Mentally Stimulating Dog Toys

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Hi all,
I am interested in getting suggestions for mentally stimulating dog toys that can be left with your dog when you are not home to help keep them occupied. I have seen quite a few that are to be used under supervision, but am hoping some of you might have some recommendations for those that are safe to be left. We already have and love the everlasting treat ball but are hoping for some possibly more challenging toys along those lines.

Thanks!

[DeeDee and Sheila]

You are tooooo funny!!

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

We use BusterCubes for dry dog food (which we rarely feed) and Kongs for raw meat.

[Libby & Bentley]

So I gave Bentley one of his Xmas gifts today..for fun. It's the Bob-A-Lot....I wouldn't waste your money...he loves it...but not for the interactiveness...he dumped all the kibble that was inside of it out..and just carried it around..

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Our girls got this for their 1st b-day. Although they love to play with it, they also love to chew on the lid and carry it around like Bentley does. The cap on the top is full of teeth marks and very rough, but they still love to play with it. The thing that I liked about it is you can set the difficulty of getting the kibble out by adjusting the little door! Too many of their interactive toys are too easy and they bring them back every 5 mins wanting more kibble in them.

[Dan, Judi, & Timbow]

Timbow loves his kong! I either freeze it with peanut butter, or I put healthy treats inside and seal it with peanut butter. He really enjoys it. He doesn't chew things up very often, but I still wouldn't trust him with much else. Not worth the risk of him getting hurt or sick.

[F, Calla & Luca]

If we could invent a toy we'd have it made. Any home made toys please consider putting in the DIY group.

[Jessica & Lucie]

This may sound a little ridiculous, but Lucie's inflatable collar (instead of the e-collar after surgury) has a new found purpose as her favorite toy. Not that I would ever spend $40 on a toy, but she actually keeps herself entertained (ie. plays by herself) with it. I am thinking someone should really invent a similar toy. I don't know if its the size, or the velcro, or the fact that she gets her legs stuck in it, but she really does enjoy herself with it.

[Leslie and Halas]

Halas has the rabbit one, too, in addition to the squirrel one. And I got him a gingerbread house one for Christmas. I cut the elastic off of the rabbits, because half of the fun for Halas is throwing the rabbits around.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. We do already utilize the kong as well and that and the everlasting treat ball do keep her distracted for a while. I saw on Nina Ottosson's site a "dog treat trapper." I am thinking about attempting to make one of these for Whopper over my break. I'm thinking that I could probably buy fabric squares pretty cheaply and am debating how to attach them. Maybe really heavy duty velcro??? My hope is that velcro will be much better than any type of superglue b/c I don't want that to become edible if she rips it apart and I'm not a particularly good sewer. Any thoughts on this project?

[F, Calla & Luca]

No, I don't have any thoughts but you might try posting in the DIY group, there are sewers there.

[Deanna Marsh]

I wouldn't use the self adhesive velcro, it would definitely come apart and they could swallow the velcro. But if you are using upholstery thread to sew it together that would probably work well and I would buy heavy duty fabric as well. This toy looks to be heavy duty felt, but I haven't seen it in person so don't really know. It says not to leave the dog alone with the toy, I guess a dog could try to tear it up to get to the treat, and swallow the fabric. My little goldendoodle chews up every soft toy she has, even the ones that are supposed to last, but then she just carries around the limp "carcasses" and loves on them for months. Good luck with your project and let me know if you make one.

Merry Christmas

[Mara, Sadie & Zoe]

Sadie has amputated and gutted all her toys but is still happy to trot around with skins also.