I have a tragic theory about Paw Patrol being a Toy Story-style imaginary world invented by Ryder as a coping mechanism after the tragic death of his parents. Left with only his loyal pets he imagines himself and them saving his local town over and over because he cannot face the reality of his loneliness.

How else can we explain that the dogs are the only animals that can talk or how a small canadian town entrusts its entire policing needs to one canine? Mayor Humdinger is the social worker trying to get him to grieve; this is why in Ryder's head he casts him as the villain.