Enrichment Toys
• Dogs, by their very nature, are predators, scavengers and opportunists. They
are genetically programmed to hunt for their food. Counter surfing, trashcan
scouring, dinner begging, garden digging and laundry stealing are all outgrowths of
an opportunistic scavenger taking advantage of the environment
• By giving dogs problems to solve, you stimulate their brains and give them a
job to do that they are genetically suited for
• When you leave your dog at home, you can use toys or bones stuffed with
food. The most popular stuffing toy is a “Kong™,” but there are now many other
similar toys on the market. The stuffed toys can be in addition to your dog’s regular
meals or actually replace them
• Mixtures such as peanut butter, cream cheese, canned cheese, mashed
potatoes, canned dog food, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu or toddler food can be
used to bind smaller bits of food together. You can also use Velveeta or Cheese
Whiz type cheese cubes. Place them in the hole, microwave the toy until the cheese
is melted and then add cookies. COOL thoroughly before giving it to your dog.
• Wrapping the stuff toy in an tea towel, hand towel, tee shirt and tying the ends
off will create a puzzle for the dog (increase the level of difficulty as your dog
graduates)
• Enclosing the toy in an old oatmeal box, shoebox, margarine container or
other container you do not mind being taken apart, increases the puzzle aspect
• Hiding the stuffed toy around the house or yard keys into their genetic hard
wiring to hunt around for their food
• Harder and advanced stuffing for the creative hunter in your home begins with
plugging the small hole with peanut butter. Then add cubed meat, cooled chicken or
beef broth, cookies, or whatever and freezing the toy to make a sort of popsicle.
This should be given to dogs outside or in a room that can be cleaned easily. This
can get messy!
For the Ph.D. dog in your home, layering the Kong™ and sealing the big end of it is
really challenging and can give him hours of doggie delights
• Layer 1 is the deepest and can include anything of really high value, like freeze
dried liver bits
• Layer 2 can contain anything you want - perhaps dog kibble, cookies, liver
biscotti pieces, Cheerios™ cereal, peanut butter, or dried banana chips
• Layer 3 suggestions are baby carrot sticks cut to the appropriate size, so your
dog won’t choke, celery, turkey, chicken, left over meats, dried apples or apricots
For dogs on a diet, you can substitute crumbled rice cake, plain croutons, salt
free/fat free cream cheese or peanut butter, tofu or yogurt.
Sarah Cross
(Copyright ©2007 by Sarah Cross)
are genetically programmed to hunt for their food. Counter surfing, trashcan
scouring, dinner begging, garden digging and laundry stealing are all outgrowths of
an opportunistic scavenger taking advantage of the environment
• By giving dogs problems to solve, you stimulate their brains and give them a
job to do that they are genetically suited for
• When you leave your dog at home, you can use toys or bones stuffed with
food. The most popular stuffing toy is a “Kong™,” but there are now many other
similar toys on the market. The stuffed toys can be in addition to your dog’s regular
meals or actually replace them
• Mixtures such as peanut butter, cream cheese, canned cheese, mashed
potatoes, canned dog food, plain yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu or toddler food can be
used to bind smaller bits of food together. You can also use Velveeta or Cheese
Whiz type cheese cubes. Place them in the hole, microwave the toy until the cheese
is melted and then add cookies. COOL thoroughly before giving it to your dog.
• Wrapping the stuff toy in an tea towel, hand towel, tee shirt and tying the ends
off will create a puzzle for the dog (increase the level of difficulty as your dog
graduates)
• Enclosing the toy in an old oatmeal box, shoebox, margarine container or
other container you do not mind being taken apart, increases the puzzle aspect
• Hiding the stuffed toy around the house or yard keys into their genetic hard
wiring to hunt around for their food
• Harder and advanced stuffing for the creative hunter in your home begins with
plugging the small hole with peanut butter. Then add cubed meat, cooled chicken or
beef broth, cookies, or whatever and freezing the toy to make a sort of popsicle.
This should be given to dogs outside or in a room that can be cleaned easily. This
can get messy!
For the Ph.D. dog in your home, layering the Kong™ and sealing the big end of it is
really challenging and can give him hours of doggie delights
• Layer 1 is the deepest and can include anything of really high value, like freeze
dried liver bits
• Layer 2 can contain anything you want - perhaps dog kibble, cookies, liver
biscotti pieces, Cheerios™ cereal, peanut butter, or dried banana chips
• Layer 3 suggestions are baby carrot sticks cut to the appropriate size, so your
dog won’t choke, celery, turkey, chicken, left over meats, dried apples or apricots
For dogs on a diet, you can substitute crumbled rice cake, plain croutons, salt
free/fat free cream cheese or peanut butter, tofu or yogurt.
Sarah Cross
(Copyright ©2007 by Sarah Cross)