Oh Kong. How I love thee. 
If you think I'm referring to an extra large ape with a taste for blondes you are way off base. I'm talking about the Kong line of dog chew toys. This wonderful toy, recommended by veterinarians and dog professionals, was developed in 1976 by a man who was desperate to get his German Shepherd to stop chewing rocks. Yes, rocks. While working on his Volkswagen van the man pulled off various car parts and threw them to his dog, Fritz, trying to get the dog interested in something beside the tasty rocks. Fritz found a suspension part particularly fun, and so the Kong was born.
Does any of this matter to you? Nah, probably not, but I love a good story. What you should be interested in is the durability of the classic Kong. These toys are virtually indestructible - perfect if you have a puppy who likes to chew, on everything, or a dog with strong jaws - and they bounce around erratically when you toss them. Fun for the whole family. And the best part of the Kong? You can stuff them with tasty foods for your dogs to try to get out. This works great for a dog with separation anxiety or if you're training a puppy to love his crate. Leave the dog with a Kong stuffed with tasty treats before you leave and soon your dog will be pushing you out the door.
I can tell you this from experience because this tactic worked great for my rescued dog Lana. Before the Kong she would ram her crate from the inside eventually pushing it across the room with the force from her head. No wonder she was so pissy, she always had a horrible headache. I started giving her stuffed Kongs and though she wasn't thrilled to see me go she eventually saw my leaving as a good chance to get something yummy. And she didn't have to lie down in a dark room with a cloth over her eyes to wait for her migraine to go away.
These Kong things sound great, Dog Lady, but what do I stuff my dog's Kong with? I'm glad you asked.
I like to pack a handful of my dogs' kibble into it first and then stuff the opening with a decent amount of peanut butter finishing it off with a piece of dog cookie stuffed into the peanut butter. The dogs get a quick payoff from the cookie, then they get to lick out all the peanut butter and then they get the crunch at the end with the kibble. If you're worried about your dog's weight you can stuff the Kong with canned pumpkin or pureed meat baby food and then freeze it. You can fill the toy with cut up carrots and cover the opening with cream cheese.
Want more recipe ideas? Try the Kong's website (look under "Tips and Advice/Kong recipes") or one of these handy links below. Your dog will thank you.
- A diagram of a well-stuffed Kong (plus recipes)
- Recipes from Healthy Pets
- A good thread on the message board at SitStay (I looove SitStay)
Another idea -- mashed potato flakes made with chicken stock, and frozen. Of course dog #3 didn't like it, but the others did. I also do Kong-like things to other stuff --- I stuff a rawhid roll (they can unroll alittle) when I want dog #3 totally occupied so I can blog, oops, I mean fold the laundry!
Posted by: Kvetch | September 29, 2006 at 06:53 AM
Huh. I never knew I was supposed to stuff the Kong with treats. Merlin wanted no part of the thing in puppyhood ... instead, one day while away, he chewed through the wall of my apartment. Lovely tunnel I packed full of newspaper and then painted to match the walls ... learned it from "Escape from Alcatraz" ... oh well. Next puppy will get stuffed Kong. Thanks!
Posted by: IAI | September 29, 2006 at 11:56 AM
Okay where in the hell is my comment??? I posted it, I saw it on here and now it's gone. Argh!!
Anyway, I love the Kong. It was the only toy I could get for my Pitbulls that they didn't destroy in 30 seconds or less. My dogs loved peanut butter too. Kong rocks!!
Posted by: Dirty Birdie | September 29, 2006 at 05:54 PM
My Lhasa managed to chew the top bump off of every one of these we ever had. All those indestructible toys? Pete can destruct 'em. So we never left him alone with one, for fear he would choke. We got him a treat ball that he pushed around with his nose and treats or pieces of food fell out. It was made of hard plastic so he couldn't eat the ball, and it kept him occupied.
Posted by: Mrs. CPA | September 29, 2006 at 09:02 PM
Thanks for all the Kong links..we bought one for Callie and she LOVES it...I will have to get a bigger one as she grows!
It is actually fun thinking up things to stuff it with and I have these chewy dog treats that act as the perfect stoppers.
Posted by: crunchy carpets | September 30, 2006 at 01:55 PM
The Extreme Kong is the ONLY toy my dog doesn't destroy in ten seconds flat. We've had her now for two years (this month is the anniversary!) and she's only gone through two Extreme Kongs. I'm sure she could eat the red Kongs for breakfast, though. I don't know what we'd do without that toy.
Posted by: Binky | October 01, 2006 at 08:46 PM
any advise on potty training a 11 wk old eng. mastiff? We take her to the door - outside - she will go -- but still does not go to door on her own?????
Posted by: km | September 03, 2008 at 10:30 AM
I think I am a little behind on the train and I'll have to get one for my dogs.
Posted by: Joe the Dog Lover | September 09, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Kongs are great and keep your dogs busy so that they leave you alone.
Posted by: Hungrydog | September 11, 2008 at 04:09 PM