Aaah nature’s own chew toy, the humble stick, why do dogs like sticks so much? As dog owners, we’ve probably all witnessed the sheer joy our pups experience when they stumble upon a seemingly ordinary stick. But what is it about these wooden objects that make our canine friends go crazy?
Stick around because In this article, we’re going to give you the full shtick on why do dogs like sticks, why some dogs carry sticks around and some will fetch sticks, whether it’s safe for your dog to play with sticks and what to do if you have a dog who likes to eat sticks.
Have you downloaded the Zigzag training app yet? We take you and your pup on a journey based around their stage of development and their breed type, plus we have a team of professional dog trainers on hand 24/7 to talk you through everything you need to know via our in-app chat.
Why do dogs like sticks?
Dogs like sticks because they’re a freely available toy and chew all in one. They’re attracted to their texture, scent, and some dogs will enjoy carrying them around. Many dogs also like to rip and shred them up, or just have fun playing with them.
Stick with us, and let’s find out why some dogs just love sticks:
A readily available chew
Dogs like sticks because they offer them an opportunity to chew, whenever they like. Dogs chew recreationally, when strengthening their jaws in adolescence and when puppies are teething. Sticks and wood have a lot of give, so create a nice sensation for a dog when they chew them.
A toy that’s always there
Most dogs love to play, and a stick is an easy toy for them to grab while out on walks. They can be chucked up in the air, thrown down on the floor and picked apart like prey!
Sticks are a challenge
For some dogs, picking up a large stick requires a lot of strength, or ripping apart a particularly tender stick is just fun, and can give a dog a confidence boost.
Sticks smell and feel good
Wood has a lovely texture to it, and dogs have an amazing sense of smell. Sticks are a hugely enriching thing for a dog, and provide mental stimulation.
Natural instincts
There are some theories that suggest dogs love sticks so much as they remind them of being wolves and dragging bones around. While we’re not convinced on that, dogs are omnivorous and eating vegetation would have been part of their diet as they went through domestication.
Why do dogs carry sticks?
Dogs who are natural retrievers like Labradors or Spaniels carry sticks, as the feeling of holding something is highly reinforcing, they often carry them home too. Other breeds may parade with their stick to ‘show off’ to others that they have something precious. These traits are natural for many dogs.
Find out how dogs evolved from wolves but still carry across some of their natural instincts in our dog domestication article.
Why do dogs fetch sticks?
Retrieving behaviour is very natural for retrieving breeds and gundogs. Other dogs like terriers are bred to chase and grab, and also often like to play fetch and shake the stick. Border Collies are bred to control movement, so they enjoy playing fetch and making the stick stop.
For dogs not bred to retrieve or fetch, they will often still enjoy playing and fetching sticks, if you’re involved in the game, and of course parading around showing off that they have the stick.
Terrier breeds like Jack Russells and Staffies often like to grab, shake and dissect sticks! We know it sounds horrible, but it’s just in their genetic make up!
Is it safe for my dog to play with sticks?
No, not really. We’ll be honest, playing with sticks can be risky for a dog, even if it seems fun at the time. They can cause injuries from splinters cutting your dog’s mouth, sticks can also be choking hazards, create intestinal blockages or cause infections.
Sorry, we don’t want to burst your stick playing bubble, but it’s better to use safe stick alternative toys when playing with your dog. Check out our guide to puppy toys to find some safe stick alternatives to play with.
What happens if my dog eats a stick?
Dogs will eat sticks and other vegetation like grass, but it can cause health problems if they eat a lot of it. Depending on the size and type of stick, your dog might experience the following problems if they eat sticks.
- Cuts in the mouth – sharp sticks can cut the inside of your dog’s mouth, and even cause infections.
- Broken teeth – chewing on hard sticks may cause your dog to crack or break their teeth.
- Choking – pieces of stick can get lodged in your dog’s throat and cause them to choke or vomit.
- Intestinal blockages – even though sticks are organic material, eating them can still cause blockages, leading to gastric problems and diarrhoea.
- Perforations – sharp stick pieces can puncture your dog’s intestine or gut on the way through. Yikes
- Problems pooing – if your dog eats a lot of sticks, you’ll see the stick in their poo. It can’t be good, right?
When it comes to sticks, our dogs simply can’t leave them alone…..sticks offer an opportunity to play and for social interaction. However, playing with sticks is not without its pitfalls and comes with potential hazards, such as injuries, choking, blockages, and infections. To ensure your dog’s safety, supervise their playtime, and choose safer alternatives like pretend sticks made of rubber or rope toys. If your dog eats a stick, monitor them for any signs of discomfort or distress and consult your Vet if you’re at all worried.
If you’re wondering what games you can play with your dog to distract them from stick eating, then take a look at our training games library, or how about investing in some new puppy toys and teaching your dog to play fetch?
For the full immersive training experience that will take your pup from zero to hero, download the Zigzag puppy training app. We’ve got training for every stage of your puppy’s development, and we understand how breed differences make a difference in training, yes, your breed is special. Our team of professional dog trainers are available 24/7 to talk to you about any of your puppy problems, and answer your questions, even ones about eating sticks.
