The Absolute Best Toys For Puppies, According to Experts

To turn feeding into a game, try the Starmark Treat Dispensing Tetraflex ($15), said Michelle Lugones, DVM, from Best Friends Animal Society. You fill the ball with food or treats, and your puppy bats and rolls the ball around to dispense the food.

For a high-quality ball, try the Chuckit! Kick Fetch Ball ($18, originally $30), said Anthony Hall, DVM, the medical director for the Buckner Animal Clinic in Dallas. It's great for dogs that love to play fetch because it is more durable than your standard tennis ball and comes in several sizes to match the mouth of a variety of breeds. Dr. Hall said it's bouncier on grass than most other balls, which keeps your dog engaged to play more. "I personally own this, and my 83-pound American Bulldog has not destroyed it yet!" he said.

Dr. Ferguson and Dr. Hodges said that the Kong ($7) is the OG of toys for big time chewers. They said the hard ridges help clean teeth and soothe teething puppies as well. A lot of the Kong toys have openings for treats, so the toys exercise the mind as well as the mouth.

You love to watch your dog really get at their favourite squeaker toy, but hate the endless hours of the squeaking sound they make? Dr. Hall has a solution for you! He loves the Ultrasonic Silent Squeaker Toy ($12) from Hear Doggy!, a company that has fitted several animal-shaped toys with ultrasonic squeakers that humans can't hear, but dogs can. "Keep your pup entertained and your ear drums (and sanity) intact," he said. "It's a win-win for everyone."

Russell Harstein, Los Angeles dog trainer/behaviourist and founder of Fun Paw Care, LLC, recommends the BLUEISLAND Dog Rope Toy ($18, originally $21) because it is helpful for dog training and teaching behaviours such as fetch, drop it, leave it, and take it.

Harstein prefers toys that dogs can chew on, "especially when a dog is teething, puppy biting, or if your dog tends to inhale their food."

Lure toys, like this Squishy Face Flirt Pole with Lure ($29), are suitable for inside play with your puppy, according to Dr. Burch. She recommends using lure toys to satisfy your puppy's natural prey drive instinct. "Your puppy will be springing, changing directions, and jumping while trying to catch its prey," she said.

Dr. Harstein added that these toys are especially helpful for dog owners who have mobility challenges.

The Goughnuts Tug MaXX ($34) is a great tug toy; there's different sizes for medium to giant breed dogs, according to Dr. Hall. "I recommended this for a few reasons being that it's very durable for hours of playing tug-o-war with your dog," he said, "Or even a casual evening of being chewed on non-stop. But also, it's made of tough rubber so it's easy to clean and is comfortable to hold in your hand as you're tugging away."

For dogs that are maybe less active, food-motivated, or get very bored (not calling out any of your pups!), Dr. Hall recommends the Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball ($10) because of the hours of interactive fun it provides. It has several difficulty settings, he said, and mimics the idea of a slow-feeder. For dogs that finishes off their food bowl in two seconds, he said this can help reduce episodes of regurgitation and aspiration associated with eating too fast. It can be filled with treats or regular kibble.