Both of my dogs love their plush toys. They can’t wait to grab all the stuffing out with their teeth until they get down to the squeaker and accomplish their goal. But eventuallly it dawns on them that their beloved toy is then deflated and lifeless, and not as fun as it used to be. Sadness tends to set in after that.

Ace the Golden Retriever seemed to go through the same cycle of realization when he demolished his favorite toy duck.

In the TikTok from @acethegolden7, Ace was lying on the kitchen floor happily sifting through the stuffing from his duck plushie. The precious pooch was surrounded by the stuffing he already pulled out, yet he kept digging for more with his teeth. The stuffed animal looked very flat and Ace slowly started to realize he may have went to far.

“When it hits you that you’ve destroyed the last duck mom said she was buying,” the onscreen text explained.

The expression on Ace’s face spoke of pure sadness and regret without having to speak any words. He was probably experiencing a lot of inner turmoil, trying to decide whether the joy of tearing the toy apart was worth being duck-less. Little did the canine cutie know, but his mom was already planning another purchase.

“We all know I’m buying him another one,” the caption revealed.

Why Do Dogs Pull Stuffing Out of Toys?

Many dogs enjoy toys the same way Ace does, by pulling out all the stuffing as a sort of accomplishment. There are several reasons this behavior is a go-to for our pooches with plushies:

Related: Golden Retriever Gives Major Attitude When Dinner Is Running 2 Minutes Late

• Natural Instincts — Dogs are descendants of wolves and carry several natural instincts from their incestral line. Pulling out stuffing from toys with their teeth can mimic hunting and capturing prey.

• Texture and Sensation — Stuffing from toys is soft and fluffy, providing a pleasing tactile experience for dogs. This behavior can also be self-soothing for dogs and help them release nervous energy.

• Playfulness and Curiosity — Many dogs, especially puppies, are curious by nature and love to explore their environment. Pulling stuffing from plushies helps them investigate their toy and play with a purpose.

Other causes include boredom, restlessness, and seeking attention. Sure, it can make a mess but our canine cuties have a lot of fun in the process.

Thankfully, Ace should be getting another duck plushie very soon, though it may not last very long.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Jan 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.