How did you start off your dogs on Kongs/treat-filled toys? (Updated with pic and video!)

Demps isn't the best at figuring out Kongs, I'm afraid. He can roll a Kong around to get out loose kibble, but he's not too sure how to get fillings out. For a beginner Kong, I've mashed up some banana and frozen it in one of his softer Kongs. I figured since banana still has a fairly soft texture when frozen, it shouldn't be too difficult for him to get it out if he figures out that he needs to get his tongue inside. I'd like to put yoghurt into his Kong, but too much lactose would upset his stomach.

How did you guys get yours used to Kongs?

Edit:

He just finished his first proper Kong! Took about half an hour and he needed a little help here and there, but he's starting to figure it out!


Just after I gave it to him. Figured out that he had to lick inside the big hole, but it hadn't quite clicked in his head that holding it still might have helped.



He eventually figured out how to hold the Kong still, although I had to get him to lie down and place his paw on the Kong first.

Kuchar has a red Kong too. He's not the brightest of sparks bless him, and if he can't extract what's inside he either gives up completely or barks "help me, help me". I now put broken pieces of Schmacko sticks and frankfurters in it, and he chucks it about so the pieces fall out. Lasts about 10 minutes.

It's not just Dempsey who needs some gentle encouragement then! Demps was given his puppy Kong today, as it's more pliable than his big boy Kong. Might give him his big boy Kong tomorrow, with some banana and a small amount of dairy-free yoghurt in there.

Peanut butter! Just inside the large hole to start.

Please make sure NOT to double dip the knife in it.

Unfortunately, I can't use peanut butter. It triggers his licking, as it all gets stuck to the roof of his mouth.

I use the xl black kongs for the boys and surprisingly it is the one thing Chance is very good at haha. He's a damn expert at emptying them and they are always frozen, I tend to stuff it with mince or meat chunks and shove a puzzle in the middle so it just sticks out the large end then freeze well

I don't think Demps is quite ready for that yet! Annoyingly, I can't find his XL Kong. All we have at the moment is his old pink puppy Kong, which he needs careful supervision with.

So far, he's graduated to a Kong stuffed with layers of frozen banana, yoghurt, cherries and cheese. Takes him a little while, but he's getting better at it!

Dempsey if Chance can figure it out anyone can!

Fingers crossed!

I'm going to mix it up a bit today and see if I can get some cream cheese to put in there. We're slowly working up to firmer consistencies!

I was just going to suggest....Tuna & cream cheese also works well if he can't get his head (tongue   ) around frozen kongs yet. Left over mince & gravey frozen is one of my dogs favs, but....

I don't think a puppy kong is a great idea for him. (Maybe time to get another one?) Though I do give mine kongs when I'm home, the idea is... something to keep them occupied when you are away & can't do runs, walks, ball etc.

The puppy Kong is actually working very well for now - it's flexible and easy for him to chomp. Until he gets his tooth fixed, I don't really want him to have his XL Kong. He won't ever be able to have a Kong unsupervised, regardless of what type it is, unfortunately. He's the strongest power chewer I've ever met and will destroy anything, given time. His Kong is more something to keep him entertained during periods when he'd usually be obsessively licking - it directs the behaviour in a productive way.

He has a Kong prepared for today. Mashed banana at the bottom, followed by a large layer of frozen green tea, then frozen cream cheese. Tuna is a no-no, as he gets it all over the carpet!

He doesn't seem to have any problems with frozen Kongs, as long as it melts easily or is still slightly soft when frozen.

As Eleanor says, Dempsey can't be left alone with anything he can get his jaws around!

I don't think Kong's are just for when you can't walk a dog or when you go out. I certainly wouldn't use one for the first reason, and can't use one for the second!

Demps thinks he should have one at all times!

That's funny!

Kongs were actually designed as a tool for dogs left to their own devises for numerous hours.

Saying that.... not one dog have i ever known, could distroy a black kong within a few weeks. A puppy kong is certainly NOT suitable for a full grown bull breed. The idea originally was to distract a dog from suffering or developing separation anxiety or suffering boredom.

1/2off topic... is his tooth still bothering him or needing to be seen to? or has he done it again to another one?

Ordinarily, no, it definitely wouldn't be suitable. It's always under strict supervision, though, and he has the largest sized puppy Kong. Unfortunately, the alternative is no Kong at all, which would probably be quite detrimental to his health. It's the only thing we can safely give him at the moment to deter his licking obsession. As soon as his tooth is sorted out, he can have his big boy Kong, which I'm sure he'll love!

The tooth isn't bothering him at all, from what we can see. I believe he's scheduled for a vet visit soon, so that should be sorted out soon! It's the same one as before, with the enamel chipped away. Just really don't want to take the chance of him damaging it further before his vet appointment, so it's soft toys only right now.