Inexpensive doodle toys

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I thought this would be fun for Christmas.  Sort of like a cookie exchange, but an internet toy idea exchange.

My contribution:  1 ordinary muffin tin ( maybe a small muffin tin for mini's), 6-12 tennis balls - one to fill each muffin spot.  Small smelly treats to start, small less smelly treats once your doodle gets the idea.  Put a treat under each tennis ball out of your doodle's sight.  Set tin on floor and say okay, encourage sniffing and nosing.  Work down over time to just one or two treats in whole tray.

Roo and Tigger love this game,  they are pretty fast at it now, so just get one treat in the whole tray.

Roo just noses out all the balls, then eats the treat, Tigger uses his nose and usually finds the treat right away and then noses out the remaining balls - just in case.

Muffin tins and used tennis balls if not already in your home are cheaply available at most resale stores or 99cent/dollar stores.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Cute idea!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Maryann, you duplicated the discussion. You can delete the other one before anyone posts there. Otherwise it might get confusing.

Here's the link: http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/inexpensive-doodle-toys

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Thanks, I deleted it.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks, Maryann.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thanks for the idea Maryann. We have a toy, actually more of a game, that we play. It requires one used or new plastic container with lid. I use a 16 oz. empty cottage cheese container but you could use a larger one for a larger doodle. It also requires small smelly treats.  Once you have a container, cut holes in the top, bottom and sides just slightly larger than the treats. I cut one on the top and bottom and several on the sides. I then place treats (I just use kibble) in it and place it on the floor. Tara noses it around (usually she gets it rolling) until a treat falls out.  She'll munch on it and then continue on with the game until it is empty. Tara really seems to enjoy it and will bring me the container for a refill! (She's very food motivated! LOL)  The challenge for me is to make sure I watch her calories so she doesn't end up on the green bean diet again next year! :)

She caught on pretty quickly to the idea that if she rolled the container around the treats would fall out. It took a little encouragement the first time but now she's a pro! 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

GReat idea!!!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Good idea, thanks

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I love this idea!

[Jenny and Cooper]

Sounds fun! Thanks for sharing. Will have to try that :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This is not very creative, but it's cheap and fun, and it's been a Godsend for us to help JD get some indoor exercise during the long winter months. 

The Multipet Nuts For Knots large rope ball has been one of JD's favorite toys for almost 10 years, and it's held up that long! We used to play "bowling" with it, which consisted of me rolling the ball down a hallway (or anywhere, really), and JD chasing it. Since he's had limited mobility due to his herniated disc, we now play a modified version where he just waits for me to roll it to him and then rolls/tosses it back to me. He gets some pretty good distance, lol. And I like that it doesn't squeak or bounce all over the place.

There are lots of similar rope balls in the pet supply stores, but they do not hold up like this one does. And Chewy.com has the large one on sale for 2.89, although the large size is temporarily out of stock. If you have a smaller dog, the medium would probably be a good choice, and that's on sale for 2.09. Good deal for anyone who already orders from Chewy. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

To give you an idea of how sturdy this ball is, I had a foster who chewed up most of JD's toys and the basket where I keep them, and even he wasn't able to do much damage to this rope ball. 

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Think I'll try it for the boys, thanks