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Pet Tips
The 14 Best Ways To Keep Your Dog Entertained While You’re At Work
The 14 Best Ways To Keep Your Dog Entertained While You’re At Work
Most modern pet parents lead very busy lives with jobs and children, and our dogs often end up spending a good portion of the day home alone. A lonely, bored dog will find a way to occupy her time that can be destructive to your furniture and clothes and potentially harmful to herself.
Since publishing this article we’ve found a new way to keep your dog busy that we SWEAR BY… so we’ll sneak it in right here…
Get A Furbo Dog Camera
We highly recommend the Furbo Dog Camera. It allows you to see, talk and toss treats to your dog from anywhere. This way you can chat with your dog while you’re at work AND throw dog treats remotely!
If your dog is barking, you can talk to your pup, calm her down and throw a treat!. You’ll even get a daily summary video with all of your dogs activities!
Furbo Dog Camera Q&A
Answer: Yes you can. My spouse and I are often connected at the same time. The only thing is you cannot throw treats at the same time.
2 people can be watching at the same time. Everyone has the same account with the user name and password and can all be logged in on their phones, but only 2 people viewing at the same time.
Question: What do the different color lights mean?
Answer: Please see below for Furbo signal light references:
The color of light will change based on different conditions
White light: When Furbo is plugged into the power for the first time
Green light: When you can first set up your Furbo
Purple light: When Furbo is not connected to the Wi-Fi network
Yellow light: When Furbo is connected to the Wi-Fi network
Blue light: When Furbo is being used (logged on to the app)
*Dogs can see the color yellow and blue, which means your dog can tell whether you are using Furbo or not when he/she sees the signal light on Furbo!
The color of light will change based on different conditions
White light: When Furbo is plugged into the power for the first time
Green light: When you can first set up your Furbo
Purple light: When Furbo is not connected to the Wi-Fi network
Yellow light: When Furbo is connected to the Wi-Fi network
Blue light: When Furbo is being used (logged on to the app)
*Dogs can see the color yellow and blue, which means your dog can tell whether you are using Furbo or not when he/she sees the signal light on Furbo!
Question: Do they make one for cats?
Answer: There is no cat version. You can still use the regular Furbo for cats, but it was definitely designed for dogs. The camera is great, the treat dispenser is awesome, I love the 2 way audio. It’s great to check in on your cats. However, I’m finding it will not record my cats. It only records when it sees a person, dog activity, dog barking, or when your dog looks straight into the camera. Because it’s looking for dogs, it doesn’t register the cats and therefore records nothing, so I can’t check in on them earlier in the day. So you can use it for cats, but I’m 100% certain there are better cat cameras out there, like PetCube
Question: Can I use my own treats with Furbo?
Answer: Yes, certainly! We understand all puppies have different preferences for treats. It is no problem as long as the size of those treats is smaller than the treat dispensing hole on Furbo. Preferably round shaped treats, not sticky or cannot be easily crumbled with a diameter around half an inch to an inch size of treats work best.
Furbo Dog Camera Reviews
“I love being able to watch my pug literally just sleeping for seven hours a day and my coworkers really enjoy the constant updates of me telling them where my pug is sleeping and forcing them to watch his small, fawn body laying in the same spot. I have learned that my cat must leave the house when I go to work because I never catch her on the camera. Maybe she has a job? It would be nice if she paid some rent.
The treat shooting mechanism shoots small treats, which is fine for him, well maybe not for him because he’d prefer it shot pizza slices, but they’re the proper size treats for a smaller dog. A larger dog would need the treats launched at them more often. The launching mechanism does make a motorised sound that might scare some dogs, though mine doesn’t hear it at all and also doesn’t notice when the treats fly in his direction, he finds them later as if they appeared.
Just remember to turn the camera off through the app when you get home because nothing is worse than accidentally opening the app and seeing yourself blobbing on the sofa.”
“I bought this item for my girlfriend who is deployed overseas in Bahrain. She loves her dog more than anything so I knew this would be a perfect gift for her. The first night I had the Furbo I was awaken several times in the middle of the night by high pitched squealing and giggling of glee from my gf not being able to contain herself.
She was so excited to see him, talk to him and give him treats and OH BOY does she like giving him treats! By the time she gets back from her deployment I am sure he will be overweight and wont be able to run to her when she gets home. Thanks Furbo, your product is awesome and we all love it!”
“Best pet related purchase I’ve made!!! Furbo sends your phone alerts when your dog is barking or when their are loud noises in your house- i.e. when your CO detector is going off! Saved my dog’s life!”
“As the owner of a new puppy I couldn’t imagine how anxious I would be able leaving the puppy for the day. We have a dog walker coming in, but after a first bad experience (she pooped all over her crate because of nerves, I had to leave work early) I was in tears and thought that this just wasn’t going to work out. So then I made the leap into, what I thought, was crazy-pet-parent territory and bought a camera.
Best. Purchase. Ever. It works like a dream. I was worried that it might not pick up because our wi-fi isn’t the strongest or the fastest, no problem. The app (mine is on an iphone) is very easy to use. The quality of the image, both regular and nightvision, is excellent. The audio is solid, there is a bit of lag, but that’s to be expected. We use her kibble as treats and it fires several at a time, which doesn’t bother me. We angled it so it shoots into her kennel.”
“When I got my Furbo I had problems making my smart phone work with it-NOTHING to do with the Furbo-but the Furbo people were extremely wonderful and helped me know what to do! Once I called my carrier and I told them what the great Furbo folks said, they got my issue fixed!
So customer service is beyond excellent! Then, once that was all fixed up I got to experience how magnificent this invention is! I was an hour away from home through this so I connected, and it was sooooo wonderful to see my dogs and know they were doing ok! Then I talked to them and gave them all treats! It was incredibly cool! They went and laid back down and I watched them sleep happily while my husband drove us home! That hour drive was no longer stressful with me all kinds of anxious about the pups! I was super relaxed being able to see, talk and treat them even though I was so far away!
Every time I have to go somewhere I now go with a new peace of mind and calm all thanks to Furbo! It works like a charm and is actually a rather attractive piece! The wooden top is a lovely touch! My family, 2 legged and 4 legged absolutely adore our Furbo! Worth every cent! Thank you, Furbo! The picture shows one of my girls as she hears the treat getting ready to pop out to her! (This is my honest opinion, NOT paid in any way to review this-I just SOOOOOOO love this creation and believe everyone needs one!)”
1. Let your dog watch television
Turn on your TV to the Animal Planet™ station and up the volume. The sights and sounds of barking dogs and mewing cats helps to stimulate your dog’s brain in a quiet house, keeping her from finding ways to get in trouble. Otherwise, you can get “DVD For Dogs: While You Are Gone”, for your dog to watch while you are away.
DVD For Dogs: While You Are Gone Reviews
“My standard poodle LOVES this video. I got it for boring rainy days here in Oregon, when we’re stuck inside. There are a wide variety of animal/nature sounds along with a numerous creatures featured. It keeps his interest and he seems to enjoy it a lot—in his doggy-like way. I think the scenes are filmed quite nicely for showing the animals and what they are doing—–without the camera being too far away or too close. There is some music in a few parts, but mostly nature, animal and people sounds are heard— a huge plus!!”
“My 2 year old German shepherd loves to watch TV. Any time she sees any animal, especially dogs and horses, she would jump up and bark at them. This DVD is creating a static scenery with wonderful sounds and peaceful animals. I think it will be very therapeutic to our dog, she barked less at the animals featured in this DVD. Since the animals just stayed there for the most part, it was not triggering the aggressive behavior. I like that there were different animals in the DVD, but even when watching the ducks, there still was a dog bark in the background from time to time, saying that there is a dog somewhere, or even wolves! Our dog was responding to these calls with a subtle semi-bark. The scenery in the DVD is beautiful and the sound track is great. I love this DVD.”
“This is a wonderfully appealing DVD that is sure to be a hit with your canine companion.
I ordered it for my 14 year old Pomeranian and I was shocked when he didn’t show any interest in it whatsoever (my friend and I were both entranced by the animal sounds and squeaks and the interesting visuals of animals). I just COULD NOT figure out why my dog wasn’t interested; I’d pop in the DVD and he’d leave the room. Go figure!
My husband and I had recently noticed he wasn’t very responsive to our commands, but put that off to his independent (i.e. bossy) Pomeranian nature. After the DVD incident, we started noticing that he would mind us when he could see us, but if his back was turned, he’d do what he wanted.
I took him to the vet & sure enough, he’s gradually lost 100% of his hearing. He’s stone cold deaf (age, says the vet). Thanks to this DVD, we know we’ve got a deaf dog, not a [totally] spoiled brat. So now Norman goes for real walks instead of virtual ones.
If your canine companion can still hear, I’m sure this will be a huge hit, just as other reviewers have mentioned. The visuals are wonderfully engaging and the sounds will perk up their ears and their interest. And if you happen to be wondering if your dog can still hear, this surely proved itself a great diagnostic tool for us!”
“My four small dogs always raise a rukus when we leave or come home. I took a chance on this video and was very pleasantly surprised that they do pay attention to the video! They are especially interested when they see and hear the chickens walking around and clucking and to the various other bird sounds, etc. This was recommended to me by my cousin and I’m sure glad I bought it!”
“Good video quality and plays in a loop. My dog loved it! Only problem was her because she would bark at the animals on the video BUT she was clearly entertained! Even the music caught her attention.
Only advice, if you have an excitable pet, this video probably isn’t for you.”
2. Provide ways your dog can look through a window or door
Open the curtains or blinds to a back window in your home so that your pooch can watch whatever is going on outside your back door. If you have a small dog or a toy breed, set a cushion, chair or dog sofa by the window so that your pup is comfortably able to see out.
Furhaven Pet – Plush Orthopedic Sofa Q&A
Question: does the bed include the dog?
Answer: Sadly, the bed does not include the dog.
Question: Does the dog come with the bed
Answer: No, unfortunately it does not. If you’re looking for a dog, please check your local shelters and adoption agencies.
Answer: It’s memory foam IF you select memory foam. If your selection is for orthopedic foam you will get egg crate. People don’t read and then give bad information. Annoying.
Answer: I would recommend jumbo. I have a 53 lb husky shepherd mix and she has room in the large. Yeah, Jumbo is what I’d get if my dog was larger than she is.
Furhaven Pet – Plush Orthopedic Sofa Reviews
“I just opened this and set it on the floor, you can see in the video how she checks it out, testing it with her back toe, she laid down and hasn’t moved!! I love the feel and look of this bed. Bought the large, she is about 49# and had plenty of room.”
“I am SO glad I ordered this bed. My lab is about 100 lbs and this bed is PERFECT. There is room to spare and he really likes using the pillow. The bed is 4 inches thick and the pillow area is 7 inches thick. The Stone Gray color is beautiful…very nice looking bed! My dog moves this bed around the house depending on where I am. It is super light and I LOVE it.”
“I own 2 of these beds in the jumbo size and She loves it!!!!! My dog loves the contoured edges and is perfect for her hips. I also have a baby crib sheet over it for easy cleaning.”
This bed is very nice and solid for the price. Only time will tell if it’ll stand up to regular use, but so far my 120 lbs. worth of dogs fit comfortably on it together, and it doesn’t sag under their weight. As I write this review, the Boxer’s snores are resounding in approval! If my two start sleeping apart more often, I’ll definitely buy a second one, but they mostly prefer to snuggle together and the jumbo size bed is big enough for them to share.”
“WOW!! My big boy, Red, is a 13 year old, 115 pound Golden Retriever. He’s been having trouble walking and I can tell he hurts. It’s just old age. When I took this out of the package (ordered XL) last night and put it on the floor he stepped on it and that was it. He turned 3 times and was asleep. So Far so good. The real wonder came this morning when he stood up, He didn’t struggle to rise and he stretched!!! It been a long time since I’ve seen him stretch. He walked down the stairs without help and went out side to help our younger dog, White, chase chipmunks into the wood pile. I’m not saying he was spry, just that he was interested in more than sleeping on the front porch. We’ve had it for one day… what a difference a day makes.”
3. Fill a hollow toy with peanut butter
Stuff the toy with your all natural all-natural peanut butter. Most dogs love the smell and taste of peanut butter and can take hours finding every last dollop in a treat stuffable toy. To provide an extra challenge, freeze the toys after stuffing them. Some examples of food puzzle toys you can find at your local pet store or on-line include the Kong® Toy, the Buster® Cube, the Tricky Treat™ Ball, the Tug-a-Jug™, the Twist ‘n Treat™, the OurPets IQ Treat Ball and the Stuff-A-Ball Dog Toy.
Spread The Love NAKED Organic Peanut Butter
Spread The Love NAKED Organic Peanut Butter Q&A
Question: Is this Vegan .
Answer: Yes our NAKED Organic Peanut Butter is Vegan.
Question: Are these made from Valencia peanuts?
Answer: I’ve met the Spread the Love team a few times at Artisanal LA and know the product doesn’t contain Valencia peanuts! Hope this is helpful. 🙂
Question: Is it still thin and runny?
Answer: Yes – it is still thin and runny. The last jar I received was a lot more runny than I had in the past.
Answer: Yes
Spread The Love NAKED Organic Peanut Butter Reviews
“My family loves loves this peanut butter! We live in California so we love that organic lifestyle. I love this peanut butter because it’s plam oil free,only peanuts,no gmo’s,no sugar added!! My 2.5 year old toddler loves eating straight out of the jar. Yes it’s a bit on the runny side but we like that better because its’s easier to eat and the taste is on my my..!! Amazing! So delicious that I can eat the whole jar myself! Unlike most store brands like skippy and Justine’s or any other trader joe’s Or Whole Food’s peanut butter,it truly tastes all organic peanut butter. Highly recommend it! And also the packaging is so beautiful.”
“I loooove this peanut butter. Not only does it have the best ingredients possible (100% peanuts, no palm oil!), but it tastes really, really good, and it has an amazing texture. It’s super easy to stir (unlike some other natural brands I’ve tried, which can get hard and cakey), and it is so nice and creamy. I actually love how it’s a bit thinner than most other products, because it makes it so easy to drizzle it on top of a smoothie bowl (so, bonus points for Instagram-ability).
And actually, if you don’t like your peanut butter to be runny, there’s a super simple solution – just keep it in the fridge. When it’s chilled, its texture is absolutely perfect for spreading on toast or dipping into with apple slices. I also love that it’s unsalted. Like other reviewers have said, it’s certainly going to taste different to you if you’re used to Skippy or JIF, but I maintain that the natural stuff tastes way better. Definitely worth trying – it’s my absolute favorite PB!”
“Love this organic peanut butter, I had been buying Justin’s until I realized how much palm oil they used and how bad it is for your body and the environment. Thankfully this brand came along with no palm oil, family owned and operated plus based close to me in Los Angeles!”
“Spread the Love peanut butter is AMAZING! So rich and creamy without being salty. I will admit, it’s a bit different if you’re used to the commercial brands like Skippy or Jif since it’s not as salty. But hey, with this being organic and low on sodium, you can indulge on some delicious peanut butter while still being health conscious!
I definitely recommend it to anyone, especially if you love peanut butter! Can’t wait to start using it for baking and cooking as well.”
“I have been looking for a decent peanut butter to replace my old peanut butter since going to a low-carb diet. This is my fourth attempt at finding a good, natural peanut butter and I am finally done trying to find one. This peanut butter is smooth and has an excellent flavor. The bottle I received had very little separation and is a bit firmer than most other natural peanut butters I have tried. I’ll admit to adding some honey into this just to bring a bit of sweet, but I enjoy it even straight out of the bottle.”
Kong Classic
There’s a reason Kong toys are a favorite among dog trainers and owners alike. Not only do they last for years, but you can also stuff them with treats or peanut butter to keep game time going for hours.
Kong Classic Q&A
Answer: I use a small toothbrush and warm water to clean mine out, then once a week I put it in the dishwasher on the top rack. I stuff mine with tiny milk bones, peanut butter and wet kibble then freeze it. Put a small scoop of peanut butter over the hole before giving it to your dog and they love it!
Question: Does it float?
Answer: They have some that DO float. I don’t think this is one of them … although I’ve never tried it to see. Kong makes some yellow ones specifically designed for the water.
Answer: I soak kibble in water and add some baby food , like sweet potato, carrot, green bean , Sometimes I add the Kong squeeze liver to it, Or small pieces of apple, I used to add Peter Pan peanut butter to it, (its soy free and best for your dog) but my baby is allergic to PB .. opps.
I fill it mostly with wet kibble, and the few teaspoons of baby food, (or all natural apple sauce) I leave a small grain free biscuit sticking out of the end and freeze it over night and it takes him 40-60 minutes to get it all out. .. He does his thing on the sofa, I just cover it with a blanket to keep it from getting soaked.
The small one takes him 15 minutes.
I portion this with his meal to make sure I don’t over feed him.
But Kibble and Applesauce or babyfood is a inexpensive option .. the large one gives me time to catch up on laundry, dishes and a shower!!!!
I fill it mostly with wet kibble, and the few teaspoons of baby food, (or all natural apple sauce) I leave a small grain free biscuit sticking out of the end and freeze it over night and it takes him 40-60 minutes to get it all out. .. He does his thing on the sofa, I just cover it with a blanket to keep it from getting soaked.
The small one takes him 15 minutes.
I portion this with his meal to make sure I don’t over feed him.
But Kibble and Applesauce or babyfood is a inexpensive option .. the large one gives me time to catch up on laundry, dishes and a shower!!!!
Answer: Hey Tracey! Before I purchased my Kongs, I actually went to PetSmart see what size I thought would be most suitable. For a 22lb beagle, you’d probably want to go with a medium or possibly a small. I’d hate to give you inaccurate advice, so if you’re close to a PetSmart go in and look at them. Definitely purchase them off of Amazon though. I got 4 Kong toys off of Amazon for the price I would have paid for 2 at PetSmart. Good luck!
“This toy is a must have. Fill it with peanut butter, treats, a bully stick. Work to entertain my puppy and senior dog.”
“Used for my 6 month old black lab/pitbull pup. Great for teething and game play with her. Very durable and keeps the dogs interest.”
“Dogs love this. It keeps them occupied for hours sd the chew on it and work to get the bacon flavored spread out.”
“I have gifted one of my friend’s dog a KONG product each Christmas for several years. Their dog really likes them! I always get one that is strong without any noises! His owner specified to get him the Kong brand dog products. Thank you, Kong!”
“So far so good! My lab pup loves it and it’s helped me train him with walking on a leash. Keeps him occupied when he has the zoonoses and he loves rolling it around and trying to get out the treats. It’s been great for him and a great tool for us with training.”
OurPets Buster Food Cube
OurPets Buster Food Cube Q&A
Question: How do you get the center out to clean this thing??
Question: How long would you say this toy keeps your dog occupied for?
Question: Is it a good toy to leave with dog while in a crate for several hours?
Question: Would this work in a puppy car seat (about 12 x15 inch space)?
I dont think that small a space would allow it enough room to roll around.
There is a puppy/small dog version that is only 3″, so if you decide to try it get the smaller one.
OurPets Buster Food Cube Reviews
“We bought this after one of our dog trainers recommended it during a class. Our two dogs (one tiny bichon and one large black lab mix ) LOVE playing with it. Not only does it keeps them occupied, but it helps them get great mental exercise as well. This was very important in helping our rescue’s rehabilitation.”
“So far so good! My dog is a heavy chewer and at first he tired to chew up the cube to get to the treats…but then he realized that he has to push it around with his nose for the treats to fall out. It kept him busy for quite a while which is good cause he’s a super smart dog that never gets tired and wants me to play with him 24/7. So now he can entertain himself with the cube for a while. He loves everything that involves treats ;)”
“Our dog insists of one round every day with the cube. Our original lasted for years until core piece disappeared. Our new one doesn’t open so it can be filled—I use a canning funnel and roll the toy quite a bit before giving it to our dog. He gets quite a workout, sending the toy flying, batting it with his paws, jumping on it, etc.”
“My dog loves his ball. When we sit down to watch TV he wants to roll it all around and ask for a refill. While it keeps him busy, it is noisy. Therefore, we swap this one out with a rubber treat ball so we can hear the TV. BUT, this is our gift as we leave for work. It will take him about a 1/2 hour to get all his kibble out. (Breakfast!) and we feel less guilty for leaving him.
*** This ball works best on carpet. My dog has learned how to control it to keep it on the carpet and can push it back when it rolls onto the floor. (Pretty smart guy). If you have hardwood or tile – go for the rubber type.”
“I’m loving this food cube, it keeps my dog (90lbs German shepherd mix) busy for a little while and I know it’s good for him to have to work for his food. He has a few puzzle feeder type toys and he is getting pretty good at them.”
Tricky Treat
Tricky Treat Q&A
Tricky Treat Reviews
“Just received our Tricky Treat Ball (large ) and our 10wk old German Shepherd puppy LOVES it! He is a fast eater, so we started giving him a portion of each meal by using the Tricky Treat Ball to help slow him down. Though it only took him about 15 minutes to clear 1/3 cup of kibble out, it has slowed him way down compared to his bowl. And watching him chase the ball around is adorable, too! He can be an aggressive chewer, so I don’t plan on leaving the ball where he has unlimited access. However, this would probably be fine for mild or non-chewing dogs, the ball is made of what feels like a sturdy material. Would definitely buy this again!”
“Our rescue dog has separation anxiety and doesn’t really understand how to play with toys unless they dispense food. This is his favorite toy and it really keeps him distracted when we leave! We also give it to him when people come over because he gets nervous and barks, but the ball completely distracts him and tires him out. I don’t know what we would do without this ball…we bring it on every trip and we even bought a second one!”
“This treat ball is designed really well. The opening is large enough to let out just about any size of kibble, but there is a large gasket-type barrier surrounding the opening that catches on to treats and lets them out slowly. They come out more quickly when the ball is quite full, but even then, my puppy has to work at getting them out.
The plastic material is soft and looks pretty thin in parts, so I think if she wanted to, my puppy could chomp through it. She seems to enjoy batting it around and chasing it to get her breakfast, so I’m not too worried about that. She’s a herding breed (corgi), so I think she likes the experience of rounding up this thing that drops a piece of food on the floor every few seconds. If she was less patient and less engaged by the thrill of the chase, I don’t think she’d like it very much. Seems like the slow pace of release could frustrate some dogs.
I give her a half a cup of kibble in it on mornings when she seems really hyper. It takes her about a half an hour to get all the food out, and she’ll chase it around and play with it for a few minutes when it’s empty. She seems to understand that when the jingling noise inside stops, it’s not going to give her any more food – I think she just likes the size and texture. Plus, the plastic has a slightly sweet scent that makes it attractive on its own. I’m sure that combined with the lingering food smell ups the engagement factor.”
“I purchased this as a first toy ten years ago when my dog was still a puppy. After using so many years, it finally got a small tear and decided to purchase a new one. Out of all IQ toys (I purchased almost all kinds to keep my dog entertained and occupied.), this one has been the best for us. As for the material, it’s light and soft. It absorb the shocks in collisions to walls/doors/furniture/etc. As my dog rolls the toy, it’s not as loud like solid plastic toys. But other dogs might break or tear it easily… if your dog is a chewer or has strong jars.
As for design, there is a vent inside around the hole which prevents food from coming out too easily. After my dog eat a certain amount for a day & if my dog still asks for food, I just simply throw a few dry food bits in it. My dog gets entertained a while because the food does not come out instantly.
I love this vent inside which I do not see in other IQ ball holes. As for the grip on ball, it does not slip from my hands so easily because of the material and design with dumps. I can easily pick. Overall, I am very satistified with this product because of the material and design!!!!”
“It’s a softish plastic that rolls around easily and doesn’t make a godawful noise on the hard floor. With bigger kibble, the interior “wall” surrounding the entry/exit hole made it a very slow and difficult process for the dog to get any reward out, so I took scissors to it (That was a chore!) and trimmed down a few areas of that interior piece at different heights to make the kibble fall out more frequently. For approx. $10, I wasn’t too nervous about permanently altering it. Dog loves it! She doesn’t play with anything unless it dispenses food, and she will pursue, maneuver and even pick-up the globe to get it where she wants it.”
Tug-a-Jug
Tug-a-Jug Q&A
Question: How do I get the dog to understand how this works? She sets it on its bottom, puts her feet on the ball, and just tries to pull the rope out…
Question: My dog is crying right now. When she pulls the rope it plugs the hole, so she can’t get treats. When rolled, not much comes out. Advice, please?
Question: I have a small dog weighing 7 pounds. Would the small size be the best?
Question: is this made in china?
Tug-a-Jug Reviews
“EXCELLENT feeding device for dogs with the conviction that they must eat all the food as rapidly as possible, I have a 70 lb Doberman who’s title is “The Destroyer, Eater of Worlds”. She hasn’t destroyed this, and it takes her a reasonable amount of time (one cup of coffee’s worth of peace) to get all the food. I was concerned that she’d shatter the plastic, but we’ve had this thing for a good 4 months. It’s scratched and has teeth marks all over it, but it’s not broken. Doesn’t appear to be in danger of breaking, and Miss Tantrum-Because-I-Can’t-Immediately-Gorge-Myself has flung it across the room onto the tile and down a short flight of stairs (because she’s successfully broken other dispensers open that way). This company makes fantastic durable products.”
“Our pup gets bored when we are away at work and she decides to create her own fun. This means she likes to tear up anything she can get her teeth on. But with this toy, we put kibble and some treats in the container, and she is busy for hours! She has a strong jaw and will rip apart any toy we give her in seconds. But this has actually lasted. Ever since giving her this busy toy, she hasn’t ripped up anything while we are away. The container is super durable and the rope and ball on the top are super tough.”
“My 60-lb cattle dog/who-knows-what-else mutt loves this toy. He is fed his entire dinner in it every night, and it has withstood years of use. To be fair, he isn’t too rough with it, and although a chewer, does not chew on this. The first time I used it, when he was a puppy, I had to show him how to extract food from it by moving the rope for him. He caught on quickly. He now gets upset if I feed him dinner in a bowl rather than this toy. It slows down his quick eating and provides some additional mental stimulation for him.
I’m replacing this toy after 2.5 years with a new one just like it because the rope now smells awful, even after washing. The toy itself is still in great shape, I’m just sick of the smell.”
“I have only had this for about a week, but my pup Koda (a 3-month old Husky) loves this. He is high energy and loves to destroy things, as a typically Husky does. But this keeps him occupied for possibly close to an hour. I have only been using this to feed him his lunch, as I am planning to start fading him out to 2 meals a day, but after about 3 times he started to become very efficient at getting the food out.
I was excited about how quickly he was able to figure it out, but also trying to struggle through it. Also, even though he knows how to get the food out it still takes quite a while to get it all out as the less food there is inside the more difficult it is to get out. Hopefully you found this review helpful. If so please let me know! If you have any questions, I would be happy to try and answer them if you could contact me via my Amazon Profile page and I will get back as quickly as possible.”
“I LOVE these. I have two, and both are still fully functional with ropes 🙂 I’ve had them for quite a while. The first I bought about 8 months ago and the 2nd about 2 months(I tend to misplace toys so it works well to have both!)
Here’s my breakdown of this toy:
My dog (for comparison)- I have 4, but only 1 truly plays/uses this, although that is intentional to avoid jealousy/fights. A 11 m.o. hound/working border collie mix, about 50lbs – very active, very clever. The rope- Aria has not shown interest in chewing on this rope, despite being an avid and somewhat heavy chewer, and going through teething with this toy. However, this may be because she always has numerous bones. I will say, the rope is NOT heavy duty- the small amount she has chewed on it does show. Since she doesn’t chew on it, it’s never shown any signs of mold. It DID get covered in poop at one point- I rinsed it off and called it good, but I didn’t see a need to soak it, which probably helped with the drying. If it did get to that point, you could fairly easily remove andreplace the rope with another one.
The plastic- Fairly durable. One of ours has cracked, but the plastic is thick enough that it’s more of an “inner crack” rather than actually being a gap in the plastic (like a double layer reusable plastic cup/tumbler might get). The difficulty/play level- Pro- She doesn’t need to smash/wobble it around the house to play with it, which is a HUGE benefit since I work from home or if I’m watching TV since it is much quieter. I can also give it to her in the crate, and I feel (personally, after watching her with it numerous times) that it is safe enough to give to her and let her keep when I leave her in the crate. She also still enjoys playing with this toy, even after figuring out how to do it, unlike most of her other toys. Cons- my other 3 dogs could not care less about this toy, so it may not be a great toy for every dog! Only 1 of those 3 would be a candidate to play with it anyways, and he is easily frustrated.
Overall- this toy is PERFECT for my pup and she loves it. While I am comfortable leaving my dog alone with this toy, I very highly recommend watching them the first few times to prevent chewing on the rope or toy since it isn’t built to hold up to that well. It is perfect as a slow feeder as well – my girl gets 3/4 of her meal in this most days (the only reason she doesn’t get this for all is for training purposes, otherwise she would!)”
Twist ‘n Treat
Twist ‘n Treat Q&A
Twist ‘n Treat Reviews
“I have two of these and they are great for mental stimulation. My prior dachshund loved it and played with it for years, it is interesting to see how he managed the rolling of it to maximize the treats coming out. One of the toys I couldn’t adjust between nothing and all the treats spilling out but learned to adjust the cutouts a bit off-center to accomplish that.
My current little guy is a hoover-eater, he eats way too fast even with a slow-feed bowl, so this has become a slow-feed tool for him. He gets 1/3 cup in the morning and 1/3 in the evening, and he gets about 30% of his dry food in the bowl, and the remainder is in the dog toy, and it takes him several minutes to get all the treats out. It forces him to eat the dry food one or two pellets at a time – and I use the term “eat” loosely, it’s more like suck off the floor – but he gets very excited to see it and spins around in circles in front of me until I put it down. You would think it’s hard to load all those dry food bits but if you hold it with one cutout at the top and the other against the palm of your hand it’s not to hard to get the hang of.”
“I’ve had the size Large one for months now. My dog is still into it when I fill it up for him. Still kind of a pain to fill, but he’ll stick with it until its empty (unlike some of his other toys, even ones he’s figured out). I have since introduced my dog to my boyfriend’s dog, and they basically spend all their time together, including meals. So I now got a size small (my dog is 60 pounds, his dog is 15). His dog also isn’t the brightest (I call them Dumb and Dumber, or Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumber, but trust me, it’s loving. I adore them). But she is also motivated enough to use this toy. I have also since moved and gotten a dishwasher and haven’t had any issue washing them occasionally in the dishwasher. I try to save that for every few washes though, and usually just rinse and set to dry between daily uses.
“My dog seems to have the opposite problem of most dogs: she’s not interested enough in her food. I’ll pour some food, she’ll have a few bites, take a lap around the house, come back for a few bites, and sometimes she won’t even finish it. I got this to make meal time more interesting for her and so far it’s worked like a charm. She is intrigued to get a few kibbles every couple of minutes, which keeps her attention through the whole process. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone who has a stubborn eater, like me!”
“I adopted my dog when he was 4 years old going on 5, and his former owners never really played with him or anything so he’s never been into toys. Still, I want to keep his mind active, so years ago I found this toy and he loves it! You can fill it with kibble to make your dog (or cat!) work a little for the breakfast, or just put some crumbled treats or chopped veggies in it. It’s easy to use, easy to clean, works well, and best of all, my dog loves it and it makes him happy! This was actually a replacement for the old one that I couldn’t find in stores anymore, so glad I checked Amazon and found it again!”
“Love it, just bought a second one. Would recommend if you have a small dog who needs help eating more slowly and then I bought a third one of these as she loses them but I like them so much. I really recommend this item especially for a dog that you are just introducing food toys to as it is customizable and very easy to approach. I have a very timid small dog who was really nervous about the flipping of the toy and does not like touch anything that moves away from her. I showed her how to use it and opened it to a very wide setting. Now she is using toys that require more skill and these are just to help her not gobble her food down so fast. These are great. Totally get them.”
OurPets IQ Treat Ball
OurPets IQ Treat Ball Q&A
Question: I can’t fit my dog inside how do I make this work?
Question: how do u clean it?
Question: since the IQ treat ball is plastic will a large dog break it
Question: Where do you find small enough treats?
OurPets IQ Treat Ball Reviews
“I have a 10 week old Finnish Lapphund puppy. She’s food driven, insanely smart, and incredibly energetic. I could take her on a 60-minute walk and she’d still be ready to go for another hour. She learns very quickly, has a stubborn streak, and can shred through a bowl of kibble in about 2 seconds flat. I tried everything to get her thinking, tire her out, and slow down her eating a bit. We practice sit-down-stay-spin-leave it with her entire bowl of kibble morning and night and she looks at me like “is this the hardest thing you have for me” as she breezes through the commands. AT 10 WEEKS OLD!
A stuffed Kong is empty in 3 minutes. A Kong stuffed with anything frozen is just plain boring and forgotten in 5 minutes. A stuffed barnacle is fun until it’s empty, which is about 10 minutes, and then she looks at me like “OK what’s next.” Then there’s this treat ball. This thing actually interests her and keeps her busy. I wouldn’t say it’s an “IQ” toy. It’s more like a spin-me-a-million-times-before-I-give-up-a-single-treat toy, which is so much better. My little thinker can’t think her way through this one. She just frustratedly punts it around the house like David Beckham until it gives up a tasty treat, and then repeats until it’s empty. The opening has a thickened edge that protrudes into the ball so it makes it more difficult for a treat to fall out.
Then, you have the adjustable white plastic barrier that you can put inside it to make it various degrees of more difficult to get food out of it. Basically, it will work your dog to the very core in every good way you can possibly imagine. My little nightmare spends a good 30 with this ball and, like the angel I know she isn’t, she’s off to her crate for some chew toy action and a solid all-day nap. I want to meet the person who created this toy so I can glee-cry into their shoulder in a loving embrace for giving me even 5 uninterrupted minutes to take a shower every day.”
“Great product – easy to clean, and can accommodate different sizes and types of kibble/treats. If you have hardwood floors and you find the ball too loud, you can take an old sock, stretch it over the ball, and cut off the excess, allowing for the food to go through the hole. It also makes the ball easier for dogs to grab, so if it gets stuck in a corner, they can pick it up and throw it somewhere else. A great deal!”
“I purchased this for my pitbull that is very food driven. One thing I first noticed about this ball is the type plastic it’s made of. It’s similar to the plastic they use for some cheap hamster balls. I would be cautious If you live in a two story home that doesn’t have carpeted stairs because this my break after falling down the stairs or a few drops from a few feet. If you have a small dog, be cautious if they bite onto the ball because they can get their teeth stuck in the small holes. I would also advise people with large dogs with strong jaws from this toy because if they crush this plastic, the edges will be sharp enough to cut their mouths. The first thing you would have to do is adjust the center white disc to the size of the treats. If you make the hole too big, too many treats will fall out too fast and it will shorten the time you dog will play with this.
You can put small training training treats or dog food in the bottom half of the ball. I use my dogs food for my dog. Be mindful of the amount of the treat’s calories and the quantity you put in the ball. Just make sure you account the extra calories for the amount of exercise your dog receives otherwise you may have a chubby doggy. After filling the bottom half and placing the white disc on top of it, all you have to do is screw on the top and its ready for your dog to work for their tasty snacks. I wouldn’t have given this to my dog when she was younger because was the type of dog that would of destroyed the toy when she was aggravated with it just to get to the treats. Now she’s learned to figure out toys before she brings it to me to help her out. I usually fill it up with some low calorie food and when she gets down to the last few bits, she gives up on the toy and leaves it where it is or brings it back to me to open it up for the last few pieces. I was surprised after several uses, the lid never accidentally came unscrewed while my dog was playing with it.
Overall this is a good toy to keep my dog occupied for 20-30 minutes. Shes a pretty smart dog and shes learned how to get the treats out fairly quick. Your mileage may vary depending on the size and shape of your treats you put in.”
“My 7-year-old Pomeranian mix LOVES his interactive toys — all of them. I especially enjoy the IQ ball (and the generation 2 IQ ball) because they keep him occupied for longer than a lot of the other interactive feeding toys. And it keeps him moving. He’s only 10 pounds and has stumpy legs, so the 3″ is the perfect size for him.
With this ball you get to adjust the kibble opening so that it takes longer for kibbles to come out. I started him on the ‘easiest’ (widest) setting at first, and he got the kibble out pretty quickly. I now always use it on the ‘hardest’ (smallest) setting, and he’ll run around for 20 minutes or longer with it. He gets Blue Buffalo wilderness dry food, which are pretty average size kibbles. So, this one is highly recommended. It keeps my pup moving for a good amount of time.”
“Upon receiving the item it appeared exactly as described… I loaded treats into the ball showed my dog the whole and rolled it around a couple times. She ate the treats that fell out, swatted at the ball a couple times, but could not repeat my success. I stuff more treats into the ball and roll it around again. More treats fall out and my puppers again eats them. With even less enthusiasm this time she bites at the ball no treats come out and she just sits there.
Frustrated I fill the ball completely up with treats show her one more time and get the same results. The treats I produced gone and a blank stare. Giving up I go into the other room and start watching TV, not 5 minutes later I hear the ball rattling around and my dogs patented type writer chewing sound… She’s a pro. The only thing I can gather is this toy is designed for your dog to test your IQ.”
“I have 3 feeder balls. In this review I will compare this ball (Our Pets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Food Dispensing Dog Toy) the Kong Wobbler and the Omega Paws Tricky Treat Ball. This is a hard plastic food toy. It’s great for small dogs (I would say 20 lbs and under), but a larger dog could easily break this toy. This toy is easily cleaned, works really well and has adjustable difficulty levels. I started on the easiest setting and within a couple of weeks my smaller had figured it out and can now operate it on the most advanced setting.
For a small dog this is the ideal feeder ball. I would not purchase this for a larger dog as I believe a sufficiently strong jaw could snap the plastic ruining the toy and potentially injuring your dog.
For a larger dog who is not an aggressive chewer I would reccomend the Omega Paws Tricky Treat Ball. It isn’t cleanable and the plastic is soft so it can be chewed apart, but we’ve had our tricky treat ball for years and it is holding up fine. I don’t like the lack of cleanability, but for hardwood or laminate floors it is less loud / damaging than the Wobbler. The Kong Wobbbler is great for large dogs or those who are heavy chewers. I do not like the lack of adjustability in difficulty in the Wobbler nor do I care for the weight. It chipped my hard wood floors and makes a tremendous racket. I only use it outdoors.”
Stuff-A-Ball Dog Toy
Stuff-A-Ball Dog Toy Q&A
Question: Has anybody used this as a distraction for separation anxiety? My dog has the worst possible case.
Question: what kong toy would you recommend me for my border collie mix pup that likes to eat alot & bites things like my garden hose and trash bags?
Question: is this made in the USA
Question: What are the measurements for a medium ball? I’m Looking for the one that’s about the size of a baseball.
Stuff-A-Ball Dog Toy Reviews
“My dogs love this. They are busy working on all the crevices for a long time. I have two dogs with megaesophagus and need them to be in their Bailey chairs after meals for some time. This is a tool that helps keep them occupied for a while. I put 100% natural peanut butter in and they go to work. I wish Kong would sponsor us, we have so many of their toys and show them off on our page! Highly recommended product. It’s withstood a lot of chewing, and many uses. I pop stuff like this in the dishwasher on rinse and it’s good to go.”
“This is a review of the Kong Stuff-A-Ball Large.
My 4 year old Standard Poodle is a gentle chewer. She never destroys a toy, chews out the squeakers or parts of a toy. She bites the toy but not aggressively. This Kong toy is probably not something she’d ever destroy. But that’s not why I got this for her. I was looking for some sort of toy that would encourage her to chew on in order to aid in keeping her teeth clean. It looks like I made a good choice.
If I put a treat or treats into the Stuff-a-Ball, she will gnaw, chew and play with the toy for long periods of time trying to get the treats out. She bites it, pushes it, goes up to the top of the stairs with it and pushes it down the stairs, retrieves it, runs up the stairs and continues doing this for a long time.
It’s been great and it will last a long time. Hopefully it will benefit her teeth as well.”
“I now own three of these and my pup just turned 1 year (yay for one more year of puppyhood to get through!). He definitely got more into it the older he gets and while he hasn’t been crated since he was 12 weeks old, he comes to work with me every day and 14-16 hour days are possible and he enjoys this thing. I stuff small pieces of pill pockets, Stewarts liver treats, and some Wellness puppy square soft treats into it and it will last a few days.
When we visited my parents for the holiday I had forgotten his and in a pinch I bought a smaller version of it in a pet store so we had 2. Both get lost under furniture which is a bummer but the small size gets lost in weirder places more frequently. After not knowing where the small was for 3 weeks I purchased a second large one- one for home, one for Home II (work). There is an initial mild rubber smell, easy to wash in the dishwasher, if you don’t have a dishwasher and use gunky food/treats in it I’d recommend a large pipe cleaner type brush tool to wash it after a long soak. You can also freeze these.”
“This is our second time purchasing this exact same model Kong.
The other one lasted us a couple of years. And we left it out in the sun, because our dog enjoys being outside. He thoroughly enjoys this Kong a lot and it’s easy for him to grip his paws around it, too. It’s not too difficult for him to get the treats out but it also keeps him busy for a good 30-40 minutes.
My dog is getting to that age where he doesn’t want to play with his other toys on his own, so this is the best item he is willing to entertain himself with while we’re working, or leaving the house for a short bit.
One con is that this thing is hard to clean, as with all rigid items, so it takes a couple of washes under hot water to get rid of all the slobbers and gunks, but definitely worth it in my opinion.
I got a L, for my 64pd husky mixed.”
“I have a demolition doggie! He has destroyed even the black Kong toys. And he has managed to bit of a couple of small pieces around the edge of the open end. But, this has held up amazingly well for my 90 lb Lab/Mastiff/Pit mix. It is one of his favorites. He absolutely hates when I’m on my computer, or doing crafts/art/anything that does not involve sitting with him and giving him undivided attention. So, sometimes I have to find him things to occupy his little brain, and his time so I can get things done. This is a great one! I jam some soft treats right up in those treads and he works on it for AGES! Love this product, would absolutely buy it again, and highly recommend.”
4. Scavenger Hunt
Make your dog hunt for her meals by hiding stuffed food puzzle toys or small piles of her kibble, like the ones from Blue Buffalo around your house.
Scatter a couple of handfuls of kibble in the areas where your dog hangs out during the day and she’ll have fun hunting her treats while you’re at work. You can also hide one of her meals or puzzle toy right before you leave home so that she learns to associate your leaving for the day with a positive – as opposed to a negative – emotion.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Q&A
Question: which has the best flavor..beef, chicken, fish, lamb?
Question: i can’t remember what kind i bought from the store but want to buy it here since it is cheaper…does the food look like whole wheat? round and brown
Question: I need to know if any ingredients are sourced from another country before I buy.
Question: How many calories per cup? Seems weird that that isn’t on the packaging.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Reviews
“I decided to do a taste test with my dog. I put a little bit of her IAMs dog food on one plate and then on another plate I put Blue Buffalo food, which she had never tried before She sat about 3 feet away waiting for my signal. When I told her it was OK to move, she first sniffed the IAMs food, and then sniffed the Blue Buffalo dog food. She proceeded to eat the Blue Buffalo dog food first. This indicates a clear preference for Blue Buffalo. So we are now switching to a better quality premium dog food. It costs more, but our dog is family. If you compare the ingredients, you’ll see that blue Buffalo definitely has the higher quality ingredients so it is worth it and so is our pug!”
“Absolutely the best dog food for your fur baby. We had a yorkie that had high cholesterol, very bad. We tried Iam’s, Purina, pedigree, eukanuba, hills and beneful. Each of the major dog foods we tried for 3 months and did blood work. Beneful was the worst. They all were bad, very bad. We switched to Blue Buffulo and her blood work came back normal range. We were skeptical so we had blood work done every 3 months for a year and all of her blood work came back normal. Amazing.”
“Our 7 year old Australian Shepherd was having very severe skin issues. Our vet couldn’t find the cause and suggested to switch foods. We’d been feeding Merrick & Merrick’s cheaper brand Whole Earth Farms for years, never thinking it was the food since his potty time was always fine & other than the skin issues he was in great health. Being so sick & tired of his poor skin problems I gave Blue Buffalo a shot & I gave it several bags before I made a decision as to if it was helping at all or doing nothing. I figured the food would probably have nothing to do with any of the skin issues and was just taking a shot in the dark picking Blue Buffalo. I was absolutely shocked that his skin issues are totally 100% gone now – all cleared up & 100% healed! Now I do want to be super clear here & state that I honestly believe it was the removal of his old food that was what caused this amazing improvement, not the addition of Blue Buffalo. Hope that makes sense!”
“Premium food. Nice zip lock bag for freshness. It’s important to serve FRESH food!… buy in small quantities. Folks, compare the ingredients with any other dog food and you’ll find this one best. Low cal too. My dog has been on Blue Buffalo Limited Ingredients for six years and her doctor now recommends grain for all dogs. Vet gave supporting documentation from vet schools and universes. Blue Buffalo brand is superior, I’d pay twice the cost. (Don’t tell them.)”
“My dogs have sensitive tummies and allergies. We tried quite a few different kinds of food and most of them were causing itching and anal gland discomfort. They would vomit bile once or twice a week when their tummies were empty, there was some kind of inflammation going on causing that to happen. The FISH AND RICE flavor have now kept them regular and their coats are gorgeous. There rarely vomit now and only seasonal allergies continue to be a problem with one of these guys. I’ve been feeding them this flavor and brand for a couple years now. I’ll continue to use it, they don’t get tired of the flavor, they still gobble it up.”
5. Calm your dog!
If your dog becomes nervous, anxious, or overactive when you’re not at home, you can try these ideas:
-Apply a combination of calming essential oils (lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, wild orange, and frankincense – whichever smells best to you) on your pet’s bedding.
-Give them a treat designed to promote rest and relaxation like all natural calming chews. This may keep your dog relaxed while you’re gone and help alleviate any barking issues that disturb the neighbors.
-Use a dog pheromone.
If you sense that being alone causes anxiety in your dog, try using a dog-appeasing pheromone collar, spray, or diffuser. Sentry makes a calming collar just for this. The pheromone released by these products is similar to one that a lactating mother would emit to calm her newborn puppies. This pheromone will be familiar to your pup and create a sense of relaxation. You can place the diffuser in a room that is usually occupied by your dog, apply the spray to a dog bed, or have your dog wear the collar.
Hemp Calming Treats for Dogs
Hemp Calming Treats for Dogs Q&A
Question: Is there a money-back guarantee for these dog calming treats?
Please reach out to us on our seller profile page (from the product page, click on “sold by PremiumCare” and then click the “Ask a Question” button) and we will gladly replace or fully refund your purchase 🙂
Or you can reach out to us at [email protected] and we will help you ASAP
Question: how much cbd oil is in each treat??
Question: Will this work for fireworks
Question: I have a dog that regardless of how much you exercise them still wakes up in the middle of the night. Will these help them sleep more than 3-4 hours?
Hemp Calming Treats for Dogs Reviews
“This product works very well on my very hyper 10mo old Husky!! He needs good calming for bedtime, car rides and sometimes going to doggy daycare over night!! Kicks in pretty quickly and lasts through the night!!”
“More effective than pharmaceuticals! My dog was on Trazadone and I wanted to try a more natural approach. I have a small terrier (a shelter dog) and found the transition from Trazadone to these calming treats very effective! She had separation anxiety and made “accidents” in the house and I don’t want to jinx it by saying that problem has been eliminated but I’m hopeful. This is the longest stretch of accident free! ❤️”
“Our vet prescribed different calming meds, trazodone, and one other for our frightened little new addition. They just made our dog aggressive and they had potentially bad health risks. The calming treats seem to have taken her down a notch even after just about a week of being on them with one treat per day. The package recommends to keep your dog on them 4 to 6 weeks.”
“I have tried a few different brands of CBD chews for my dog. She is a saint Bernard American cocker mix. Age 4. She is about 60lbs. Bonnie was a rescue and she had Terrible separation anxiety and would become very destructive. We had tried everything prior to turning to CBD chews. After trying different brands the premium care brand seemed to work the best for her. We do 3 chews in the morning and she’s as mellow as can be all day long. She no longer barks, cries and destorys the door frames. I’m Over the moon she’s not frantic when we leave to run an errand. She has sensitive skin and some food sensitivity and these don’t cause any reactions. I will be sticking with the premium care brand for her. I recommend them to anyone when they ask how I got her to mellow out.
“I have a 4yr cattle dog mix that is my “neurotic trouble” child. So I can’t leave the house without giving her something or she would be into everything. Problem is not everything has worked for her, or a lot of the ones that have worked she doesn’t like and spits right back out, making it a huge chore just to get anything into her. These chews have been amazing!!!!!!!! They have worked wonders on her and she loves the smell and the flavor. She will actually preform her tricks for these. They are also so effective that my baby who is a 100 lb 2 yo Bernese mountain dog is severely scared of storms and I can give her just half of a dose if we know we have weather coming and she is out for the night. I would recommend these chews if you have any calming needs in your pets.”
Sentry Calming Collar for Dogs
Sentry Calming Collar for Dogs Q&A
Question: Does these collars fit bigger dogs?
Question: Are the collars in the 3pack individually wrapped? And how easy is it to put on compared to the adaptil brand?
Question: has anyone used the cutoff piece into an extra collar? What are your tips to reuse the extra piece?
Question: I paid $14.72 for a box of 3 collars in June, Now the price has almost doubled. Why?
Sentry Calming Collar for Dogs Reviews
“I have been a veterinarian for 14 years. I have recommended and used pheramone collars for over 10 years. I have three dogs at home and there is less fighting between them and they are overall more calm with pheramone collars. When they have had the collars on regularly for a few moths I have noticed that thunder storms and other loud noises do not bother them as much. I also recommend pheramone collars for puppies adjusting to new homes, and dogs going on trips or adjusting to any household changes.
I do like this this 3 pack from Amazon. It is a nice price and the collars work as well as the name brand DAP collars I have used. When possible I like to have this product on automatic monthly shipping, so I have a new set each month. I do use it in conjunction with the DAP diffuser. The collars also have a hint of lavender in addition to the pheramone for additional calming. The lavender is also nice and soothing for me when cuddling with the dogs. I have purchased the product many times and will continue to use it.”
“We desperately needed to find something to help our foster dog with his separation anxiety. He absolutely hates when we leave and barks and barks in his crate. I decided to order a pack of these collars to try. They seem to make him feel a little more calm and they smell great! I was really impressed that they seemed to make a difference. They are the perfect size for the dog, a 70lb. Labrador, and I didn’t need to cut it down at all, as to leave it loose for easier removal. Would definitely recommend these to anyone with a nervous/anxious dog as something to try.
“We rescued a 11 month lab mix with major fear issues. She is literally afraid of everything including people, but especially men. As a result she barks loudly at people trying to scare them off. We didn’t want to give up and return her so we tried this collar. What a difference! She now gives only a muffled little puffing bark when she is scared, but once we give her the quiet command she doesn’t bark. We went to the beach one day and forgot to put the collar back on after her bath. She began to aggressively bark at the neighbor kid and it wasn’t until then that we noticed the association. We will be using these collars until we have been able to train her completely…forever if that’s what it takes to have a calm and anxiety free dog! Plus the 3 pack is a great deal!
“It works very well!! My doberman was very very anxious and with the collar he is more relax and seems very better. The collar last about 3-4 weeks. Then i change it and i see the change after one night!! It’s wonderful for us!! We love it!! :)”
“My little dog is absolutely phobic when it comes to fireworks. I asked the vet for a tranquilizer and when I read up on it I decided not to give it to my dog. A friend told me about DAP and so I decided to try it. It calmed her considerably. She was still frightened, but not urinating on herself. We recently bought a new car and the dog whines constantly because she has to ride on the backseat by herself. We put a collar on her and she just curled up in her bed and went to sleep.
DAP may not be effective for all dogs, but it works well for ours. The price here cannot be beat.”
6. Give your dog a puzzle
There are loads of interactive dog toys on the market that will keep your dog occupied for hours. The one’s we like best are from Nina Ottosson, like the Treat Maze and the Treat Dispenser.
Nina Ottosson Treat Maze
Both Ellis and Hartstein recommend Nina Ottosson’s puzzle toys and games. This interactive one is great for independent play, although you can also toss it to your dog to make it a game for two. Reviewers on Chewy said the toy entertained their pups for anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
Nina Ottosson Treat Maze Q&A
Question: Ιs this made of, plastic, pressed board?
Question: I have an “extremely aggressive chewer”. Will this hold up?
Question: Will my 9lb Yorkie be able to manuever this puzzle (size-wise)?
Question: Is this toy dishwasher safe?
Answer: Hello and thank you for your question! This product is not dishwasher safe. We recommend washing it with warm soapy running water and rinsing thoroughly.
If you have any additional questions please let us know!
Thank you,
Outward Hound Team
Nina Ottosson Treat Maze Reviews
“My dog loves this! He caught on super quick and gets so excited every time I bring it out! It’s super durable, and I know cause he’ll pick it up and throw it around to get into the toy!”
“I purchased the Level 2 Hide and Slide for my 2 year old Husky and my almost 1 year old German Shepard. They have only played with the treat dispensing balls so I got the Level 2 game and it was super easy for them. I just purchased the Level 3 Twister for them to increase the difficulty. Still love and use the Hide and Slide but I want to expand the mind games for my dogs.”
“We bought several of these for the hounds and Tabbies for Christmas, and this was the one they could interact with the best and liked the most. Thanks!”
“I bought this for my nine-month old Border Collie, a clever and easily bored breed of dog! At first he was a bit scared of it and although I showed him how it worked, he left it in the middle of the room for a couple of hours. Curiosity got the better of him and although I had put two of the white bricks in, it didn’t take him more than a couple of minutes to work it out. A bit frustrating at first and he tried to eat the bricks! By the third try he pretty much had it worked out but it keeps him occupied checking that he’s found everything. People may be concerned about the number of treats given but I put slices of carrot, broccoli, etc., in there, which he likes. The instructions suggest putting string through the holes in the bricks. I did so and the dog did use it sometimes. If you’re going to suggest that though, manufacturer, perhaps put a length of string in the box. It adds to the cost to buy some.”
“I bought this for my nine-month old Border Collie, a clever and easily bored breed of dog! At first he was a bit scared of it and although I showed him how it worked, he left it in the middle of the room for a couple of hours. Curiosity got the better of him and although I had put two of the white bricks in, it didn’t take him more than a couple of minutes to work it out. A bit frustrating at first and he tried to eat the bricks! By the third try he pretty much had it worked out but it keeps him occupied checking that he’s found everything. People may be concerned about the number of treats given but I put slices of carrot, broccoli, etc., in there, which he likes. The instructions suggest putting string through the holes in the bricks. I did so and the dog did use it sometimes. If you’re going to suggest that though, manufacturer, perhaps put a length of string in the box. It adds to the cost to buy some.”
Nina Ottosson Treat Dispenser
Nina Ottosson Treat Dispenser Q&A
Question: Chance of my dog swallowing the bone covers? Would appreciate comments from anyone who has purchased this for their fur baby.
Question: Will this work for a large dog or are the moving parts too small? For reference my dog is over 80 lbs. Thanks!
Question: My little maltese is very smart. Most doggie puzzles but he solves in about 1 minute!! Looking for something very challenging. How hard is this one?
Question: do the bricks from the old style version (3 tiers) work in this unit as well? I currently cover 6 of the treats on our 3 tier unit.
Yes, the older Nina Ottosson bones can be used with this game.
Thank you and have a dog-gone good day!
Nina Ottosson Treat Dispenser Reviews
“My dog (10yo 17lb Jack Russell/poodle mix, light chewer, food motivated, smart enough to figure out kitchen cabinets) is a huge fan of every food puzzle I have gotten him, because, well, food! This one has kept his interest even after he figured out how to solve it, because now I only put kibbles in some of the compartments so he has to sniff out the right ones to open.
I set some ground rules for puzzles like this, and the dog figured them out quickly with consistent enforcement:
1) The puzzle starts when I say “all right”, and not a moment sooner (so I can fill puzzles where he can watch me doing it). If he tries to go for the puzzle before I give him the go-ahead, he gets physically blocked and told to “stay” (he knows stay).
2) No tipping the puzzle. If he tries to flip or tip any of these puzzle boards I immediately pick it up and keep it out of his reach for five minutes.
3) No chewing the puzzle. All removable parts of the puzzle are picked up as soon as he removes them. Mouthing the puzzle and using teeth to pick pieces up is okay, but if he tries to settle down for a chewing session with a piece, both the piece and the puzzle are picked up for five minutes. (He always has rubber toys and nylon bones available to him.)
After he has revealed almost all of the compartments (I don’t count or pay close attention now that he plays with puzzles gently), I say “all done!”, flip the puzzle upside down and shake to make sure it is emptied (usually one or two stray bits of food or treat fall out and are promptly eaten), and put it away out of reach.
“This is a well made toy, but it was too easy for my Golden Retriever because he simply flipped the entire thing over to dump all the treats out at once – lol! I therefore recommend this toy to smaller dogs.”
“My Standard Poodle mix who is 10, loves this puzzle. He is difficult to buy for, since almost every puzzle toy I’ve bought for him is too easy to keep him entertained. This puzzle was challenging for him when I first got it out of the box (I didn’t show him how to work the drawers and locks at all as an extra challenge), and it quickly became one of his favorites. This is also durable, as it was tested a few times during his frustrations when he would pick it up and throw it or try to dig the locks apart. I bought this back in February and I’ve waited to write a review until he finally mastered it to see if it would survive. Overall, a well-made, difficult puzzle for a wicked-smart old man!”
“I bought this for my 1 year old cocker spaniel. The first time she tried it, it took her about 2 minutes to solve the puzzle. Soon after, though, she did it in seconds. The puzzle is sturdy and well-designed. In order to get to the treats, your dog has to first move the sliding part away and then move the cover off the place where the treat is. If the dog does this in the wrong order, he won’t be able to access all the treats. I noticed over the course of about 3 days, my dog figured all this out and now she is quite methodical in the way she moves the parts. But she still solves it in about 20 seconds but still likes solving the puzzle and getting the treats, even though it’s not much of a challenge any more.”
My husky/lab/mystery mix figured it out in about 5 minutes but she really enjoyed it. Unfortunaltly she doesn’t like normal dog toys and will only fetch a ball for a treat. It’s only puzzles like these that really grab her attention and this thing feels durable enough to last for years. Obviously I wouldn’t recommend this to a chewer and you should always supervise your dog with toys if they are. This is a puzzle, not a heavy duty rubber tire.”
7. Get your dog a furry brother or sister.
Adopting or rescuing another dog as a companion to your furry friend helps both animals. You give your existing animal someone to socialize with during the day and you save a life. This is entirely a personal choice on your part, but you need to ensure that any new animal coming into your home is healthy, has been vaccinated and vetted, and gets along with your dog. Reputable rescues will often allow you to foster first, and then adopt the dog of your choice to make sure the animal fits well with your family.
8. Give your dog a block of ice to play with.
Place your dog’s treats or some suitable food in an ice-cream container, fill with water, and freeze. Alternatively freeze a toy like a knotted rope in some water. As the ice melts, toys and treats become available for your dog. You can also use the Hero Freezies Dog Toy that you can simply fill and freeze for cool, refreshing fun on a hot day!
Hero Freezies Dog Toy
Hero Freezies Dog Toy Q&A
Question: How do you fill it with water. Has holes in both ends and water comes out.
Question: Does this float?
Hero Freezies Dog Toy Reviews
“Terrific idea and made well. My dogs just won’t play with it. Trying chicken broth popsicles next. My dogs are spoiled though. Chuckle.”
“Great item my dog loved it for teething and she loved to pull on the rope then stop and chew on the frozen ball. I have a 6 month golden and she had a ball with this toy.”
“This is a great frizbee with ice. My dog loves it. My only complaint is that the ice falls out when thrown so it is not an ideal indoor toy.”
“Awesome, tough toy. Logan lost his first one in thick brush, had to order another! Currently his favorite toy. Floats in ocean and lake water.”
“Cannot rate accurately, as this was a donated gift directly to the Ventura County Humane Society.”
9. Schedule a Puppy Playdate
Schedule playdates with the pets of a trusted neighbor or family member. Allow a pet parent you trust – and who owns a dog that your pet knows well – to come over and have a playdate with your pup. Make sure that both animals enjoy each other’s company and play well together before trying this activity. Leave your veterinarian’s name and phone number with the other pet parent just in case of an emergency.
10. Enroll you pooch in doggy daycare
If your dog is well-socialized and enjoys the company of other pets, send her off to doggy daycare while you’re working. Reputable pet care facilities employ staff trained in ways to keep your pup safe and active. Find one in your area that fits your schedule and schedule a tour and an interview with management and staff. Make sure you get references and recommendations from pet owners that use the facility before you leave your precious companion for the day.
11. Employ a dog walker to exercise your pet daily.
Many reputable pet care facilities include a dog walking service. They send a bonded, experienced person to your home to walk your pooch on regularly scheduled visits. For those pet parents whose workdays run long, a dog walker may be the only way your pooch can get some much needed exercise. We love using Rover.com. You download an app to your phone and are able to hire a dog walker to come over once, or many times. The service is super easy to use, and the dog walkers are professional.
I highly recommend that you also get a GPS tracker for your dog, that way when your dog is out walking with the dog walker you know exactly where your pooch is every step of the way. The tracker I have for my dogs is from Tractive. Works well, easy to use app and affordable.
12. Purchase Dog Dental Chews
Giving your dog plenty of her own toys and dental chews will help prevent her from gnawing on your things. Additionally, dental chews help to keep her teeth clean and freshen her breath. We make our own dental chews and stand behind them 100%.
13. Introduce a new toy
A new toy can add some excitement during the day while your dog is home alone. A tough chew toy that can’t be torn apart while you’re gone is best, just in case your dog likes to gobble things up. Also rotate her toys…after a day or two, put one toy away so it’s out of sight and mind, and bring out another to replace it. This will keep all of your pet’s toys fresh and exciting. Check out these awesome toys.
14. Add a fountain.
Making sure your dog has enough water for the day while no one is home is very important, and a dog fountain can provide a constant supply of clean fresh water while also piquing your dog’s interest. Many dogs love water and the running water of a fountain can create a diversion for your dog. Be sure to have the regular bowl of water out just in case your dog does not take to the fountain while you’re away. Try this PetSafe Drinkwell fountain. Dogs love this and it is a best seller for a reason:
BONUS TIP
15.Get A Furbo Dog Camera
We highly recommend a Furbo Dog Camera. It allows you to see, talk and toss treats to your dog from anywhere. This way you can chat with your dog while you’re at work AND throw dog treats to your pup remotely! You’ll even get a daily summary video with all of your dogs activities!