Do your dogs shake their toys? If so, you might be wondering if there is a psychological reason for it. Dogs are known to chase, tug, and playfully shake their toys. If you observe your dog, you will see it in action all the time. The reason for this behavior is complex. But there are several reasons why your dog may be shaking its toys. Read on to discover the most common ones.
Terriers are selectively bred to kill
The history of the Terrier goes back to the late 18th century. A Victorian craze for purebred dogs spawned breeders who crossed two different types of dogs. The Bulldog was perfected for the bloodsport of bull-baiting, but it became illegal in the 19th century, and the Terrier’s purpose was redefined – it was now used to hunt vermin. The APBT breed is a descendent of the original Terrier, but its original purpose was to hunt and kill vermin.
Terriers were originally bred for hunting vermin in early garment factories in New England. The working conditions in those factories were appalling, and rats inhabited the enclosed warehouses. The dogs were trained to hunt vermin, and the result was a breed with the traits of agility, speed, and viciousness. The terriers were favored for their ability to hunt and killed rats in these conditions.
Terriers are finishers
Some dogs shake their toys to mimic predatory behavior. These dogs are known as finishers, and their play behavior mimics the actions of a predator. You can see this behavior in action in animal documentaries. The same behavior can be observed in working terriers. Unlike chasers, finishers have an innate instinct to kill what they catch. However, dogs with this tendency to chase small furry critters are generally better managed.
Terriers are natural hunters. If you have a terrier in the house, you may want to get him a toy that imitates a rodent. These toys can look and act like a real rodent or a larger one. This is also a great way to bond with your pet and teach it some good hunting techniques. However, before you can begin training your dog, you must first understand what his natural hunting behavior is.
Terriers are not aggressive
Dogs often shake their toys as a form of play, but you need to watch for signs of aggression. While some dogs do it simply to entertain themselves, others do it to express their prey drive. When dogs have strong prey drives, this behavior may look more like aggression than play. This can result in your dog biting young children or small animals. However, most dogs do not display aggression. A puppy with aggression issues should be properly socialized to avoid biting.
A dog that shakes its toy is not necessarily aggressive. This behavior may be a sign of resource guarding or a powerful hunting or killing instinct. This behavior can cause damage to the toy. Toys should not be left unattended at home, especially for young puppies. You can take action by training your dog to obey the “drop it” command. Keep your dog on a lead when you are not home to prevent the dog from straying off and posing a threat to other animals. Moreover, you can muzzle a loose dog if you are in an area with small animals.
Terriers are playful
Dogs often shake their toys, as long as the toy is squeaky. They do this when playing tug of war. Terriers shake their toys when they catch them in their mouth, and it’s a perfectly natural behavior. However, there are some signs that your dog might be overexcited about his toy. A trembling jaw may be a symptom of old age or a tired jaw. Terriers shake their toys as a way of expressing excitement or squeaking.
Toy shaking may also be a sign of territorial behavior. It is a way to stimulate your dog’s mind and encourage interaction between you and your dog. While it may seem like aggression, you should be aware that your dog may be shaking his toy to communicate his excitement. His tail will be wagging and his butt may be lowered, but it’s perfectly normal and harmless. In addition, dogs that shake their toys may growl, but this is entirely normal.
