Chewing and Toys
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All toys below available at school. Our personal favourites for stuffing are the Busy Buddy and the Kong, the first two below.
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Inappropriate chewing is a very common problem, but what we need to realize is that chewing for a dog is a natural behaviour, is bound to happen, especially with puppies. In his excellent book “Before & After Getting your Puppy” by Dr. Ian Dunbar, he advocates that all puppies should become ‘chewaholics’! I certainly agree with him and have used this method on countless occasions, both with my own and client’s puppies and adult dogs, and have never been disappointed. Basically we are giving the dog only ‘legal’ chewable toys and making this his favourite habit. It allows a dog to settle quietly, chewing helps to de-stress, exercises jaws and teeth and is excellent for a teething puppy. If we teach our pups to only chew on certain ‘legal’ objects then we will provide entertainment and cut down on the possibility of puppy chewing on inappropriate items.
Many of my clients tell me that their dogs have balls, ropes, stuffed toys etc but hardly ever play with them – I am not surprised! All they are talking about in inanimate objects, they have no life of their own, but a delicious chewy that the dog can really ‘get stuck into’, provides essential entertainment and helps with frustration. I have had clients who swear that their dogs chew up the furniture etc just to spite them! Not true, a dog will chew out of boredom, frustrations, anxiousness, if it is teething, or, and this happens often, the reaction from the owner – the owner screams and shouts and as attention is attention to a dog, whether positive or negative, it will only reinforce the behaviour. The following can be used for both puppies and adult dogs. If you have a dog that is reactive to people or other dogs when toys and chew items are given, consult an accredited behaviourist. One always has to bear in mind that objects can be swallowed and ingested and choking can occur. However, the benefits of chewing cannot be ignored. For myself, this is why I only allow my dogs to chew on large sized raw femur bones, or toys such as the Everlasting range or Kongs or similar toys. It is not necessary to spend a fortune on expensive chew toys, you can make your own, by filling a hollow object (such as a marrow bone or Kong) with dog food that has been soaked overnight so that it expands and the appearance is mushy. Smear honey around the inside of the marrow bone or Kong. The honey acts as an antibacterial agent then seal the top with a biscuit and leave |
the pup to chew to his hearts content - use as little as possible and if your dog is a diabetic, do not use. After your dog gets the hang of chewing at this you can freeze it making another Kongsicle (Dr. Ian Dunbar) which will help with teething. A raw marrow bone can be used for this as well. Ask you’re your butcher to cut it much longer than normally found in the shops (about 3/4 inches) and take the marrow out – this is just too rich for a puppy. Cooked bones should never be given to dogs.
Another favourite is to take a 500ml empty water bottle. Boil the kettle, measure out 450ml and to this add a teaspoon of either Bovril or Marmite. Allow to cool, pop several small treats or pieces of dog food in the empty bottle and then add the cooled mixture and freeze. The reason why 450ml as opposed to filling the bottle, is that it will expand in the freezer. Initially you may have to cut the bottle in half till your dog gets the hang of it. This is excellent for sore teething gums but it is recommended that it is given outside! Simply pick up and throw away the chewed plastic before the dog ingests it.
Being slightly neurotic about my dogs swallowing things myself, I normally take the top off the bottle. Dogs appear to love the noise that an empty water bottle makes (squeaky) noises and they can roll it and play with it which I believe mimics, to a certain degree, what happens with prey.
Our personal favourites to keep pups busy chewing are both the Busy Buddy treat toys and Kongs. These can be filled with yummy treats and keeps little teeth busy for hours at an end. An additional feature with these great toys are that they can be frozen and that turns them into 'konsigcles' - perfect for sore gums!
Not all dogs take to Kong's and Busy Buddy immediately, and this is simple because they dont understand how to use it. Here is a link which gives you full directions on getting your dog used to a Kong or Busy Buddy.
http://video.petco.com/v/13719/how-to-introduce-kong-to-your-dog-toy-listpageresources/
We are often asked about using both hooves and rawhide chew items and we are not in favour of either of these and do not suggest you use them. Many a dog had ended up with sections of a rawhide bone in the gut and as this material tends to swell when wet, blockages can easily occur and often surgery is the only manner of removal. Another aspect to consider with both of these items, is how were they prepared, were any toxic materials used, was any insecticide used. Just do some research on the internet and you will find that unless the above are of a very high standard, they may well be harmful to your dog.
Another favourite is a large raw ox femur which you can get from the butcher. The bigger the bone the better as small bones can be extremely dangerous due to splintering. Avoid cooked bones as they tend to break and splinter much easier. I personally use this as the training bone for when a dog is being left alone outside at training times. The joy the dog has when he sees it returning is lovely and he can’t wait to get into the garden to get at his favourite bone! A word of warning here, don’t give these to young pups as it will upset their tummies, rather keep this particular chew toy for older dogs. Many of the pet shops sell a large Ostrich femur which has been smoked. This is excellent for older dogs and does not go off as quickly due to the smoking, but I would not recommend it for a young pup.
Many of the pet shops have excellent chew toys available as well as toys that can be pushed around the garden and pieces of food fall out. If you are going to be out on a regular basis, this is an excellent toy to leave for your dog. These need to be manipulated in a certain way to get the food to be released and some pups will need help initially to figure out how to. They are normally made of break resistant plastic, and due to the roundish shape, are hard for pups to chew on, but really do provide entertainment. Place breakfast or lunch in it and he will spend quality time pushing it around to get at the food. Just bear in mind that good quality chew toys cost money to manufacture, however, these products not only last much, much longer, the chance of your dog ingesting is greatly reduced.
Another way to keep a pup busy is to put a few pieces of kibble on the floor, let the pup sniff at this, then put either a plastic or metal bowl over the top. The floor obliviously needs to be tiles so that the bowl slips around. This keeps pups busy for ages. With some pups you may need to help them, by lifting up the bowl, letting them get a piece, putting the bowl down again and repeating dogs may associate the bowl used with fun, with the result they may try to get into your Tupperware. Don’t do this for long period of time, as some dogs can get really stressed and frustrated when they can’t get to the food below.
If children are given a toy for Xmas and spend the whole day playing with it, by the next day they are bored with it and will play with something instead. It is exactly the same with dogs – if they have the same toys every day, they too will get bored. Personally I have three cane baskets and each basket contains a mixture of different chew toys. I rotate these on a daily basis, picking up and putting away what is left at the end of the day. Not only does this keep my dogs entertained, the chewies last much longer, and a pack leader and provider of food, I increase by status with my dogs.
Take care when you buy toys from the pet shops. Although many of these are excellent, some contain small pieces such as squeaky toys which can cause choking and should not be given. Use your discretion and common sense when buying them. What you need to bear in mind is that any product that is swallowed can cause an upset tummy or even blockages, so the onus has to be on you to ensure that the chewy is taken away from the dog before chewed up into small sized bits that can be swallowed.
Some of the toys from pet shops that I recommend are the Everlasting range, latex toys, nylabones, Kongs, Greenies,some natural high quality beef and ostrich chewies etc. Here are a couple of do’s and don’ts for you to consider:-
This was forwarded to us and was apparently first sent by Heather Le Plongeon and was originally sourced from a Kong newsletter in 2007. Always make sure your dog does not have an allergy first.
The following Kong stuffing’s are made with one or more human food ingredients:
CHEESY ELVIS: Combine a ripe banana, 3 spoonfuls of peanut butter, and a slice of cheese. Mix until blended well. Fill the Kong and freeze.
MONSTER MASH: Instant mashed potatoes (without the salt) — or leftover mashed potatoes from dinner — mixed with crushed dog biscuits.
DOGGIE OMLET: Combine a scrambled egg, some beef, yogurt, cheese and mashed potatoes all together
FIBER CRUNCH: Combine bran cereal with some peanut butter.
KONGSICLE JERKY POPS: The equivalent of a Popsicle… Seal the small hole of the Kong toy with peanut butter. Fill to the rim with water and a pinch of bouillon (or just use chicken broth instead). Place a stick or two of beef jerky inside. Freeze. (This one gets messy in a hurry, so it’s recommended only for outdoor use.)
GOOEY CHEERIOS: Combine cheerio’s and peanut butter. Freeze.
FRUIT KITTY NOODLES: Mix together some dried fruit, cooked pasta, banana and dry cat food.
BANANA YOGURT: Plain yogurt and mashed bananas. (You can also add a little peanut butter or other fruits.) Then freeze it.
PEANUT BUTTER GLUE: Fill Kong 1/3rd full of dog food. Pour in melted peanut butter (after it has cooled from microwaving). Add more dog food, followed by more melted peanut butter until the Kong toy is full. Freeze until solid.
ROCK-HARD KIBBLE: Combine some of your dog’s regular food with cream cheese, which acts as a cement, keeping everything inside.
STICKY BREAD: Smear peanut butter on a piece of bread. Fold it over and stuff inside the Kong. Mix together plain yogurt with some fruits or vegetables (carrots, celery) and pour inside. Freeze. The yogurt sticks to the bread holding everything together.
APPLE PIE: Squeeze a small piece of apple into the tiny hole. Fill the Kong with a small amount of plain yogurt. Add a few slices of mashed banana, more apple, yogurt, and banana. End with a slice of banana and chunk of peanut butter on the top.
CRUNCH ‘N MUNCH: Combine crumbled rice cakes and dried fruit with some cream cheese and plain croutons.
PUMPKIN PIECES: Combine some plain yogurt, canned pumpkin, and cooked rice in a small baggie. Mix well inside the bag, then snip off a corner of the bag and squeeze it into the Kong toy. Freeze.
KIBBLE-SICLE: Put a glob of peanut butter into the Kong first. Then add some dry dog food. Pour in some chicken broth. Add some more peanut butter, followed by more dry dog food. End with another glob of peanut butter at the very top. Freeze until solid.
OLD STANDBY: Soak some of your dog’s regular food in water (or chicken broth) for a brief time before placing it inside a Kong, then freeze.
MUTT & CHEESE: Melt a cube of Velveeta cheese in the microwave, until it’s gooey — not runny. Fill the Kong toy with cooked noodles. Pour cheese over noodles.
FROZEN BONZ: Mix up some bananas, unsweetened applesauce, oatmeal, peanut butter, and plain yogurt. Freeze.
CHEEZY DELIGHT: Combine small chunks of cheese (or cheese spread) with some dry dog food and microwave until the cheese melts. Let it cool completely, and then pour into the Kong toy. Freeze thoroughly.
CARB DELIGHT: Combine some canned dog food with pasta noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, and some of your dog’s dry dog food. Freeze.
NUT CRUNCH: Take 2-3 dog biscuits and crunch them a bit into very tiny bite-sized pieces. Add a couple spoonful’s of peanut butter. Then add a couple spoonful’s of plain yogurt. Mix in bowl until soft, but not runny. Stuff inside Kong.
BABYLICIOUS: Mix together some fat-free cream cheese, peanut butter, and either sugar free applesauce or a jar of baby food (like bananas, carrots). Cram a solid food item into the small hole at the end of the Kong, and then fill with the mixture. Seal the large hole with either more cream cheese or peanut butter.
FRUITOPIA: Combine applesauce with chunks of fruit. Freeze.
PUPPY TRAIL: Fill the Kong with some cashews (unsalted) and freeze-dried liver bits. Add some dry dog food and/or dog crushed dog biscuits and some Cheerio’s. Drop in a spoonful of peanut butter, followed by some dried fruit. Finally, top it off by using a piece of ravioli or tortellini to close the large opening.
RED ROVER: Smear the inside of the Kong toy with peanut butter. Put a tiny piece of apple into the small hole, and then drop some more apple pieces in next. Drop in a scoop of peanut butter (or cream cheese), then drop in some dog food or broken dog treats. Add another scoop of peanut butter (or cream cheese), then more apples. Plug the large opening with a final scoop of peanut butter (or cream cheese) and freeze.
FROZEN TUNA SALAD: Mix together well: 1 6oz can of light tuna, 2 T. plain yogurt, and 1/4 C. grated carrot. Spoon into KONG toy. Freeze.
Dr. Jez Rose (Canine and Wolf Behaviour Expert)
www.jezrose.co.uk
Despite the world-wide success of the KONG chewtoy, very often owners will tell me that their dog doesn’t play with it or didn't seem very interested in it. I believe that KONG is the finest investment you’ll ever make for your dog and with a little imagination, it’s easy to see why. Here are 50 different things you can do with the standard Classic KONG or Extreme KONG chewtoy....
1: Retire your food bowl! Break it up and use it as crock for the garden or maybe plant a nice indoor plant in it! Because you can stuff your dog’s daily food allowance into a KONG instead, offering him much more stimulation and exercise than simply gobbling it out of a bowl.
2: Why not stuff with peanut butter, your dog’s regular food, small pieces of fruit and then freeze it? Within a few hours you’ll have a great, frozen food-stuffed chew toy to increase the fun time it takes for your dog to extricate all the food!
3: Replace your tennis balls or other throw toys with a KONG and use it for retrieve and catch games. The shape and design of KONG makes its bounce erratic and helps stimulate innate chase instincts.
4: Why not put a few small pieces of cheese and peanut butter into the KONG then pop into the microwave for a few seconds so the cheese melts and the KONG gently warms? Remember to check it’s not too hot before you give it to your dog!
5: Hide the KONG with a few treats inside around the garden or inside the house and teach a “find” cue to get your dog’s innate nosework and hunting drive stimulated.
6: Tie a rope or chain of old socks to the KONG and play chase! You can loosely stuff with a few treats so that the dog is rewarded along the way for interacting with the KONG.
7: KONG bobbing! Place a large bowl of water and a KONG or two into the bowl. Entice your dog to fetch the KONG out of the water!
8: Thread some rope through the KONG and stuff with your dog’s favourite treats. Now tie this to a tree or at a height just out of reach of your dog so he has to jump up to get to it.
9: You can never have too many KONGs. While one is the in the dishwasher, you can be playing with another and while one is in the freezer, you can be preparing another. Buy three and play “find the lady” using some tasty treats under just one of the KONGs. Mix them up and have your dog sniff out which one has the treats in.
10: Stuff your KONG and then seal it into an A4 envelope and give to your dog. They’ll have great fun rolling it around or shredding the envelope to get to the KONG inside!
11: Push your KONG toy into an old sock and throw it around or fire it like a slingshot! Stuff it first and it gives yet another barrier to the KONG which your dog will have great fun working out how to get to the treats inside.
12: For a change, roll the KONG is raw egg and then roll in grated cheese or a little garlic powder.
13: Invert the stuffed KONG and bury into the ground or into a washing line hole.
14: Warm KONG under your arm or in the microwave or simply left in some warm water for your puppy’s first few nights at home. Something warm to cuddle up to has been shown to help relax your new addition by mimicing the warmth felt when cuddled up with its Mother and siblings.
15: Keep Puppy KONG in the fridge to help soothe those gums for when puppy is teething.
16: Plug the small hole with peanut butter or cheese and then fill the KONG with fish stock, orange juice or beef stock and freeze for those hot summer days when something tasty and cold is just what the doggy doctor ordered!
17: If your dog likes water, place KONG on top of a sprinkler so the water sprays through the KONG. If you’ve already get your dog interested in KONG, they’ll love this change and gave great fun trying to get it while getting wet!
18: Place plenty of dry treats inside and play catch between 2 people. As the KONG flies through the air, the treats will fall out and your dog will love running between the two of you, chasing the KONG… and the treats!
19: Use a stuffed KONG to stimulate your dog with “Houdini” style games. For example, place it into a crate/cage and close but do not lock the door.
20: Seal the small hole with peanut butter or cheese, fill with fruit juice or garlic water and then seal the large end with more peanut butter. This ones a bit messy so best given outside!
21: Hand a KONG Tails or stuffed KONG from a tree and make even more exciting by hanging it using bungee cord!
22: Use several KONGs to create a pyramid or pile of KONGs stacked up but only one of which has the treats in!
23: Put all of your dog’s toys away apart from KONG. Play with and interact with your dog using only the KONG toy for a week and you’ll never have to buy another dog toy again.
24: Place KONG into old socks, wrap in newspaper or straw to vary the texture and noise.
25: Place a trail of liver treats leading to a stuffed KONG toy. Start with a short trail then gradually increase the length of the trail so it becomes a rewarding hunt for the KONG!
26: Set a plastic pipe or wooden pole into the ground and balance a stuffed KONG toy on top. The dog has to knock the KONG off in order to get it.
27: Replace the tennis ball on a swing ball with a small stuffed KONG! You and tour dog will have great fun hitting the KONG and gobbling the treats. Make sure you use dryer treats as the wet stuff will splash you!
28: Tie a loosely but well-stuffed KONG to a remote controlled car….
29: Wrap your KONG in bacon and drag along the ground to help teach your dog nosework or tracking skills. A well-stuffed, bacon-covered KONG is the prize reward at the end.
30: Stuff the KONG, place in a cardboard box and smear the KONG contents about the box a bit. Now seal the box and give to the dog.
31: Use KONG Time for regular dispensing of stuffed KONGs
32: Stuff your KONG with soft paper soaked in fish oil, beef stock or fruit juice.
33: Tie a KONG to each end of a thick rope or braided thick fleece fabrics for extra rigidity to create a dunbell which can still be stuffed.
34:If you’ve got enough space, show your dog the well-stuffed KONG and launch it into the air on a see-saw type launcher made from a pivot (like a rock) and a plank of wood.
35: Thread 5 or more small or medium KONGs onto a long line or long piece of rope, knot it to secure them and tie a handle at one end to drag along, use for chasing or even tug games.
36: Thread a rope through the KONG and place lots of loose treats inside. Now suspend between 2 trees or across your garden between fence posts and encourage your dog to jump up at the KONG to dislodge the treats like a KONG pinata!
37: Thread your KONG onto a training line or piece of fleece and tie it to your belt, leaving it long enough so it drags on the floor. Now run!
38: Stuff with squeezy cheese, layers of paper, treats and small pieces of cheese for an extra tricky extrication.
39: Use both the KONG classic and KONG xtreme so you have two different coloured KONGs. Use them to aid recall and for a fun game by teaching your dog to retrieve a specific colour on cue. Now teach your dog to drop them in a bucket and they can tidy up the toys for you!
40: Play “distance catch” from Dr. Ian Dunbar’s K9 Games.
41: Tie your stuffed KONG to a bungee cord and attach to a door frame, using it like a baby bouncer with a KONG in place of the baby!
42: Buy 4 KONGs and alter each one so that they all look the same but one does something different,
to add some variety and keep your dog guessing. For example, you might stuff one with a variety of different treats, another might have its daily ration of food, another may have been dipped in orange juice and another might have been rubbed in a scent or have a squeeker inside.
43: Split your dog’s daily ration of food into 4 or 5 and place into 4 or 5 KONGs. Now hide them in different places about the house or garden.
44: Once your dog understands that KONG = fun and tasty treats, you can carry in your pocket and use as a reliable distraction to aid recall, proofing a stay or simply getting your dog’s attention.
45: Instead of buying a plastic game, why not invest in 4 KONGs and place treats in only two of them, but change which KONGs, and how many, have the treats in. This keeps your dog guessing. Place them in a sit/stay while you prepare them and release your dog for extra control and stimulation.
46: Teach a “go to” exercise placing the KONG in strategic places you wish your dog to be. He’s more readily going to go to the KONG than he is “bed”.
47: Take an old towel and rip it into 4 pieces. When you’re next on your walk, rub each one of the pieces on something interesting – maybe a piece of grass that dog is sniffing around a lot, on another friendly dog or along some lavender bushes. Place them each into a different plastic bag and when you get home, push each of the pieces of towel into a different KONG.
48: If you prefer feeding from a bowl and have a dog that scoffs his food, using strong but non-toxic glue (there are many different varieties available), glue a KONG into your dog’s food bowl and put food into it to prevent scoffing or fast-eating.
49: Cover your KONG with doggy toothpaste and freshener to keep your dog’s breath fresh.
50: Carefully unpick a stuffed dog toy and remove all of the stuffing. Now place your unstuffed KONG inside and stitch teddy back up. You’ve now got a soft and cuddly but super bouncy and very erratic fluffy toy to bring out that chase and hunt instinct!
Another favourite is to take a 500ml empty water bottle. Boil the kettle, measure out 450ml and to this add a teaspoon of either Bovril or Marmite. Allow to cool, pop several small treats or pieces of dog food in the empty bottle and then add the cooled mixture and freeze. The reason why 450ml as opposed to filling the bottle, is that it will expand in the freezer. Initially you may have to cut the bottle in half till your dog gets the hang of it. This is excellent for sore teething gums but it is recommended that it is given outside! Simply pick up and throw away the chewed plastic before the dog ingests it.
Being slightly neurotic about my dogs swallowing things myself, I normally take the top off the bottle. Dogs appear to love the noise that an empty water bottle makes (squeaky) noises and they can roll it and play with it which I believe mimics, to a certain degree, what happens with prey.
Our personal favourites to keep pups busy chewing are both the Busy Buddy treat toys and Kongs. These can be filled with yummy treats and keeps little teeth busy for hours at an end. An additional feature with these great toys are that they can be frozen and that turns them into 'konsigcles' - perfect for sore gums!
Not all dogs take to Kong's and Busy Buddy immediately, and this is simple because they dont understand how to use it. Here is a link which gives you full directions on getting your dog used to a Kong or Busy Buddy.
http://video.petco.com/v/13719/how-to-introduce-kong-to-your-dog-toy-listpageresources/
We are often asked about using both hooves and rawhide chew items and we are not in favour of either of these and do not suggest you use them. Many a dog had ended up with sections of a rawhide bone in the gut and as this material tends to swell when wet, blockages can easily occur and often surgery is the only manner of removal. Another aspect to consider with both of these items, is how were they prepared, were any toxic materials used, was any insecticide used. Just do some research on the internet and you will find that unless the above are of a very high standard, they may well be harmful to your dog.
Another favourite is a large raw ox femur which you can get from the butcher. The bigger the bone the better as small bones can be extremely dangerous due to splintering. Avoid cooked bones as they tend to break and splinter much easier. I personally use this as the training bone for when a dog is being left alone outside at training times. The joy the dog has when he sees it returning is lovely and he can’t wait to get into the garden to get at his favourite bone! A word of warning here, don’t give these to young pups as it will upset their tummies, rather keep this particular chew toy for older dogs. Many of the pet shops sell a large Ostrich femur which has been smoked. This is excellent for older dogs and does not go off as quickly due to the smoking, but I would not recommend it for a young pup.
Many of the pet shops have excellent chew toys available as well as toys that can be pushed around the garden and pieces of food fall out. If you are going to be out on a regular basis, this is an excellent toy to leave for your dog. These need to be manipulated in a certain way to get the food to be released and some pups will need help initially to figure out how to. They are normally made of break resistant plastic, and due to the roundish shape, are hard for pups to chew on, but really do provide entertainment. Place breakfast or lunch in it and he will spend quality time pushing it around to get at the food. Just bear in mind that good quality chew toys cost money to manufacture, however, these products not only last much, much longer, the chance of your dog ingesting is greatly reduced.
Another way to keep a pup busy is to put a few pieces of kibble on the floor, let the pup sniff at this, then put either a plastic or metal bowl over the top. The floor obliviously needs to be tiles so that the bowl slips around. This keeps pups busy for ages. With some pups you may need to help them, by lifting up the bowl, letting them get a piece, putting the bowl down again and repeating dogs may associate the bowl used with fun, with the result they may try to get into your Tupperware. Don’t do this for long period of time, as some dogs can get really stressed and frustrated when they can’t get to the food below.
If children are given a toy for Xmas and spend the whole day playing with it, by the next day they are bored with it and will play with something instead. It is exactly the same with dogs – if they have the same toys every day, they too will get bored. Personally I have three cane baskets and each basket contains a mixture of different chew toys. I rotate these on a daily basis, picking up and putting away what is left at the end of the day. Not only does this keep my dogs entertained, the chewies last much longer, and a pack leader and provider of food, I increase by status with my dogs.
Take care when you buy toys from the pet shops. Although many of these are excellent, some contain small pieces such as squeaky toys which can cause choking and should not be given. Use your discretion and common sense when buying them. What you need to bear in mind is that any product that is swallowed can cause an upset tummy or even blockages, so the onus has to be on you to ensure that the chewy is taken away from the dog before chewed up into small sized bits that can be swallowed.
Some of the toys from pet shops that I recommend are the Everlasting range, latex toys, nylabones, Kongs, Greenies,some natural high quality beef and ostrich chewies etc. Here are a couple of do’s and don’ts for you to consider:-
- Virtually all chewy items can cause choking or blockage so be vigilant
- Always supervise the pup/dog chewing especially when first offering
- Always take the chewy away before it get too small
- Never give a pup a marrow bone full of marrow, it is too rich.
- Only purchase top quality chewy toys to ensure that your dog is getting the best possible product with little risk of contamination
- Avoid vinyl chew toys. This substance is very hard and does not break down easily and is one of the chew toys that can cause severe obstructions. Either use latex which is more pliable and will pass through the digestive system easier if swallowed.
- Always give a chewy that is much bigger than the expected size for the particular breed.
- Don’t give pups pig’s ears. They are far too rich for the puppy and can contain salmonella.
- Don’t give pups/dog coloured chew bones. These contain additives and can cause allergies and upset tummy.
- If the dog has a runny or upset tummy or appears to be itchy after chewing it could be that your dog has an allergy to the product. If this occurs go to the vet and when the problem has cleared up and the dog is healthy again, offer the same product, but only for a short period and then take away and see if there is a reaction. It is better for the vet to be involved with this process.
This was forwarded to us and was apparently first sent by Heather Le Plongeon and was originally sourced from a Kong newsletter in 2007. Always make sure your dog does not have an allergy first.
The following Kong stuffing’s are made with one or more human food ingredients:
CHEESY ELVIS: Combine a ripe banana, 3 spoonfuls of peanut butter, and a slice of cheese. Mix until blended well. Fill the Kong and freeze.
MONSTER MASH: Instant mashed potatoes (without the salt) — or leftover mashed potatoes from dinner — mixed with crushed dog biscuits.
DOGGIE OMLET: Combine a scrambled egg, some beef, yogurt, cheese and mashed potatoes all together
FIBER CRUNCH: Combine bran cereal with some peanut butter.
KONGSICLE JERKY POPS: The equivalent of a Popsicle… Seal the small hole of the Kong toy with peanut butter. Fill to the rim with water and a pinch of bouillon (or just use chicken broth instead). Place a stick or two of beef jerky inside. Freeze. (This one gets messy in a hurry, so it’s recommended only for outdoor use.)
GOOEY CHEERIOS: Combine cheerio’s and peanut butter. Freeze.
FRUIT KITTY NOODLES: Mix together some dried fruit, cooked pasta, banana and dry cat food.
BANANA YOGURT: Plain yogurt and mashed bananas. (You can also add a little peanut butter or other fruits.) Then freeze it.
PEANUT BUTTER GLUE: Fill Kong 1/3rd full of dog food. Pour in melted peanut butter (after it has cooled from microwaving). Add more dog food, followed by more melted peanut butter until the Kong toy is full. Freeze until solid.
ROCK-HARD KIBBLE: Combine some of your dog’s regular food with cream cheese, which acts as a cement, keeping everything inside.
STICKY BREAD: Smear peanut butter on a piece of bread. Fold it over and stuff inside the Kong. Mix together plain yogurt with some fruits or vegetables (carrots, celery) and pour inside. Freeze. The yogurt sticks to the bread holding everything together.
APPLE PIE: Squeeze a small piece of apple into the tiny hole. Fill the Kong with a small amount of plain yogurt. Add a few slices of mashed banana, more apple, yogurt, and banana. End with a slice of banana and chunk of peanut butter on the top.
CRUNCH ‘N MUNCH: Combine crumbled rice cakes and dried fruit with some cream cheese and plain croutons.
PUMPKIN PIECES: Combine some plain yogurt, canned pumpkin, and cooked rice in a small baggie. Mix well inside the bag, then snip off a corner of the bag and squeeze it into the Kong toy. Freeze.
KIBBLE-SICLE: Put a glob of peanut butter into the Kong first. Then add some dry dog food. Pour in some chicken broth. Add some more peanut butter, followed by more dry dog food. End with another glob of peanut butter at the very top. Freeze until solid.
OLD STANDBY: Soak some of your dog’s regular food in water (or chicken broth) for a brief time before placing it inside a Kong, then freeze.
MUTT & CHEESE: Melt a cube of Velveeta cheese in the microwave, until it’s gooey — not runny. Fill the Kong toy with cooked noodles. Pour cheese over noodles.
FROZEN BONZ: Mix up some bananas, unsweetened applesauce, oatmeal, peanut butter, and plain yogurt. Freeze.
CHEEZY DELIGHT: Combine small chunks of cheese (or cheese spread) with some dry dog food and microwave until the cheese melts. Let it cool completely, and then pour into the Kong toy. Freeze thoroughly.
CARB DELIGHT: Combine some canned dog food with pasta noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, and some of your dog’s dry dog food. Freeze.
NUT CRUNCH: Take 2-3 dog biscuits and crunch them a bit into very tiny bite-sized pieces. Add a couple spoonful’s of peanut butter. Then add a couple spoonful’s of plain yogurt. Mix in bowl until soft, but not runny. Stuff inside Kong.
BABYLICIOUS: Mix together some fat-free cream cheese, peanut butter, and either sugar free applesauce or a jar of baby food (like bananas, carrots). Cram a solid food item into the small hole at the end of the Kong, and then fill with the mixture. Seal the large hole with either more cream cheese or peanut butter.
FRUITOPIA: Combine applesauce with chunks of fruit. Freeze.
PUPPY TRAIL: Fill the Kong with some cashews (unsalted) and freeze-dried liver bits. Add some dry dog food and/or dog crushed dog biscuits and some Cheerio’s. Drop in a spoonful of peanut butter, followed by some dried fruit. Finally, top it off by using a piece of ravioli or tortellini to close the large opening.
RED ROVER: Smear the inside of the Kong toy with peanut butter. Put a tiny piece of apple into the small hole, and then drop some more apple pieces in next. Drop in a scoop of peanut butter (or cream cheese), then drop in some dog food or broken dog treats. Add another scoop of peanut butter (or cream cheese), then more apples. Plug the large opening with a final scoop of peanut butter (or cream cheese) and freeze.
FROZEN TUNA SALAD: Mix together well: 1 6oz can of light tuna, 2 T. plain yogurt, and 1/4 C. grated carrot. Spoon into KONG toy. Freeze.
Dr. Jez Rose (Canine and Wolf Behaviour Expert)
www.jezrose.co.uk
Despite the world-wide success of the KONG chewtoy, very often owners will tell me that their dog doesn’t play with it or didn't seem very interested in it. I believe that KONG is the finest investment you’ll ever make for your dog and with a little imagination, it’s easy to see why. Here are 50 different things you can do with the standard Classic KONG or Extreme KONG chewtoy....
1: Retire your food bowl! Break it up and use it as crock for the garden or maybe plant a nice indoor plant in it! Because you can stuff your dog’s daily food allowance into a KONG instead, offering him much more stimulation and exercise than simply gobbling it out of a bowl.
2: Why not stuff with peanut butter, your dog’s regular food, small pieces of fruit and then freeze it? Within a few hours you’ll have a great, frozen food-stuffed chew toy to increase the fun time it takes for your dog to extricate all the food!
3: Replace your tennis balls or other throw toys with a KONG and use it for retrieve and catch games. The shape and design of KONG makes its bounce erratic and helps stimulate innate chase instincts.
4: Why not put a few small pieces of cheese and peanut butter into the KONG then pop into the microwave for a few seconds so the cheese melts and the KONG gently warms? Remember to check it’s not too hot before you give it to your dog!
5: Hide the KONG with a few treats inside around the garden or inside the house and teach a “find” cue to get your dog’s innate nosework and hunting drive stimulated.
6: Tie a rope or chain of old socks to the KONG and play chase! You can loosely stuff with a few treats so that the dog is rewarded along the way for interacting with the KONG.
7: KONG bobbing! Place a large bowl of water and a KONG or two into the bowl. Entice your dog to fetch the KONG out of the water!
8: Thread some rope through the KONG and stuff with your dog’s favourite treats. Now tie this to a tree or at a height just out of reach of your dog so he has to jump up to get to it.
9: You can never have too many KONGs. While one is the in the dishwasher, you can be playing with another and while one is in the freezer, you can be preparing another. Buy three and play “find the lady” using some tasty treats under just one of the KONGs. Mix them up and have your dog sniff out which one has the treats in.
10: Stuff your KONG and then seal it into an A4 envelope and give to your dog. They’ll have great fun rolling it around or shredding the envelope to get to the KONG inside!
11: Push your KONG toy into an old sock and throw it around or fire it like a slingshot! Stuff it first and it gives yet another barrier to the KONG which your dog will have great fun working out how to get to the treats inside.
12: For a change, roll the KONG is raw egg and then roll in grated cheese or a little garlic powder.
13: Invert the stuffed KONG and bury into the ground or into a washing line hole.
14: Warm KONG under your arm or in the microwave or simply left in some warm water for your puppy’s first few nights at home. Something warm to cuddle up to has been shown to help relax your new addition by mimicing the warmth felt when cuddled up with its Mother and siblings.
15: Keep Puppy KONG in the fridge to help soothe those gums for when puppy is teething.
16: Plug the small hole with peanut butter or cheese and then fill the KONG with fish stock, orange juice or beef stock and freeze for those hot summer days when something tasty and cold is just what the doggy doctor ordered!
17: If your dog likes water, place KONG on top of a sprinkler so the water sprays through the KONG. If you’ve already get your dog interested in KONG, they’ll love this change and gave great fun trying to get it while getting wet!
18: Place plenty of dry treats inside and play catch between 2 people. As the KONG flies through the air, the treats will fall out and your dog will love running between the two of you, chasing the KONG… and the treats!
19: Use a stuffed KONG to stimulate your dog with “Houdini” style games. For example, place it into a crate/cage and close but do not lock the door.
20: Seal the small hole with peanut butter or cheese, fill with fruit juice or garlic water and then seal the large end with more peanut butter. This ones a bit messy so best given outside!
21: Hand a KONG Tails or stuffed KONG from a tree and make even more exciting by hanging it using bungee cord!
22: Use several KONGs to create a pyramid or pile of KONGs stacked up but only one of which has the treats in!
23: Put all of your dog’s toys away apart from KONG. Play with and interact with your dog using only the KONG toy for a week and you’ll never have to buy another dog toy again.
24: Place KONG into old socks, wrap in newspaper or straw to vary the texture and noise.
25: Place a trail of liver treats leading to a stuffed KONG toy. Start with a short trail then gradually increase the length of the trail so it becomes a rewarding hunt for the KONG!
26: Set a plastic pipe or wooden pole into the ground and balance a stuffed KONG toy on top. The dog has to knock the KONG off in order to get it.
27: Replace the tennis ball on a swing ball with a small stuffed KONG! You and tour dog will have great fun hitting the KONG and gobbling the treats. Make sure you use dryer treats as the wet stuff will splash you!
28: Tie a loosely but well-stuffed KONG to a remote controlled car….
29: Wrap your KONG in bacon and drag along the ground to help teach your dog nosework or tracking skills. A well-stuffed, bacon-covered KONG is the prize reward at the end.
30: Stuff the KONG, place in a cardboard box and smear the KONG contents about the box a bit. Now seal the box and give to the dog.
31: Use KONG Time for regular dispensing of stuffed KONGs
32: Stuff your KONG with soft paper soaked in fish oil, beef stock or fruit juice.
33: Tie a KONG to each end of a thick rope or braided thick fleece fabrics for extra rigidity to create a dunbell which can still be stuffed.
34:If you’ve got enough space, show your dog the well-stuffed KONG and launch it into the air on a see-saw type launcher made from a pivot (like a rock) and a plank of wood.
35: Thread 5 or more small or medium KONGs onto a long line or long piece of rope, knot it to secure them and tie a handle at one end to drag along, use for chasing or even tug games.
36: Thread a rope through the KONG and place lots of loose treats inside. Now suspend between 2 trees or across your garden between fence posts and encourage your dog to jump up at the KONG to dislodge the treats like a KONG pinata!
37: Thread your KONG onto a training line or piece of fleece and tie it to your belt, leaving it long enough so it drags on the floor. Now run!
38: Stuff with squeezy cheese, layers of paper, treats and small pieces of cheese for an extra tricky extrication.
39: Use both the KONG classic and KONG xtreme so you have two different coloured KONGs. Use them to aid recall and for a fun game by teaching your dog to retrieve a specific colour on cue. Now teach your dog to drop them in a bucket and they can tidy up the toys for you!
40: Play “distance catch” from Dr. Ian Dunbar’s K9 Games.
41: Tie your stuffed KONG to a bungee cord and attach to a door frame, using it like a baby bouncer with a KONG in place of the baby!
42: Buy 4 KONGs and alter each one so that they all look the same but one does something different,
to add some variety and keep your dog guessing. For example, you might stuff one with a variety of different treats, another might have its daily ration of food, another may have been dipped in orange juice and another might have been rubbed in a scent or have a squeeker inside.
43: Split your dog’s daily ration of food into 4 or 5 and place into 4 or 5 KONGs. Now hide them in different places about the house or garden.
44: Once your dog understands that KONG = fun and tasty treats, you can carry in your pocket and use as a reliable distraction to aid recall, proofing a stay or simply getting your dog’s attention.
45: Instead of buying a plastic game, why not invest in 4 KONGs and place treats in only two of them, but change which KONGs, and how many, have the treats in. This keeps your dog guessing. Place them in a sit/stay while you prepare them and release your dog for extra control and stimulation.
46: Teach a “go to” exercise placing the KONG in strategic places you wish your dog to be. He’s more readily going to go to the KONG than he is “bed”.
47: Take an old towel and rip it into 4 pieces. When you’re next on your walk, rub each one of the pieces on something interesting – maybe a piece of grass that dog is sniffing around a lot, on another friendly dog or along some lavender bushes. Place them each into a different plastic bag and when you get home, push each of the pieces of towel into a different KONG.
48: If you prefer feeding from a bowl and have a dog that scoffs his food, using strong but non-toxic glue (there are many different varieties available), glue a KONG into your dog’s food bowl and put food into it to prevent scoffing or fast-eating.
49: Cover your KONG with doggy toothpaste and freshener to keep your dog’s breath fresh.
50: Carefully unpick a stuffed dog toy and remove all of the stuffing. Now place your unstuffed KONG inside and stitch teddy back up. You’ve now got a soft and cuddly but super bouncy and very erratic fluffy toy to bring out that chase and hunt instinct!