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You are here: Home / Archives for best dog games

Free Games for Dogs

October 31, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Free Dog Games

Free Game ideas for Dogs
Make meal times into puzzles!

Is your dog still eating out of a bowl? Try these free games for dogs! Great ideas to extend feeding time, which mentally exhausts your dog–this is a good thing!

Make Feeding Time a Puzzle

  • Sprinkle your dog’s kibble along a shag 3′ X 5′ rug. Now your dog must sniff and search for each individual kibble! Your dog will have tons of fun searching while you’re getting ready for work in the morning and preparing dinner for the family in the evening. What a great way to incorporate mental stimulation into every activity.
  • Hide your dog’s kibble in a large box filled with newspapers or old towels. This works great for terriers, which are natural diggers. Want to make it even harder? Choose a large box and remove the top. At the bottom of the box, cut a hole big enough for your terrier to enter and leave the box. Now fill the box with old newspapers and towels, sprinkle treats and kibble throughout the layers of paper, and watch your dog have a blast!
  • Hide a handful of kibble behind furniture (inside) or logs/outdoor furniture (outdoors). Bring your dog inside, so your dog doesn’t watch you hide his food. When done hiding food, let your dog outdoors to find treats. If your dog does not understand the game, bring him to a few spots where kibble is hidden, so he understands to search. 🙂 Add a cue, such as “Find,” to cue your dog to begin searching.

Find additional puzzle ideas here and here.

VIDEO: Free Games for Dogs

Share your doggie game ideas here. We would love to hear from you!

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Kong Dog Toy Review

October 20, 2014 by Fanna Easter

Kong Dog Toy
All dogs must have a Kong!

Kong Dog Toys

Kongs make the best dog game ever. I love Kong dog toys and my dogs love Kongs—all dogs must have a Kong! Seriously, they’re that wonderful. Learn all about the Kong as well as my favorite Kong dog toy recipe below!

What is a Kong?

Kong dog toys are made of non-toxic rubber, so they bounce, making them fun for your dog. The best part of the Kong toy is the hole on the inside, which can be stuffed with dog food, such as canned dog food, peanut butter, cream cheese or other luscious treats! When your dog is done, pop Kongs on the top rack of your dishwasher and they’re clean!


 Pro tip: Freeze a food stuffed Kong overnight, so it lasts longer.


When Should I Give My Dog a Kong?

Anytime! This is the ONLY dog toy I leave with my dogs when I’m not home. They know when I open the freezer, they run into their crates, as it’s Kong time! You can give your dog a Kong dog toy:

  • During group dog training class if your dog is a barker
  • During car rides, so he learns road trips are really fun
  • On rainy days
  • During mealtimes

RELATED: 4 Kong Stuffing Tips to Make Your Life Easier

My Favorite Kong Dog Toy Recipe

While I’ve experimented with many Kong recipes, my dogs love this one the most!

Ingredients

  • 1 large can of yams
  • 2 cups oatmeal (soaked in water overnight)
  • 1/4 cup of blackstrap molasses

Directions

  1. Mash the yams into small chunks in a large bowl.
  2. Mix soaked oatmeal and 1/4 cup of blackstrap molasses into the yam mixture.
  3. Now, using a large spout funnel, fill each Kong until full. (Personally, I use my fingers, but my hubby swears by the funnel method.) If some mixture leaks out, add peanut butter to the bottom and top hole (think of this as glue).
  4. Freeze overnight.

Molasses is rich in minerals plus oatmeal and yams are vitamin powerhouses, making this the perfect meal! If your dog is on the chunky side, decrease molasses to 1/2 teaspoon and his waist will thank YOU!

Don’t forget to decrease your dog’s regular meals to keep him nice and slim!

WATCH: How to Use a Kong Dog Toy

What is your favorite Kong dog toy recipe? Comment below! I want to hear from you!

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Dog Training Nation is a dog training blog for pet owners and dog lovers. We cover a range of topics from puppy socialization tips to dog aggression to dog health. It is our hope you share our content to make the world a better place for dogs.

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