{"id":13307,"date":"2023-04-25T13:53:53","date_gmt":"2023-04-25T13:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/?p=13307"},"modified":"2023-04-25T14:00:50","modified_gmt":"2023-04-25T14:00:50","slug":"why-do-dogs-like-sticks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/en-us\/blog\/puppy-behavior\/understanding-your-puppy\/why-do-dogs-like-sticks\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Dogs Like Sticks?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Aaah nature\u2019s own chew toy, the humble stick, why do dogs like sticks so much? As dog owners, we\u2019ve 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?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Stick to training with our app! <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Stick around because In this article, we\u2019re 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\u2019s safe for your dog to play with sticks and what to do if you have a dog who likes to eat sticks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


Have you downloaded the Zigzag training app <\/a>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 <\/a>on hand 24\/7 to talk you through everything you need to know via our in-app chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Clay Banks<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why do dogs like sticks? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dogs like sticks because they\u2019re a freely available toy and chew all in one. They\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stick with us, and let\u2019s find out why some dogs just love sticks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A readily available chew <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dogs like sticks because they offer them an opportunity to chew, whenever they like. Dogs chew<\/a> recreationally, when strengthening their jaws in adolescence and when puppies are teething<\/a>. Sticks and wood have a lot of give, so create a nice sensation for a dog when they chew them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A toy that’s always there <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most dogs love to play, and a stick is an easy toy<\/a> for them to grab while out on walks<\/a>. They can be chucked up in the air, thrown down on the floor and picked apart like prey!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sticks are a challenge <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sticks smell and feel good <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Natural instincts <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are some theories that suggest dogs love sticks so much as they remind them of being wolves<\/a> and dragging bones around. While we\u2019re not convinced on that, dogs are omnivorous and eating vegetation would have been part of their diet<\/a> as they went through domestication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do dogs carry sticks? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dogs who are natural retrievers like Labradors <\/a>or Spaniels<\/a> 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 \u2018show off\u2019 to others that they have something precious. These traits are natural for many dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Find out how dogs evolved from wolves but still carry across some of their natural instincts in our dog domestication article<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why do dogs fetch sticks? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Retrieving behavior is very natural for retrieving breeds<\/a> and gundogs<\/a>. Other dogs like terriers are bred to chase and grab, and also often like to play fetch <\/a>and shake the stick. Border Collies <\/a>are bred to control movement, so they enjoy playing fetch and making the stick stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For dogs not bred to retrieve or fetch<\/a>, 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 <\/a>and Staffies<\/a> often like to grab, shake and dissect sticks! We know it sounds horrible, but it’s just in their genetic makeup!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Daniel Lincoln<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Is it safe for my dog to play with sticks? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

No, not really. We\u2019ll 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\u2019s mouth, sticks can also be choking hazards, create intestinal blockages or cause infections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Sorry, we don\u2019t want to burst your stick playing bubble, but it\u2019s better to use safe stick alternative toys when playing with your dog. Check out our guide to puppy toys<\/a> to find some safe stick alternatives to play with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens if my dog eats a stick? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dogs will eat sticks and other vegetation like grass<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n