We just bought Rico a Tug-a-jug as something to keep him from scarfing his meals. We tried fasting him a meal to see if we could up interest in the toy itself, as well as putting some hot-dog scented kibble in there to "inspire" him. It's definitely well-within his physical capabilities, Ryuk (Jaimie's dog) had no issues the food works in the jug no problem.

Unfortunately, rather than try to figure it out, he's spending far more time trying to manipulate people into feeding him than actually experimenting with it. Everything from handing his food dish to me, leading guests to the pantry, crying as though things are urgent...He definitely knows there's food in it, he keeps coming back to it, picking it up and then dropping it on the floor trying to get food to come out. Almost always the same behavior despite getting no result. Sometimes he tugs the rope but once it's out hasn't figured out he needs to jiggle it back in.

Honestly, bigger picture, his response to anything difficult in the world has been to first try to smash it and if that fails (it usually does) then whine for me to fix it =/. What can I do to inspire him to continue try solve the problem himself? What activities might inspire independent thinking?

For notes, we've tried putting tiny treats in it first so that it rewarded frequently. We've also demonstrated it for him, set it so that all he had to do was pull the first time etc. This is also not his first puzzle toy--he likes the Twist'nTreat and the Everlasting Treat Ball.

Edited by Michelle Vigeant (06/16/2011 02:59 PM)
Edit reason: word change

Try something a little more simple with the same concept. Like a gatoraid jug with a big opening. My GSD was the same way, she would just give up and not eat at all. When she understood the game the loved it. Then I used the tug a jug and she knew what to do with it.