What is everyone's recommendation for toys to put in a dog's crate ?

As some of you already know, my dog is a JRT. These guys can be very destructive when they're bored. I'd like ideas on how to keep him busy when we have to leave him in a crate for the day.

I've been using a Kong with either treats, Kong biscuits, cream cheese, peanut butter or dog food. He goes through the snack in 3minutes, then let the Kong sit there. I heard some peole freeze the thing. Does it make the stuff last much longer ? What's the best food to freeze ?

I tried nylon bones, or presumely unbreakable rubber tires. But he chews so hard that he gets big chuncks off after a moment. It would be dangerous to let him unsupervised with this.

About pork ears or rolled bone imitations made with (pasta?) and shoes of similar material, he either go through them in no time, or eventually get bored with them after a couple minutes and never touch them again.

Otherwise, what about Everlasting Balls/Plugs ?

Are there any other alternatives for something to give to a crated bored dog that is not supervised ?

Any raw vegetable that would be safe?

What about raw bones if I can get some from the butcher? Are they all safe when left unsupervised as long as they're not cooked ?

I have some 3inch hock cuts in my freezer I've been considering to give him, but I don't want to get home and find a dead dog in his crate.

http://leerburg.com/toy.htm

I don't use recreational bones, and I'd especially not use them with a maniac chewer who wants to crack the thing open, molars be damned.

http://leerburg.com/feedingarawdiet.htm#recreational

Thanks for the links Connie, didn't see the feeding recreational one.

As far as toys go, however, I was hoping for recommendations. Does anyone have experience to share with hard chewers with any of these toys, or are most of the "leerburg recommended" toys a safe bet ?

Well, I love the everlasting toy/treats for my dogs and get them often.

I don't know them all, but I'm sure others will respond.


P.S. You will want to give the toys under supervision to check out how your dog reacts.

The fire plug everlasting treat/toy is a FAVORITE at my house. my dogs destroy things, but these they do not. I do not use the everlasting treats in them as all of my dogs figured out how to pop them out, but I do put chunks of treats inside them and it keeps the dogs busy for quite a while.

Also, my Mals love to "squish" things, so they will sit and just squish them for as long as they feel like it.