Best Toys For German Shepherd Puppies

Since GSD puppies are generally stronger, more energetic, and have a higher drive, they can have a knack for destroying toys more than other breeds. It’s critical that you find the right dog toys to guarantee safety, durability, and long-term fun.

This article will give options for the best toys for German Shepherd puppies in different categories so you will be sure to find a toy perfect for your young pup.

*This article may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links I get a small commission at no additional cost to you 🙂 .

How to Select the Best Toys for German Shepherd Puppies?

Start by determining all the types of toys they need and are most excited by. Do they need chew toys to help with their teething? Or are you looking for toys to keep them occupied?

Once you know what you need, look for the specific features that would make a dog toy perfect for your specific pup.

What to Look for in Toys for GSD Puppies

Shopping for toys for young GSDs typically entails a lot of trial and error. You’ll very likely end up buying something they’ll immediately destroy or lose interest in right away.  To reduce the chances of that happening, consider the following when choosing dog toys for your pup:

1) Size

Size is the most critical part of choosing a dog toy. Depending on how it’s supposed to be played with, the toy should be small enough for your GSD pup to grasp with their mouth, but not too small that it becomes a choking hazard. This is especially important for balls and chew toys.

2) Durability

GSD puppies will use anything for teething relief, and their discipline for bite inhibition won’t yet be fully developed. Make sure you find toys that can withstand your pup’s urge to chew.

Also, make sure you select dog toys made of safe and non-toxic materials that won’t harm your pup if they do end up destroying it.

3) Engagement

Always ask yourself how engaging the toy will be. Most puppies are excited by squeaky sounds, while others love chasing after toys that bounce. Observe your GSD for what they’re most excited by so you can find the toys that will keep them occupied for longer.

Best Squeaky Toy for German Shepherd Puppies

Squeaky toys are terribly exciting for young GSDs. Apart from giving them an object to bite, chew, or grasp, these toys provide extra mental stimulation. It’s especially enjoyable to watch them figure out how to trigger the sound.

For most puppies, the louder the squeak, the better. But beware if you can’t stand the noise as it could go on all day if you let it.

They’re around 4 inches in diameter and come in three different vibrant and fade-resistant colors. Although these balls can stand up to chewing, they’re best for interactive play like catch and fetch.

What I love:

• Vibrant colors
• Easy to clean
• Non-toxic materials
• Excellent fetch toy
• Stands up to chewing

Possible Downsides:

• For GSD puppies younger than 4 months, choose the medium size, as the large will be too big
• Requires supervision as squeaker can come loose
• Continuous squeaking can be intolerable for some humans

Best Rope-Ball Combo for German Shepherd Puppies

Rope-and-ball combination dog toys offer double the fun. GSD puppies especially love them because they can be grasped and played with in different ways.

These combo toys can be carried, thrown, tugged, and launched, and every game will be just as exciting. Plus, the ball is especially fun to chase after while the rope is comforting for teething pups.

The medium size is around 6 inches in diameter and is especially fun to roll and jump on. It’s made of Jolly Pets’ proprietary JollyFlex material, which is not only non-toxic but also incredibly durable. Plus, it will keep bouncing and floating even after it’s been punctured, since it doesn’t deflate.

What I love:

• Various rope textures
• Doesn’t deflate even when punctured
• Non-toxic materials
• Allows for many play options
• Floats on water

Possible Downsides:

• Should only be used as an interactive toy
• Requires supervision since some dogs can chew off and swallow pieces of the rope

Best Food Dispensing Toy for German Shepherd Puppies

Food dispensing toys are excellent for providing amusement as well as mental stimulation. These toys can keep your dog occupied with minimal supervision from you since all you need to do is fill it up with their kibble or their favorite treats and watch them figure things out.

For puppies, these toys also help develop a drive for food, which is useful for training purposes.

This treat ball is customizable in that it can be set for different difficulty levels.  As your pup learns, you can increase the difficulty to force them to have to work a little harder to access the kibble or treats.

Food dispensing toys are also great if you have a speedy eater because since your dog has to work for the food, they can’t just scarf it down as fast as if it were in the bowl.  This ball also disassembles very easily and can be cleaned in warm soapy water.

What I love:

• Made of durable plastic
• Holds treats for extra stimulation
• Excellent for mental stimulation
• Varying difficulty levels that advance with your pup
• Easy to clean

Possible Downsides:

• Works best with small-sized kibble and treats

Best Soft Toy for German Shepherd Puppies

It’s very rare for plushies to last longer than a couple of minutes at the mercy of a GSD puppy. The next best thing is a tough dog toy enclosed in a plushie-like covering. These provide soft edges and surfaces, which massage the gums and are comforting to your teething dog.

Additionally, this soft dog toy has as many as seven seams, which makes it extra tough. For added stimulation, this toy contains multiple squeakers, which are enclosed in internal pockets for guaranteed safety.

What I love:

• Remarkably tough construction
• Durable but soft fleece
• Comes in various colors and patterns
• Floats on water
• Machine washable

Possible Downsides:

• Not suitable for independent play

Best Fetch/Tug Toy for German Shepherd Puppies

Fetch/Tug toys are excellent purchases because they can be used for different types of interactive play. Generally, they’re made to withstand the outdoors. They’re also generally light enough for tossing, but tough enough for tugging.

That makes it remarkably durable but is also stretchy, bendy, and bouncy, which makes it extra exciting for dogs of all ages. Plus, it’s dishwasher-safe and non-toxic.

What I love:

• Non-toxic
• Floats on water
• Dishwasher-safe
• Bends, stretches, and bounces
• Stands up to biting and tugging

Possible Downsides:

• Not suitable as a chew toy

Best Rope Toys for German Shepherd Puppies

Rope toys are excellent because they’re gentle on the teeth and gums and also promote good oral health. Additionally, rope is a versatile material that can be made into a variety of toys that dogs love. They’re also generally inexpensive, durable, and safe to play with.

It contains a knotted ball, another knotted ball attached to a rope and handle, a tug rope with four knots, a figure-8 tug toy with a rubber ball, and a 6-inch braided ring. All these toys are made with natural cotton fiber, a hard-wearing material that’s safe for your pup.

What I love:

• Made of natural cotton fiber
• Includes 5 different rope toys
• Ideal size for large breed puppies
• Helps clean teeth and gums
• Soothes teething pains

Possible Downsides:

• Not suitable for aggressive chewers

Best KONG Toy for German Shepherd Puppies

KONG is best known for tough, enriching toys meant to provide both mental and physical stimulation.

The classic KONG toy is well-loved not just for its erratic bounce but also because they can be stuffed with snacks and treats to keep dogs occupied for long periods. Plus, they’re made with natural rubber and have variants to suit all types of chewing.

This toy is safe enough for independent play but works best for interactive games like fetch and tug. Most GSDs love to play with it by thrashing, shaking, and whipping it around.

What I love:

• Durable ballistic nylon covering
• Two ball sizes to grasp
• Safe for independent play
• Squeaker doesn’t come off
• Excellent for tossing and tugging

Possible Downsides:

• Loud squeaking can get very annoying quickly.

Best Puzzle Toy for German Shepherd Puppies

GSDs are incredibly smart dogs that need to put their mental faculties to good use if you don’t want them to develop any destructive behaviors. Puzzle toys are incredibly useful in this regard since they help puppies learn to figure things out and solve problems on their own.

There are 20 compartments in all, but you can remove or add them to suit the level of challenge your pup is ready for. You can also use it as your main food bowl if your pup tends to eat too quickly.

What I love:

• Keeps dogs occupied for long periods
• Provides physical and mental stimulation
• Adjustable challenge level
• Slows down fast eaters
• Easy to clean

Possible Downsides:

• Parts that snap off can be choking hazards. It’s always best to supervise your dog while playing with this toy

Final Thoughts

Finding fun yet durable dog toys is a difficult task when you have a GSD puppy! The best toys help give your dog both the physical and mental stimulation they need to be disciplined and well mannered.

Plus, toys serve as tools that allow you to have more fun and meaningful interactions with your pup. The more you play, the stronger your bond becomes and the better your relationship will be.

Check out my puppy resource page for a one-page guide to everything you need for a new German Shepherd puppy.