What toys should I get for puppies?

What You Give a Puppy Matters Less Than How You Use It

People get hung up on what to buy their puppy, but the truth is simple:

The item itself isn’t the problem — the management is.

You can give a dog almost anything, but the biggest thing to remember is this:

Always put the item away when you’re done using it.

Leaving toys out teaches the dog to chew them up, which eventually turns into chewing shoes, furniture, kids’ toys, and everything else in your home. Chewing problems start with access, not the object.

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My Highest Recommendations

These are the tools I use because they serve a purpose, not because the dog “needs toys.”

🎯 1. Dog Bumpers

High‑quality bumpers are one of the best training tools you can own.

They build drive, teach hold and fetch, and create structure.

🎾 2. High‑Quality Tennis Balls

Not the cheap ones that fuzz apart.

Used for controlled fetch sessions — then put away.

🦌 3. Antler Chews

My top recommendation for downtime.

They’re safe, long‑lasting, and can even be used for fetch to start teaching pups to retrieve antlers naturally.

🦆 4. Dokken Training Bumpers

These imitate the size and feel of a bird.

Great for introducing young dogs to realistic retrieves without bad habits.

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What I Avoid (With One Exception)

❌ Plush Toys

I stay away from plush toys because they teach destructive chewing.

The only exception is with very young puppies — and even then, I use just a few to spark interest in fetch, not for free access.

❌ Rope Toys

Same rule:

They’re fine only if you’re actively playing with the dog.

They get put away immediately afterward.

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The Core Principle

No matter what you choose — bumpers, balls, antlers, Dokkens, or the occasional puppy plush — the rule never changes:

Use it with purpose. Put it away when you’re done.

That’s how you prevent chewing problems, build structure, and keep your dog focused on you instead of the environment.