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Mind stimulating puppy toys

569 views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  caninelover  
#1 ·
Gene is now 10wks today! He is doing really well, but I want to get him some more stimulating/"treat" toys. He loves pumpkin, but I am hesitant to put Jif peanut butter in toys, or is this okay? I don't want to upset his tummy or make him sick since we have never had any issues with his food or pumpkin. Please give recs on stimulating toys and ideas/brand of item for what you use with them!
 
#2 ·
Anything by Kong (the actual treat dispensing toy they're known for or the brand) is awesome. Toppl also makes good food dispensing toys. I like Outward Hound puzzles, 10 weeks might be a bit young for those and they need to be closely supervised.

At 10 weeks, save your toilet paper rolls! Cardboard is great, they can chew it, swallowing a little won't hurt them, and you were going yo throw it out anyway. Pinch the ends of a toilet paper or paper towel tube together and put some kibble inside. You can put kibble in a cardboard egg carton. Cardboard boxes too, sometimes I leave the shipping paper in with the kibble to make it harder if there's no plastic. I find Masking tape to keep the boxes closed seems to work well.

Stuffing ideas: google it, there's a ton out there, but my go-to is unflavored greek yogurt. Pumpkin is good if your puppy likes that, dog safe Peanut Butter in small amounts, mashed banana, or leave kibble out in warm water until it becomes a 'puppy mash'.
 
#3 ·
My now 9 mo old has always loved the woof pupsicle. I never tried the sample filling included with the package - I soak a cup of kibble in 1-1.5 cups water, add a small spoon of natural PB (have also added greek yogurt and bits of berries), blend it, and freeze it in the mold that comes with the package. I think I get maybe 10-12 frozen pieces out of this? She has never seemed to have an issue with PB. But honestly, she's so happy to have whatever sort of food, I could leave the pb out entirely and she'd still be pumped for her treat.

She also had a good time with treat dispensing puzzles - my faves were the orbee-tuff and a 12 oz gatorade bottle. When she was smaller, I would put her meals in either/both. She particularly liked the gatorade bottle - she would tip it on its side, smack it to spin the bottle and sling kibble around the room, and then run around to gobble it up. Great way to extend meal time and make it a little game. FWIW the orbee-tuff resulted in less kibble pieces stranded under the furniture.
 
#4 ·
My now 9 mo old has always loved the woof pupsicle. I never tried the sample filling included with the package - I soak a cup of kibble in 1-1.5 cups water, add a small spoon of natural PB (have also added greek yogurt and bits of berries), blend it, and freeze it in the mold that comes with the package. I think I get maybe 10-12 frozen pieces out of this? She has never seemed to have an issue with PB. But honestly, she's so happy to have whatever sort of food, I could leave the pb out entirely and she'd still be pumped for her treat.
Yes! I completely forgot about the Woof Pupsicle, it's relatively new to us but I love it! I use the freezer tray to make my own fillers, I've found pate canned food to be the easiest/my girl's favorite.
 
#5 ·
Peanut butter in general is fine but look at the ingredients. It should be free of xylitol or birch sugar, which are toxic to dogs. Regular Jif may have those ingredients but sometimes there is a 'naturals' version that doesn't. We use Skippy Naturals. Either way just use in moderation, there are other healthy stuffings like yogurt, organic baby food (just check the ingredients to make sure it is only the fruit or veggies and no other preservatives), or puree your own fruits/veggies.

For a young pup start with a Toppl - they are much easier than a Kong.

And the Woof Pupscicle is my favorite after the Toppl! Definitely recommend. There are also lots of puzzle toys available and you can make your own 'puzzles' as well - roll up treats in a small towel and let puppy find them, put treats in an empty cardboard egg carton and let pup shred it. Susan Garrett uses the cardboard ends of paper towels and toilet paper, folds in the ends, and adds treats in there to let pup shred it.

If you feed kibble the Kong Wobbler is awesome.

And the best mental enrichment in my opinion - trick training! They love it! I recommend the book 'The Big Book of Tricks'.