This is our review of the best dog agility toys in 2023.
Pups shouldn’t start training officially for agility until they are over a year old. Still, there are categories of agility dog toys available at an affordable price that will help with brain training and ones they love so much they will happily work correctly and do as you ask to receive them as a reward.
In this article, we will be reviewing training toys for dogs:
- Dingo Agility Mop Bite Tug
- Trixie Dog Activity Gambling Tower
- Trixie 32019 Dog Activity Turn Around
- DogDirect London, DOG TUG TOY
- Dingo Waldemar Rutkowski Fleece Dog Toy
- Stan’s Pals Flirt Pole training and exercise toy
The best agility toys for dogs and puppies don’t have to cost the earth but are a great addition to any toybox; whether you throw them, tug them or search them out, your furry friend will be learning as they have fun.
Our Best Dog Agility Toy Reviews
Agility toys offer a novel way of starting any dog off in agility training before buying complete dog agility starter kits. The best toys for dogs to help train agility come in all shapes and sizes. There are many affordable choices, from sheepskin toys to compact, click-together courses. A problem many owners have is that the toys get destroyed by power chewers. Luckily, these dog tug toys are made of stern materials, so you’ll no longer have that issue.
Dingo Agility Mop Bite Tug Floatable Ball Bungee
This medium-sized tugger is unique because it comes with a firm ball at the end, soft mop material covering the handle for your dog to enjoy, and a bungee cord to make the tugging easier on your arm and Fido’s teeth!
This fun agility tug toy can float, and the ball is vanilla-flavoured to keep your dog invested for as long as possible. Throw it as a game or use it as a reward.
Pros
- Super strong chew toy
- Affordable price
- Flexible bungee
Cons
- The mop cover may get torn apart easily
Trixie Dog Activity Gambling Tower
This fun toy offers the perfect reward system that requires a bit of thinking. Your pup will have to figure out this easy puzzle on its own to retrieve its treats. All you need to do is place the goodies inside and watch your pal figure it out for themselves!
Over time the puzzle will become easier and easier to figure out. Thankfully, there are a few levels for your dog to try from this very same company once they conquer this one.
Pros
- Mentally stimulating
- Super durable
- Fabulous independent toy
Cons
- It might not last clever dogs long
Trixie 32019 Dog Activity Turn Around
Here’s another of Trixie’s fun toys with a twist. Your pooch will have to figure out how to keep turning the vials upside down to get a treat to drop to the ground.
As you know, in agility training, intelligence is just as necessary as grace and restraint! This toy is the perfect learning tool that needs more focus than tennis balls.
Pros
- Ideal for building mental performance key to agility
- Very sturdy and easy to set up
- Dogs can be left alone with this
Cons
- It might be a little complex for some dogs initially
DogDirect London, DOG TUG TOY Tugger Tug Chase Rope
Perfect for chewing, this handmade fleece chase toy is among the best agility toys for large dogs such as German Shepherds. Machine washable and made of soft, strong fabric, it’s a good length for dogs to play tug of war with.
A good price and ideal for flyball, dog agility competitions and training. It comes in various colours and sizes to suit all dogs.
Pros
- Bright colours and different varieties
- Will resist plenty of use
- Machine washable
Cons
- It might need re-plaiting after a while
Dingo Waldemar Rutkowski Fleece Dog Toy
This next tug-of-war toy is similar to the above, but like all the best brand products, it is a superb addition to any toy box based on a range of selling points.
This bungee cord fleece option is ideal for dogs that love playing tug – ideal for piquing a puppy’s interest!
The fleece material at the end is soft on your pup’s teeth so that it won’t harm the mouth. This animal-like fur will create a ‘natural’ experience and encourage their basic instincts, which others don’t!
Pros
- Reliable bungee cord
- Value for money price
- Perfect for ‘natural’ training
Cons
- It can smell after a while, so leave it outdoors
Stan’s Pals Flirt Pole Training and Exercise Dog Agility Toy
You may have seen versions of this toy sold in pet shops for cats, but they can also make great play picks for dogs.
The material of the toy itself and the pole are both solid and reliable. It will encourage your dog to stay concentrated, agile, and in shape! Great value for money, It is a perfect gizmo to promote their natural instincts and keep them moving.
Pros
- Strong and sturdy
- Something different compared to regular rubber toys
- Great for dogs of all sizes
Cons
- One or two customer reviews mention the pole could be sturdier.
How Agility Training Toys Can Help
Agility training is much easier with a reward system in place. Enticing them with treats and the best tug toy will keep them motivated and interested, whether it’s a sheepskin teddy, a tug toy with a squeaker, rope toys or maybe even a grip toy.
An outside dog, such as a border collie, usually takes to training easier than others, but every pet is different. It’s all about patience, perseverance and, of course, backyard toys to entice them. Remember, there are different toys, so try a few and see which your pet prefers. For example, the Zogoflex Bumi is very popular for smaller breeds.
The best thing about the toys on this list is that they will gradually add to your dog’s training while they are being rewarded long before you join a club. They will not even notice that they are still working as they do their best to get special treats. You could spend hours developing obedience and behaviour with your pet, all whilst playing games such as tug-of-war.
Why Use a Bungee Tug Toy in Agility Training?
Dog agility courses are designed to show off what dogs usually do in the wild as they hunt. Anything can be achieved with proper training. They must rely on their instincts and physical capabilities to do well on the dog agility track. That’s why the best tug toys provide a glimpse of this and start to train them correctly.
Dog chew toys are perfect for great training as they play the role of the prey and are a fantastic incentive, especially for puppies.
The purpose of the bungee cord is to make the tug more responsive to your dog and make it easier on your arms!
Conclusion
Most of the time, all your four-legged friend will want to do is play with you to keep you happy. But why not enhance their hours of play with a bit of obedience training, too?
The Dingo Agility Mop Bite Tug is our top pick for the best tug dog toy. Fantastic price for a fun tug toy Fido will love and one of the best purchases you could make.
As it happens, agility training is one of the best ways to nurture both!
Dog training toys will always provide plenty of great training opportunities, whether relevant to the course, like cone jumps or require a bit of brainpower and concentration. So get rid of the leash and get your agility dog toy ready!
