Labrador Retriever Toys

Labrador Retrievers are lively, spirited dogs who are always ready to play - even if they’re 10 years old! That said, toys are probably their second-best friend, especially when you are not around. Labradors enjoy different kinds of toys - puzzles, ropes, balls, squeaky toys, plush toys, and more. There's probably no exercise or activity this breed doesn't excel at. Whether it's racing you to the car or swimming to fetch their favourite squeaky, Labradors thrive on physical exercise and enjoy the outdoors. Because of the amount of energy in their bodies, Labradors require a minimum of 4 hours of daily aerobic exercise, i.e. one that gets their heart pumping and muscles moving. And, remember, because this is a versatile breed, there's never a boring day with the same ol' walk around the block. To make exercising fun for both you and your pupper, choose different exercises every day - running, swimming, flyball, agility, scent work, drafting, fetching and so on.

As important as physical exercise is, so is mental stimulation. When Labradors were originally bred, they belonged to dogs that worked from dawn to dusk. Now, as they've moved to apartments and houses, their minds have almost nothing to do. Consequently, it channels all its energy onto destructive behaviour such as barking, chewing, and at times, even aggression. A minimum of 4 hours of mental stimulation in the form of puzzles and interactive toys, alongside physical exercise, is most beneficial in channelling built up energy onto something productive. 

Squeaker toys 

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

Plush toys

Labrador puppy toys, like plush toys, are to offer comfort and security. Whilst adult Labradors enjoy plush toys, it is the puppies who care for them the most - you’d most often see Labrador 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 Labradors 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

Beneath all that fuzziness is a brain that is so smart, it ranks among the top 10 most intelligent dog breeds in the world. Labradors love working on puzzles - it gives them something to positive 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 and separation anxiety - both of which are Labrador problems. 

Chew toys

Ask a Labrador parent how many pairs of shoes they had before their pup came into their lives? Like it or not, Labs love 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.