Squeaky toys are a double-edged sword: they make dogs happy, but hurt their owner’s ears. One woman, however, has come up with a fair solution that subsequently went viral on TikTok.
Racking up 778,000 views, the clip shared by owner Ariel Wolf, 31, (@deviouspickles), shows Newt, a German wire-haired pointer, searching through his toy drawer, looking for the perfect item to play with.
The text layered over the September 17 video read: “Every night my dog gets 10 minutes to play with one really annoying toy.” With many to choose from, the four-year-old service dog takes the task very seriously, using his nose to sniff out the toy of choice and making it clear by flipping it at his owner.
Wolf, a dog trainer from North Carolina, told Newsweek: “The reason we do this is because Newt loves his squeaky toys but one of my other dogs will rip out and eat the squeakers. So every night I close the other dogs out of the bedroom to allow him access to his squeaky toys. All of my dogs have free access to many toys and chew bones that don’t have squeakers.”
Two screenshots show Newt patiently waiting for his toy drawer to be opened, and then he carefully selects one.
Ariel Wolf/TikTok/@deviouspickles
She added: “I don’t start the 10 minutes until he’s chosen, and taking the time to choose is probably his favorite part. I’m not super strict on the 10 minutes, that’s about the amount of time it takes for him to decide he’s done on his own and want to go get some water.
“He is great about handing his toys back. Because of his service dog training, he can actually put his toy back in the box all by himself when he’s done with it. He always looks very proud of himself. He knows when he’s done well, which is often.”
In the comments, Wolf wrote: “My dogs have free access to quiet various toys and chews. One of my dogs eats squeakers so this is the solution to allow my squeaky loving boy his private play time.”
She also told another user: “The best part of having 3 brain cells is by tomorrow night he will have forgotten why he chose the favorite tonight. It’s like Christmas every evening!”
The American Kennel Club (AKC) website explains why some dogs love nothing more than a noisy toy. Generally, they tend to enjoy toys that mimic prey, such as squeaky and soft plush toys, which can be satisfying for them to chew or rip apart. However, preferences vary based on individual personalities, even within the same breed. Some dogs prefer hard chew toys, while others enjoy chasing balls or Frisbees, and some may only engage with toys when their owner participates.
Toy preferences can change as dogs age—puppies may favor chew toys during teething, adults might need sturdier options, and senior dogs often prefer softer toys that are easy to hold and tug.
Older or less confident dogs may prefer soft plush toys or unique toys that spark their interest. It is important for owners to provide plenty of enrichment for their furry friends to prevent boredom. This can include long walks, games of fetch, toys, and interactive puzzles to keep their minds stimulated.
So far, the video has over 54,000 likes and more than 120 comments—many from owners sharing their dog’s preferences.
“My doggy hates squeakers, which in theory is great for my ears but so hard to find dog toys that don’t have them! We end up just buying her tons of teddy bears,” said one user.
Another user said: “My dog always has his squeaks unless it bedtime. One time he snuck one into his kennel and before I fell asleep it went off. I was like not today dude.”
A third commenter suggested, “You should get the rubber chicken that screams. My dog is obsessed!” Wolf replied, “I’m sure he’d love it, and I’d hate it.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
