“Why Is My Dog Like This?” The Truth Behind Wild Toy Play and Barky Walks

Arya, my little terrier, is absolutely shredding her fox toy again -growling, shaking it, tossing it across the room, and then pouncing like it owes her money.

It looks intense. Some might even call it aggressive. But actually?
It’s completely normal. And not just for her.

That’s Not Bad Behaviour - It’s Instinct

We often label dogs as “naughty” when they bark at moving things, pull on the lead, destroy toys, or seem obsessed with chasing. But for many breeds - especially working dogs like terriers, collies, sighthounds, or even some spaniels - this is instinctual.

Dogs like Arya were bred to hunt, chase, grab, and deal with prey. What she does with a toy is exactly what she was designed to do generations ago in the field. That neck hold? It’s not mischief. It’s purpose.

Terriers Take It to the Next Level

Terriers in particular are known for skipping the slow, sneaky approach and jumping straight to the action:

➡️ Spot the “prey” (a toy, a sock, a bird...)

➡️ Grab it

➡️ Shake it

➡️ Try to finish the job (yes, sometimes with fluff everywhere)

They’re determined, fearless, and relentless. It’s who they are - and when we see it clearly, it actually becomes pretty amazing.

But When These Instincts Don’t Have an Outlet…

If you’ve ever thought:
“Why is my dog obsessed with moving things?”
“Why won’t they leave that toy alone?”
“Why do they tear everything up?”
...this is your answer.

Your terrier isn’t being difficult - they’re being exactly who they’re supposed to be.

Dogs who are bursting with this kind of drive and energy need something to do with it. If they don’t get an appropriate outlet, we often see things like:

🔊 Barking at anything that moves
😤 Frustration and pulling on walks
🛋️ Chewing up your stuff at home
🧸 Getting fixated on toys and not knowing how to switch off

So What Can You Do?

Instead of trying to stop these behaviours completely, we give the dog safe, structured ways to act on them:

🦴 Prey-like toys - Soft, squeaky, floppy things they can wrestle and shred

💪 Tug games with rules - Let them use that grab-and-shake instinct while teaching self-control

🧠 Puzzle feeders and scent games - Engage their brain, give them a job

🎯 Training cues like “drop,” “wait,” and “go play” - Give structure to all that energy

These aren’t just training tools - they’re ways to let your dog be more dog.

All Dogs Have Instincts - Just Different Ones

Whether your dog is a Jack Russell, a Labrador, a Cockapoo, or a rescue mix - every dog comes with instincts. Understanding what they were bred for helps explain why they do what they do.

When you get that, things click.
It’s not chaos. It’s communication.
It’s not disobedience. It’s unmet needs.
And it’s not bad behaviour. It’s instinct.

Have a question?