INDUSTRY SPENDING STATS show dog owners sock away about $50 a year to spend on toys, and you want to make sure that cash is being spent in your store. Convince shoppers to buy instead of browse by focusing on what toys do for the owners rather than the dogs, whether it’s a lifetime guarantee, a puzzle to provide a much-needed diversion or a chewer that adds earth-friendly value.

Sustainable

A toy that helps the environment is always a good bet. This is especially true when you’re dealing with high-end customers, known to spend more on products with an ecological impact. If you’ve got customers with deep pockets, stocking up on green products can definitely payoff: A study by BSD Global found that the best green customers are people with more money to spend.

Jute Crinkler
Advance Pet Product

KEY FEATURES: This sustainable, durable and all natural toy is both earth-friendly and a favorite among playful dogs.

SALES TIP: One heck of a chomper, the crinkler is made of a coarse cloth that dogs can really sink their teeth into.

advancepetproduct.com, (248) 334-6150

$6.76

Puppy Love Toy Collection
P.L.A.Y. Pet Lifestyle and You

KEY FEATURES: A five-piece gift set, with roses and hearts lovingly paired with a big bottle of Muttscato.

SALES TIP: Show love for your pets and the planet with this set, made from AZO-free dyes and filled with eco-friendly PlanetFill.

petplay.com, (855) 300-7529

$32.50

Furzz
Ethical Products

KEY FEATURES: Give dogs a taste of the wild with realistic plush toys that provide plenty of flopping action and are fun to carry, toss and shake around like real prey.

SALES TIP: Pet parents can play along with fetch or some tugging, but observing a dog’s excitement is the real fun here.

ethicalpet.com, (800) 223-7768

$9.99-$13.99

Stimulating

Unless they’re training their dogs for the circus, terrier owners are always going to be looking for mentally stimulating dog toys like puzzle balls or gadgets that dispense food. These types of toys activate and encourage mental stimulation in dogs, giving pet parents a break from dogs that need a lot of attention. Recommend brain-stimulating toys to harried customers with squirrely mutts — or any pup up under 3.

Buster Crunch Ball
Kruuse

KEY FEATURES: An interactive ball made of TPR rubber on the outside and crackling plastic inside, designed to mentally stimulate dogs.

SALES TIP: Surf’s up: This ball floats in water and is perfect for going to the beach.

kruuse.com

$3.99

Bucket of Chicken Burrow
ZippyPaws

KEY FEATURES: This interactive hide-and-seek toy is designed to keep dogs busy and engaged with three squeaky drumsticks and a bucket to hold them in.

SALES TIP: Dogs can bury their noses in a variety of foods in this toy line, from cookies and milk to waffles, popcorn and donuts.

zippypaws.com, (909) 606-6094

$13.99

Tootiez
Outward Hound

KEY FEATURES: This stink-free toy is made of soft-touch latex and made to grunt each time your dog grabs it.

SALES TIP: Who farted?! Everyone will be cracking up when your dog plays with this toy.

outwardhound.com, (800) 477-5735

$9.99

Strong

Dog owners trying to save their furniture from big chewers like Rottie mixes and German Shepherds need toys to keep them gnawing for a long minute. For these folks, recommend tough retrieving toys made with solid rubber, and toys that offer long-lasting guarantees. Keep an eye out for young pup owners, too. Extra-tough toys are ideal for the energetic chewing of a teething puppy.

Dawg-Nuts
Ruff Dawg

KEY FEATURES: An indestructible floating donut good for active chewers, made with a springy texture dogs love to chomp.

SALES TIP: Put it to the test: This toy is backed with a lifetime guarantee against even the most persistent maw.

ruffdawg.com, (800) 772-3726

$13.99

HERO Football
Caitec

KEY FEATURES: Utilizing a proprietary process that combines two layers of TPR with a layer of fine fiber mesh, HERO Outer Armor offers a whole new level of chewing durability.

SALES TIP: When it comes to toughness, three layers are better than one.

caitec.com, (888) 338-2473

$6.99

GuRu Ball
Planet Dog

KEY FEATURES: This ultra-durable treat-dispensing toy has five openings to hide tasty bites, which dogs have to chew and squeeze to release.

SALES TIP: Scores a five out of five on the Planet Dog Durability Scale, guaranteeing endless hours of play for even the toughest, most energetic chewers.

planetdog.com, (800) 381-1516

$10.45