Mind & Scent Games For Puppy

[Clastic]

Doop bi doop!

I forgot to post, but a few weeks ago I put some tennis balls in our oversized muffin tin. The problem with that is the tennis balls don't cover the muffin holes and you can see the treats, which Mars did. Instead of attemping to take the balls out he licked and licked and licked and licked until the treats stuck to his tongue, it kind of reminded me of an anteater!

It definitely kept him entertained for a LONG time though.. but I just felt sorry for the poor boy for not figuring it out. It might have been that he couldn't grab the tennis balls with his teeth, but I didn't even see him attempt to try. I did try again with the tennis balls again and 3 other bigger balls, he still only managed to knock one ball out and the others stayed put.

He has a treat ball and a bob-a-lot which he knows how to get the treats out of, but this one.. he doesn't seem to get.

I think I might try again this week and see how he goes.

[koalathebear]

Doop bi doop!

I was just trying to move that rather sad and forlorn locked "Frustrated Puppy" from the top of the sub-forum list

Instead of attemping to take the balls out he licked and licked and licked and licked until the treats stuck to his tongue, it kind of reminded me of an anteater!

Very cool. I like how all of our dogs have different problem solving techniques and so far, no one has said: "My dog just slams his paw down and tips the whole muffin tin upside down." Yay Mars for getting the treats!

I did try again with the tennis balls again and 3 other bigger balls, he still only managed to knock one ball out and the others stayed put.

Elbie nose nudged for a bit. The one that frustrated me was that for the longest time he wouldn't get the kong ball out for some reason .. inexplicable. he does not but for some reason he would focus on the tennis balls even if I put the best treat of all under the kong ball.

I think I might try again this week and see how he goes.

My family think we are cruel in always making Elbie work for his food but we actually think he enjoys it!!!

[aussielover]

We continue our search to find toys that will keep Elbie entertained.

We bought a tucker ball from wagsalot.com.au and it arrived today. It is a nice alternate to the kong given that the kong can't fit that much kibble. Elbie seems to love it - video

. The collision with his crate door was a bit unfortunate

Elbie loves squeaky toys so we also bought him a pig squeaker mat. It has 16 squeakers in it ... naturally he will only play with it under supervision because we don't want him eating a squeaker. The label says: "It may drive you crazy but your pet will love it!"

OMG I WANT ONE LOL

[koalathebear]

OMG I WANT ONE LOL

Heh! The pig squeaker mat is hilarious. We've lost two squeakers but it's still going strong.

[aussielover]

I reckon I would get more enjoyment from it than Mindy would

[koalathebear]

I reckon I would get more enjoyment from it than Mindy would

You would both have fun! If you see the photos here of the new house, you would see that not only does Elbie get a cameo in a lot of the photos - so does his beloved pig blanket.

[SpotTheDog]

I tried Gus this morning with his favourite, liver treats, under a plastic cup (a Harry Potter cup, actually, that we got free with a Maccas happy meal a few years ago).

Showed him the treat and then covered it with the cup and told him to go get it.

Mixed results. On the timber floors, it's too hard. The cup slides if he snuffles it. He gives up. On the carpet, it's easier - the cup catches and lifts and he can snake a tongue under it to get the treats.

However once he's snaffled the treats and the cup falls over, it's a cup free for all - he'll kick it, nose it, pick it up and trot away with it - but he won't do any of that initially when the question is how to get the treat. Will try again tomorrow - he was enjoying himself.

That is, until Husband announced that it was cruel to "tease the dog with food" (this was after his breakfast!) and basically behaved like one massive distraction until the poor dog didn't know what was wanted of him and became a little agitated, which Husband then seemed to think proved his point.

And to think people wonder why we don't have kids. HAH.

[koalathebear]

However once he's snaffled the treats and the cup falls over, it's a cup free for all - he'll kick it, nose it, pick it up and trot away with it - but he won't do any of that initially when the question is how to get the treat. Will try again tomorrow - he was enjoying himself.

That is, until Husband announced that it was cruel to "tease the dog with food" (this was after his breakfast!) and basically behaved like one massive distraction until the poor dog didn't know what was wanted of him and became a little agitated, which Husband then seemed to think proved his point. ;)

And to think people wonder why we don't have kids. HAH.

People often have strange definitions of cruelty. My father and mother have on separate occasions remarked that it seems cruel to make Elbie work for every single bit of kibble the way he does ... Sometimes it takes him more than half an hour to have his dinner as the tucker ball gives him one measley bit at a time. I don't know about other dogs but he seems to really enjoy it. He loves his tricks, anticipating and getting rewarded. I find that the tricks poop him out more than a walk does! After he has his meal, he'll usually conk out for ages on his bed. I think that it's just teasing if you wave the food in front of the dog's nose but don't let him have it but if he knows he has to do something to get it, then I'm sure it's quite different! Once Elbie knows that certain things result in Treats - he delivers up those behaviours of his own accord! Have fun! We certainly do!

[Genabee]

I agree KTB! Genevieve is a crack up - she anticipates everything and tries to do everything at once - before I have asked her!!!!

Slightly off topic, but last night Hubby and I finished a (small) tub of cookies and cream ice cream and I gave G the tub to lick... it was the most funny thing I have ever seen. She shoved her whole head in the bucket - it was just the right size that she could get right in there and it stuck to her head!!! Hubby took some pics, so when he sends them to me I will put them up. But by the time she had finished with it, it was completely free of ice cream!!!!!!! It wore her out nicely!

She is getting the hang of her rope bottle now and my rip off tucker ball is now only lasting about 10 minutes... not the hour it once did!!!! She thinks hubby is home for her personal amusement - as per video below. Also can be noted her toy collection, including rope bottle and cheap 'tucker ball'!

Don't tell Hubby I put this up!!! He would skin me alive!!! :rolleyes:

[koalathebear]

Genevieve is a crack up - she anticipates everything and tries to do everything at once - before I have asked her!!!!

Yes! It's so cute when they do that. i wish I could have seen the ice cream container licking - G always looks like a quivering bundle of energy and having her quivering inside an ice cream container would have been a hoot.

She thinks hubby is home for her personal amusement - as per video below. Also can be noted her toy collection, including rope bottle and cheap 'tucker ball'! Don't tell Hubby I put this up!!! He would skin me alive!!!

Awesome video! G looks so happy to see your OH again. Gosh she's getting all grown up

OK, my contribution for today to the thread is a video of Elbie and his latest toy. My OH got back from Canada today and brought a Kong Wobbler back with him. Here is the official blurb:

The KONG Wobbler is a KONG- shaped food dispensing toy and feeder that provides a new way to entertain and challenge your dog. The Wobbler sits upright until pushed with a dog’s paw or nose, then wobbles, spins and rolls, dispensing treats through a KONG-shaped hole near the top. Dogs quickly learn that motion causes treats to fall out, but the unpredictable movement keeps the toy challenging, even for seasoned Wobbler users.

The Wobbler is a fabulous toy for playtime, providing challenge and physical activity the whole family will enjoy watching. It also presents an excellent alternative to the traditional food bowl, extending the joy of feeding time and preventing unhealthy gulping.

The Wobbler is Made in the USA of durable, FDA food-approved, high-strength polymer. It unscrews for quick filling and easy clean-up, and is top-drawer dishwasher safe. With “one size fits all” sizing, the KONG Wobbler is suitable for all dogs weighing 10 pounds or more.

The video is

. Elbie loves it. Sometimes it frustrates him and he barks at it, but sometimes he looks like a little boxer - darting in and out and avoiding the wobbles ;)

[Marley'z Mum]

wizzle that video is hilarious!! tho I can understand why your husband may skin you if he knew you had posted it hehehehehehehe G is gorgeous!

P.S KTB the kong wobbler looks awesome

Edited September 23, 2010 by Marley'z Mum

[Genabee]

Marley'z Mum - He is in his PJs!!!! Not really a good look for national viewing!!!!! I'm a mean wife!!

The last few days having him home after so long has been interesting. G has really blossomed in that time and hit puberty (and has an attitude to go with it, as the video suggests!), so I'm having to re-train him all over again. She does anything and everything for me, yet looks at him as if to say 'Who the hell are you!?'. So I am trying to stand back a bit and let him feed her, discipline her, play with her... He is going to come to school with us on Sunday, which will be the first time he would have ever seen her at school!!!!!! So I will probably do it with her this week, but then he is going to take her the following week. Depending how we go and what we do in class, I may step out half way and let him take over. He is learning to over come the frustration and just be calm with her, and she is improving every day with him. Which is good!

KTB - I so need to get G one of the wobblers!!!! Is that a North American only thing or can we get them here? I will have to get on ebay and have a look!!!!!

Next time we have ice cream, I will video her... gives me an excuse to have more ice cream!!!!

This is my favourite thread by the way!!!

[wuffles]

Hahaha awesome videos from both of you! Elbie and the Wobbler are hilarious. And Little G sure has a lot of attitude, so cute!

[koalathebear]

KTB - I so need to get G one of the wobblers!!!! Is that a North American only thing or can we get them here? I will have to get on ebay and have a look!!!!!

I forgot to answer this! The wobbler is a North American thing only I'm afraid but it is available on ebay It's extremely cool and Elbie has a lot of fun with it. We alternate between the tucker ball and the wobbler and he's deeply entertained.

[koalathebear]

Here we have Elbie's latest "mind and scent" toy.

It's a "Nina Ottosson Plastic Dog Brick". Yes, we bought our puppy funky designer Swedish mind toys ...

I'd heard of Nina Ottosson before. Here is the blurb:

A tricky and activating game for you and your dog/cat

Hide treats in the depressions under the sliding discs, let your dog look for the goodies by trying to pull the discs to the side with its paw or nose.

Suggestion… Increase the degree of difficulty by placing the white plastic blocks in the depressions in the middle of the dog Brick. One can tie a string through the holes in the blocks to make it easier for the dog/cat to lift the blocks away. Should your dog have an injured paw, for example, you can place the game on a stool to make the dog work with its nose only.

The idea… is for you and your dog/cat to have a pleasant and rewarding time together. Enhances your relationship with your dog. You show. The dog/cat looks, listens and learns. Praise it when it does things right. Together you will have fun!

Tips…

Mix some meaty dog food with water, pour some of the mixture in the hollows, put the game in the freezer and let it set. This is perfect for hot days or when the dog needs some extra activity. Note: only under strict supervision.

OK, so we thought - let's be mean and rather than give him the easy version with just the brown bricks, we'll put the white plastic blocks in to play with his mind i.e. they have to be removed first before the dog can slide the bricks.

Either our dog is smart or the toy isn't that challenging ... Video

. Elbie figured it out the first time... Removing the white bits first and then sliding the bricks. He's a nose dog, though - uses his nose to slide rather than his paw. I might try to teach him to use his paw only.

The good thing is, he had fun and now he has yet another way that we can feed him his dinner - Tucker Ball, Kong Wobbler and now Swedish Brick thing.

[KumaAkita]

You have a very smart little boy there! He is just so clever....

mwah ha ha designer swedish toys....

Kuma is the muffin tin man! 12 tennis balls, treats and about 15 minutes of hillarity!

[koalathebear]

mwah ha ha designer swedish toys....

Kuma is the muffin tin man! 12 tennis balls, treats and about 15 minutes of hillarity!

Elbie's muffin tin is only a 6-er so doesn't take much time :'( I could bring the Designer Swedish Toy along to Kuma's party as a party game.

*imagines Dog Pass the Parcel*

Although - during the bronze assesesment, I saw that the beginners class was playing "Simon Says" which looked like a lot of fun.

"Simon says - sit your dog! Simon says - drop your dog!"

[Genabee]

KTB - That new toy looks awesome!

We play Simon Says alot with G... that might have something to do with the fact that Hubby's name is Simon though! So it is more like 'Daddy says'! Except she doesn't listen to him, only me!

[wagsalot]

Here we have Elbie's latest "mind and scent" toy.

It's a "Nina Ottosson Plastic Dog Brick". Yes, we bought our puppy funky designer Swedish mind toys ...

I'd heard of Nina Ottosson before. Here is the blurb:

A tricky and activating game for you and your dog/cat

Hide treats in the depressions under the sliding discs, let your dog look for the goodies by trying to pull the discs to the side with its paw or nose.

Suggestion… Increase the degree of difficulty by placing the white plastic blocks in the depressions in the middle of the dog Brick. One can tie a string through the holes in the blocks to make it easier for the dog/cat to lift the blocks away. Should your dog have an injured paw, for example, you can place the game on a stool to make the dog work with its nose only.

The idea… is for you and your dog/cat to have a pleasant and rewarding time together. Enhances your relationship with your dog. You show. The dog/cat looks, listens and learns. Praise it when it does things right. Together you will have fun!

Tips…

Mix some meaty dog food with water, pour some of the mixture in the hollows, put the game in the freezer and let it set. This is perfect for hot days or when the dog needs some extra activity. Note: only under strict supervision.

OK, so we thought - let's be mean and rather than give him the easy version with just the brown bricks, we'll put the white plastic blocks in to play with his mind i.e. they have to be removed first before the dog can slide the bricks.

Either our dog is smart or the toy isn't that challenging ... Video

. Elbie figured it out the first time... Removing the white bits first and then sliding the bricks. He's a nose dog, though - uses his nose to slide rather than his paw. I might try to teach him to use his paw only.

The good thing is, he had fun and now he has yet another way that we can feed him his dinner - Tucker Ball, Kong Wobbler and now Swedish Brick thing.

Go Elbie! He's picked up the idea of that brick mighty quick! Riley still at the stage of looking at it. I think he think if he stares at it long enough the treat will just appear

[koalathebear]

Go Elbie! He's picked up the idea of that brick mighty quick! Riley still at the stage of looking at it. I think he think if he stares at it long enough the treat will just appear

Thanks! We definitely need a harder one for Elbie! He does a nose/paw push combo that gets all the kibble out too quickly.

Also ... we buy far too much stuff from wagsalot.com.au ... _{You would think I would have mastered the ordering system by now.}

Edited October 12, 2010 by koalathebear