How to Get Your Dog to Chew Their Nylabone® Chew Toys

Most of the time we're trying to get our dogs to stop chewing, but what happens when they won't chew what we want them to chew? While most dogs are eager to chew their favorite chew toy, some can be a little more finicky at times.

Sometimes the off-limits items are just more tempting than the right chew toy that's handed to them—similar to how one dog will want another dog's toy even though they have their own. (Pet parents with more than one fur kid know what that's like!) Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs, so it's important to establish healthy chewing habits. Here are a few ways to get your dog to love their chew toy.

Find the Right Flavor

Since all dogs have individual tastes, sometimes all you need is a different flavored chew toy to get them to enjoy! Certain dogs may not respond as well to one flavor as they would another. Or perhaps they’ve grown bored of the same flavor. To keep your dog interested in chewing, experimenting with different flavors is key!

There are many types of Nylabone chew toys available for your furry friend to try, including:

Flavor Frenzy — These tempting (and zero-calorie) chew toys are inspired by the most popular foods we love! Surprise your dog with the tastes they dream of, such as Philly cheesesteak, bacon cheeseburger, and other irresistible flavors.

Gourmet Style — These seriously savory chew toys leave even the most particular pups with a sense of chewing gratification! Available for both puppies and adult dogs, Gourmet Style chew toys feature bold bits of flavor you can see and are available in chicken, bacon, and peanut butter flavors.

Natural Alternatives — Inspired by nature, these chew toys offer the flavors and shapes dogs love about natural chews…but are safer and cleaner! Whether it’s a venison-flavored dog antler toy or a braided bully stick alternative, these chew toys are sure to indulge your dog’s wild side!

Basted Blast — We innovated an exclusive basting technique that adds yet another indulgent flavor on top of an already delicious chew toy! What dog wouldn’t want TWO delicious flavors in one long-lasting chew toy? Luckily, our Basted Blast chew toys come in a variety of sizes for any powerful chewer!

Texturize It

Chew toys with unique surfaces make chew time even more interesting. Fun shapes with ridges or nubs (or both!) may intrigue your dog more than a classic bone shape. An amusing toy to consider is the Power Chew broccoli dog toy, which features a broccoli-inspired textured surface that engages dogs and helps clean teeth as they chew.

Absence Makes the Dog Grow Fonder

Sometimes handing your dog a new chew toy right out of the package just won't cut it—you need to make it seem like a really special object first. You can start by acting like they're getting a reward so they gets excited about it. Then, them the chew toy for a short period of time and take it away. If you leave any toy out for your dog 24 hours a day, they're not going to be as interested compared to a new and different toy. Try storing the chew toy in the same area as your dog's treats, and keep a few different ones in rotation—it will seem like a new experience to them each time!

Pretend You Love Their Chew Toy

Many dogs are interested in whatever their pet parent is eating; use this to your advantage! Make them believe that you love their chew toy. Carry it around the house with you, keep it on the dining room table near your dinner plate, or put it in your purse. Doing so will make it seem like the chew toy is yours and appear "forbidden" to them, especially if they associate it with the food you keep on the kitchen counter.

Stay Positive!

Last but certainly not least, always praise your dog any time they show interest in their chew toy. Positive reinforcement is the best way to get your dog to perform any desired behavior, and getting them to chew the right objects is no exception. It's easy to get frustrated when your dog won't do something you want them to, but keeping a calm, positive attitude is the best way to effectively communicate with them.