Here at Tearribles, it is our mission to give every dog lover the opportunity to experience the wholesome joy of interactive playtime with their dogs, and to allow dogs to exercise their natural behaviors in a happy, safe environment.

Tearribles Holiday Gift Guide: The Ultimate Dog Gift Guide by Age & Size (2025 Edition)

by Sanja Jovanovic

Tearribles Holiday Gift Guide: Science-Backed Picks for Every Dog

Finding the perfect gift for a dog—your own or someone else’s—can feel overwhelming with so many options out there. That’s why Tearribles curated this enrichment-first, science-backed gift guide to help you choose by age, size, and play style. Whether you’re shopping for a puppy, a playful adult, or a wise senior, you’ll find something to delight every dog (and their humans) this holiday season.

Why Age & Play Style Matter: The Science of Enrichment

Dogs aren’t just “big” or “small”—they’re individuals with unique needs at every stage of life. Here’s how to shop smarter and make your gift truly meaningful:

Play suggestions by Age: 

Puppies (12 Months & Under)

Puppies are energetic, curious, and—let’s face it—tiny tornadoes with teeth! Here’s what to keep in mind:
  1. Chewing is normal and necessary. Puppies explore the world with their mouths. Chewing soothes their gums and helps them learn. Don’t discourage it; just direct it to safe chews and tough toys. Anything valuable or unsafe should be kept out of reach when you’re not supervising.
  2. Developing bodies need care. Their joints and bones aren’t fully developed until 12–15 months (even longer for some large breeds). While play is crucial, avoid excessive high-impact exercise. Instead, focus on gentle chase games and social play.
  3. Short attention spans and coordination. Save complex puzzles for later—young pups can get frustrated. Early play should build coordination and confidence, not confusion.
  4. Rest is crucial. Puppies have two speeds: full throttle and fast asleep! They grow while they sleep, so let them nap as much as they need.
Top Picks for Puppies:
  • Automatic Chase Ball: Random movement, soft rubber casing, great for building coordination and burning energy.
  • Tough Ball: Soft, light, but sturdy—perfect for teething.
  • Tearrible Tiny: Ideal for social play, tug, and gentle tearing.
  • Collagen Stix: All-natural, tough to finish, and perfect for soothing itchy gums.
Pro Tip: For puppies 4–6 months, start adding fetch toys, flirt poles, and simple puzzles. At 6–8 months, begin teaching the difference between chew toys, interactive toys, and chase toys. Once your pup is fully grown (12+ months), introduce more intense play like flirt poles for healthy, supervised exercise.

So how does that translate to playtime?

In short:
Toys that are great for young puppies (2-4 months old) would be things that help them learn coordination, social skills, and allow them to exercise their early instincts.
At 4-6 months, the pups will become much faster, more athletic, and much more coordinated. This is also the time where they will start paying more attention to you, and it's a phenomenal time to dive into things like fetch, flirt poles, interactive toys, and puzzles. 

As puppies near the end of their teething stage and their adult teeth are almost all in (6-8months), it's important to start introducing different types or toys and teaching the pup the difference between chew toys, interactive toys, chase toys, puzzles, etc. You can check out different kids of dog toys and their benefits in our blog titled Not All Toys are Chew Toys.

Once your pup reaches full physical development (12 months and on for most breeds), we recommend introducing more intense play things like Flirt Poles, which will add great  exercise to your pup's weekly routine. 

Young Adults (1–5 Years)

This is your dog’s prime! They’re energetic, eager, and ready to take on over the world. The best gifts match their breed’s instincts and their personal play style, but we can't tell you how often we hear stories of pet parents who thought their dogs just don't play, when in fact they just weren't matched with the right toys. Every young adult dog should have a toy from each category—chase, chew, interactive, and puzzle—to keep them engaged and happy, and to figure out what their favorite type of play is. 
  • Retrievers: Fetch toys and interactive games.
  • Working breeds & hounds: Puzzles and Tearribles for mental challenges.
  • Terriers & Dachshunds: Tear-apart toys, chase balls, and flirt poles to satisfy their prey drive.
 

Seniors (8+ Years)

Older dogs still love to play, but their bodies and senses may slow down. The best gifts keep their minds sharp and their instincts satisfied, while being gentle on aging bodies. But you know that saying: "We don't stop playing when we get old. We get old when we stop playing."  If you are shopping for a young senior that still enjoys fetch, keep at it for as long as they want to do it. Soft toys like Tearribles are a great way to keep their instincts and minds engaged, especially when paired with a few treats hidden in the pockets of the toy. And they make a great head rest when playtime is over.
  • Soft toys like Tearribles: Perfect for gentle tug and hiding treats.
  • Puzzle toys: Engage their sense of smell and boost confidence, especially as vision and hearing fade. 

As the senior gets older, their eyesight and their hearing will go, but one sense stays strong until the day they pass- their sense of smell. If you're dealing with an old senior, the absolutely best gift you can give them is a puzzle toy. It will keep their mind sharp, build their confidence, and light up that olfactory bulb like it's Christmas. Check out our Pawzler Bundles for a great treat and puzzle pairing. 

Now that we've gone over things to consider age wise- we can look at the quick overview of shopping by size of dog: 


Shopping by Size: Tearribles Toys for Every Dog

  • Tiny (5”): Best for small breeds and toy dogs (Chihuahuas, Yorkies). Great for shredding, tug, and multi-dog games. Hide treats for extra enrichment!
  • Medium (10”): Perfect for “smedium” and medium breeds (standard Dachshunds, Corgis, Frenchies, Aussies). Great for tug, keepaway, and treat-hunting.
  • XL (14”): Made for medium and large, energetic dogs (Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Retrievers) who crave a challenge.
Not for: Teething puppies under 6 months without supervision, seniors who’ve lost interest in active play, or any dog with a tendency to eat inedible objects (like those with Pica).
Pro Tip: All Tearribles toys mimic prey dismemberment, satisfying dogs’ natural instincts and reducing destructive boredom behaviors.

. 

Chews & Treats: Match to Chewing Style

  • Beef Cheek Chips & Rolls: Chips for gentle chewers or seniors; rolls for strong jaws and big chewers. Always supervise.
  • Collagen Stix (Thin, Medium, Jumbo): Thin for puppies/small breeds; medium for most adults; jumbo for power chewers.
  • Bully Braids & Bully Sticks: Smaller for light chewers; 12” for big dogs or multi-dog households. Their strong aroma makes them a favorite of picky eaters.
  • Piggy Pizzle Springs: Quick chew for small dogs or a fast treat for big dogs.
  • Yak Chews: Long-lasting, tough, and made from yak milk. Microwave the nub for a crunchy cheese puff treat!
  • Cromchy Sausages: Soft, high-protein, easy to break apart—great for training or older dogs with sensitive teeth.
  • Chewise Stick Holder: Essential for new chewers; keeps chews secure and prevents swallowing hazards.

Treats for Every Occasion

  • Baloomba PBJ Delights: Chewy, natural, and universally loved—suitable for all ages.
  • Chickie Nugs: All-natural, crunchy, and made in small batches—best for adults.
  • Duck Bites: Breakable for training or enrichment games, or given whole as a reward. Hide in puzzles or Tearribles for extra fun.

Mental Stimulation & Chasing

  • Pawzler Puzzles: Beginner for puppies/seniors, Rainbow for a step up, Smarty & Genius for clever adults. Rotate puzzles and combine for ongoing enrichment.
  • Expandable Flirt Pole: The ultimate chase toy for active breeds (herding, sporting, terriers), fulfilling both physical and instinctual needs.

 

Books: For the Curious & New Dog Owners

  • Dog Behavior Books: Perfect for new dog parents or anyone eager to deepen their understanding of canine enrichment and training. Great as stocking stuffers or bundle add-ons.

Bundles & Holiday Extras

  • Bundles: Save with curated combos of toys, chews, treats, and puzzles—an easy way to introduce dogs to the full Tearribles experience.
  • Bandanas: Add a festive, photo-ready touch to any order!

Why Shop at Tearribles?

Tearribles toys and enrichment products aren’t just fun—they’re science-based, instinct-driven, and designed to strengthen the bond between dogs and their humans. Every gift you give supports a happier, healthier, and more fulfilled dog.

Give the gift of play, enrichment, and understanding this holiday season—shop Tearribles for the best dog gifts by age and size.


Back to Dog Behavior