best outdoor dog toys

After months of playing indoor dog games during the winter, your pup will be eager to spend time outside when the weather warms up. And while it may seem as easy as opening the door to your backyard, you’ll want to be prepared to entertain them. If you don’t, they could be tempted into naughty behavior like digging into flower beds, or hunting the poor birds hanging out at your feeder. This is especially true for highly intelligent dog breeds, who are more susceptible to wandering minds.

Luckily, there are plenty of outdoor dog toys on the market, and Woman’s Day consulted with someone who knows all about the latest and greatest pet products. Kristen Levine is a pet living expert with over 30 years of industry experience, who has helped millions of pet parents elevate the care of their animals. Levine shared her top picks with us for toys that will keep dogs “engaged, happy and healthy” all throughout the spring and summer months. The following toys include options for playing on land or in the water, and for solo play as well as with multiple dogs or human friends. Give these backyard, poolside, or camping-worthy outdoor dog toys a try, and you’ll wonder why you ever thought a plain old stick would cut it.