Found this bit of trivia today:
Dogs remove squeakers from their toys primarily due to instinctual predatory behavior inherited from their wolf ancestors.The high-pitched squeak mimics the distress calls or death cries of small prey animals (like rodents or rabbits) that dogs' wild relatives would hunt. This sound triggers their prey drive—the sequence of stalking, chasing, capturing, and "killing." By tearing apart the toy and extracting or silencing the squeaker, the dog satisfies the urge to complete the "kill," as the noise stops, signaling the prey is dead.Many dogs lose interest in the toy afterward because the "hunt" is over, which explains the common "toy graveyard" of de-squeaked plushies.Other contributing factors include:The rewarding feedback loop → Each bite produces a satisfying sound and texture, encouraging repeated chewing.
Puzzle-like challenge → Finding and removing the hidden squeaker provides mental stimulation and a sense of accomplishment.
Breed tendencies → Hunting or terrier breeds often show stronger drive to "disembowel" toys.
