Ah, memories of a dog's destructive hobby.
Like most dogs, my lab mix used to tear the stuffing out of most plush animals. I wanted to share the story of what made my dog quit tearing plush, and it wasn't a habit I taught him to stop doing.
Why Do Dogs Destroy Stuffed Animals?
Like most dogs, my lab mix, Shadow, used to tear the stuffing out of most plush animals. I didn't think much of it and never attempted to stop the behavior. I never thought it was cute to watch. I figured it beat him being bored or tearing something else up when I was preoccupied.
But why do dogs pull the stuffing out of these toys?
I researched this topic out of curiosity and found the following possible answers online:
Prey drive,
Boredom,
Wrong toy for the breed,
Habit or learned behavior, and
Enjoyment.
In Shadow's case, I believe boredom and enjoyment were definitely huge reasons why he tore his plush. I figured it gave him something to do when I was busy with cleaning, cooking, or schoolwork (when I pursued my graduate degree). It beat him being bored or sinking his teeth into something else.
He only tore his plush when I was home. Sometimes I threw a torn plush away same day. Other times the plush would survive several days or weeks of torture before I felt it was time to throw it away.
Shadow had a variety of other toys he sometimes played with. He had tennis balls, chew toys, treat dispensing toys, and many durable toys for strong jawed dogs like himself.
However, he frequently preferred playing with plush. Fetch, tug of war, hide and seek, and other games were frequently played with plush toys. When he saw me packing for a trip, he would sneak some of his plush into my luggage.
Why Did I Let My Dog Tear His Plush?
As I researched why dogs pull the stuffing out of plush toys, I saw reasons why a pet owner shouldn't promote such a destructive behavior. The reasons why the experts say you should NOT let your dog tear his/her plush:
Wasted money,
Frustrating,
Promoting bad behavior, and
Dangerous habit.
I didn't realize that allowing Shadow to destroy his plush was wrong for me to do. I never found it frustrating and was fortunate that it never became a bad, destructive behavior for Shadow. I figured it was harmless if I was there to supervise his destructive playtime.
I NEVER gave Shadow a plush with pellets. I always worried he would accidentally ingest the small pieces causing stomach problems and health issues. If a plush had squeakers, I tried to take those out before he got to it if the plush had large enough holes in it.
When I realized Shadow would tear most of his plush, I bought a lot from thrift stores. Once I was lucky to find a couple garbage bags full of plush for $2 USD at a Goodwill store. I hid most in the closet and gave Shadow a new plush every week for months.
The truth is Shadow didn't tear all his plush toys. Some were worn down over time and thrown away, but not after years of play sessions and cuddles.
Shadow used to capture strangers' attentions because he would often take a plush on walks and car rides with him. He held it in his mouth as he went potty, stick his head out of the car window, shop at a store, hang out at a restaurant or coffee shop, and visit a dog park.
Somehow, Shadow seemed to know which plush he couldn't tear. For example, I've been building an army of plush Stitch's for years. I also have some plush on shelves in my closet (within Shadow's reach) that I've had since I was an infant. I never taught him to avoid these plush animals. Shadow just never messed with them.
Shadow was/is the easiest first dog for me to have. I didn't teach or train him much of what he knows like to not tear mine, my nieces, or my nephew’s plush animals. I was fortunate that he somehow figured out what humans would consider positive behaviors on his own.
The Day My Dog Quit Tearing Plush
Tigger was Shadow's favorite plush for over five years. Tigger went on every road trip with us and slept in the bed every night. Remember the plush I said I've collected? Shadow sometimes placed Tigger with my own plush animals.
When I adopted my small dog, Rascal, I started getting plush animals for him. Rascal would cuddle and sleep with the plush. He never played rough with them like Shadow did with his least favorite plush.
I thought Rascal would pick up the destructive habit from Shadow who, at this time during Rascal's puppy days, still tore the stuffing out of his plush. Yet, Rascal was extra gentile with his own toys.
No matter how much I tried to keep the dogs’ toys separate, Shadow would get hold of one of Rascal's plush and tear it while playing. I would stop Shadow when I witnessed it, but the torture acts would happen when I had my back turned or was in the bathroom.
I recalled one day when I was cooking in the kitchen and heard Rascal crying. I rushed to the dogs thinking he was physically injured. Instead, Rascal was emotionally scarred by Shadow tearing the stuffing out of Rascal's plush animal.
Rascal hit a breaking point one day. I don't know what happened or what triggered it, but I was in another room when I heard Shadow crying. I rushed to the dogs thinking Shadow's arthritis was causing severe pain. I was prepared to massage his joints and give him medicine.
Instead, Shadow was emotionally scarred by Rascal tearing the stuffing out of Tigger. Rascal growled as he pulled the stuffing out and spat it onto the floor. Shadow watched in horror.
I pulled the plush away from Rascal and evaluated the damage. Unfortunately, Tigger was lost. Rascal tore the body apart in pieces. He also ripped off the plastic eyes and nose. Tigger had to be thrown away.
That was the last time either dog tore the stuffing out of a plush. I never had to wait for another opportunity to teach them NOT to do that.
Does My Dog Have a Favorite Plush?
They now have a large collection of plush in the house, car, and RV. They also have many plush in my Mom's house. In fact, I'm thinking about getting rid of most plush since Shadow no longer tears them apart.
Both dogs have their favorite plush animals in different places. Shadow's favorites include two Winnie the Pooh plush animals in the house, a dragon at my Mom's house, and a teddy bear in the RV that my friend/colleague got him from a work conference we attended.
Rascal's favorites include a pizza plush at my Mom's house, another teddy bear from the work conference, and ALL my Stitch plush animals he can get to. In fact, I'd bet Rascal considers anything that's mine to also be his.
At least now my dogs share their toys without controversy or destruction. Yet, their favorite toy of all is me.
What's Next?
Suggest my next steps.
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Thanks, and have a great day!
Simply Jelly Jam
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