16 Sep Joy of Dog Sports training toys: which dog training toy is right for your dog?
Choosing the right training toy can make a surprisingly big difference to how much your dog enjoys playing and how useful the toy is in training. But with different shapes, sizes, fillings and designs available, how do you know which dog training toy is the right one for your dog?
At Joy of Dog Sports, our training toys are designed especially for active dogs and their handlers. In this guide, we explain the story behind our toys, the differences between the models and how to choose the right toy for your dog.
The story behind our training toys
The story of Joy of Dog Sports training toys began with something already familiar to the brand’s founder, Heidi Hendrell.
Heidi has a background in the furniture industry and knew how much high-quality leather can be left over from furniture production. During cutting, there are always pieces that cannot be used for the original product. Sometimes cutting mistakes also create pieces that are simply the wrong shape or size.
This sparked an idea: could these leftover pieces be given a completely new life as dog toys?
And that is how the idea for the Joy of Dog Sports leather training toys was born.
The leather comes from furniture production in the EU and is tested for harmful substances. The leftover pieces arrive in large bags, with leather in different colours and shapes all mixed together. Before they can be turned into toys, the pieces need to be carefully sorted and selected by hand.
The suitable pieces are then cut into shapes for the different toy designs. Even the smaller leather pieces left over from this process are put to good use as filling inside some of the toys.
But the search for sustainable materials did not stop there.
The Joy of Dog Sports team also began looking for other surplus materials that could be given a new purpose. This led to genuine sheep’s wool from local Finnish sheep farms.
The wool is cleaned and gently washed while retaining much of its natural character and scent. That authentic scent can be particularly interesting to dogs, while the wool also makes the toys soft and lightweight.
Today, Joy of Dog Sports training toys combine genuine leather, surplus materials and Finnish craftsmanship to create toys that are not only practical and motivating for dogs, but also have a meaningful story behind them. ♻️🇫🇮
Giving several tons of leather a new life every year
What started as an idea to give leftover furniture leather a new purpose has grown into something much bigger.
Every year, we recycle several tons of high-quality leather into Joy of Dog Sports training toys.
Instead of letting these perfectly usable leather pieces become waste, we sort, select and transform them into handmade toys for dogs. Even smaller suitable pieces can be used as filling inside some of the toys, allowing us to make use of as much of the material as possible.
For us, this is what upcycling is all about: taking an existing material that already has value and giving it a completely new purpose.
And every time a dog gets excited about one of our toys, a little piece of furniture-production surplus gets a second life.
Why genuine leather?
There is a reason dogs are so attracted to our leather toys.
Genuine leather has a very different smell, softness and feel in the mouth compared with many synthetic toy materials. For many dogs, these natural qualities make the toy particularly interesting and rewarding.
Leather is also a strong material, but there is an important detail that is easy to overlook: a bigger toy is not automatically a more durable toy.
If a toy is too large for the dog’s mouth, the dog may only be able to grab and pull at the surface. This can put more strain on individual parts of the leather.
For this reason, we recommend choosing a toy that your dog can grip properly and, depending on the model, fit largely into their mouth.
The right size can make the toy more enjoyable for your dog and can also help maximise its lifespan.
Leather filling or sheep’s wool?
One of the interesting differences between our toys is what is inside them.
Some models are filled with genuine sheep’s wool, while others use leather scraps from the same furniture production surplus.
Sheep’s wool
Wool makes the toy particularly soft and lightweight. It also retains a natural sheep’s wool scent that many dogs find fascinating.
Wool-filled toys are especially nice when you want a soft, lightweight toy that is easy for the dog to carry and play with.
Some of our wool-filled toys also contain a squeaker, creating an additional sound that can make the toy even more exciting.
Leather scraps
Using leather scraps as filling allows us to make even better use of the surplus material generated during production.
Leather-filled toys are heavier than wool-filled versions of the same type. This can be useful when you want a little more throwing weight during training. The leather filling gives the toy a firmer feel and can make it more resistant to being compressed or flattened during play.
For example, the Chewie ball is available with either leather or wool filling, allowing you to choose between a heavier toy and a lighter, softer version.
Bungee or traditional handle?
Some of our toys are available with a bungee handle.
The bungee gives the toy some extra movement and stretch during play, while also creating a comfortable distance between your hand and the dog.
This can be particularly useful for fast-paced training where you want to throw, retrieve and play with the toy quickly.
A traditional tug toy, on the other hand, gives you a more direct connection to the toy and can be a great choice for dogs who love tugging and for example throwing and retrieving.
Which toy size is right for my dog?
Dog breed can give you a rough starting point, but your individual dog’s size, mouth size, play style and strength are more important than breed alone.
The most important thing is that your dog can get a good grip on the toy without struggling because it is too large.
As a general guideline:
| Dog size | Suitable toy models |
|---|---|
| Small dogs & puppies | IttyBitty, TeenyTiny, Cutie, SqueakyCutie, Sweetie |
| Medium dogs | Cutie, SqueakyCutie, Chewie, SqueakyChewie, Sweetie |
| Large dogs (about 20 kg) | Chewie, SqueakyChewie, Hefty, Mighty, Toughie, Sweetie XL |
| Very large & powerful dogs | Toughie or Toughie XL |
Quick comparison: which toy should you choose?
| Toy | Dog size | Shape | Wool filling | Leather filling | Squeaker | Treat pocket | Bungee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IttyBitty | Small | Square | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| TeenyTiny | Small | Ball | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Cutie | Small–large | Tug | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* | ✓* | |
| Chewie | Medium–large | Ball | ✓ | ✓ | ✓* | ✓* | |
| Sweetie and Sweetie XL | Small–large | Ball | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Hefty | Large | Ball | ✓ | ||||
| Mighty | Large | Tug | ✓ | ||||
| Toughie and Toughie XL | Large–very large | Tug | ✓ |
*Availability depends on the specific version.
Which toy is best for your dog?
My dog is small or a puppy
Start with IttyBitty, TeenyTiny or SqueakyCutie.
My dog is medium-sized
Cutie, Chewie and Sweetie are all excellent options depending on what motivates your dog.
If your dog loves chasing and carrying, Chewie can be a great choice. If food is a strong motivator, Sweetie adds another dimension to training.
If your dog loves soft toys, choose SqueakyCutie or SqueakyChewie versions instead of leather filled normal Cuties and Chewies. Squeaky versions have soft sheep’s wool inside and a strong smell of genuine wool.
My dog is large
If your dog is about 20 kg, Chewies, Cuties, Sweetie or Sweetie XL and Toughies are suitable starting points. Also Hefty balls and Mighty tug toys.
Think about whether your dog prefers balls or tug toys and whether you want a lightweight wool-filled toy or a heavier leather-filled option. If the dog is biting hard, then the versions with leather filling are more durable.
My dog is very large or powerful
Look at Toughie or Toughie XL.
The important thing is not simply choosing the biggest toy available. The toy should still allow your dog to get a good grip and engage with it properly.
Natural materials come with a few things to remember
Genuine leather is one of the reasons dogs love these toys so much, but it also means they need to be treated differently from synthetic toys.
We recommend keeping the toys dry and avoiding soaking them or using them in freezing temperatures. Wet leather can harden and become less durable. Wool-filled toys can also develop a stronger wool scent when wet.
And because these are interactive training toys, your dog should always be supervised during play. Genuine leather and wool can be tempting for dogs who like to rip things apart, so the toy should not be allowed to become a chew toy that the dog uses unsupervised.
Why choose an upcycled dog training toy?
For us, the material story is an important part of the product.
Every year, we give several tons of high-quality surplus leather a new purpose as dog training toys. The smallest suitable leather pieces can also be used as filling, meaning we can make use of material that might otherwise become waste.
We also use genuine sheep’s wool from local Finnish sheep farms in many of our toys.
This combination of upcycled materials, local production and handmade craftsmanship is at the heart of Joy of Dog Sports.
And perhaps most importantly, we want to make training toys that dogs genuinely love to play with.
Because sustainability matters, but so does the joy of training. 💚
Designed for happy training. Handmade in Finland.
Our training toys are made for agility, obedience, rally obedience, scent work, dog shows, everyday training and simply having fun together.
There is no single perfect toy for every dog. Some dogs are motivated by movement, some by sound, some by food and most of them simply love the feel and smell of genuine leather.
That is why we have created a collection with different sizes, shapes, fillings and features.
Frequently asked questions about dog training toys
The best dog training toy is one that your dog genuinely enjoys and finds motivating. Some dogs love balls, while others prefer tug toys. Natural materials such as genuine leather and sheep’s wool can be particularly appealing because of their smell, softness and feel in the mouth. The right choice also depends on what you are training and how you like to play with your dog.
Choose a toy that your dog can grip properly and interact with comfortably. Your dog’s mouth size, body size and play style are more important than breed alone. A toy that is too large can be difficult for the dog to grip, while a toy that is too small may not be suitable for a powerful dog.
For small dogs and puppies, lightweight toys such as IttyBitty, TeenyTiny and SqueakyCutie are good options. The toy should be easy for the dog to carry and grip without having to struggle with its size or weight.
Border Collies vary considerably in size and play style, so there is no single toy size that is right for every Border Collie. Chewie, Cutie and Sweetie can all be good options depending on the individual dog. For a larger or particularly powerful Border Collie, a larger model such as Hefty or Mighty may be more suitable.
Genuine leather is a strong and durable material, making it well suited to interactive dog training toys. However, durability also depends on choosing the right toy size and using the toy appropriately. If a toy is too large for the dog to grip properly, the dog may only pull at the surface, which can put more strain on the leather.
Yes. Genuine sheep’s wool makes training toys soft and lightweight, while its natural scent can be particularly interesting to dogs. Wool-filled toys are a good choice when you want a light, soft toy that is easy for your dog to carry and play with.
That depends entirely on your dog. Some dogs find squeaking highly motivating, while others prefer the feel and movement of a quiet toy. If sound increases your dog’s interest and engagement, a squeaky toy can be a useful training reward.
A Sweetie can be an excellent choice for a food motivated dog because it combines play with the possibility of adding treats inside the toy. This allows you to use food as part of an interactive toy and can be particularly useful for dogs who are more interested in treats than toys.
Not necessarily. A bigger toy is not automatically more durable. If the toy is too large for the dog to grip properly, the dog may only grab and pull at the surface. Choosing a toy that your dog can get a good grip on is often more important than simply choosing the biggest available model.
For puppies, choose a lightweight toy that is easy to grip, carry and play with. IttyBitty and TeenyTiny, and also SqueakyCutie, are designed especially for smaller dogs and puppies. As your puppy grows, you can move to a larger toy that matches their changing size and play style. Always supervise your puppy during play and replace a toy if it becomes damaged.
Explore our training toys
Discover the full collection of handmade Joy of Dog Sports training toys and find the right size and style for your dog.
➡️ Training toy collection: Check the collection here
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