Calling All Dogs!

Interactive Toys

Why have interactive toys for your dog?

Dogs are genetically programmed to hunt for their food. Part of the reason there is such a prevalence of behavior problems in dogs is that they have so little mental challenge or work to do; they typically get their food for free. Interactive toys are a great way to keep your dog mentally challenged and for dogs that tend to get bored easily or are left at home for long periods of time. Some of these interactive toys require your assistance to keep the dog engaged, while others can keep your dog entertained all by themselves.

Toy Review and Suggestions

1. Kong Products—The Kong products are fantastic interactive toys for your dogs. We suggest stuffing the Kong with your dog's kibble in lieu of feeding from a dish. Kongs come in red and black (for heavy chewers) and many different sizes. The XL Kong is well suited for medium or large breeds (50-70 lbs).
2. Treat Stick—A hard plastic flashlight-shaped tube that has two openings. One end twists open for easy filling and the other end has a small hole for food to drop out for eating. This toy is fun, durable, comes in two sizes, and easy to fill.
3. Tricky Treat Ball—(by Omega Paw) A rubber ball with a hole to dispense treats or dog kibble. We love this toy, and so do our dogs. It is a soft rubber ball that when rolled around dispenses the food. The more food that is in the ball, the more generous it is with dispensing. Make sure on the first run that ball has lots of goodies in it. We would recommend this toy to dogs that are not heavy chewers, but like a good challenge.
4. Busy Buddies-Premier—Our dogs have tested the whole line of Busy Buddies, and the winners are:
   1. The Twist and Treat—Round disc/flying saucer looking contraption that can be filled with either peanut butter, wet food, or mashed up food or can be filled with kibble or small crunchy treats. The dogs really enjoy them, and the product seemed to withstand their chewing.
   2. Tug a Jug—Made out of bullet-proof plastic, this toy is tough! One end opens to allow for easy filling and closing. The other end is smaller and has a rope through the tip. Great feeding toy/tool for a hungry dog!
5. IQ Cube—Fabric cube with squeaky balls inside. The dog has to figure out how to get the balls out of the cube. Bits of dog cookies can also be hidden in the corners of the cube. This one needs family assistance to put the balls back in the cube after the dog has pulled them all out. (Beginner-Intermediate)
6. Intellibone—Long fabric bone with doughnuts surrounding the bone. The object is to get the doughnuts off the bone. Doughnuts have krinkly paper and squeakies in them for noise. This toy also requires assistance to get the doughnuts back onto the bone. (Intermediate-Advanced)
7. Hide a ____ (Bird, Squirrel)—Very similar to the IQ cube, the fabric birds (with squeakies) are in a bird house, and the fabric squirrels in a tree trunk. Very fun and more challenging than the IQ Cube. (Intermediate-Advanced)