Animals in nature spend hunt and forage for food. Although pet dogs these days have great lives - they get to live inside the house with their humans, go to dog parks, and get premium vet care - they don't get to use their hunting and problem solving skills as much as they should. Many pet dogs spend long hours at home alone with nothing to do, while their owner is at work or out with friends
In order to keep dogs from getting too bored or destructive (e.g. chewing inappropriate items or digging holes in the yard), I recommend enrichment food toys. Of course, you'll want to give your dog enough exercise and social interaction too, but the food toys will help keep your dog happy and out of trouble.
There's really no good reason that a dog needs to eat his meals out of a food bowl, so you can feed all his meals in food toys if you want.
In order to keep dogs from getting too bored or destructive (e.g. chewing inappropriate items or digging holes in the yard), I recommend enrichment food toys. Of course, you'll want to give your dog enough exercise and social interaction too, but the food toys will help keep your dog happy and out of trouble.
There's really no good reason that a dog needs to eat his meals out of a food bowl, so you can feed all his meals in food toys if you want.
KONG FOOD TOYS
The Classic Kong (shown left)
This is the most basic model of Kong. It looks like a beehive but it's a thick rubber toy that is hollow in the middle, allowing you to stuff it with food. I recommend mixing dry kibble with a few spoonfuls of canned food (or something else that's wet, like peanut butter) so that the food doesn't come out too easily.
For high drive dogs, you can even freeze the whole thing so that it will take them longer to get the food out.
This is the most basic model of Kong. It looks like a beehive but it's a thick rubber toy that is hollow in the middle, allowing you to stuff it with food. I recommend mixing dry kibble with a few spoonfuls of canned food (or something else that's wet, like peanut butter) so that the food doesn't come out too easily.
For high drive dogs, you can even freeze the whole thing so that it will take them longer to get the food out.
(left) This is an inside view of a Kong stuffed with food.
Wobbler"The Wobbler is a KONG-shaped food dispensing toy and feeder that sits upright until pushed witha dog's paw or nose, then dispenses treats as it wobbles, spins and rolls. The unpredictable movement keeps the toy challenging, even for seasoned Wobbler users. Use the Wobbler as an alternative to a dog bowl, and help to extend meal time and exercise your dog."
Kong Dental"The KONG Dental has special grooves that clean teeth and gums as dogs chew. KONG Easy Treat can be used inside the grooves to get your dog chewing."
Like the Kong Classic, it is hollow inside so that you can stuff it with food.
NINA OTTOSON DOG ACTIVITY TOYS
Website: http://www.nina-ottosson.com/Dog-2.php
Available through Amazon.com or Nina's website
Nina Ottoson has a large selection of dog food toys that vary in difficulty level. If the Kong is too easy for your smart dog, then you might consider these toys. The purple toy on the right is called a DogTwister - the dog has to move the little pieces around in order to access the food. The blue one is called a DogTornado - the dog has to spin the compartments around and remove the little white lids to get to the food.
You can see the DogTwister on YouTube at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bG4xWycW3GQ&feature=youtu.be
PREMIER'S BUSY BUDDY SERIES
Kibble Nibble (similar to Kong's Wobbler) - this toy is egg-shaped and dispenses kibble or treats through a small hole as the dog rolls it around.
Twist N Treat
The Twist N Treat is a fun toy in which you can put various size treats. You can adjust the difficulty level of the toy by twisting the top and modifying the size of the opening on the side.
The Twist N Treat is a fun toy in which you can put various size treats. You can adjust the difficulty level of the toy by twisting the top and modifying the size of the opening on the side.
AIKIOU DOG FEEDER
Website: http://www.aikiou.com/
Food is hidden inside this feeder’s many compartments, which your dog can access by sliding the doors open or spinng the central wheel. Allowing your dog to exercise his or her problem solving instincts with the Aikiou bowl fun and rewarding for you and your pet while keeping him fit by reducing his speed of ingestion.
Watch the YouTube video below to see some dogs eating out of an Aikiou:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaSvx1264qM
Available at Tamura's grocery store (and possibly other grocery stores)
A raw beef bone or hoof is another good option for keeping your dog occupied. Raw bones are good for the dogs' teeth, and are safer than cooked or smoked bones because they don't crack. Tamura's Market sells frozen beef bones in bags of 5-6 for only a few dollars. As gross as it might seem to a human, I have yet to meet a dog that doesn't love raw beef bones!
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For ideas on what kinds of treats to put in these food toys, see my last blog "Training Treats - A Biscuit Ain't Gonna Cut It".
Website: http://www.aikiou.com/
Watch the YouTube video below to see some dogs eating out of an Aikiou:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaSvx1264qM
RAW BEEF BONES
Available at Tamura's grocery store (and possibly other grocery stores)
For ideas on what kinds of treats to put in these food toys, see my last blog "Training Treats - A Biscuit Ain't Gonna Cut It".
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