The Boston Terrier is a playful, energetic and smart little dog. They are also very people orientated and love to play games that involve you.
They need mental stimulation as they can become bored easily which can result in them getting up to no good. Boston Terriers can be quite destructive if bored and many Boston Terriers have a tendency to dig.
Digging is a natural instinctive behavior for many dogs and if it is your garden or even your carpet they are digging up you may not be very happy. You can’t really train an instinctive behavior out of a dog, but you can redirect the behavior in a more constructive way. Toys that cater to their digging instinct can help with this.
What toys do Boston Terriers like
Therefore, the best type of toys for Boston Terriers achieve one or more of the following objectives
- help to burn up pent up energy
- provide mental stimulation and challenge
- allow the opportunity to involve you in the game
- toys that are tough enough to prevent them from destroying them
- cater to their natural instincts such as digging or chasing
Here are our top picks for toys that your Boston Terrier will love
Energy burning toys for Boston Terriers
Toys that involve a chase or fetching are a favorite of Boston Terriers and are great for releasing pent up energy and helping to tire them. For more on how much and ways to exercise a Boston Terrier see here.
Wicked Ball
If your dog is ball mad then the Wicked Ball is the ultimate moving dog toy for them. The magic ball runs and bounces all by itself and the LED light adds another level of engagement for your dog. No App or remote controller required.
It has several settings such as the Intelligent Companion mode. In this mode, the Wicked ball has 10 minutes of play and 30 minutes of rest. If your dog pushes or hits the ball it starts the play cycle again. It also has three reaction modes (gentle, normal, active) so you can set it to suit your dog’s mood. Due to its obstacle avoidance system (collision sensor), it doesn’t get stuck in tight spots.
The Wicked ball is durable and dog safe and is also waterproof so can be played with when swimming. It also has a treat hole for dogs that are food motivated.
View the Wicked Ball on Amazon.
Flirt Pole
A Flirt pole is like a giant cat tickler for dogs. It has a long handle with a bungy type rope with a lure or toy attached to the end. You simply move the lure along the ground around in circles or in different directions as your dog chases it. It works directly with their natural prey instinct. Be sure they have a good leave-it command and don’t allow them to destroy the toy. This game is excellent for burning up that pent-up energy in a short amount of time. For a full guide to flirt pole exercise for dogs see here.
View the range of flirt poles on Amazon.
Automatic Ball Launchers
Fetch is the favorite game of the majority of dogs. I am sure you have had the experience of your dog wanting you to throw the ball just a few more times. With an Automatic Ball Launcher, they can play fetch by all by themselves. This will require training them to put the ball in the funnel initially, but once they know what to do they are away and fetching. Read “Automatic Ball Launchers for Dogs” to learn more
Manual Ball Launchers
Handheld ball launchers are an excellent way to exercise your dog. Obviously, the further you can throw the ball the more your dog has to run.
They also make life easier for you as the long handle lets you pick up a ball without having to bend over to the ground. It also prevents you from having to touch a slobbery ball.
The best quality and well-known brand are the Chuckit. These are also extremely inexpensive and well worth having. Check out the Chuckit ball thrower on Amazon.
Kong Flying Disc
Most dogs can chase and catch a ball. But a flying disc requires a little bit more skill, coordination, and timing. Roll the Disc on the ground towards your dog. They will instinctually want to grab it in his mouth. Once you’ve accomplished this, try tossing it at a very low level first to your dog. If you feel like your Boston Terrier is ready to go to the next level, toss the disc a little higher and further. Great energy burner and you may be amazed at your dog’s agility and acrobatic skill.
View the Kong Flying Disc on Amazon
Jolly Ball
A Jolly Ball is a nearly indestructible ball for dogs that they push and chase around. They come in a variety of sizes, styles and are also available with a handle or rope attached for tug of war.
View Jolly Balls on Amazon.
Check out the video to see what great exercise and fun they are for Boston Terriers.
Mental challenging toys for Boston Terriers
Boston Terriers are an intelligent little dog. It is crucial not only to exercise their bodies but their minds as well.
The best type of types to provide mental stimulation for any dog is generally the puzzle type toys. Most of these usually involve your dog working out how to get a treat out of the toy (with the exception of the iFrenzy – see below).
When selecting interactive puzzle type toys for your Boston Terrier it is best to select toys that are a little more difficult. As Boston Terriers are smart and great problem solvers you don’t want them to figure it out too quickly. For suggestions see Top Puzzle Toys for Dogs.
Petgeek Automatic Rolling Treat Ball
This automatic rolling treat ball from Petgeek is activated by a soft touch from your dog and can last for up to 7 hours. Requires two AAA batteries and goes into sleep mode after a period of no activity.
Provides physical exercise and mental stimulation as they figure out how to release the treats. Can hold up to 380ml of kibble or small treats(sized up to 0.3 inches). This is ideal for the home alone dog also.
View the Petgeek Automatic Rolling Ball on Amazon,
iFenzy
The iFetch Frenzy is the only dog puzzle toy that doesn’t use treats. The ball itself is the reward. Your dog drops the ball into the top and scrambles to find it as it randomly rolls from 6-12 feet out of 1 of 3 chutes at the base.
There’s no launching, like our other iFetch ball launchers but it still gives your Boston Terrier the opportunity to chase. This product allows dogs to quickly return to the real challenge: the mental game of guessing where the ball will appear next.
View the iFrenzy on Amazon
Snuffe Rug
A Snuffe Mat is another great way to provide for your dog’s natural digging instinct and to provide mental stimulation and relieve boredom. A Snuffe mat is a mat that is made of fleece and you can hide dry food or treats into it. If you are someone that is good at crafts you can try to make one yourself or check out the range of Snuffle Mats at Amazon.
Toys for Boston Terriers that Shred
Most Boston Terriers love soft plush toys. However, it can get quite expensive not to mention having to clean up the mess every time you give your Boston Terrier a new toy. The Tuffy range of plush toys is my top pick for the toughest nearly indestructible plush dog toys.
For more recommended dog toys for dogs that like to shred see here.
Tuffy plush toy range
The Tuffy range is known as the toughest soft toy for dogs. Tuffy plush toy range combines durability with softness. This is accomplished with seven-layer stitching, multiple tough outer layers of material and a fleece inner lining. They are also machine washable and float.
(available in a range of animal shapes)
See the full range of Tuffy Plush Toys on Amazon
Best chew toys for Boston Terriers
There are in general three categories of chewing types in dogs – gentle chewers, average chewers, and power chewers. Boston Terriers tend to fit into the average or power chewer category.
Power Chewers are strongly determined chewers. It is important to select chew toys that they can destroy with ease.
For the best toys for aggressive power chewers see here.
Kong Extreme
If you don’t know what a Kong for dogs is it is a tough rubber dog toy with a hole in the center so you can stuff it with treats or even flavored paste. the Kong is actually three dog toys in one.
- Food and treat stuffing puzzle toy. You can even freeze the Kong for a hot weather treat.
- Chew toy – made of safe near-indestructible rubber
- Fetch toy – due to its unique shape it bounces in unpredictable directions making a game of fetch more exciting
Although the standard red Kong Classic would be fine for a Boston Terrier I recommend using the black Kong Extreme. These are near indestructible and will last your dog’s lifetime.
They come in a range of sizes from XS to XL. For the Boston Terrier, I recommend using the medium Kong as the small doesn’t hold as much food or treats as you would think.
For a Boston Terrier puppy, you should choose the Puppy Kong. These are made of softer more flexible rubber so they do damage to their young and developing teeth and jaw. See Puppy Kongs on Amazon here.
To learn more about how to use a Kong for dogs see here. If your Boston Terrier doesn’t have a Kong, get them one or even two. See the Kong Extreme on Amazon here.
Edible dog chews
Natural edible dog chews are highly appealing to dogs as they are food. a great way to add some variety to your dog’s diet. These include ears, antlers, bones, and bully sticks.
View Edible Chews on Amazon.
Toys for Boston Terriers that like to dig
Many Boston Terriers like to dig. Digging is a natural behavior for dogs. The problem occurs when they are digging up your garden or even the carpet inside.
You can’t really train an instinctive behavior like digging out of a dog, but you can redirect the behavior. This can be achieved by providing them with toys that cater to that instinctive behavior. To learn more about the best dog toys for diggers see here.
iDigg digging toy for dogs
The latest toy for dogs that dig is the iDig Go from the people that have brought you the iFetch automatic ball launcher. See “Automatic ball launchers for dogs” to learn more.
This is the first dog toy that has been specially designed to cater to your dog’s natural digging instinct. You simply hide their favorite toy or treats in the flaps and let them dig away to uncover the hidden treasure. Not only will the action of digging help burn off pent-up energy, but the mental challenge of working out how to get to the goodies will help to tire them also.
Check out the video to see how this works or view the iDig Go on Amazon.
Best toys for Boston Terrier puppies
When selecting the best toys for a Boston Terrier puppy it is important to consider several things. Firstly, they should not be too hard and should have some give. This prevents damage to the jaw and the new teeth. It is also important that they do not shatter or break into small pieces. This is to prevent the risk of your puppy choking on any fragments that come off the toy.
Kong puppy chew toys
In addition to the classic shape Kong, there are other shapes available such as the Kong teething stick and the Kong Goodie Bone. These have grooves on the side so you can spread a little paste into them to make the toy more interesting than your shoes.
Kong teething stick
Kong Puppy Goodie Bone
Tuffy Junior dog toys
For puppies that love plush toys but tend to pull apart normal plush toys like Boston Terrier puppies tend to, The Tuffy Junior range is ideal. They are more durable than other plush toys and are machine washable. These are for puppies mainly as an adult dog would be more than likely to be able to destroy them. They are available in a range of sizes to suit your puppy.
Nylabone puppy key ring
The Nylabone puppy teething key ring is a classic. These have been available for teething puppies ever since I can remember. These are soft enough for enjoyable chewing, yet strong enough to withstand it.
They have lots of moving parts that make a sound when shaken. Toys that make a sound are always more preferable and fun for a puppy. The irregular shape and texture provide choices of different surfaces and feelings while chewing and after some chewing, raised bristles are released that clean the teeth to help dental health.
Related posts for best toys for Boston Terriers
Dog toys that encourage exercise
Toys for dogs that like to shred
Great post! Thanks for recommending a variety of toys, would love to have a couple of these for our dogs!