My dog starts spinning in circles the second I pick up the leash. The leash isn’t the point — he’s waiting for what comes after. Throw, chase, bite, throw again. Going outside isn’t a walk to him, it’s the start of the whole game.

But toys are where I’ve gotten it wrong before. Bought a ball once that got chewed through after two throws, and he just stood there looking at the busted thing like he was waiting for an explanation. Bought another one he completely ignored — never even sniffed it. Money gone, toy untouched.

Picking the right toy turns out to be harder than it sounds. Expensive doesn’t mean durable, and high ratings don’t mean it’s right for your dog. We picked four that cover different ways dogs actually play — fetching, chewing, splashing around — so hopefully one of these fits yours.