So Kota has MANY enrichment toys; his first one was the buster cube. He quickly learned to push it around the house and treats fall out. Then I got him the tug-a-jug, and he doesn't pull the string out, he just carries it around and stops when treats fall out.
The latest two are the everlasting fun ball and the hol-ee-roller shaped like an egg. He pushes these around as he would the buster cube. This way he only gets the treats small enough to fall out the hole, and misses the larger ones. I want him to chomp down, and break up the larger ones. Unfortunately once he gets the 'easy' ones out he gives it a few more minutes then gives up. When he does pick the toys up with his teeth he is ever so delicate.
How can I teach him to chomp down on the toys? And not be so delicate?
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005
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Loc: North-Central coast of California
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Well, if you're sure ....
You could smear a little peanut butter around the inside of the hole in the side (if I am thinking of the right toy), encouraging more robust exploration.
I have one small dog who was kind of baffled by the Everlasting Treat Ball until I gave him the stuffing thing (a pretty durable chewy) on its own for a while so he got the idea of how to gnaw and chew and scrape on it, and when I put it back into the toy-thing, he went after it much more enthusiastically. http://leerburg.com/797.htm http://leerburg.com/797.htm#refill
Also, just to double-check: Does he receive these right after his dinner? And you do keep them all put away, taking each one out one at a time, so each one is new and special?
We have the other treat ball (the green one) which I have tried PB inside. He does the same thing, goes after it and then gives up once he can't figure it out (although a good 15 mins longer than w/o pb). I think I will get him the other treat ball since it would encourage more chomping .
As far as feeding time. The treat ball and cube and jug usually contain dinner + extras. If they are just extras I do try and make it more than two hours past dinner/breakfast. I do try to make them new and special every time, but sometimes I do let them sit out for a few days. With the toys he 'knows' ie cube and jug he still goes crazy. But I need to remember to put the newer ones away.
How long should I keep them away for before bringing them back out? Ed says a few days in his movie. Should I wait a bit longer for mine? Also, should I let him watch me prepare them, ie begging behind me or have him across the room in a stay? Which would be better to build excitement. Whenever I open the PB jar he gets very serious and focused.
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Teaching a dog to chew?
#204622 - 08/05/2008 10:56 PM 
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