Chewing, digging, jumping
How do I introduce chew toys to a dog who has never used them?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Make the toy interesting before expecting independent interest, smearing a little of your dog's regular food on it or stuffing it lightly, and offer it during a calm, low distraction moment rather than leaving it out and hoping it gets noticed on its own.
Add value to the toy first
An unscented, plain toy competing against real food smells and household activity often simply loses, so smearing a small amount of wet food or a favorite treat paste onto it gives a genuine reason to investigate further.
Pick the right moment
Offering a new toy during a calm period, rather than a busy or distracted one, gives your dog the best chance to actually engage with it rather than walking past without noticing it existed.
Build a short history of success
A few short sessions where the toy consistently leads to something rewarding, food, praise, a fun interactive moment with you, builds a positive association over time, after which many dogs start seeking the toy out independently.
Key takeaways
- Adding a food scent or light stuffing gives a plain toy an immediate reason to investigate.
- A calm, low distraction moment gives a new toy the best chance of being noticed.
- A short history of rewarding toy sessions builds independent interest over time.