Work-To-Eat Toys

Wild dogs originally spent their days hunting and scavenging for food in order to survive.  Recently, we’ve robbed them of this opportunity by feeding them out of bowls.   Even though they're grateful for the helping hand, after eating their breakfast, they don't know what to do for the next 12 hours of the day.  Instead, they find jobs for themselves like barking, chewing, digging etc.  Now, we can make them work for their food and feed them from Work-To-Eat toys.

These wonderful toys are all designed so you can put your dog's kibble inside.  Then he can spend the day rolling it around and trying to get his dinner.  In a sense, he's "scavenging" for his food which will wear him out and keep him happy.  Some of these toys like Kongs are really easy and others like the Busy Buddies are tough!  Find which is right for your dog and watch the fun begin.

Easy - Kong, Tricky Treat Ball, Giggly Wiggly Ball

Medium -  Buster Cube, Twist ‘N Treat

Hard - Busy Buddy Line from Premier, Everlasting Treat Ball

We write about a new work-to-eat toys in each of our free monthly newsletter editions!  Click here to be added to the list.

There are so many of these toys on the market these days. Buy them at sites like: www.petsmart.com, www.petco.com, www.sitstay.com, www.petedge.com.

Start out by feeding them from a simple work-to-eat toy like a Kong or a Tricky Treat Ball. Then, be creative about making it harder and harder for your dog to get the food. Put their Kong in and old sock and hide it behind the couch. Freeze your Kong over night so it’s a popsicle and it takes them longer to get the food out. Leave them 10 stuffed Kongs so they have to spend all day working on them. The harder it is for your dog to get his food, the more calm and satisfied he will be at the end of the day.
 

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Frequently Asked Questions - Work To Eat Toys

My dog isn't interested.  How do I get him to play with it?

Sometimes it takes a day for your dog to figure out that her food now comes from a ball.  To help her understand, put something particularly tasty and smelly inside like a piece of pepperoni.  Now, your dog will be so interested that she will roll it around to try and get the special treat.  Then, she will realize her other food comes out as well.

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Green Paws Training Options

You don't need any help from us to get this started.  But, do check back and read our newsletter archives to find out which work-to-eat toys we've recommended in the past!

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Books and Tools

Before and After Getting Your Puppy By Ian Dunbar

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