The Right Toys for Your Fully Trained Puppy: What to Have Ready When They Come Home
- Samantha Scarborough
- Oct 10
- 8 min read
Your six-month-old puppy is about to arrive home—fully trained, socialized, and ready to seamlessly integrate into your life. But one of the most common questions I get from new owners is: What toys should I have waiting?
In my 15 years of professional training and after raising hundreds of puppies through their most crucial developmental stages, I can tell you this: the right toys aren't just about entertainment. They're about maintaining the mental stimulation, appropriate chewing outlets, and calm confidence we've carefully built over the past several months.
Because your puppy arrives with foundational training already established, you can skip the guesswork and invest in quality toys that support their continued development while fitting seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Quick Shop: Our Recommended Puppy Toys & Chews
Durable Chews [Benebone] | [Best Bully Sticks] | [Earth Animal No-Hide]
Fetch & Outdoor Play [Chuckit!] | [West Paw Zogoflex] | [Jolly Pets]
Enrichment & Sensory [Playology] | [West Paw Tux]
Comfort Toys [Bark Box] | [Pubialo Plush]
Scroll down to see why we recommend each brand and how to introduce them during your puppy's first week home.
Why Toy Selection Matters for Your Trained Puppy
Your puppy has already learned structure, impulse control, and how to engage appropriately with toys during their time with us. Now, the toys you provide should complement that foundation by:
Supporting healthy chewing habits (even at six months, adolescent dogs have a biological need to chew)
Providing mental stimulation without creating hyperactivity
Encouraging independent play while you work or relax
Being durable enough to withstand an enthusiastic adolescent
Remaining safe during both supervised and unsupervised play
When I'm raising puppies in my home, I'm strategic about which toys I introduce and when. The same thoughtfulness should continue in yours.
Our Top Toy Categories and Brand Recommendations
Durable Chew Toys: The Non-Negotiables
Chewing is how adolescent dogs relieve stress, strengthen their jaws, and self-soothe. Having appropriate chew outlets prevents your pup from testing their teeth on your furniture or belongings.
Infused with real flavors like bacon and peanut butter, Benebones are engineered for durability and ergonomically designed for easy gripping. I keep these in multiple rooms when raising puppies—they're that effective.
Why they work: Mess-free alternative to rawhide, safe for extended chewing, and perfect for solo downtime while you're working or unwinding in the evening.
All-natural, single-ingredient chews that satisfy the urge to gnaw while promoting dental health. These are my go-to for crate time or when I need a puppy to settle after an active day.
Why they work: Highly digestible, long-lasting, and naturally calming. Perfect for reinforcing the calm crate behavior your puppy has already learned.
A healthier, more digestible alternative to traditional rawhide that lasts long enough for calming chew sessions without the safety concerns.
Why they work: Safer ingredient profile, satisfying texture, and ideal for evening wind-down or travel days.
Pro Tip: Keep 2–3 chew options in rotation and swap them out every few days. Novelty maintains engagement, just as it does with any enrichment activity.
Fetch & Outdoor Play: For Energy Burn and Bonding
Your trained puppy already has recall and impulse control, which transforms fetch and outdoor play from chaos management into genuine bonding time.
The ergonomic ball launcher and durable fetch balls are essential if you have yard space or visit parks regularly. I've watched countless puppies light up during fetch sessions—it's exercise and connection in one.
Why they work: Reinforces the recall training we've established, provides efficient energy burn, and creates positive association with outdoor time.
Nearly indestructible, dishwasher-safe, and versatile enough for fetch, tug, or water play. The Tux model doubles as a treat dispenser for mental enrichment during independent play.
Why they work: Floats for lake or pool weekends, built to last years, and backed by a manufacturer guarantee. These are investment pieces that grow with your dog.
The iconic puncture-proof balls that don't require air. If you have a larger yard or active outdoor lifestyle, these withstand enthusiastic play while remaining completely safe.
Why they work: Perfect for kicking, chasing, and nosing around. They're also excellent for dogs who play rough—virtually impossible to destroy.
Enrichment & Sensory Play: For Calm Mental Engagement
Not every moment needs high energy. Enrichment toys challenge your puppy's mind and encourage the kind of calm, independent engagement that makes daily life easier for everyone.
Scientifically designed with embedded scents like peanut butter or chicken, these toys stimulate your puppy's strongest sense while holding up to adolescent chewing. I've watched puppies stay engaged with these for 30+ minutes at a time.
Why they work: Sensory engagement without overstimulation, dual-layer construction for durability, and perfect for solo entertainment while you're on calls or cooking dinner.
A stuffable toy you can fill with food, freeze for extended engagement, or use as a high-value reward. During your delivery transition, I'll show you exactly how to use this for patience practice and rewarding calm behavior.
Why it works: Extends the problem-solving skills your puppy has already developed, supports crate training, and provides productive occupation during alone time.
Comfort & Gentle Play Options
For quiet evenings or low-key days, softer alternatives support emotional security and gentle engagement.
A monthly subscription service delivering 2 toys, 2 bags of treats, and a chew—all themed around creative concepts. Each box is customized based on your dog's size, play style, and dietary needs.
Why it works for trained puppies:
Built-in toy rotation system (new toys monthly)
Variety prevents boredom and maintains novelty
Treats are made in USA or Canada with quality ingredients
Fun unboxing experience creates positive anticipation
Themed toys range from gentle plush to more durable options
What makes it valuable: When I'm raising puppies, I use BarkBox as a supplemental rotation tool. The monthly delivery means you're automatically implementing the toy rotation strategy that keeps engagement high. The variety also helps you identify which toy types your specific puppy gravitates toward—some love the plush toys for comfort play, others prefer the more durable chew options.
Best for: Ongoing toy variety, discovering your puppy's toy preferences, gentle play options, keeping the "new toy" excitement alive
Subscription tiers:
Classic Box: $23/month (monthly plan) or $20/month (6-month plan)
Super Chewer: $29/month for power chewers (all durable toys and chews)
All toys and treats can be mixed into your weekly rotation
Pro tip: Start with a 6-month subscription to build a diverse toy library, then evaluate whether to continue or shift to targeted individual purchases based on your puppy's preferences.
Price: $23-35/month | Durability: Varies by item | Supervision: Varies by toy type
Soft comfort toys that often become security objects during the first weeks in a new environment. I've seen puppies carry these from room to room as they settle into their new homes.
Why they work: Emotionally comforting during adjustment periods, appropriate for gentle indoor play, and perfect companions for crate naps.
How Many Toys Does a Trained Puppy Actually Need?
You've already invested in the best possible training—now it's about maintaining that foundation with thoughtful, quality choices rather than overwhelming your puppy (or your home) with excess.
I recommend starting with:
2–3 durable chew toys (Benebone, Best Bully Sticks)
2–3 fetch/outdoor toys (Chuckit!, West Paw, Jolly Pets)
2–3 enrichment toys (Playology, West Paw Tux)
1–2 comfort toys (Earth Animal, Pubialo)
That's roughly 8–10 quality toys—enough variety to keep things interesting without creating clutter. Rotate them weekly to maintain novelty and sustained interest.
Your Puppy's First Week: Toy Introduction Strategy
While your puppy is trained and confident, they're still adjusting to a new environment. Here's how to introduce toys during the transition:
Days 1-2: Limited Options Start with 2-3 toys only—a chew toy, one comfort toy, and one enrichment option. This prevents overwhelm and allows your puppy to settle without excessive stimulation.
Days 3-5: Gradual Introduction Add outdoor play toys once your puppy seems comfortable.
I'll demonstrate during delivery how to use fetch and tug toys to reinforce the recall and impulse control we've established.
Week 2 and Beyond: Full Rotation Once your puppy has fully transitioned, implement the full rotation system. Keep 4-5 toys accessible and swap others in weekly.
This provides enough variety without overwhelming your puppy or cluttering your home. Implement a rotation system: keep 4-5 toys accessible, swap others in weekly. If you add BarkBox, the monthly delivery naturally supplements your rotation.
What Your Puppy Already Knows About Toys
One of the advantages of bringing home a trained puppy is that toy time isn't a behavioral battleground. During their months with me, your puppy has already learned:
Appropriate play behavior – No resource guarding or possessive behavior around toys
"Drop it" command – You maintain control even during exciting play
Independent play skills – They can entertain themselves calmly without constant interaction
Structured play sessions – They understand that play has a clear beginning and end
This foundation means toys become tools for bonding and enrichment rather than sources of frustration or behavioral challenges.
Want a puppy who comes home with this foundation already built? [Learn more about our program →]
Toy Safety Reminders
Even with a well-trained, six-month-old puppy, always prioritize safety:
Supervise the first few play sessions with any new toy to observe how your puppy interacts with it
Remove toys that show significant wear or develop loose pieces
Avoid toys with small components that could become choking hazards
Match toy size to your puppy's breed and jaw strength (we'll discuss this during delivery)
Protecting Your Investment
You've made a significant investment in giving your dog the best possible start—professionally trained, thoughtfully raised in a home environment, and prepared for real-world living. Quality toys aren't just accessories; they're tools that protect and maintain the foundation we've built together over the past six months.
The right toys support the training, encourage healthy independence, provide appropriate outlets for natural instincts, and make your daily life run more smoothly. Just as importantly, they prevent the behavioral issues that often arise when intelligent, active dogs don't have constructive ways to occupy themselves.
This is why I'm selective about what I recommend. These brands have proven themselves reliable through hundreds of puppies I've raised. They're durable enough to last, safe enough for unsupervised play, and engaging enough to keep an adolescent dog appropriately stimulated.
The Bottom Line
Your puppy is arriving home trained, confident, and ready to fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. The toys you choose during this transition matter—not because they're complicated, but because they support everything we've worked to establish.
During your delivery transition, I'll walk you through toy introduction, demonstrate how to use specific toys to reinforce training, and answer any questions about what will work best for your daily routine and living situation. You're not figuring this out alone.
Ready to Bring Home a Fully Trained Puppy?
If you're still in the research phase and want to learn more about how our program works, we'd love to talk. We raise just two puppies at a time in our home—not a kennel—and guide them through all the crucial developmental stages so you can skip the chaos and enjoy the connection from day one. [Schedule a consultation call →]
Our waitlist fills quickly, and we're selective about the families we work with to ensure the right fit for both puppy and owner.
Questions about toys, training, or what to expect? Browse our other resources:
Samantha Scarborough has been professionally training dogs since 2010. She created A Dog's Life Puppy Raising for people who want the right dog, raised the right way, without sacrificing their lifestyle or sanity.
Keywords: trained puppy toys, best toys for 6-month-old puppy, puppy toy recommendations, professional dog trainer toy guide, enrichment toys for trained puppies, durable dog toys, puppy chew toys
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