A new study has identified that some dogs may develop "addiction-like" behaviors towards their toys, exhibiting excessive focus and difficulty calming down, according to research published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. Scientists analyzed data from 1,692 dogs across 33 countries, with owners providing detailed information on their pets' behaviors.
The findings suggest that dogs with high toy motivation are more prone to remaining highly aroused, struggling to relax after play, and sleeping less during the day. This heightened state of arousal can impact a dog's ability to regulate its behavior and potentially affect its overall welfare.
Researchers observed that these intensely toy-driven dogs often belonged to working or sporting breeds, such as German Shepherds and Terriers. The behavior was found to commonly emerge in puppyhood, indicating an early developmental tendency.
While a strong desire for play is generally beneficial for training, enrichment, and working roles, the study highlights that in a minority of cases, this motivation can become excessive. The researchers noted parallels with behavioral addictions, characterized by a toy's high salience—taking precedence over other rewards and even social interactions—and a loss of self-control when the toy is unavailable.
Warning signs that a dog may be overly obsessed with toys include constant fixation on a toy even when not playing, difficulty calming down after play, and remaining highly excited for extended periods. These dogs may also show signs of intense toy obsession from puppyhood that persists into adulthood.
The study emphasizes that the "addiction-like" concept is used as a descriptive model, drawing parallels to excessive reward-seeking behavior and loss of self-control observed in humans, rather than a direct clinical diagnosis. Dogs exhibiting these traits may maintain an elevated heart rate that persists after the toy is removed, with some unable to refocus their attention for up to 15 minutes after play ceases. Scent hounds and spitz-type dogs, such as Beagles and Akitas, generally scored lower on toy motivation compared to breeds like Labrador Retrievers and various terrier types.