Every Border Collie needs mental stimulation and that’s why they love to play with toys. What’s better than giving them one of the top 5 reward toys that keep them busy?
Not much if you ask me.
Now the problem is that there are different types of toys available in the market. And you have to choose the best reward toys for your Border Collie.
So what would you choose?
First thing’s first: Border Collies are full of energy and play a lot. Not all toys may pass their durability test. What’s more, they are the most intelligent dog breed and only a handful of toys can stimulate them for some time.
So, be wise in choosing toys and choose a reward toy for your Border Collie that is great, safe, and entertaining for them.
Here we are reviewing the top 5 Border Collie reward toys that are perfect for pups, grown-ups, and the elderly alike.
1) Kong Classic
If I had to choose only one toy for my Border Collie, it would undoubtedly be a Kong— A rubber pyramid of three rings, hollow inside.
Kong is an extremely durable toy. You can put it in the microwave or freezer. And in the dishwasher too, when your collie is done playing with it.
Kongs vary in size and level of firmness, so no matter whether your Border Collie is a puppy, adult, or elderly, there is always one available for them.
What Can You Do With The Kong Classic Toy?
Freeze — You can freeze any wet or sticky food in Kong to prolong the time it takes for your BC to deal with it.
You can even store one or two of your prepared kongs in the freezer in case of unexpected guests or other times when you need to keep your dog busy. Especially frozen kongs, the dog will be happy in the summer heat.
Cook in the microwave —Mix a small amount of cheese with a dry treat and microwave until the cheese melts. Let the Kong cool before giving it to your dog. He will surely appreciate the viscous aromatic cheese.
Hang on a tree— Pass the string through the kong and tie a knot at the smaller end.
Flip it over with the big hole up and fill it with the treats. Throw the other end of the rope onto a tree and secure it so the dog can easily reach the Kong, but would have to jump to get the food out.
This is especially suitable for dogs that tend to nibble the Kong itself along with the filling.
How To Choose The Kong Classic Toy For Your Border Collie?
Depending on your Border Collie’s age and how much of a chewer he is, you can buy him a Kong that’s best for him.
There are different levels of the Kong toy. The red ones are for average chewers, the purple-colored ones are for the elderly or light chewers, and the black ones are for extreme chewers.
Pros Of The Kong Toys
- Extremely durable
- Available for every kind of chewers
- Affordable
- Reinforces good chewing behavior
Cons Of The Kong Toys
- Requires Frequent Cleaning
2) Jolly Eggs From Jolly Pets
Fun to play with and made with high-density plastic, this large egg-shaped toy is durable enough for even the most aggressive players.
This toy is made in such a way that no dog can grab it in its jaws. Every time they try to do so, it shoots erratically in any direction, stimulating your furry friend.
Jolly Eggs have a fun oval shape that Border Collies love to chase even if they can’t get a grip over it.
This keeps the Border Collie busy for long periods so much so that you have to move it away from him so he can rest.
Since this toy bounces unexpectedly in any direction, it helps to stimulate the border collie’s herding instincts.
It is not made for chewing, so supervision is necessary. Although difficult, a persistent BC can still puncture the Jolly Egg.
What Can You Do With A Jolly Egg?
To let your Border Collie play with it, all you have to do is hold it in front of him and he will try to get it in his mouth. When he can’t get a grip over it, he will start to chase it.
What’s more, Jolly Eggs float on water. You can use it when you’re playing with him in the water.
How To Choose Jolly Eggs For Your BC?
Jolly Eggs come in different colors and sizes. You must keep a few things in mind while choosing it.
Not all sizes are best suited for every stage of life of a Collie. For puppies that weigh less than 40 lb, go for the 8-inch variant. And for the adults that weigh between 35-45 lbs, the 12-inch variant is the way to go.
Pros Of The Jolly Eggs
- Erratic movements to stimulate border collies
- Keeps your dog busy for hours
Cons Of The Jolly Eggs
- Not as durable as it claims
- Gets punctured easily if the size is small
3) Tether Tugs
The Tether Tug is an outdoor dog toy that comes with a thick pole. A toy is tied to it at its tip.
Your dog then pulls the toy attached to it without pulling the pole out of the ground. It is flexible enough to withstand even the strongest pulls of Border Collies.
This toy comes with a sturdy base that sticks in the ground, a pole, and a toy for your dog. This is a freestanding toy for your dog so that he can play for hours.
Tether tug is relatively easy to install, depending on the softness of the ground around your home. It mostly comes assembled with two metal poles and a heavy base.
All you have to do is to bury its base in the ground in such a way that its steel pole is one inch above the ground. After this, you have to put the second part of the toy in it.
What Can You Do With Tether Tugs?
All you have to do is install the Tether Tug and tie your dog’s favorite toy to its tip. After that, your dog will be interested in playing with it.
Its outdoor variant is not interactive, but its indoor variant is also available and you can play tug with your dog.
How To Choose A Tether Tug For Your BC?
An adult BC weighs only 30 to 45 lb and you have to choose the variant of this toy accordingly. Otherwise, you may choose a variant that is more powerful than their strength, or one that is very fragile.
Tether Tug has every size ranging from puppies to adults. Make sure that you choose one that’s fit for your BC.
Pros Of Tether Tugs
- Durable
- Dogs play by themselves without your input until exhaustion takes over
Cons Of Tether Tugs
- Expensive
- Needs large space
4) SodaPup Pull Tab Tug Toy
True to its name, the SodaPup’s tug toy is the same shape as the pull tab of a soda can. This shape is perfect for playing tug with Border Collies as they can tug well.
If there wasn’t a handle, that would be a one-sided tug in your dog’s favor. Not only is its shape well thought of, but also the material used to make it is approved by the FDA. It’s non-toxic and biodegradable.
When the playtime is over, you can put it in the dishwasher top. It’s that easy to clean.
Just because it’s made of natural rubber doesn’t mean it’s not durable. SodaPup offers a replacement when it gets damaged. Just hold on to your receipts.
What Can You Do With a SodaPup Pull Tab Tug Toy?
Play tug with your Border Collie. That’s what you intend to do, but as we have seen, you can use it to play fetch too. This isn’t a chewing toy, but Border Collies love to chew it for its soft rubber.
How To Choose a SodaPup Tug Toy For Your BC?
SodaPup makes the toy such that it’s suitable for every medium-sized dog (20-60 lbs). And our Border Collies fall into that category. You can without a doubt buy it for your dog.
Pros Of SodaPup Pull Tab Tug Toy
- Durable
- Safe distance from dog’s jaw
- Can be used to play fetch
Cons Of SodaPup Pull Tab Tug Toy
- Slingshots back and might hit your dog’s nose
- Not for chewers
5) Chukit! Ultra Grip Ball Launcher And Ball
This ball launcher from ChuckIt gives you a long-range and comfortable rubber grip. The catapult is made in the shape of an elongated handle and holds the ball firmly, leaving your hands free of drool.
The toy fits into a regular bag, and it’s easy to carry while traveling.
The surface is like a tennis ball, very strong and sturdy. Thanks to its bright color, the ball is visible both in the air and on the ground. Even in the evening, the ball won’t get lost easily.
What Can You Do With Chuckit! Ultra Grip Ball Launcher And Ball?
Play fetch. Just hold the ball in the launcher, take a firm grip on the handle, and swing it in the direction you would like to release the ball. The ChuckIt Ball Launcher throws the ball a long distance.
You don’t even have to bend to lift the ball. The launcher’s cup can easily lift the ball off the ground. This makes playing fetch more convenient.
How To Choose ChuckIt Ultra Grip Ball Launcher?
It comes in various sizes. Depending on your needs, you can buy small, medium, or large-sized. Smaller ones are best suited for traveling as they fit easily in the bags. But for dog parks, large-sized is the best.
And for the Ball, it should be 3×3 inches.
Pros Of Chuckit Ultra Grip Ball Launcher
- You don’t have to bend to pick up the ball
- Saves you from drool
- Launches ball faster and easily
Cons Of Chuckit Ultra Grip Ball Launcher
- Doesn’t throw balls so far compared to its wood alternatives
Bottom Line
Choosing reward toys for Border Collies is a responsible and enjoyable task at the same time. Reward toys boost their morale and make their behavioral training easier.
Every dog is different and has a different play style. Few may like to play fetch, some like chasing toys, while others may just like to gnaw and chew.
The choice(s) you make will depend on your collie behavior, the space available, and of course the price. But be sure to check the safety of the toys you buy.