What are interactive dog toys? Is this some new-fangled way to get you to spend money? Perhaps. But they work and just may save your sanity.
There is an old adage “a tired dog is a good dog.” This is as true today as it has ever been. However, not everyone can provide the mental and physical stimulation that a dog needs every day. Which of the dogs in the following examples could benefit from an interactive toy?
Dog A is a young puppy, always chewing on things, playing, running. His owner takes him out for a walk every day. He also has a large yard to play in.
Dog B is a young adult. His owner takes him for a brisk, hour-long walk every day. They cover a lot of distance and he is burns off a lot of energy during this walk.
Dog C has a busy owner who can only walk him every second day. He lives in an apartment so he doesn’t get the free romp he would in a yard.
Dog C is the obvious suspect but in realty all of these dogs could benefit from interactive toys. Dog A would have something to chew on and something to keep him busy when his owner did something other than play with him! Dog B would get the mental stimulation from an interactive toy. Brisk walks are great but if the dog can’t smell and explore most of the exercise he is getting is physical. Dog C is like many dogs and interactive toys will help keep him entertained at home.
Great, but, what are interactive toys?
Interactive toys make the dog work to get a reward. Sometimes they are also called puzzle toys. Many of them dispense treats but the dog has to figure out how to get the treat out. Some of them make noise when the dog figures out how to work them. Here’s an example of some sturdy, popular interactive toys.
The Kong. This is a classic. It comes in many shapes and sizes. There is one for every dog out there. Owners have found many different ways to use the Kong. Some of them use it as a durable chew toy, a fun toy to fetch but when using it as an interactive toy it is usually stuffed with a treat.
Kong sells treats that can be put inside the Kongs. But you are really only limited by your imagination (and what your dog will eat). Kongs are commonly filled with peanut butter. The dog will then have to stick his tongue inside the Kong and slowly lick it out. Peanut butter on its own can take some time to eat. When in a Kong it’s even more time consuming. Other ideas are yogurt, tuna, dog food, and their dinner. If the contents are too sloppy you can freeze them in the Kong and then give them to the dog to eat. This is also great if the dog gets the knack for eating the filling too quickly. Freezing it will slow them down again. Kongs are particularly great for dogs that spend time in a crate.
The JW Hol-ee Mol-ee Roller. This is a great toy. Actually, the JW brand has a many great interactive dog toys. Many people see the Hol-ee Mol-ee and assume it’s just a holey ball. But, like the Kong, you can put treats in those holes. JW makes this toy in a lot of different sizes and shapes. The best one for dogs who are big chewers (or really skilled at interactive toys) is the Hol-ee Molee Extreme. This one is made from thicker rubber and has tighter holes. You have to struggle to get the treats in, which is great because the dogs really work to get them out!
Some ideas for treats are Bully Sticks, compressed rawhide bones (if you can supervise), Greenies, Salmon skins, and larger pieces of frozen meat (natural sausages?).
JW Amazeaball Treat Ball. I wasn’t lying when I said JW made great toys. This is last one I’m going to focus on today. The Treat Ball is similar to the above to. You put food in and the dog rolls it around to get the food out. This food can be snacks throughout the day or you can feed entire meals in the Treat Ball. This is particularly good for dogs who inhale their food as it forces them to slow down.
JW’s Treat Ball comes in various sizes but many brands are starting to carry similar products so you should be able to find something that fits your needs.
There you have it. In a nutshell, interactive toys are good for almost any dog and are widely available and varyied. Happy shopping for your happy canine!
- Shara JJ Cooper