Reddit reviews Our Pets Smarter Toys IQ Treat Ball - Colors Mary Vary - 4" (2130010792)
We found 91 Reddit comments about Our Pets Smarter Toys IQ Treat Ball - Colors Mary Vary - 4" (2130010792). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
MENTALLY STIMULATE YOUR DOG: This food-dispensing dog toy keeps dogs mentally and physically active while they play. Available in two sizes – 3 inches for smaller dogs and 4 inches for larger dogs.CUSTOMIZABLE IQ TREAT BALL: Your furry friend gets smarter as they play with this interactive dog toy ball, learning how to roll the ball to get treats to fall out. Adjust the desired difficulty level using the ball’s adjustable interior disc.EASY TO USE AND CLEAN: Our interactive treat dispensing dog toys conveniently uses your dog's favorite dry treats or kibble. It is made from hard plastic that disassembles for easy cleaning. Rinse in warm soapy water and dry after use.PROLONGED PLAY: This dog treat dispensing ball is designed to limit the amount of treats your dog gets while encouraging more extended playtime. Supervised play recommended.SLOWER HEALTHIER FEEDING: Slower active eating with this dog treat dispensing ball reduces bloating and helps digestion.
Dog puzzle feeders.
My dog gets his dinner from toys everyday. I rotate between OurPets IQ Puzzle Ball, Kong Wobbler, Magic Mushroom, and Tug a Jug, since those are the slowest dispensing as well as easiest to fill. I also have a load of other ones but found them to be too easy for him (One minute to empty Buster Cube on "hardest" difficulty vs average 20 minutes from the toys I mentioned). I used them everyday for about 5 to 6 years and never had to replace them.( Then again, my dog is not much of a chewer of hard plastic.) My dog LOVES getting his food from toys to the point of actually almost refusing to eat while giving me a very sad disappointed face when I just put it in his bowl. He has fun and they tire him out (he is panting after every meal). Win for me.
I say this with all the love in my heart - this situation is a hot mess. I am really sorry that this has exploded into such an unmanageable situation and I hope you can get in to see the behaviorist soon!
>She is destructive. She has hundreds of dollars in toys and a variety of them; however, she would rather chew the walls, the paint, the furniture, etc. or find something to get into (newspaper, trash, toilet paper, closets, shoes) than play with her toys.
>She barks, ALL THE TIME, for NO reason, whatsoever.
Is she barking at you? Out the window? AT something? Just walking around and making noise? Is she in heat? Has she always done this or is this a new behavior?
>She is cage fearful and CANNOT be crated or confined in a room.
If her reaction is that bad you may want to speak to the vet about getting her some medication to help her relax so you can train her - doesn't even have to be in a crate, it can be in a puppy safe room blocked by a high gate. Closed doors ARE really stressful for some dogs - you are basically locking them in a room where they cannot see or get out of it (so I get the anxiety). Crate usually work better as they can still SEE out of them. You need to work on getting her comfortable alone in a space - large or small - or you are going to have huge problems for an extended period of time.
If she never likes crates, that is fine, many dogs dont really like them, but if she can't be in a room by herself, even, that is an issue. Medication, thundershirts, very slow methodical introduction to these new situations can all help you get you where you need to be.
>Temper-tantrums- If she is not getting what she wants, she bites people, she scratches them, she barks at them, she jumps on them, etc.
Dogs don't really throw 'temper tantrums'? Unless it is effective in getting her what she wants.
If she is doing something you do not like, you need to be very calm, level headed and firm (but not forceful or intimidating). She does NOT get what she wants when she is acting inappropriately. Help guide her to more desirable behaviors to get what she wants (ask for a sit or down or settle before she gets anything). See Nothing in Life is Free.
>Tendency for food aggression- She has on four occasions gone after the other dog in our house during meal time; again, this is for no reason, the dog will not be anywhere near her and she will run across the house and attack the other dog.
If she cannot be crated for meals, crate the other dog. Physically separate them. If there is another dog in the house it may be contributing to her added anxiety (some dogs just DO NOT get along well with other dogs in the same space). If she is going out of her way to attack the other dog, I would start to suspect that this is more so the case than simple food guarding.
>She is not spayed, she has demodectic mange and cannot be spayed until this is treated. She came down with a fever on Saturday and threw up. She has had several bouts of conjunctivitis and my boss (a veterinarian) now believes she may be suffering from an auto-immune disorder. Bloodwork will give a more definitive answer tomorrow.
Has she been healthy with you for extended periods of time since you have had her? It is very possible some of this behavior is related to being in a new place and sick. It is a bit extreme to blame it all on that, but I would not be surprised if she calmed down to some extent once she was back up to 100% health and had some time to settle in more. (I see she has only been with you 2 months). Spaying may also help as, at 7 months, that is around the time she should be getting her first heat (which can have a significant impact on behavior).
>Exercise
You need to be doing a LOT more with this. Your dog sounds anxious and crazy and pent up. At 7 months old it is not unheard of for puppies to still not really be 'into' walks (partially because they don't 'get it' partially because they are going in and out of fear periods). Socializing and walks can be good - but there are a lot of other ways to get your dog exercise.
One of the big things is going to be training - especially considering how out of control she is. Do more training - 5-10 minute sessions 3-5 times a day (or more!) keep them sort and focused and start with things she already knows. Look into clicker training and have her earn her meals this way. Be sure to crate or remove any other dogs from the area before you start working. Alternate rewards between treats and play. If she knows a skill REALLY well, fade treats all together and focus on other rewards.
Play training games like hide and seek (have her sit/wait and move to another area - call her and reward for finding you. Start out really easy at first then increase the difficulty to where you are hiding behind doors or other objects) or 'find it' (hide treats under cups and have her find the cup with the treats - if she guesses wrong, shuffle and try again. If she guesses right, lift up the cup! There are lots of variations of this game out there, too, that uses toys or other objects).
Try doing some free shaping training and work on reinforcing 'going to bed' on a mat or pet bed if she is afraid of crates.
Play games in a safe area - like an empty baseball diamond or wide open area. Get a very long lead (30feet) so you can still control her if you need to. Play chase games, get a flirt pole, teach her how to fetch, work on obedience or just let her smell and explore. Going on 'hikes' on wooded or unpaved trails can also be very engaging and tiring for dogs.
>What I have tried (consistently, for 2 weeks consecutively)
This is not enough time. Pick ONE method and stick to it. If you are getting ZERO results after 1 month of consistent training (again, 5-10 minute sessions, 3-5 times a day) then you can make small modifications, but do not change the rules completely! Your dog is just going to get confused and frustrated if one day she is working to earn rewards and the next she is being rolled on her back for not recognizing that what you were saying to her was a cue.
>Give her a job, a project, a responsibility, a schedule: Not a thing.
You MUST be consistent with this and it should be a part of WHATEVER training method you go with - full stop. Again, Nothing in Life is Free is a really easy way to get your dog working to earn things (aka "a job") and a schedule is ideal for ANY dog (meal times, bathroom times, play times - most dogs thrive on routine).
>Positive reinforcement: Bribing her with food has somehow taught her to beg for food and harass people while they are eating.
This means you are doing it wrong. Positive reinforcement is not bribing - it is encouraging a dog to repeat behaviors by giving them things they want when they do specific tasks. Check out our training basics. If you are always using obvious food (e.g. "loaded lures") to get her to do things then she is going to become more focused on the food then learning actual behaviors.
>Negative Punishment/ "Alpha" Training/ Dominance rolling: Nope, doesn't give a sht
Avoid these things with a dog with behavioral issues to this extent - it can just prove to them that you are, in fact, dangerous and unpredictable and cannot be trusted. At this point, you REALLY need to foster trust with her! Check out What not to do to your best friend, Comments on "alpha" dominance theory, and The Culture Clash
-- to be continued --
Their intelligence is what leads to lots of their behavior issues. You gotta exercise that brain too.
Have a look at these toys. They have been great for our cattle dogs over the years. They tend to eat too fast so these tend to be food/game focused.
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Dispensing-Medium-Large/dp/B000KV7ZGQ
https://www.amazon.com/OurPets-Smarter-Interactive-Treat-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1480272473&sr=1-1&keywords=dog+food+puzzle
https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Hide-Interactive-Puzzle/dp/B0043A71PU/ref=sr_1_15?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1480272473&sr=1-15&keywords=dog+food+puzzle
I love the above one but one of our dogs is too smart for it. She picks up the covers with her mouth and sets them aside. when she eats all she can reach she tends to turn it over to dump it out.
I'm super impressed with the bell to go out. We haven't been able to get ours to do that.
We have 5:
Slow Feeder
Kong Wobbler
Maze Treat Dispenser
IQ Treat Ball
Buster Food Cube
​
We use his kibble in these but will add treats cut up to pea-size or ham, chicken, etc also cut up along with the kibble.
Rambo eats both of his meals out of a puzzle toy.
​
We also have black Kongs that I put stuff in (kibble, rice, veggies, etc) , plug with some peanut butter or EZ cheese, pour some chicken broth into and then freeze
Find a good vet and positive reinforcement trainer or take classes still positive reinforcement. Makes sure to crate train. Be consistent with all training everyday. Give lots of mental mad physical stimulus during day. In morning before you leave house talk potty walk and play to use some energy up. Make training fun, exercise some before you start will help them pay attention to you. Which every way you go class or trainer you must still work with your dog daily between the sessions. Being consistent is the only way they will learn what is expected. Only working onece a week isn't going to help.
Understand dogs do not know what we expect of them and must be taught. Again be consistent use redirecting for bad behavior giving a positive experience.
Potty training again make it fun and make a solid routine. If caught in house simply sternly say "no out" and walk outside. I'd suggest bell training to ring every time you go out with out command also give dog a way to say I need out. When goes outside be excited with lots of love and treats. I'd buy a small carpet clean, use enxyme ceeaner with it, for messes they can happen when change causes stress.
They are perpetual toddlers who will always need us including entertainment. You've got this wihh everyone here to help when we can.
Also a week not hearing from a rescue is not ghosting you. They stay busy with many run by volunteers. Sometimes it takes a little bit for them to go over everything before making a choice and other people are also interested.
I am glad it worked out and you have you new family member.
A few toys ideas:
UOLIWO Dog Treat Dispensing Toy, Duck Dog Toy Squeak Dog Treat Puzzle Toy Durable Plush Chew Toys for Small Medium Large Dogs Training Playing https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N2NLBQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Xl7LDbJTMP3F3
AWOOF Dog Puzzle Toys, Pet Snuffle Mat for Dogs, Interactive Feed Game for Boredom, Encourages Natural Foraging Skills for Cats Dogs Bowl Travel Use, Dog Treat Dispenser Indoor Outdoor Stress Relief https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N1JYYCW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Ym7LDb7DCBKCJ
Our Pets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Food Dispensing Dog Toy (ASSORTED COLOR) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_in7LDb9AX6C5Q
Trixie Dog Activity Flip Board Strategy Game (9.05 inch) (Multicolored) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076MGW9RM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_Fn7LDbBAQ1KAK
The Trixie has tons of different ones.
Cardboard boxes with shredded paper, pieces of cardboard, paper towel rolls, and some hay stuffed inside with a tunnel attached is by far my buns' favorite toys. They love going in and ripping everything apart and finding hay/treats to eat. Bunnies love cardboard boxes in general. They'll rip them apart and move them around, chew on 'em, make hidey holes, climb on them. I'll even cut out some holes on the side of the boxes and stuff cardboard tubes frayed at the ends/stuffed with hay for them to have fun with.
Tunnels rank at number 2 favorite toy. Their favorite is the crinkley cat tunnels which have holes throughout them they can dart out. They like the crinkle noise too.
They love manipulating objects, hard plastic slinkies (not metal ones!) are fun for them ... and to watch, haha. Hard plastic baby rattles, baby keys, etc. Just no gel/soft plastic as it would be easy for them to bite and ingest.
http://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Toys_and_Games This has an awesome list of toys and also places to buy bun toys. I've bought cottontail cottages, activity tables, rosewood activity trees, etc--buns love them all! But they are expensive for sure. The activity tables last forever but it would definitely be cheaper to build one !
Oh, also--I would recommend games like the Teach N Treat for mental stimulation as well: http://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Living-World-Teach-Treat/dp/B004HYW9B8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1393474030&sr=8-1&keywords=teach+n+treat
There are tons of dog and cat games like that too that buns will love: http://www.amazon.ca/Trixie-4594-Products-Solitaire-White/dp/B0057G1WT0/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I346NPTH7GATHZ
Also they love moving around these treat balls when you stuff em with pellets: http://www.amazon.com/Smarter-Toys-Treat-Inches-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1393474058&sr=8-2&keywords=treat+ball
They love games that have anything to do with eating/end result being eating. :P
http://www.amazon.ca/Kitty-Mansions-Memphis-Tree-Beige/dp/B0043Z0EUE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=IHU58PNBHRME6 CAT TREES! Build your own if you want! Make sure if you buy one to cover any non-safe bun material.
I also got them one of these: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0038B2EKM/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00005C5H4/ref=oh_details_o02_s05_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Stack cups! Put treats between them and watch them knock them over and nom the treats. :)
http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00000IZQP/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i05?ie=UTF8&psc=1 They also like knocking these off.
http://www.amazon.ca/Super-Pet-Tropical-Fiddle-Stick/dp/B000HHO26E/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I1Y9U0EEWOMV8N These things!
http://www.amazon.ca/Ware-711-Roller-Assorted-Colors/dp/B001CQFDJY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I3D5TZDNHU5HM8 This makes eating hay a bit more fun for them. :)
My boys love rolling around and destroying these: http://www.amazon.ca/Peters-Woven-Grass-Play-Ball/dp/B0009YJ3OG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3EH8O533V5DMS&coliid=I2VYO2771IW0LJ
Bunnies really enjoy long-term projects, which is why they like the dig boxes I described in the first paragraph so much. They dig and rearrange the boxes foreeever until I make a new one for them.
My Boxer is a connoisseur of puzzle toys. In Minnesota, it gets way too cold for us to go on long walks to curb his energy, so I engage his brain when it becomes a frozen wasteland outside.
I feed Keenan out of a large Kong Wobbler -- he gets at least one meal a day out of this. It takes him about 30 minutes to work out all the kibbles.
IQ Treat Ball is great for pets that work out puzzles super quickly. This is a fairly difficult toy. Be warned, if you have hard floors, this is loudest thing ever. It's also the perfect size to get stuck under sofas with legs.
Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball is easier to roll around and get kibble sized treats out of. It's also a pain to fill and clean. We don't use this one much.
Everlasting Fun Ball is also hard to fill and difficult to clean, but it's tough. When Keenan is on my last nerve, he gets something super delicious in this and it keeps him occupied until he gets frustrated with it.
Monster Mouth is really tough to get things out of for pups. I'll stuff full sized milk bones in this and leave just a tip hanging out so he can try to pull it out. It keeps him pretty busy, but he gets frustrated by this one quickly.
Buster Food Cube is brilliant in design--you can make it easier and harder to get food out of by twisting the opening. This was Keenan's first puzzle toy and when he figured it out, he got a lot of enjoyment "hiking" it through his back legs at a hard surface to make it bounce off and spray kibbles around. It's loud on hard floors. So loud my ex SO threw it away.
I also pick up random puzzle toys at the store when I see them. I can't find accurate representations on Amazon. Most of them are soft/silicone that you can bend to open and put treats in. Keenan likes his big football one because he knows the yummy, big treats go in that one.
I literally just made a post last night about puzzle toys! I'll go ahead and paste it here:
>I'm just going to start listing off puzzle toys that I like since I don't know which ones you'd used before.Kong toys are excellent ways to stimulate using food. You can also try food puzzles, such as the IQ Ball or Trixie Pet products. Snuff mats can also be helpful, if your dog likes to "forage" for food.
>
>Licking and chewing can also relieve stress. There's a lick mat that I recently found that my pups really love. You can put something like peanut butter or yogurt on it, freeze it, and my dogs go at it for 30 minutes. For chewing, you can look at variety of different things, such a bully sticks, chew toys, Himalayan dog chews, etc. My dogs like all of the above, but the longest lasting chews for them are Benebones.
>
>Search high and low for these types of toys and puzzles. You can often find discounted pet toys at Marshalls or Ross, if you have these types of stores near you. I know they can be kind of expensive, but a good brand will last forever, and for my dogs, they've been great investments!
>
>You can also make your own games, if you'd rather not purchase toys. Hide treats under plastic cups and tell [your dog] to "go find!" You can play hide-and-go-seek around the home. For a DIY toy, put treats in a muffin tin and cover each tin with a tennis ball for him to remove. If he is comfortable with these in the house, you can take these types of games outside, too.
As for helping your dog figure them out, I think you just kind of go with the flow. Show your dog, if he's having trouble, and be patient -- if he's not accustomed to figuring out puzzles, he's going to have to learn. Use the most scrumptious treats to engage and incentivize him.
I know there's research out there that suggests that dogs don't learn well by watching, but my puppy was having trouble with one of those Trixie pet puzzles, at which point I brought in my older dog to show him. He caught on right away.
Treat dispensing toys, puzzles, flirt pole (puppy can play with this some but no jumping or sharp turns), kongs, crate, training treats, blankets, enzymatic cleaner. And beanie babies for my dog that is obsessed with them :P
You can also get food/bully sticks/antlers on amazon but I usually order them from chewy.com
Edit:
Here are some of our favorite training treat brands.
Treat dispensing toy examples
Maybe a toy you put food in? Mine likes her food out all the time as well so she can pick at it, but if I put it in a toy she loves to knock it around and get little rewards. It's like a job, or a puzzle, it makes her feel accomplished and it's fun! I only mention it since she's making a lot of noise with one right now.
We have this and this and this and few ones with flippy little doors and whatnot that are good for holding a snack. It might be too stressful and frustrating for him at first, but if you stick with it and show him how it works he might take to it. Best wishes to your doggos!
Here's a great comment with an overview some food toys.
I like to rotate through several different toys. She gets a quieter toy in the morning so as not to annoy our downstairs neighbor - usually her Omega Ball, Orbee-Tuff Snoop, or homemade snuffle mat. In the afternoon she might get the Bob-a-Lot, Magic Mushroom, Tug-a-Jug, or IQ Ball.
Yup it has an adjustable opening. It comes in different sizes too. The blue one pictured there is for smaller dogs (I use it for my 22 pound JRT) you can get 2/3 cup of food in it.
Slow feeder ball
how old is she?
leashes/collars:
our puppy was cleared to go home at 7.5 weeks and 9 pounds. we went to target and got a boots and barkley size XS collar. it was $4. we only spent $4 because within a month she was in a M collar. she's going to need a large collar in the next few months.
we had a lighter leash from our other dog (cocker spaniel) that we used until we switched collars, then we got a heavier duty 6' nylon leash off of amazon. 6' is a good length for training because you can do come and stay with 6'.
it's really tempting to spend a lot on cute collars and leashes when you get them, but they grow so quickly that it really is kind of a waste of money...
toys:
a puppy kong would be good (believe this is the baby blue one). she'll be learning to mouth. we also got some softer plush toys for her, smaller, because she can't get her mouth around the bigger ones. samus REALLY liked small flat toys and there isn't stuffing for them to rip out of with their razor sharp puppy teeth. the stuffing can make them sick if they ingest it. also, some of the flat ones have a crinkly paper sound and not a squeaker, which can also be better.
https://www.jefferspet.com/products/flat-farm-toys
goldens are REALLY smart so you have to keep them busy. there are a lot of 'puzzle toys' out there but samus always figured them out within 10 minutes. even as a 2-3 month old puppy the ones that say 6 months + were way too easy (she is just turning 4.5 months).
my husband found this toy on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/OurPets-Smarter-Interactive-Treat-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG
it is our LIFE SAVER. it is the ONLY toy that keeps samus interested for HOURS. it has to roll on carpet though, so if you dont have carpet it might not be a good choice. we tried other ball/puzzle toys and she would figure them out. we put a handful of her food or some treats and her food in the ball and she is so busy. the kicker with this toy is that the inner platform has an adjustable hole to make it more difficult for the food to fall out of, and then it falls into the ball and has to fall out of the second (outer) hole. so, out of everything we have ever purchased, this was the best $8 we have spent.
bowls:
we used a small 2 cup pyrex like dish for the first couple of months and now she is in a Kong slow feed bowl from PetSmart.
https://www.petsmart.com/dog/supplies-and-training/bowls-and-feeders/food-and-water-bowls/kong-slow-feed-puzzle-dog-bowl-5231739.html?gclid=CJTgksmI9dECFY62wAodQoEK5A&lsft=utm_source%3Agoogle%2Cutm_term%3A5231739%2Cutm_medium%3APLA%2Cutm_content%3AGSC%20-%20PLA%20-%20Hardgoods%20%7C%20Dog%20-%20Supplies%20
food:
we do natural balance limited ingredient lamb and brown rice puppy food. puppy food is important because they're growing. our vet told us large breed isn't necessary because large breed is more for your dane sized puppies. whatever you feed her, make sure you are starting with an 80% breeder provided food/20% your food, next day do 70/30, 60/40, etc...slow moving or it will upset their bellies and you'll be sad because they can't hold their liquid poops in since they are puppies. ask the breeder for a weeks worth of food for the transition.
misc:
if you have a petco near you, ask them for the puppy coupon book. it'll come with a lot of 50% off coupons for treats that you can use with price matching and manufacturer coupons.
I took these 50% one bag of 12oz tricky trainer treats, looked on their website, got a price match (it's usually a ton cheaper on their website) and then got the 50% off of that price match.
I ended up with 3 bags of treats for about $4
Hi!
My chi’s LOVE food puzzle games. We got our teacup an IQ ball on amazon and she rolls that thing around - it gets her some activity, feeds her, and she uses her brain. My bigger chi likes this one
Maybe that will help?
They make puzzle toys for dogs that force them to work out how to get the food- have you tried those? I've had to pick one up for a cat to put treats in, because if I do not stimulate him intellectually, he'll pull apart the cabinets.
these or these.
Feed him with this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ARUKTG/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_8?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
Anyone have a dog you can borrow to come over and play with him while you work? Other dog friends are great for exhausting pups. Plus it's very good for socializing.
Just like with children, the excess of energy could be due to something more than lack of exercise. His little puppy brain might not be getting enough stimulation. He also may be wanting to chew/gnaw something. Give him the food ball, and a healthy dog bone chew.
Also, quick tip: make sure he has a dedicated space that is his own. A place like a den that is for happy feelings (give him treats in said place) and sleep; like a crate with a comfy bed. And NEVER feed your dog a meal and then overwork/ run him, it may cause BLOAT.
tl; dr : food ball, dog friend, dog chew.
I had a fatty that looked just like this. May I recommend one of these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ARUKTG
It worked wonders to get his weight down and teach him not to hork his meals down super fast.
Edit: actually, this is the one I used https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0018CE8LQ
Sure!
My partner built him something like this.
I also got him these two puzzles that I only give him when I'm home, just for safety reasons: this "level 2" one that he solved in 30 seconds and this "level 3" one that he hasn't quite gotten the opening drawer part down yet.
He also has this treat ball that he LOVES, but I don't recommend if you live in an apartment/condo with hard floors.
His favorite that he carries around and chucks down our stairs to open is this mushroom.
He also gets kongs with peanut butter in them.
Amazon gets a lot of my money. Lol.
Yeah, most of those would get destroyed in minutes in our house.
Firstly, as I'm sure you know, plan to take her on a decent walk first. It's not always possible, but it helps with the process. Then there's a little wind-down time when we get back to the house.
Anyway, as for toys, your real question, I suggest one of these two:
http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob---Lot-Interactive-Small/dp/B003YHB8EI/
http://www.amazon.com/OurPets-Smarter-Interactive-Inches-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/
We get some tiny little treats to pop in there and it has good success. Noodle still tries to play with it at my feet, but at least it keeps him occupied. But, as Aussies are velcro pups, he only plays with it in the same room that we're in.
The other thing that could help (if what you want to get done is in the same general area) is to keep treats in your pocket and continuing to reward for staying on her bed. So as you're working, toss a treat back. Maybe every 30 seconds at first and then lengthen the time. Our "Go to your bed" command is pretty rock solid at this point...but the staying part is certainly something that can be continuously worked on.
Good luck! And seriously, that Weazeball will die a horrible death in minutes. Don't waste your money.
Sometimes Badger gets part of his food for the day in a treat ball (this one). It's great for his kibble, though noisy on the non-carpeted floor, and he loses it under furniture all the time so he doesn't have it unattended.
It's pretty feasible for him to eat a good portion of his food this way because he's only 12 lbs. and he eats about 3/4 cup of kibble a day. Most of the time we feed him at least one meal in his bowl. It takes two kibble balls to be about equivalent to one meal.
Kongs are the simplest and its really easy to "level up". Start by just putting in dry kibble, then wet kibble, then freeze the wet kibble and seal up the big hole with yogurt or peanut butter. Then you can layer it so its frozen wet kibble, cheese, kibble, yogurt, kibble, peanut butter etc. It'll start taking longer and longer to get everything out. My pup loves the Kong Wobbler too! Not only does it tire him out, but it spreads out his meal so he doesn't eat it as fast. Same with the IQ ball. The puzzle board was great for awhile but then got too easy for him. Snuffle mats are pretty easy to DIY too if you don't want to fork over the money to buy a real one.
Here's an example of a slow eat dog bowl that /u/ZorglubDK mentioned.
When they work the dog is forced to take much longer to eat their food instead of inhaling it all in big gulps. It also doubles as a sort of play time and brain game since the dog has to work to get the food.
Sometimes the dog is too smart for the bowl though. When that happens... I guess you could somehow secure the bowl to the floor.
The feeder balls mentioned work in much the same way. Put the food in the ball and the dog has to roll it around to get the food out.
Everyone so far has already recommended exercise, which I also recommend. Some people said mental exercise as well, which can wear her out and keep her busy. So, I'm throwing in food toys that make her work for her food (which I'm assuming you probably just pour kibble in a bowl) which can add some more exercise, both physical and mental. Kongs (which are actually not a personal favorite of mine) for when you leave are great. Freeze them and they are harder to get food from. I personally love IQ balls which are perfect spheres and make dogs more or less run around the house after the toy (my guys normally are panting after working to get all the food out). Here are some others since it is a good thing to switch it up and keep her thinking, not just use the same toy over and over (because that would be boring):
PetSafe Tug-A-Jug
PetSafe Egg thing
PetSafe Mushroom thing
Kong Satellite
Kong Wobbler
And in the event you are like "I'M POOR, I CANNOT AFFORD ALL OF THOSE." You can also get a 2 liter bottle and cut holes in it big enough for her to get food out of but not too easily. Also, the mushroom toy has pretty small holes so it isn't easy for bigger kibble (or dog treats), so you might forgo that one. Those are just the ones I own.
ALSO ALSO. PSA FOR EVERYONE. If you shop Amazon Smile (which is where those links take you) you can donate %.05 of all purchases to a charity of your choice. So you should definitely sign up, choose a charity and donate while you shop instead of just shopping. Nothing changes except you shop from Amazon Smile instead of Amazon.
I got a 6 year old dog about 4 years ago. He spent the first 2+ years of his life in a cage alone, then a few years living with a family. He also didn't care for toys or playing with other dogs. He's started playing well with my puppy over the last few months, but before that he didn't play with anyone for more than maybe a 10 second game of chase in the yard.
For toys, I taught him "take it" to get him to pick up a toy. He'll humor me and take what I offer him, but very rarely does he actually play with a toy. He sometimes squeaks a toy a bit if he doesn't think I'm paying attention, but as soon as I notice he drops it and expects pets. He really only cares about bones and kongs.
His life isn't any less fun for him because he's not keen on toys. He's smart enough to know what toys are for, just not interested in spending his time squeaking something when he could be sleeping on the couch!
For yours, if he likes food and sometimes chases the ball, I'd probably try a puzzle toy that involves pushing the ball around to dispense treats. This particular one is big enough not to roll under my couch. He may get the idea to chase it if the treats are coming from the ball and not you. You can also throw out some kibbles into the yard and let him hunt them out.
Also, keep in mind that it could take weeks or even months for a new rescue to adjust to you and your home, especially if he's used to living on the streets or in a kennel at the shelter. I'm not sure how new he is to you, but you may find he comes out of his shell as time goes on and he sees you playing fetch with your other dogs.
ACDs are quite the toy destroyers aren't they? Although my guy isn't quite as esteemed in the destruction field as an ACD, he is pretty bad. Here's what has survived him:
Reading my list, god damn my dog is spoiled. Keep in mind, these are just the toys that have made it. I'm not even counting the ones he's destroyed!
Let me know if you have any questions!
Lastly, I don't own a husky, but man do I respect the destruction a husky can wreck. I would recommend going to a husky group on facebook or a subreddit to see what toys they would recommend. If it's husky approved... it should last.
When I visit my mom, I feed the dog through this toy. I set up an exercise pen (so the ball doesn't get lost under furniture and the food stays contained), put the kibble in the ball, set the ball to the hardest setting, and then put the ball + dog in the pen together. The dog ends up pushing the ball around and around the pen. He eats and gets a mini work out. Even though I still have to walk him, it does burn a bit of energy. For my large dog at least, I end up refilling the ball about 4 times to feed him his meal. (He eats 3 small meals instead of 2 meals a day.) The point here is that the dog will be too tired to cause trouble. This is one idea for you.
You can also try using bitter spray on your belongings so that your dog doesn't try to bite things she shouldn't be biting.
However, my best idea for you is that you consider crate training the dog. It is safe for your home, but more importantly, it is safe for your dog so that she doesn't ingest anything potentially dangerous. It keeps her protected and in a safe place where you don't have to worry about her. You can give her a bigger crate if you're concerned she needs space. There are lots of resources out there that talk about it (r/puppy101 & r/Dogtraining) and while it may take time until your dog is fully crate trained, it 1) deals with the separation anxiety, 2) protects the furniture from being destroyed, 3) protects the dog from getting hurt while alone.
My dachshund, Doobie, is a little terror when it comes to toys. I've found two that hold up pretty well overall.
First, this is Doobie's absolute favorite toy but it never lasts longer than a few hours if I just leave it with him. So I'll only give it to him for play and take it away later to make it last longer. I only mention this one because he loves it so much. It does have stuffing in it, so beware of that. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EB9IV2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This toy is better because it has several squeakers, and it lasts a lot longer. It also has no stuffing to clean up. Though they will still destroy them. But I use this one to play catch (since you can throw it like a frisbee) and tug of war (Since it's easier for you and the dog to hold) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BT8K7J6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
This is the toy that I let him have all the time. It took him a year to destroy the first one. I don't know if it's because it's really that tough or because he's getting older. But I think it's worth a try. It's also really funny watching him carry this thing around the house since it's twice as long as he is. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003RQNE7U/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And the last, honorable mention: My dachshund LOVES this, and it's perfect if you are too busy and they really want to play or the weather is bad so they can't go out or get walked. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ARUKTG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ARUKTG/ :D
I found the ones I used on amazon.
OurPets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Food Dispensing Dog Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_OE47AbH4PAY32
When my dog is super antsy, I'll put half of his dinner in one of these. Then he spends the next half hour chasing it around the house to get his food out of it, and by the time he's done, he's tuckered out. I also make sure he has lots of toys and bones and hoofs to chew on so he has something to do so he's not bored.
Not sure if this is the same one that Scout got, but this one is great for my dog. He usually destroys most toys, but this one is hard plastic and it barely fits in his mouth, so he can't really chomp down on it. I think maybe he also does not want to destroy the toy that feeds him. ;)
The Kong Wobbler is also good if you need a treat/food dispenser that doesn't travel quite as much or as quickly. It's also harder to get stuck under the couch or tv stand, etc. My dog hasn't tried to destroy it - once he gets all the food out, it's dead to him.
(1) we have used all of the above. Standard collar holds tags the best, our training class provided a choke collar and we find it easiest for walks, and when he was still very small (8 weeks came home, so for about our first month or so) had him in the harness before we started training.
(2) we have all 3 - the retractable is new and I haven't used it yet, but we got it for beach trips so he can roam, then we started with a nylon and got a leather one from the class. We now use the leather mostly... just because its nice on the human paws :)
(3) We started with a 36" crate, at basically full grown he's fitting in pretty tightly, but still fits. We also ended up adding an ex-pen. If I was buying the crate now, I'd go up a size or two so he'd have some more space. I also highly recommend the pen if you have room.
(4) We've gone through a lot of beds... he's chewed them to bits... so might as well start off simple and cheap. He put a hole in the nice one we got recently within an hour.
(5) When he first came home, his favorites were the rope toys and unstuffed animals with squeekeres. Don't get things with stuffing!! They will try to eat it, and that makes for a lot of supervision needed. Now that he's a little older, he also loves balls, particularly [with teeth]
(https://smile.amazon.com/Coevals-Club-Interactive-Non-Toxic-Cleaning/dp/B01LARUD6M/ref=sr_1_17?ie=UTF8&qid=1493386356&sr=8-17&keywords=treat+ball+for+dog)
& [brain activity] (https://smile.amazon.com/OurPets-Treat-Ball-Interactive-Dispensing/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1493386356&sr=8-3&keywords=treat+ball+for+dog)
(6) Foods:
(7) We did a local class. For socializing, we've made sure to introduce him to people from day one - and dogs since he was fully vaxxed unless we know the dog.
(8) Biggest challenge - he has chewed up window sills, door frames, etc when home alone. We originally thought it was OK to leave him in an empty room with just his toys etc bc we had an empty bedroom. He ruined the listed items of the room. Hence, adding the ex-pen. Happiest moments - it's like when people talk about their partners and babies... its the little moments, like when they snuggle up which you don't expect because its rare for the breed, or when they accomplish something - like being house broken, or a command (sit, etc).
(9) we're lucky... he loves both dogs and people. Archer is an attention whore, and the more praise and play the better. This can vary by individual dog, like individual human.
(10) The only thing I wish I could change is how long my commute it, and how late I get in. My husband is able to spend more time with the puppy than me which is just my own jealousy. Also... we use a dog walker 1-2 times a day (we're moving down to 1 now that he holds his bladder/bowels longer). The mid-day visit is SO important, if you can't take lunch at home... you need to have him with someone - a dog walker, a pet daycare. He cannot be alone for that long.
Also... know he's a smart breed. He's not like a lab or a collie who will live to please you. You live to serve him (or her! I have a boy, so I keep using him) which means that you have to learn about his idiosyncracies. Because he is smart, but easily bored... you will need to figure out what kind of attention and stimulation keeps your shibe baby happy. Is it mental stimulation and logic puzzles? They make more than the tops I shared... so start looking. Also, just play hide and seek. Does his hunter instinct kick in? Sometimes, when he's feeling extra frisky instead of feeding him in a bowl, I'll toss his kibble and treats into the toy, or literally around the room so he can "hunt" for dinner. Is he feeling neglected? Bored? he's going to cause trouble...so how can you make sure he knows you love him. Think of him like April Ludgate in Parks & Rec, or a cat. He wants to know he can have your attention when he wants it - but he will not just snuggle because you want to... or pay attention to you if it doesn't meet his interests or needs. You'll fall in love (hopefully) and won't care, but the shiba will rule the fam not vice versa so get ready for it.
Snuffle Matt with an IQ Ball is my genius invention I haven’t seen anywhere else.
https://www.amazon.com/Wooly-Snuffle-Mat-Encourages-Foraging/dp/B01N1FV55I/ref=asc_df_B01N1FV55I/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198071232162&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3592997858012089969&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031939&hvtargid=pla-349638453770&psc=1
You hide kibble under the felt and it triggers the dogs instincts for digging through grass. It takes our 14 week old about 20 minutes to sniff it all out and holds a 1/3 cup easily.
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Pets-Treat-Interactive-Dispensing/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=asc_df_B003ARUKTG/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198111066934&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10592075457433977437&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9031939&hvtargid=pla-355229308255&psc=1
She pushes the IQ ball around to get kibble out and they fall in to the snuffle matt, forcing her to find them again.
Lots of kibble and easily a 30 minute effort that she naps after.
I have one of these and while my dog will occasionally try to chew/lick it when she gets frustrated, it's made of smooth hard plastic so she's not actually able to destroy it or get a good grip on it. I wouldn't use it if you have hardwood floors, though - I assume if it was dropped on a hard floor, it might eventually break.
Yes, I like the thick rubber ones with holes in them, which I stuff with treats and peanut butter. My dog will then paw and throw it around in order to get the treats out, and he'll be occupied for hours licking it. Kind of like this and this though we don't have those exact ones, but you get the idea.
My dog also loves this guy but you'd need extra small training treats for it so it can fall through the small hole. Also it's hard plastic and my floors are tile, so it makes a huge racket when he tosses it around.. no big deal when I'm out of the house though.
Good luck!
I understand the worry. Something warm might help loosen the muscle. Ask the vet if there are any exercises you can do with him that can help with stiffness.
I like food balls for helping with joints. As he noses it around he is moving his head side to side, he it making atypical steps but without the energy of chasing a ball. Not to mention it helps prevent overeating.
I will warn you away from the ones you cannot take apart. They end up nasty with food stuck in them. Something like this is good: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Pets-Interactive-Dispensing-ASSORTED/dp/B003ARUKTG
My wiggle loves this and this
Also, frozen Kong’s are great.
I'm sure you know this already, but it can't be said too often--consistency is KEY for dogs. You (and your family) have to be more stubborn than she is, every time. Whenever anyone gives in, she learns that her behavior is effective and acceptable.
Before bringing more food into the mix (as this may just excite her more), try to ignore her/push her away at every meal for at least 2 weeks and see if there's any improvement in her behavior at that point. Our new dog (picked him up mid-January, just turned 2) was all about it when we were eating, but he has already stopped bothering us at meal times (took about 1 week for the worst of the behavior to stop, 2 weeks for him to actually completely leave us alone). Best of luck!!
P.S.: My last thought would be maybe to give her something to entertain her while you are eating (something like this ). We haven't tried this, but if the barking/jumping is really unbearable, this might be a way to encourage her to ignore you while you eat.
I use this puzzle ball filled with kibble for my 13-week old mini, crank it to it most difficult setting and toss it out on the lawn. First he has to roll it around to even get kibble pieces out of it, and then he has to find them in the grass. Takes him a solid half-hour for a handful of kibble :)
This one - https://www.amazon.com/Our-Pets-Interactive-Dispensing-ASSORTED/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=iq%2Bball&qid=1564528762&s=gateway&sr=8-1&th=1
I have the blue 4 inch. I got it at Marshalls for $4
There are many different kinds of toys and puzzles that will keep him occupied when you aren't at home. Just choose something centered around your dog's motivation, whether it be treats, toys, or something else and don't forget to play with him yourself!
On a different note, I used to have a dog who started chewing when he was a puppy. I made it absolutely clear to him that I was VERY unhappy when he chewed through my headphone cord, then gave him a length of denim from the scrap box and said, "This is for you." Ever since then, he'll only chew things you give to him explicitly.
Hey, if you want an alternate way of doing it (nothing wrong with what you're doing now!), there are dog toys for this too!
I use this ball that you can put kibble in, and my dog rolls it around and kibble pops out. I like to think it helps keep him stimulated and busy!
If he's decently food motivated, there are toys where the dog has to work to get the food out. Some examples-
IQ Ball
Starmark Bob a Lot
Magic Mushroom
Nina Ottosson has a line of puzzle toys. (These are more on the expensive side though, but there's a range of difficulty)
These are just a few off the top of my head... If you do a search for puzzle toys, there should be other posts with more suggestions.
If you leave the rawhides out all the time, he might just be bored or just used to them, so they're no longer a treat. If he has access to them at any time, there's nothing really special about them anymore which maybe why he ignores them.
I got two of these toys for my Pom and Papillon, and our Pap loves it. They have to roll the ball around to get the food into the clear top chamber, and then keep rolling it to get it to fall out. You can adjust the size of the hole in the middle layer to change the difficulty as they get more used to using it. There are other variations of similar toys, but that's the one I've tried and can review. The three inch one is more than big enough for a Pom.
We just throw a handful of kibble in there and it keeps our Papillon busy for an hour. Unfortunately my Pom is afraid of it (she doesn't like the noise, and the Papillon bangs his around into furniture and stuff), but I'd still recommend it unless your pup is as big of a scaredy cat as mine is.
We alternate between the Kong Wobbler, the Buster Cube, and the IQ Ball every morning for breakfast. The wobbler is definitely the easiest, the cube is definitely the hardest, and the IQ ball is Sequoia's favorite (but she loves balls of any kind, so no real surprise there).
The total surprise winner was the Pickle! I was convinced it would be torn to shreds in minutes, but it has held up well! It doesn't last super long, but it is easy enough to just stick a little more peanut butter and some more kibble in when she is done.
We got our lil buddy a month ago, tried to immediately get him into crate training but failed pretty miserably when he spent the day howling his lungs out - much to our sublet neighbors' shagrin. We work 8 hours a day and there's no way we can pay for doggy daycare. He'd been a rescue from the Hurricane in Texas and we had no information about him at all. His foster mom claimed that he whined for about 10 minutes in his crate and then was fine, but this was either vastly different than our experience or was a lie.
Though we first thought it was separation anxiety, I began to suspect it was just isolation distress. We had just moved into our new place and so we had basically a spare room that wasn't yet furnished, and we decided to give him the whole room while we were away at work. We also taught him to look forward to his Kong and his IQ ball every morning. Within two weeks he was happy to get his treats in the morning, and as long as we kept our schedule the same he would quietly do his thing then go and sleep on this awesome bed that we bought for him, being quiet the whole time!
So onto crate training him, we've got his bed that he loves so much in his crate at night, and he sleeps there nicely. We started closing the door a week ago or so at night and he has no problem with that! He gets in there when we get it ready and lays down very well and stuff. So now in the day we've started locking him in his crate with his nice bed and, just like before, he is laying down and sleeping normally in it! I put his Kong in there with him before I leave and he's repeating the behavior that he'd learned this last month of playing for a while and sleeping. I'm also coming home about 5 hours later to take him for a walk in the afternoon and then re-crating him.
So, so far it's been about consistency, introducing new scary things to him slowly and in little bits, and getting his mind off of being alone right when we leave the house.
Our lab puppy was very destructive in the beginning as well. No matter how tired we tried to make her, dogs are resilient she has never ending energy. So if we weren't able to tire her out, we had to keep her interested in something.
I found some dog treat puzzles on amazon, like this one. It did help but definitely not 100%....
https://www.amazon.com/OurPets-Treat-Ball-Interactive-Dispensing/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1510695642&sr=8-5&keywords=dog+treat+puzzles
We also installed cameras, where we could talk through them to the dogs, so if I would see her start to get into something I could call her name. it distracted her for the most part, not all the time though...
You just have to keep thinking of ways to keep them engaged in something other than your stuff! Anything you could set up and control remotely in the puppy room would help
You should definitely try the videoing and catching him
This is Cosmo's most favorite food toy on the planet. He likes the mushroom but it doesn't dispense food quickly enough so he'd rather use it as a toy than for a meal. I ended up removing the divider since he's a puppy and just learning. We use it for every meal now. He absolutely loves it. Video: https://www.instagram.com/p/BHXbJhUjGzG
I got the IQ Treat Ball in one of my monthly Bark Box packages (highly recommend for their great products and awesome customer service) and it is one of the best, longest lasting dog products I've owned.
My dog has abused it in many ways, including chewing. It only broke open once when I wasn't supervising but I'm guessing it was because the top was loose. However, I've tossed and rolled it across my house and hasn't broken open once. You can adjust the opening for the treats depending on how easy or hard you want your dog to get to the food.
It hold a good amount of food, definitely enough to feed my dog. You can always refill it too. The ball has a twist open top so you can clean it inside and out. Your dog must be very food motivated in order for him to play with it. At first you need to show your dog there food and treats inside to get him to play with it but she will catch on. After a while, my dog figured out how to roll the ball in a way that will get multiple treats out. One of my more prouder moments as a dog owner.
Amazon link: http://amzn.com/B003ARUKTG
I have a 2 year old red nosed pit.
none are affiliate links
My pit is obsessed with large circular balls, and she'll easily deflate a soccer ball in minutes, so I bought this rubber soccer-sized ball that doesn't deflate. I kick and throw this ball around, and all her attention is on it. She's a gnaw-er, so she try to bite through basketballs and soccer balls as quickly as she can. This ball has stayed un-deflated for weeks now: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EMSVVAI/
For fetching with smaller balls, I bought two lacrosse balls, as they are very durable. And the reason they're durable is because they're not mostly empty inside, like regular bouncy balls you'll find at Petco. My pit isn't good at dropping the ball at me, so I throw the second when she gets close enough to me with the first, and she'll drop the ball: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006JANLLU/
Nylabone, super durable and a great chew toy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002ASNAM/
This food dispensing toy for mental stimulation: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ARUKTG/
I also have the luxury of having a co-worker who had a dog supply ecommerce website (closed shop last month) and he gave me these large deer antler(?) bones as well as several other items for free. But the antler bone is easily the best chew toy the dog has ever tried to chew on, and it was free.
Hey there,
So your dog sounds like someone who would really love puzzle toys. They are toys that can keep dogs occupied for a while since the way the toy administers treats really varies so the dog will keep at it. A good one that isn't too expensive that my dog loves is this one from amazon. It has an adjustable hole so you can control how often food/treats will come out of the ball. Just keep in mind it's made out of a hard plastic so it may make noise when it gets knocked into things. If this concerns you, another toy I would suggest is this one which is also on amazon. It's a little more expensive but it does the same thing as the first one I listed and it has rubber bumpers around it so it won't make as much noise. Hope this helps!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ARUKTG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
im a huge fan of this toy, it's got adjustable difficulties and my bc loves it!
It is a small thing but we have been using this for 6 months solid instead of a bowl for feedings: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ARUKTG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It turns what was 10 seconds of food munching into 15 minutes of nudging a ball around the house. The only downer is finding the stupid thing at the next mealtime.
I just picked up one of these and it holds the attention of my easily bored, overly excited, chewer. I've used the tug-o-jug and the food cube, both of which she figured out how to pick up and throw around until they break open, and then she chews on the sharp plastic bits if I don't get to them quickly enough. So far, she can't pick up the ball so she can't slam it down and destroy it, and it rolls around which entertains her a good bit. She gets every meal served in this and never seems to lose interest.
That's so exciting! Congrats! My big dog (7 years old) and my cousin's puppy both love this treat dispenser toy.
We used a trainer but pet smart is a great option! We chose group classes since it teaches socialization and that's where you will get bite inhibition. It will be frustrating at first bc puppy won't listen to you but stick with it!
We use several treat dispensing toys and as for the Kong I will actually soak her food in water for a bit until it absorbs some and then freeze it because she is having stomach issue so we aren't using treats. She really has to work at it to get it out. Here are some of the toys we use:
Coconut's been messing around with this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ARUKTG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
and this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DQJQ1C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
But she likes to take the wood pegs from the latter one and run off with them so I'm worried she's going to choke on them. She only gets to play with that one under supervision.
But now I'm thinking of getting some timber from Home Depot for her to gnaw on.
I've been doing this with our min pin for a while. I got one of these from Amazon, and depending on the setting, it takes her up to 35 minutes to eat what normally takes her about 10 seconds out of a bowl.
WALL OF TEXT INCOMING.
My GSD pupper is just about 7 months old. A few pieces of advice/warnings:
Never be harsh with your GSD. It is super true that you catch more flies with honey, and I believe that is especially true for this breed. We have always found with our pup that she responds much, much better to a soft correction than any sort of yelling or harsh voice.
Have fun! Puppies are delightful but also incredibly taxing!
And here are some pictures of the little devil, Malta.
Hello everyone! We are [Bear] (http://i.imgur.com/yJcaP4C.jpg), [Pancake] (http://i.imgur.com/ulnyNmC.jpg), and [Chunk] (http://i.imgur.com/M7ZG6mC.jpg). Mom says we are spoiled brats, but come on, look at how cute we are! Mom also says we are the most handsomest boys on the planet and we completely agree with her there. We would like to hang out with both Viktor and Hanners, since we love both puppies and kitties. We really think you both would like [this] (http://www.amazon.com/Ourpets-DT-10504-Smarter-Toys-Inches/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369328903&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+toys) because your mom could put treats in it for both of you (and who doesn't like to chase a ball around?). Our mommy thinks we would like anything on this [list] (http://amzn.com/w/2QB5CR9KR71XX). But really we like just about everything and we aren't picky at all!
And some extra picture because mommy says we are adorable. [Bear with our mommy!] (http://i.imgur.com/qGMPuT4.jpg) and [The two kitties together!] (http://i.imgur.com/7DEMfR2.jpg).
Thanks for wanting to spoil us and all the other pets out there!
I want to be friends with Hanners and Viktor!
My puppy loves this one and the difficulty is adjustable. Easy to clean too!
OurPets Smarter Toys Interactive IQ Treat Ball Dog Toy (Colors may vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZQvmybAZCEFXN
Then you need this IQ toy on your list!
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Pets-Interactive-Dispensing-ASSORTED/dp/B003ARUKTG
It works well and has an easier and more difficult setting. He loves it and it keeps him stimulated - cause he’ll do anything for food (but not much else) 😂
I Agree but things to also take into consideration. Environments with high and/or dry temperatures will cause most dogs to attempt to cool off through panting and laying on cool surfaces. (Some people see this as being tired, but is a different form of fatigue)
For the peeing, make a note of any changes that have happened in the past 3-4 months (The new kitten?), even something like change in outdoor lighting can cause a dog to stress. This in turn could cause a fear of peeing at night, or added stress could cause a UTI. Make a note of anything you can for the vet trip. I would restrict your dogs access to the house when you sleep (Crate training, or in your room, or something like that.) Allowing him to continue the behavior is VERY counter productive. Every time he gets away with it, he is 'rewarded' which makes the behavior harder to break.
Something to note JRTs are very high energy dogs that chase small vermin, anything that might run around or roll around (Nothing living please :-) will help burn energy. things like this toy will help with both the terrier predatory drive and his high energy.
I just picked one at random as an example so not sure. I use this with my dogs when I don't have time to do training. Its pretty small though only fits about half a cup of kibble
I bought one of these and one of these. Hopefully she gets the flip board. She only likes toys that are food related so I want more enrichment for her.
I was thinking of getting her one of these treat balls for her food too.
She eats soooo fast and then she burps so I am getting worried about it! I have been trying 3x a day.
How old is your pup? If the dog has adult teeth, try getting a deer antler. They are a renewable, non-staining, long-lasting chew toy and my Papillon loves them. She also loves her kong stuffed with peanut butter or dog food or cheese and any of the prior combinations but she won't really chew on anything aside from the antler. If she doesn't have one or can't find hers for a couple days, I find that anything in the house becomes at risk for chewing and she's 2+ years old. You could also try this with some food or hard treats inside just to keep the pup busy. Hope that helps! EDIT: If you find that keeping the dog in sight is an issue, leashing the pup and keeping them tethered to you with a carabiner to a belt loop helps a ton!
Game and maze toys are great! They also help to get my pyr to eat since she isn't usually inspired by the food in her bowl. My pup loves these two toys and will nudge them around the house until they are empty. Congrats on the new pyr :)
OurPets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Food Dispensing Dog Toy
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-hrMzb3WWTK2W
StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Pet Toy, Large
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_RirMzb483MJ7Z
I use this treat ball. The bad reviews are all yorkies getting their bottom jaw stuck in it, not an issue with my girl. The one disadvantage is that it's very loud, but she knocks it around and pounces on it and understands that her kibble comes out.
I would suggest something to keep any puppy busy, lest you lose a shoe or ten...
I love my pet :)
This is something my Leo would love! It'd keep him occupied so maybe he wouldn't bite my hand so much. He's teething...lost two teeth so far! I love my pet! Though he can be a little menace sometimes...but he's a cute little menace!
I love my pet
She needs more exercise :p
My issue with a toy like Pickle Pocket, is that I'd be afraid it'd be a choking hazard looking at the shape.
There are other simpler toys like OurPets IQ Treat Ball - with over 5000 reviews, more traditional and cheaper. Just my 2c.
A little meatball for little meatball!
Our Pets IQ Treat Ball... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
I believe there are two different sizes
Sure!
The Buster Cube (I have this) is an awesome puzzle toy (this is the "large" version, be sure to check sizes). This is a little bit more difficult to use, as the hole that spits out the food is pretty small, and as the kibble gets to be lesser and lesser inside of the Cube, it's harder to get it out. It's cube-shaped (obviously), so pushing it around isn't all that easy, and your dog needs to be firm with it in order to get the food out. This isn't a good toy for linoleum, or hardwood - it's really only good on carpet.
The IQ Ball is awesome too! It is adjustable, which is cool, so you can make it easy at first, and more challenging as your pup gets better and better at it. This is probably a better choice for tile, linoleum, hardwood, etc.
The Bob-A-Lot is another good one. It's more challenging than the Kong Wobbler (again, check the size, I believe this one is a "large").
I also have this Busy Buddy toy for my dog. It's really really challenging for her. The rope has to go inside of it, and then the dog has to pull it out in order to get the food out. This one takes a bit of effort on your part, unless you think your pup can figure out how to push the rope in and then pull it out again.
There are also plenty of food dispensing toys like this one that force your dog to move "puzzle" pieces around to get the food underneath them!
Lots of options!
So yeah, the only toy that has held her interest despite its inability to dispense food is the stuffed moose. I've actually put all the rest of her toys away in hopes of someday reintroducing them and having them seem novel again.
I have a 7y/o lab mix who is insanely food motivated. I bought a little ball that I fill with kibble that slowly dispenses the kibble as she pushes it around and plays with it, and it is her absolute favorite thing ever! Found it on Amazon!
OurPets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Food Dispensing Dog Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_26ALAb3XT8VFQ
We use the large KONG Extreme Dog Toy, Medium, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GUDZO2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_sQ81AbHCEGYVC, trixies flipboard 2 TRIXIE Pet Products Flip Board, Level 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054Q9TMA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_RR81AbJEX56X9. treat ball OurPets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Food Dispensing Dog Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oS81AbJ0XDRE8, a treat hiding thing Dog Smart Treat Dispensing Dog Toy Brain and Exercise Game for Dogs by Nina Ottosson https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711Y9Y8W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MS81AbJWBH0TC, a rolling nibble kibble PetSafe Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble Meal Dispensing Dog Toy, Medium/Large https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001F0RRUA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_FT81AbYG9PW7N, a self toy KONG Rambler Ball, Large (colors vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BBGRT4Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wU81AbYC200R4, and a large tug a jug PetSafe Medium/Large Sportsmen Tug A Jug Pet Chew Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K4KZ8M0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_LV81AbFBTP67F.
The kong I use spread treats inside because dry treats last only a few seconds.
Trixies flipboard is low to meh at getting her attention, sometimes she doesnt care for the food to bother with it.
Iq treat ball she finds a way to break, pushing into a wall, chomping on it, the moment you look away.
The hide a treat thing is easy for her.
The nibble kibble is the same as the treat ball.
The kong rambler she easily pulls the ball from its station and the toy is moot, now its just a ball.
The tug a jug becomes a weapon that she whips around until it smashes open.
The one thing I have noticed that can keep her attention is a pile of wood we have outside. Inside that pile of wood is chipmunks and squirrels that she messes with until I call her over. I'm thinking that she enjoys live toys? Or does she it as just something for her to herd.
For some combination light physical movement and mental stimulation, would she chase a treat ball?
How about a treat dispensing toy?
IQ Ball
Omega Tricky Treat Ball
Planet Dog Mazee
Busy Buddy Magic Mushroom
Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble
Busy Buddy Tug a Jug
Kong Wobbler
Bob-a-Lot
My 8 week old Aussie seems to really love his [IQ treat ball](OurPets Smarter Toys Interactive IQ Treat Ball Dog Toy, 4 Inches (Colors may vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_pNoyxbZT4SMMJ)
Although fair warning, it can get a little annoying after a while. He was nosing it around for almost an hour trying to get kibble out and it's just a tad noisy.
That thing kicks out a ton of food! I have this one and my dog loses his mind over it. He has to work pretty hard to get food out of it and he loves it. I'd like to get a soft rubber one like you have though. Which one is this? The plastic one is way too noisy for anything off carpet.
The bob-a-lot is my dogs favourite, not as easy to unscrew as the wobbler. She also has the Buster Cube and its one that takes a long time to get all the food out, which is great.
She also really loves the Busy Buddy Magic Mushroom and we have several types of treat ball. I like the IQ Ball as it has an adjustable opening but it may be a bit small for your dog, it holds about 1/2 a cup of kibble.
Our Pets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Food Dispensing Dog Toy (ASSORTED COLOR) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_zV1rDbMEB2T79
My cats took a bit of time to figure it out, but it keeps mine busy for a long time.
Also would recommend a window perch if you don’t have one yet.
If you are feeling adventurous, you could get a cat harness and take the cat on a walk. I’ve done that with my cats and they do behave differently from a dog, but it does give them a lot of stimulation.
My suggestion is to get another cat.
I don't know about switching to adult food for large breed dogs but we just bought a puzzle treat dispenser for our 12 wk old corgi that we use to feed him dinner and we love it!
It has different difficulties to control how much work the dog has to do to get kibble out and it keeps our puppy engaged and focused mealtimes for 30 minutes or so.
Here's the Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/OurPets-Smarter-Interactive-Inches-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469584755&sr=8-1&keywords=dog+iq+toys
I bought a 4 inch one and it fits a little under a cup of kibble.
A puppy who is full of energy and would rather play than eat might benefit from a more engaging meal - try a treat ball or a Kong (add her meal, seal it with a bit of peanut butter and freeze it for a fun treat). Treat feeders, along with feeding on a schedule, helped reform my dainty eater.
If you cannot move a lot (and that's why you can't exercise him a lot), I have a few possible suggestions.
https://smile.amazon.com/Squishy-Face-Studio-Exercise-Squeaker/dp/B00HFFXEWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484324235&sr=8-1&keywords=flirt+pole
A flirt pole is almost like a cat tease toy. It's a pole with a felt toy at the end, and you can get your dog to chase after it. Most people use it in their back yards, and the individual can stand in one place while make the flirt pole go in a circle and the dog runs after it. Depending on the dog, it can really tire them out. My particular puppy likes it, but only for a very limited amount of time (he would rather play keep away). I could see how you might possible be able to do the flirt pole indoors from a seated position.
Dog-feeding puzzles might help your dog calm by taxing his brain:
https://smile.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Feeder-Bloat-Orange/dp/B00FPKNRCS/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1484324554&sr=1-2&keywords=dog+feeding+puzzles
https://smile.amazon.com/OurPets-Smarter-Interactive-Treat-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1484324953&sr=1-1&keywords=dog+feeding+ball
Also, you could try hiding treats or a toy, and teaching him how to play "hide and seek" with you.
When we want to watch tv, and don't want to get up, we play fetch, and that keeps him happy for a while [but the dang ball always ends up under the couch or other furniture!].
Hope this helps a little.
I've got an 18 lb dog and we usually alternate between a kong with frozen dog safe peanut butter, a ball that she can push around until treats come out ( https://www.amazon.com/OurPets-Smarter-Interactive-Treat-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1485722531&sr=8-3&keywords=dog+puzzle+toy ), and also this toy with flaps but she figured it out too fast: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006ZTTSOE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s04?ie=UTF8&psc=1
No idea how to fix, my coffee table has similar markings though. May I suggest a kong chew toy or perhaps a interactive treat ball?
My dog loves this one from Amazon: Our Pets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Food Dispensing Dog Toy (ASSORTED COLOR) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_S046CbV67QKTE
I just got a lab puppy a month ago and his favorite toy is a ball that dispenses treats (called an IQ Ball). You can adjust levels of difficulty (make the hole that dispenses treats bigger/smaller). The puppy has to push as roll the ball in a certain manner to dispense the kibble. It keeps him distracted/occupied both mentally and physically for a few hours. Here's the one I got: OurPets Smarter Toys Interactive IQ Treat Ball Dog Toy, 4 Inches (Colors may vary) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_JKQmxbH09CE8Z