Puppy toys are far more than entertainment – they’re powerful training tools that shape behaviour, build confidence, and strengthen the bond between you and your young dog. When chosen wisely, the right toys become partners in your puppy’s education, teaching recall, impulse control, and appropriate play whilst satisfying their natural need to chew, chase, and explore.
At Company of Animals, we’ve spent over 40 years at the forefront of dog behaviour and training. Founded by Dr Roger Mugford, a world-renowned animal psychologist whose pioneering methods reshaped how people work with dogs, and now led by Dr Emily Mugford, a veterinary surgeon, every product remains grounded in behavioural science and practical application. Our Pet Centre in Chertsey, Surrey has helped thousands of puppies and their owners since 1979, with CFBA (Canine & Feline Behaviour Association) qualified behaviour specialists informing the development of the Coachi range.
Why Puppy Toys Matter in Early Training
Puppies experience rapid brain development during their first few months. This critical period – particularly the socialisation window up to 16 weeks – shapes how they’ll respond to the world throughout their lives. The toys you introduce now don’t just keep them occupied; they actively contribute to cognitive development, emotional regulation, and social skills.
Modern behaviour science confirms what we’ve observed over decades at our Pet Centre: puppies learn best through positive experiences. Play satisfies their biological drive to investigate, manipulate objects, and interact with their environment. When we incorporate training into play, learning becomes natural and self-rewarding.
Many owners struggle with common puppy challenges – jumping up, mouthing, poor recall, or destructive chewing. These behaviours aren’t “naughty”; they’re normal expressions of puppy energy and curiosity that need appropriate outlets. Training toys can help redirect these natural drives into behaviours you actually want.
Understanding Your Puppy’s Play Needs
Not all puppies play the same way. Some breeds have higher energy levels and stronger prey drives, whilst others prefer gentler interaction. Understanding your individual puppy’s preferences helps you select toys that engage rather than overwhelm them.
Teething puppies (typically between 3-6 months) need different textures than older puppies. Their gums are sensitive, and appropriate chew toys provide relief whilst protecting your furniture and fingers. During this stage, soft, flexible materials like the Coachi Tuggi range offer comfort without causing damage to developing teeth.
Cognitive development requires variety. Puppies benefit from toys that encourage different types of thinking – problem-solving toys like the Coachi Chase & Treat, tug toys for interactive play, and training tools that build communication between you and your puppy.
Physical development must also be considered. High-impact activities can damage soft growth plates, so toys should encourage gentle, varied movement rather than repetitive jumping or sharp turns. The focus should be on coordination, body awareness, and low-impact fun.
The Coachi Philosophy: Training Through Play
At Company of Animals, we designed the Coachi range around a simple principle: if training feels like play, dogs engage willingly and learn faster. Our reward toys serve multiple purposes – they’re motivators, confidence builders, and channels for natural behaviours.
Play-based training works because it taps into what dogs find intrinsically rewarding. Many puppies aren’t motivated by food alone, and some are already on restricted diets. For these dogs, a favourite toy becomes the ultimate reward – something they’ll work hard to earn.
The Coachi toys were developed with input from the behaviourists and trainers at our Pet Centre. We’ve seen over half a million dogs since our founding, and this real-world experience informs every product we create. Each toy addresses specific training challenges whilst promoting the positive, balanced approach we advocate.
Types of Puppy Training Toys and Their Benefits
Interactive Reward Toys
Interactive toys combine play with problem-solving, keeping puppies mentally engaged whilst teaching impulse control and patience.
The Coachi Chase & Treat offers an excellent introduction to interactive play. This toy encourages your puppy to work for rewards, promoting focus and reducing impulsive behaviour. As your puppy matures, the toy continues to provide mental stimulation.
The Coachi Chase & Crinkle provides similar benefits with varied texture and sound, appealing to puppies who respond to auditory cues. The crinkle sound adds sensory interest, maintaining engagement during training sessions. These toys are particularly useful for building the foundation of “leave it” and “wait” commands through structured impulse control games.
Interactive play sessions teach puppies productive ways to channel their natural curiosity and enthusiasm. Puppies are naturally energetic and inquisitive, and these toys provide a positive outlet for that energy whilst building important life skills. Rather than expecting puppies to simply “be calm”, we give them appropriate ways to express their natural exuberance through rewarding activities. This early lesson translates into better self-regulation throughout life, making training easier as your dog matures.
Watch our interactive toy training video
Tuggi Toys for Bonding and Training
Tug toys offer unique training opportunities. Despite outdated myths about encouraging aggression, tug play strengthens your bond with your puppy. Through structured tug games with consistent rules – such as waiting for permission to grab the toy and releasing on cue – you can build impulse control while teaching “take it” and “drop it” commands.
The Coachi Tuggi range includes several options suited to different stages and preferences:
Coachi Tuggi Tug features soft fleece that protects your hands and your puppy’s developing teeth during enthusiastic play. This toy works well as a reward during training – the movement and texture appeal to many puppies, making it a motivating option when building recall or rewarding good behaviour.
Coachi Tuggi Spider appeals to puppies who enjoy multi-textured toys. The varied surfaces provide different mouthing experiences, and the design allows for solo play when supervised, or interactive tug sessions with you.
Coachi Tuggi Ball combines two puppy favourites – tug and fetch. The ball satisfies chasing instincts whilst the handle gives you control, making it an excellent tool for training “drop it” commands and a useful aid when working on managing over-excitement during play.
Coachi Tuggi Helix offers a twisted design that’s easy for small mouths to grip. The unique shape encourages different holding positions, developing coordination and jaw strength gently.
These toys are particularly valuable for puppies prone to mouthing and biting. By providing an appropriate outlet for these behaviours, you redirect attention away from hands and clothing. The soft materials are gentle enough for young puppies whilst remaining durable for daily use.
Training Basics with Toys
Incorporating toys into basic training creates positive associations with learning. A puppy who associates training with fun will engage more readily throughout their life.
Teaching Recall with Reward Toys
Recall – coming when called – is arguably the most important command you’ll teach. The Coachi Tuggi range makes recall training rewarding. Start in a distraction-free environment, call your puppy’s name followed by “come”. You can use the toy as a lure, moving it enticingly to encourage your puppy towards you, and when they reach you, initiate an exciting game with their favourite Tuggi toy. The play becomes the reward, far more motivating than a food treat for many puppies.
As your puppy becomes reliable, gradually introduce distractions. The training line (available in the Coachi range) allows safe practice in larger spaces before moving to off-lead recall.
Reducing Puppy Mouthing and Biting
Puppy mouthing is normal behaviour – they explore the world with their mouths and play-bite with littermates to learn boundaries. However, those needle-sharp teeth need redirection.
The key to managing puppy mouthing is being proactive rather than reactive. Always have a Coachi Tuggi toy to hand during interactions with your puppy – this allows you to redirect their natural mouthing behaviour onto the toy before teeth ever touch skin. This is particularly important for children, who should always hold or have access to a toy when playing with the puppy. Engage enthusiastically with the toy, making it more exciting than hands or clothing. Remember: no play fighting with people or hands, toys only. When everyone in the family follows this approach consistently, puppies quickly learn that toys are for mouthing, not people.
The Coachi Tuggi toys are specifically designed to be more appealing than hands or clothing. Their texture, movement, and your enthusiastic participation make them the obvious choice for an engaged puppy.
Building Impulse Control
Impulse control – the ability to resist the urge to act on immediate desires – is a critical foundation for your puppy’s training. Rather than viewing impulse control as separate “training time,” weave it naturally into every game and interaction. Your puppy is always learning, so every moment becomes an opportunity to reinforce calm, thoughtful behaviour.
Training toys provide excellent opportunities to teach impulse control. The key is teaching your puppy that they control the outcome through their choices. Calm behaviour unlocks fun, whilst excitable behaviour delays it. Your puppy learns to regulate themselves rather than simply responding to commands.
During tug games with the Coachi Tuggi range, periodically pause and wait for your puppy to settle before resuming. When playing with the Coachi Chase & Treat, require a moment of calm before releasing the toy. These aren’t interruptions to play – they’re part of the game itself. Your puppy learns that controlling their excitement doesn’t end the fun; it actually makes the fun continue.
Watch our impulse control training video
The consistency of this approach – impulse control woven through every interaction rather than confined to training sessions – helps your puppy generalize the skill across all situations. They learn that calm, thoughtful behaviour is simply how things work, not something special they do during “training.”
For detailed step-by-step guidance on teaching impulse control through games and everyday interactions, visit our comprehensive impulse control guide.
Redirecting Unwanted Behaviours
Puppies explore their world through their mouths. Mouthing, nipping, and chewing are completely normal, but these behaviours need appropriate outlets.
Always have a toy available during interactions with your puppy. The moment they mouth your hand or clothing, redirect to the toy. Engage enthusiastically with the toy to make it more rewarding than human skin. The Coachi Tuggi range excels at this – the soft textures and engaging movement naturally appeal to puppies.
Consistency matters. Everyone who interacts with your puppy must follow the same approach. This prevents confusion and accelerates learning.
How Many Toys Should Your Puppy Have?
Puppies benefit from having plenty of toys available to satisfy their natural chewing and play needs. Providing variety helps prevent them seeking out inappropriate items like furniture or shoes. However, separate training toys from free-access toys. Keep the Coachi range reserved specifically for training sessions and interactive play with you, then put them away afterwards. This keeps them novel and highly motivating. Chew toys, puzzle toys, and solo play items can remain freely available, but the toys you use for recall, tug games, and structured training should be special – appearing only during your training sessions.
Choosing Safe Puppy Toys
Safety is paramount when selecting toys for developing dogs. Check for:
- Appropriate size: Toys should be large enough that your puppy cannot swallow them, but not so large they’re awkward to carry or play with.
- Durable materials: The Coachi range uses tested materials that withstand puppy teeth without breaking into dangerous pieces.
- No small parts: Avoid toys with buttons, eyes, or other attachments that could be chewed off and swallowed.
- Suitable texture: During teething, softer materials provide relief. As adult teeth emerge, you can introduce more varied textures.
- Regular inspection: Check toys before each use. Discard any showing significant wear or damage.
The Coachi Puppy & Mini range is specifically designed for young dogs, with appropriate sizing and gentler materials suited to developing mouths.
Age-Appropriate Toy Progression
8-12 Weeks: Gentle Introduction
At this age, puppies are settling into new homes and experiencing rapid development. Focus on soft, comforting toys like the Coachi Tuggi Tug. Introduce variety slowly to avoid overwhelming them. Short, frequent play sessions (5-10 minutes) several times daily work best.
Begin building positive associations with toys by making yourself part of the play. Your involvement increases the toy’s value and strengthens your bond. Avoid leaving puppies alone with new toys until you’ve observed how they interact with them.
12-16 Weeks: Building Confidence
During the critical socialisation period, use toys to build confidence in new environments. Bring a familiar Coachi toy to new places – it provides comfort whilst encouraging exploration. This is an ideal time to introduce interactive toys like the Chase & Treat.
Start incorporating toys into basic training. Use the Coachi Tuggi Ball for early fetch games, teaching “drop it” by offering a treat in exchange for the toy. This foundation prevents possessiveness and creates positive associations with giving up items.
4-6 Months: Teething and Training
Teething puppies need appropriate outlets. The Coachi Tuggi range’s soft fleece provides comfort without damaging sensitive gums. Supervise play sessions carefully, as teething puppies may be more destructive than usual.
This age is perfect for expanding training. Introduce the training line for recall practice in larger spaces. Use the Coachi toys as rewards for increasingly complex behaviours. Puppies this age can begin learning “middle” (standing between your legs), targeting, and other fun tricks that build body awareness and coordination.
6-12 Months: Consistency and Challenge
Adolescent puppies need consistent boundaries and sufficient mental stimulation. Continue using the Coachi range for training, increasing the challenge level. Practice recall with higher distractions, work on duration behaviours (longer sits and downs), and introduce distance work.
Many puppies experience a “teenage phase” where they test boundaries. Maintaining training through play keeps them engaged and reinforces learned behaviours without confrontation. The toys remain valuable motivators even as your puppy matures.
Combining Toy Play with Other Training Tools
Toys work best as part of a comprehensive training approach. The Coachi range includes complementary tools that enhance toy-based training:
Coachi Clickers provide precise timing markers during training. Click the moment your puppy performs the desired behaviour, then reward with toy play. The clicker’s consistency helps puppies understand exactly what earned the reward.
Coachi Training Treats offer variety in rewards. Some sessions should use food, others toys, and sometimes both. This unpredictability increases engagement – your puppy never knows what reward is coming, so they remain attentive.
Coachi Training Lines are essential tools throughout puppy training and come in options for both puppies and adult dogs. The lightweight indoor Training Line (from the Puppy & Mini range) is one of the most important puppy training aids – it allows you to gently guide and manage your puppy’s behaviour by preventing jumping up, redirecting chewing, and interrupting unwanted behaviours calmly and without confrontation. For outdoor training, the 5m and 10m waterproof Training Lines enable safe practice of recalls and distance work, giving your dog freedom to explore while you maintain control during their learning journey. The Puppy & Mini range offers a 5m option suited to smaller dogs and puppies, while the standard Coachi range provides 5m and 10m options for larger breeds.
Coachi Whistles provide clear, consistent signals over distance. Pair whistle training with Tuggi toy rewards for reliable recall even in distracting environments.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-exciting Your Puppy
Whilst enthusiasm is valuable, over-stimulation can make training counterproductive. Watch for signs your puppy is becoming too aroused – manic behaviour, loss of responsiveness, or increased mouthing. When this happens, pause play and give them time to settle before resuming.
Keep training sessions short and positive. Multiple brief sessions throughout the day are more effective than one long session where your puppy becomes tired or frustrated.
Using Toys as Bribes Instead of Rewards
A common training mistake is turning lures into bribes. There’s a crucial difference: a lure guides your puppy into position when they’re first learning something new – you show the toy to help them understand what you want. A bribe appears after your puppy refuses to comply, inadvertently rewarding the wrong behaviour.
Lures are valuable teaching tools in the early stages. Showing the toy helps guide your puppy into new behaviours or positions. This is appropriate and effective for initial teaching. However, the mistake happens when owners continue using the toy as a bribe – only bringing it out when their puppy ignores them, which can teach their puppy that hesitating or ignoring commands leads to better rewards.
Once your puppy grasps what you’re asking, transition to reward-based training where the toy appears after they perform the behaviour rather than before. Your puppy should respond to your cue first, then receive the toy as a reward for compliance. This builds reliable behaviour rather than toy-dependency or teaching your puppy to hold out for bribes.
Fade the lure quickly – within a few repetitions if possible. The goal is a puppy who responds to your verbal or hand signals because they understand what’s expected and know a reward follows, not because they can see the reward in advance.
Understanding Resource Guarding and Prevention
Resource guarding – where a puppy becomes protective over toys, food, or other items – can develop if not handled thoughtfully. The key is prevention through building positive associations, not management through taking things away.
Prevention is Better Than Cure
Avoid repeatedly taking toys away from your puppy. This is one of the most common causes of resource guarding – puppies learn they need to defend their possessions because things keep disappearing. Instead, ensure your puppy has plenty of appropriate toys freely available, reducing the need to guard any single item.
When you do need to approach your puppy whilst they have a toy, make your approach predict something wonderful. Calmly drop some high-value treats near them (not right on top of them, which can feel threatening) and walk away. Your puppy learns that your approach means good things are added, not that things are taken away.
If Trading is Necessary
There will be times when your puppy has something unsafe that you need to retrieve. In these situations, offer something of significantly higher value – perhaps a handful of really special treats or their absolute favourite toy. Drop these treats at a distance from what they currently have. Once your puppy moves away to investigate the treats, calmly pick up the original item.
Crucially, whenever safe to do so, give the original item back after your puppy finishes the treats. This prevents your puppy learning that coming to you means permanently losing things. Reserve permanent removal only for genuinely dangerous items, and even then, make it worthwhile through excellent rewards.
Recognising Warning Signs
If your puppy shows any signs of guarding – stiffening, growling, or reluctance to let you approach whilst they have something – do not punish this behaviour. Punishment increases anxiety and can escalate guarding. Instead, give them space and seek professional guidance from a qualified behaviourist who uses positive, force-free methods.
Our behaviour specialists at the Pet Centre can provide expert support if you have concerns about guarding behaviours developing. Early intervention using appropriate techniques prevents minor concerns becoming serious problems.
Special Considerations for Different Breeds
High-energy working breeds like Border Collies, Spaniels, and German Shepherds need substantial mental and physical engagement. For these puppies, incorporate Coachi toys into training activities that challenge their problem-solving abilities and satisfy their drive to work.
Brachycephalic breeds (flat-faced dogs like Pugs and Bulldogs) overheat easily. Choose toys that don’t require extended high-energy play. Gentle tug games and interactive toys like the Chase & Treat work well without overtaxing their breathing.
Independent breeds such as Terriers and Huskies may need higher-value rewards to maintain focus. Find which Coachi toy most excites your puppy and reserve it exclusively for training. This special status increases its motivational power.
Training Toys for Small Dogs and Toy Breeds
Toy breeds and small puppies need appropriately sized toys from the Coachi Puppy & Mini range. Oversized toys can be intimidating or difficult to manipulate, reducing engagement. Whilst this range was developed with puppies in mind, it’s particularly suited to adult toy breeds and smaller dogs like Dachshunds, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, and Yorkies.
Small dogs often face unique training challenges. Their size can make them nervous in busy environments, and their delicate build requires gentler training tools. Many toy breeds are highly intelligent needing extra motivation to stay focused during training sessions.
The Coachi Puppy & Mini range addresses these specific needs with lighter, quieter training tools better suited to smaller mouths and more sensitive temperaments. The Tuggi Spider, with its super soft fleece and gentle bungee handle, is particularly effective for toy breeds who might find standard tug toys overwhelming.
Small dogs benefit enormously from the same training principles as larger breeds – they need reliable recall, impulse control, appropriate outlets for chewing, and mental stimulation. The mistake many owners make is treating small dogs differently, allowing behaviours that would be unacceptable in larger breeds. Training toys help establish the same standards and expectations, making small dogs into well-adjusted companions.
Forgetting About Solo Play
Whilst interactive play builds your relationship, puppies also need opportunities for independent entertainment. This develops confidence and prevents separation anxiety.
Chew toys, puzzle feeders, and durable items your puppy can enjoy alone should be freely available. This teaches your puppy to settle quietly, a skill that proves invaluable throughout their life.
Transitioning from Puppy to Adult Dog
The foundation built with puppy training toys continues to serve you as your dog matures. The Coachi range remains valuable throughout your dog’s life – for ongoing training, maintaining skills, and providing enrichment.
As your dog grows, you can introduce more challenging toys and training scenarios. The Adult Coachi range offers larger sizes and additional options for continued development. However, many dogs remain attached to favourite puppy toys. If your adult dog still loves their Tuggi Tug, there’s no reason to replace it.
Continue incorporating play into training throughout your dog’s life. The positive associations formed in puppyhood make ongoing training more successful. A dog who learned through play remains enthusiastic about training sessions, views new challenges as opportunities for fun, and maintains strong engagement with you.
The Long-Term Benefits of Play-Based Training
Puppies trained through positive, play-based methods develop into confident, engaged adult dogs. The foundation you build now affects every aspect of your relationship – from basic obedience to problem-solving complex behaviours later in life.
Dogs trained with reward-based methods show lower stress levels, stronger bonds with their owners, and better retention of learned behaviours. They approach new situations with curiosity rather than fear, recover more quickly from setbacks, and remain enthusiastic about training throughout their lives.
The Coachi range supports this approach, turning training into joyful collaboration rather than confrontation. When your puppy views training as play, learning becomes its own reward.
Getting Professional Support
Whilst toys are powerful training aids, some behaviours require professional guidance. The Company of Animals Pet Centre in Chertsey, Surrey offers comprehensive training and behaviour services.
Dr Roger Mugford and his team have resolved behaviour problems for over 40 years. This wealth of experience, combined with sound scientific knowledge, ensures you and your puppy receive evidence-based support when you need it.
Enriching pets’ lives – Devoted to the physical and mental wellbeing of companion animals.
Training your puppy through play creates lasting positive associations with learning, builds confidence, and strengthens your bond. Whether you’re raising a large breed puppy or working with a toy breed, the Coachi range provides the tools you need to harness play’s power, turning everyday interactions into training opportunities. From reducing puppy biting to building reliable recall in small dogs, these toys address the challenges every owner faces whilst making training fun for both of you.
Explore the complete Coachi Puppy & Mini range at https://companyofanimals.com/uk/brand/coachi-puppy-mini/ and discover how play-based training can transform your puppy’s or small dog’s development. For additional support, training resources, and behaviour guidance, visit our Pet Centre website or contact our team at training@wearecoa.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of toys are best for puppy training?
The best training toys are those your individual puppy finds highly motivating. For most puppies, this means toys that move, make interesting sounds, and facilitate interaction with you. The Coachi Tuggi range ticks all these boxes, with varied textures and designs to suit different preferences. Interactive toys like the Chase & Treat work brilliantly for impulse control training, whilst tug toys excel at recall and redirection training.
Are puppy toys safe for teething?
The Coachi Puppy & Mini range uses soft, flexible materials specifically chosen for developing mouths. During teething, puppies need gentle textures that provide relief without damaging sensitive gums. The Tuggi toys offer appropriate resistance whilst remaining comfortable for teething puppies. Always supervise play sessions and check toys regularly for wear.
Can toys really help teach commands like “come” or “drop it”?
Coachi training toys are extraordinarily effective training tools for these commands. Recall improves dramatically when the reward is an exciting game with a favourite toy rather than just a food treat.
What makes Coachi toys different from regular dog toys?
Coachi toys are designed specifically for training, not just entertainment. Each toy serves a purpose in addressing common training challenges – improving recall, discouraging inappropriate chasing, reducing puppy mouthing and biting. The materials, sizes, and construction reflect decades of behaviour expertise from our Pet Centre. Whilst they’re fun for free play, they excel as training tools that strengthen the bond between you and your puppy whilst teaching essential skills.
What size toy should I use for a mini breed puppy or small dog?
The Coachi Puppy & Mini range is specifically designed for puppies and smaller breeds like Dachshunds, Pomeranians, Chihuahuas, Yorkies, Jack Russell Terriers, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, French Bulldogs, and Cocker Spaniels. These toys feature lighter materials, smaller dimensions, and gentler resistance suited to small mouths and more delicate jaws. Oversized toys can intimidate small dogs or make play difficult, reducing their training value. The Tuggi Spider is particularly popular with small breeds due to its super soft fleece and manageable size.
Can small dogs use training dummies?
Yes, small dogs can use training dummies. The Coachi Training Dummy comes in three sizes to suit different dog sizes:
18cm (Dark Blue) – Perfect for small dogs and puppies
22cm (Yellow) – Perfect for medium dogs
26cm (Light Blue) – Perfect for large dogs
The 18cm training dummy is ideal for smaller breeds and puppies, providing a manageable size and weight for smaller mouths during retrieve training. Standard-sized dummies may be too large and heavy for smaller dogs, making the smaller option essential for their comfort and success in training.
While the Coachi Puppy & Mini range doesn’t include a training dummy, the 18cm dummy from the main Coachi range is specifically designed with small dogs and puppies in mind, making it the perfect choice for retrieve work with smaller breeds.
How many toys should I give my puppy at a time?
Provide your puppy with plenty of toys to satisfy their natural chewing and play needs. Restricting toy access can lead puppies to seek out inappropriate items instead. The important distinction is between everyday toys and training toys. Allow free access to chew toys, puzzle feeders, and solo play items throughout the day. However, reserve the Coachi range specifically for training sessions and interactive play with you. By keeping these toys put away between sessions, they remain exciting and high-value as training rewards.
When should I start introducing training toys to a puppy?
Start immediately. From the moment your puppy arrives home around 8 weeks old, appropriate toys help shape behaviour, provide appropriate outlets for natural drives, and build positive associations with training. The earlier you incorporate toys into training, the stronger these foundations become.
Are there puppy toys that help reduce biting?
The Coachi Tuggi range is specifically designed to help redirect puppy mouthing and biting. The key is being proactive – always have a Tuggi toy available during interactions with your puppy so you can redirect their natural mouthing behaviour onto the toy before teeth touch skin. This is particularly important for children, who should always have a toy to hand when playing with the puppy. Engage enthusiastically with the toy, making it more exciting and rewarding than hands or clothing. The soft fleece texture and engaging movement make these toys naturally appealing. Remember: no play fighting with people or hands, toys only. Consistency is crucial – every family member must respond the same way, providing appropriate chew toys and rewarding your puppy when they choose the toy over mouthing people.
Are Coachi toys safe for toy breeds?
Yes, the Coachi Puppy & Mini range is specifically designed with toy breeds and small dogs in mind. These toys use softer materials, gentler resistance, and appropriate sizing to ensure safety for smaller mouths and more delicate builds. The products are tested by behaviourists and trainers at our Pet Centre with dogs of all sizes, including toy breeds.
How can I use toys to improve my small dog’s recall?
Small dogs often have excellent recall potential but can be easily distracted or nervous in open spaces. Use the Coachi Waterproof 5m Training Line to practice recall safely in parks whilst maintaining control. Pair this with a high-value reward toy like the Tuggi Spider – keep it exclusively for recall training to maximise its motivational power. Start in quiet environments and gradually increase distractions, always ensuring your small dog feels safe and confident.
Can I combine toy play with clicker training?
Clicker training and toy rewards work brilliantly together. Use our Multi Clicker to mark the exact moment your puppy performs the desired behaviour, then immediately reward with their favourite Coachi toy and an exciting game. The clicker’s precision helps your puppy understand exactly which behaviour earned the reward. This combination is particularly effective for complex behaviours or when you need to capture spontaneous actions.
Where can I buy Coachi training toys for puppies and small dogs?
Coachi training toys are available directly from our website at https://companyofanimals.com/uk/brand/coachi-puppy-mini/ where you’ll find the complete Puppy & Mini range including Tuggi toys, interactive toys, and complementary training tools. The website provides detailed information about each product to help you select the right toys for your puppy’s or small dog’s needs.
Who are Dr Roger Mugford and Dr Emily Mugford?
Dr Roger Mugford is a world-renowned animal psychologist and founder of Company of Animals. For over 40 years, he has pioneered reward-based training methods and developed tools that transformed how people understand and work with dogs. His approach emphasises positive reinforcement and practical application rather than outdated dominance theories.
Dr Emily Mugford became CEO of Company of Animals in 2024, continuing her father’s legacy. As a veterinary surgeon with over 20 years’ experience in small animal practice, Emily brings deep understanding of both pets and their owners. Her veterinary background means she evaluates every product through the lens of animal welfare first – ensuring each tool is designed to strengthen the bond between pets and their families rather than simply solving problems. Emily is also known for rescuing animals throughout her veterinary career, demonstrating the genuine care and commitment that drives Company of Animals’ approach to pet wellbeing.