a special training course such as identifying narcotics, guard dog training or Schutzhund games.
Mental stimulation doesn’t stop with games and training.
Your pet also finds it stimulating to cuddle-just learn to read the signs that let you know when it wants alone time so that you avoid overwhelming your pet with too much stimulation.
Do German shepherds like to cuddle?
When you pay attention, you soon realize that the German Shepherd’s facial expressions are as easy to read as a human’s.
Likewise, their body language is just as telling for anyone attentive. Here are some obvious signs to look for that tell you just how cuddly your pet is.
The focused gaze
Your pet will stare at you, and their eyes will follow you to the point where you cannot escape the fact that they want your attention.
It will feel like their eyes are boring a hole in your back until you turn around to find out what they want.
It is time for play, love, and cuddles, and they demand that you interrupt whatever other frivolity was distracting you.
Slobbering love
Your pet will make a point of licking you and gazing into your eyes until you cannot resist giving them what they want.
German Shepherds can be just as irresistible as people when they act cute.
Some call it manipulation-others call it intelligence.
Whatever your perspective, wet licks, gentle pulls on the hand, and uncomfortable gazes are all ways to tell you that it is time for love and cuddles.
Clever efforts to please you
Your GSD gets a quirky look on its face when it’s in the mood for humor or play. They can tease you by doing things they know are naughty to engage you in some fun.
A German Shepherd will look deeply into your eyes, raise its eyebrows, give cute little barks and whines–all aimed at telling you that it’s time to cuddle. Ignore them at your peril!
Loyalty deserves rewards
Leaning up against you, snuggling on the bed, staying close, begging for rubs, and encouraging hugs are all part of the German Shepherd’s toolbox of cuddles and fun.
Pay attention and give them what they want because they will reward you.
German Shepherd rewards come naturally, but they are intelligent enough to know that they can also treat you as you give them treats.
Meaningful GSD love equals protection and the sheer joy they express whenever they see you after a long day of separation.
Yes! German Shepherds love cuddles, but they can also become anxious.
Are German shepherds prone to anxiety?
German Shepherds are social creatures which means they love company. Give them too much of your time and attention when they’re growing, and they may think this is the norm.
When you go back to work, they may feel abandoned and get depressed.
They may also start acting out by exhibiting undesirable behavior. It may feel like all your training has gone down the tubes when they annoy the neighbors with incessant barking or howling.
You may get home and find they have urinated on the carpet or your new sitting room suite is in shreds.
Take heart–your pet is missing you, but there are ways to alleviate its anxiety.
- Purchase cuddle toys for German Shepherds to give them comfort while they’re alone.
- Make sure you get the best chew toys for German Shepherds so they don’t wreck your furniture.
- Show them lots of love and attention before leaving home. If possible, spend 30 minutes walking them or playing before leaving home.
- Create a roster to spend high-quality time together playing, training, and walking so they look forward to your return home.
- Make crate training part of the daily routine while they are young, so they have a safe place to go when alone.
- If they stay inside, set aside a special area where they can play, eat, and sleep while waiting for your return. Ensure that their safe place (the crate) is available for a retreat during the day.
- Organize a dog sitter or walker to occupy your precious pet to stimulate them and prevent boredom and depression from setting in.
- The best toys for German Shepherd dogs are the ones that interest them. Puzzle toys to discover and retrieve snacks work well. Special toys that encourage them to sniff out treats are similar and keep them busy.
Use any of the tips above or in earlier FAQs to stimulate your pet’s mental capacities. Reassure them with lots of love when you are home.
If there are other people in the home, make it one of their duties to play or walk your pet when you’re not available.
Involve everyone with keeping this intelligent, affectionate breed happy, so they don’t suffer from anxiety. The chances are that you, too, will be happy when you please your pet.
Conclusion
The best toys for German Shepherds are those that make them happy. Our buyer’s guide identifies the Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle as the best toy for this job.
As much as this toy enables interactive hide, seek, and retrieval of treats, there are many other suitable toys for German Shepherds that satisfy their need for play.
The puzzle treat and squeaky toys both engage your pet, as will the grenade and tug toy described.
You can prevent boredom and anxiety in your German Shepherd with constant play, mental stimulation, and exercise.
Use any of the products and methods described in this buyer’s guide to spoil your pet with the best toys for German Shepherd dogs. Your efforts will result in a happy, healthy pet.
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