A Guide to Kong Dog Toys
Mental stimulation is an important daily requirement for all dogs of all ages; it keeps their brain busy. An easy way to provide your dog mental stimulation are food stuffed Kongs. As a professional dog trainer, I recommend putting your dog’s meals in Kong dog toys in place of bowls.
Before tossing your dog a food stuffed Kong, it’s important to properly introduce a Kong to your dog.
What Size Kong for My Dog?
Kong dog toys are made of toxic-free rubber with a hollowed out center inside. These dog toys look odd, but dogs love them because they bounce when tossed. Most dogs enjoy a large Kong while smaller dogs may need a medium one.
When giving any toys to dogs, bigger is better to prevent them from swallowing toy pieces. For strong chewers, choose the black Extreme Kong. This one is made of tougher material and can withstand a power chewer. When in doubt, larger and stronger is always best.
WATCH: Choosing a Kong Toy Size for Your Dog
How to Introduce a Kong to Your Dog
After you’ve chosen the right sized Kong for your dog, it’s time to introduce it to him! Proper Kong introduction is key. Many dogs will simply walk away from a weird looking rubber toy. However, once your dog realizes food falls out of his Kong toy, he’ll quickly become super interested.
Step 1: Show Him Food is Inside
Make it super simple at first. Think of food stuffed Kongs as puzzles. Smear peanut butter around the outer rim of the Kong and add a few tiny treats inside. Place the Kong on a soft surface, and walk away. Refrain from tossing a Kong across the floor, as this might scare some dogs.
Ninety percent of dogs will walk over and investigate this strange rubber alien on the floor because it smells like peanut butter. Placing Kongs on soft surfaces, such as a mat, prevents them from wobbling away, which can freak some dogs out too.
Step 2: Practice Twice a Day
Randomly, throughout the day, smear peanut butter and a few tiny loose treats inside of a Kong, and leave it on a soft surface. Follow step 1 for 2-3 days. Once your dog is licking away at the Kong, it’s time to move onto step 2. Of course, continue feeding your dog his meals out of a bowl until he’s completely comfortable emptying out a Kong.
