Why Dogs Play: The Science Behind a Happy, Healthy Dog

Play isn’t just about having fun. For dogs, it’s a fundamental need that supports their emotional, mental, and physical wellbeing. From the first wobbly weeks of puppyhood to the golden years of senior life, play helps dogs explore their environment, build confidence, and feel secure.

At the Company of Animals head office in Surrey, UK, our 100-acre farm is home to the Company of Animals Pet Centre, a world-renowned hub for dog behaviour, training, and wellbeing. Services at the Pet Centre include behaviour consultations, one-to-one and class-based training, physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, secure field and agility hire, and professional dog grooming at the Pet Head Grooming Salon.

At the Company of Animals Pet Centre, we work with hundreds of dogs every week. Whether they’re attending behaviour consultations, physiotherapy, or training classes, one thing remains consistent. Play plays a powerful role in reducing stress, improving behaviour, and helping dogs thrive.

Not all play has to be high energy or structured. Sometimes it’s as simple as carrying a toy from room to room, chewing gently on something soft, or engaging with sounds and textures that soothe the senses. These quiet moments are just as valuable for a dog’s emotional health as physical exercise or formal training.

Bite Force has been developed with this in mind. It’s a plush do or puppy toy-but not your average one. Made with Kevlar™ Yarn reinforced layers, durable stitching, and sensory features like crinkle textures and squeakers, it’s designed to offer longer-lasting play for dogs who like to stay busy. Whether they’re tossing it around, playing fetch, or settling down for solo time, Bite Force helps keep them engaged in a healthy, constructive way.

Why Dogs Play: It’s Instinctive and Essential

Play is instinctive. It mimics real-life skills like hunting, foraging, chasing, and problem-solving. These are all natural behaviours that dogs are hardwired to practise. But beyond instinct, play is emotional too. It releases feel-good chemicals in the brain, such as dopamine and serotonin, which help dogs feel calm, content, and connected.

When dogs don’t get enough stimulation or enrichment through play, they often find other outlets for their energy. Barking excessively, chewing furniture, or acting out when left alone are not signs of a naughty dog. They’re signs that a dog needs more mental and emotional release.

Just like us, dogs also use play to self-soothe. The repetitive action of chewing, the sound of a crinkle or squeaker, or simply the comfort of holding something soft can help relieve anxiety and create a sense of security. This is especially important for young puppies, rescue dogs, or those coping with changes in the home.

Not All Play Looks the Same

While some dogs enjoy energetic games of fetch or chase, others engage in quieter forms of play. Many dogs enjoy mouthing, carrying, or cuddling toys, especially if they’re soft, textured, and engaging to the senses.

These dogs often prefer toys they can explore at their own pace. They’re not looking to tug or wrestle. They want to chew gently, nudge with their nose, or simply relax with something that makes them feel safe.

From puppies to seniors, dogs benefit from play in so many ways:

• It helps them burn off excess energy
• Encourages natural behaviours like carrying, gripping, and chasing
• Offers emotional release and helps reduce stress
• Supports cognitive health by keeping their minds active
• Strengthens bonds with humans and other dogs

When dogs don’t get enough stimulation, they often seek their own outlets—sometimes in ways we’d rather they didn’t. Offering the right kind of toy at the right time gives them a more positive focus.

Different Ways Dogs Engage with Toys

No two play exactly the same. Understanding your dog’s play style helps you find dog or puppy toys they’ll actually enjoy—and that will last longer, too.

Engaging Play, Built to Last

Some dogs love to mouth, chew, and explore their toys in different ways. That might mean carrying them around the house, nudging them for attention, or settling in for a satisfying chew. Bite Force toys are built for this kind of engaged, everyday play.

With reinforced seams, multi-layered construction, and tough-but-soft fabric, they’re ideal for dogs who enjoy a more durable plush toy experience. While they’re not designed for intense games of tug or chase, they’re a great choice for dogs who interact with their toys through mouthing, light play, or focused chewing.

Each toy includes a mix of textures, crinkle layers, and squeakers to spark curiosity and keep dogs entertained. It’s the sensory richness, not rough-and-tumble play, that makes Bite Force a favourite for dogs who love plush with a bit of backbone.

Comfort & Solo Play

Some dogs enjoy carrying their toys from room to room or settling down with something soft and satisfying to explore on their own. Texture, sound, and shape variety can make a big difference here.

Bite Force includes squeakers and crinkle material to offer gentle sensory stimulation—helping to keep dogs engaged, even when they’re playing solo.

What Makes Bite Force Different?

Soft toys are often the first to wear out in a dog’s toy box. Bite Force aims to change that, offering a more durable option within the plush category.

• Kevlar™ Yarn Reinforcement
  Used in key areas to help withstand repeated use, Kevlar™ gives Bite Force added strength where it matters most. It’s a rare addition in plush toys, and one that sets this range apart.
• Layered Design
  Beneath the surface, multiple internal layers help Bite Force hold its shape and resist general wear and tear. This gives it a longer lifespan than the average soft toy.
• Reinforced Seams
  Seams are often the weak points in plush toys. Bite Force strengthens them with reinforced stitching, helping the toy hold together during more energetic play sessions.
• Sensory Play Built In
  All the Biteforce dog and puppy toys come with crinkle sounds and squeakers these toys offer more than just texture-they help keep your dog interested and engaged over time.
• Stylish and Sturdy
  Unlike many durability-focused toys that use hard rubber or plastic, Bite Force maintains a classic soft toy look-making it easy on the eye but up to the task when playtime gets lively.

Final Thoughts

Bite Force isn’t just another plush toy. It’s a thoughtfully engineered solution designed to support your dog’s need for play, comfort, and stimulation-day after day.

With its smart construction, sensory features, and engaging design, Bite Force offers more than durability. It offers a way to help dogs feel calm, curious, and connected. Whether it becomes their favourite tug toy, a sensory distraction, or a comfort companion, Bite Force is built to bring out the best in your dog’s natural play behaviours.

Play smart. Play strong. Play with Bite Force.