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Yep, the best thing to keep them busy for a while. My 3 year old Malinois loves his frozen Kongs. I just stuff them with kibble that's soaked in water.
My puppy just had emergency surgery to remove part of a kong. Make sure you update the sizes of the kong for your pets weight so they can't bite it apart.
Omg wow, okay so I just watched this today. I’ve had the KONG for as long as I’ve had my dog (3 years) and she just never seemed to use it right. She also always seemed to be bored of it too. But today after I watched this, I filled it up with the KONG easy treat and some of her favorite treats (only a little bit though) and she was going at it for a good 15 minutes and actually finished it too. I honestly thought she’d give up. Next time I’m totally going to freeze it and see how it goes. Thanks so much for this helpful video!! 😄
If I didn't use Kong, my dog probably wouldn't be eating at all,as she does not want to eat from the classic bowl. Kong is so helpful for non-eating dogs,because there's a little play with food at the same time. It's fine to load some of them and watch,how they are being emptied by the dog. I am grateful for that pretty invention,thanks to which my dog can eat and play.Beautiful video-thank You very much :-))
I never even knew people did this to feed their dogs. I’ve been looking into these because my dog loves to eat and he gets so bored being outside while Im at work. This looks promising. Thanks for the information ! :)
Excellent - yes giving your dogs kongs and puzzle toys while in the yard can prevent the bad behavior that can develop in the yard such as barking, digging, etc.
You can definitely put treats in too! I like to top the top and bottom off with stinky treats and then use their rations in the middle to make sure their not getting too much food that's calorie dense. But definitely experiment with what works for your pup!
Great video! Getting a puppy tomorrow and I’ve bought a kong. However, I was wondering wether I should give her her meals from the kong straight away or start off with feeding them from the bowl.
It depends what you're feeding but I would start with just putting loose kibble in the kong so all they need to do is knock it over and the kibble will fall out. This will teach them how to work with a puzzle toy and how rewarding it is. If you feed raw I would put some in and some on the outside and not freeze it. You have to train some puppies to use the KONG. Also, some young puppies don't have the attention span for it. I would try using the KONG and if they aren't into it, hand feed them to make sure they get all the nutrition they need, and then return to the KONG once their appetite/attention span is up :)
Hey WeiseGuy - you definitely can, however, I typically start by just putting their dry food in and letting them knock it out of the KONG so they learn that they can eat from them easily and without frustration. You'll want to measure their meals for the day and put some of the meal in the KONG, just so you're making sure they get all the food they need for the day. Some pups take a few weeks to get into it and some take to it right away. Another trick is to fill the KONG with their food, then top with a smear of peanut butter. They lick off the peanut butter and all the rest of the food falls out and the young puppy feels successful and rewarded. Good luck with your new pup!
Great video! So many new ideas to try with my new puppy. I do have a question about one of the items in the video. What brand and flavor of meat roll is on your table? Where can that be purchased? Do you cut them up for training treats too?
The meat roll is actually raw grinds from Bravo. You can typically find similar raw at your local natural dog food store, but you can also buy directly from certain companies like Top Quality Dog, depending on where you're located. Also check out this video which might have even more ideas for you :) ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
It does not have to be organic. It does have to be 100% pumpkin and not "pumpkin pie filling" which has additional spices we don't want our dog to have. Hope that helps!
My puppy has unlimited energy. I have a 6 months old toy poodle and I'll take him outside to play fetch, then do some obedience training outdoors and take him for a walk - at least for 30-45 minutes. He'll also play with other dogs outside. He gets plenty of chances to sniff around.I. also do trick training. with him daily, for about 3 short session. But when we come back, he doesn't seem tired at all. He'll keep running round like crazy. Demands playtime indoors too (we don't let him choose when its playtime, he gets at least two 30 minutes of play indoors when he wakes up and after his dinner). Kongs, other interactive toys like treat dispensing balls and puzzles are our savior. My puppy is extremely intelligent and learns a new puzzle in a matter of minutes. We just ordered another kong and more challenging puzzles because that's the only way we can keep him busy when we have work or chores.
Those poodles are quite busy little pups! The nice thing about a KONG is that it can also help teach young puppies to settle and have an "off-switch" by combining it with a crate or tether training. Good luck with your pup!
@@DoggyU we are crate training him but he is only calm in there if he can see us. I give him kongs, frozen licky mats and chews (if I can supervise). He will start whining if I’m not in eye sight. We still have a lot of work to do apperently.
@@edagrlr you may want to consider training it similar to a stay. Dog goes in crate, close door, open door, treat. Once successful without whining, move on to close door, take one step back, one step forward treat etc. progress slowly to being out of sight.
Really depends on the dog and how much they eat. I typically use it as a portion of their meal and subtract some kibble from their typical ration. But sometimes they get it as an extra. I keep an eye on my dogs weight and adjust accordingly. If I use a large Toppl then that’s typically a meal because it holds more: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.htmlsi=pqxBcmyc-Z16eAkU
Hi Sarah! Glad you found this video helpful! If you liked this one, you might enjoy this video on Toppl's too. It's a bit more updated and it's my other go-to toy/food combo: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
@@DoggyU THANK YOU!!! Great link to a new way to help my dog!!! She’s a beautiful German Shepherd that has DM. I’m wanting this kind of enrichment for her! You’re so helpful!!!
@@SueDamron You're welcome Sarah! Not sure if this is helpful but my old man loves this food puzzle toy too. It's less stationary but doesn't go very far. I like to put it in the grass so it's a bit harder for him: ruclips.net/video/l2QwfdY76ek/видео.html
@@DoggyU, Wow! Thank you again! I’m going to work on the first two because I want her to be able to relax more like she does with a rawhide bone that I’ve removed from her as a source. I have subscribed so I will be looking for more of your wonderful ideas!! Feel free to point me in any direction you feel is helpful too!!! You’re very kind!!
I rinse them out to make sure there's no meat pieces left and then throw them in the dishwasher. If they are icky you can use a bottle brush and soap before tossing them in the dishwasher.
Excellent! Let me know how it goes! If they have never had it before, I would not freeze it and if he gets through it real quick, freeze it for the next meal!
So a small amount of yogurt has beneficial probiotics (1 tbsp or so) and is typically fine for most dogs, but I would consult with your vet to see what they think is best for your dog. Pumpkin is pretty safe though (just less tasty lol!) :)
It really depends on the size of the KONG you use and the type of kibble, however, I typically train with some portion of my kibble, and then give them the KONG that is pre-filled with the rest. This way they get trained a couple times a day with the food I was already going to feed them! :)
Each puppy is different. You may be using a bit too much (I do about 1 tbsp mixed with kibble), or try applesauce instead and see how your pup does with that!
@@DoggyU yes! That’s the best advice I took! I started with frozen the other day and he lost interest fast, when I saw you mention to let them learn to eat from there with easy contents I was like OHHHHH no wonder😅😅 thanks so much!! I tried today and he didn’t cry when I left the house and fell asleep after ♥️
hi. i have a extra small kong for puppys , my dog is small medium breed , and has 2 months ... i put small kibles with peanut butter mixed and shoved into the kong , but the dog eats only wherever he can reach with his tongue , after that he loses interest. :( help !
Hi Jean! This is really common with young dogs. The KONG is probably a bit too small but also check out this toy - it's a really good option for a young puppy so they don't lose interest: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
Hi Daniela - I freeze them during all weather. They are typically fed inside the house in the crate so temperature doesn't matter but they will eat them outside when it's cold too :)
So my 11 month old beagle has stopped eating food since 5 days. He only likes to eat sausage sticks and fish sticks. and no kibble rice etc. He's super choosy about food. Pls tell me what should i do to make him start eating food. As i mentioned, he's super super choosy, there is no one particular thing he likes. How do i train him for Kong, also is it a good idea?
This video was very informative, thank you! What size KONG do you recommend for a medium sized labradoodle (about 30 pounds)? I’ve heard that you should always go a size up to eliminate choking and make it a little easier for them to access the food. Do you agree with this?
Thanks for the feedback! :) I would give a 30 lb labradoodle a size Large. I have a 30 lb Coolie who is not really a choking risk just based on her style of eating, but the medium size is too easy and she gets through it really quickly. The large gives her more meat, plus a longer amount of time with the KONG. So I would go large both to reduce risk and lengthen the amount of time you get out of the activity. Happy Training!
DoggyU Thank you for the fast reply! I have the larger size already and wanted to make sure that it was suitable for my dog. She will be trying her first KONG today!
Awesome! Yeah the XL will be the size of her head - way too big! Have fun, and try it without freezing it first so you can teach her how to use it. Sometimes I just put kibble in on the first day and let it fall out easily so they are motivated to work for it, if you have a hesitant dog. If you have a very food motivated dog, go ahead and put a substrate in there like pumpkin to make it harder, then eventually freeze it for ultimate difficulty and an awesome cool summer treat!
How much do you feed your dogs a day? Do you assume one meat stuffed kong as a 1/3 or 1/2 of his/hers daily portion? I never know if I'm over feeding or under with the addition of snacks and such... I have a 4 month old lab!
So my answer isn't super helpful as I generally just monitor my dog's weight and if I feel like they are getting a little heavy I decrease their food intake and if I feel they are getting a little light, I increase it. That being said, I would probably measure how much food you can fit in whatever size KONG you have and subtract that from your daily ration. When I'm training with my dogs as young pups with kibble, I tend to measure the entire day's ration out and put it on the counter and then I know I'm not overfeeding as I take some for every meal to train with. You could see how much you're fitting in the KONG and then just subtract it and then you would know for sure how much of their ration a KONG replaces. :) If you're using raw meat you will have to go by weight. There's some really good raw feeding advice groups on facebook if you're looking to learn more about that!
So funny! You feed raw exactly how I feed it.” Grooooooosssss” 😂 but the dogs love it so I do it for them. I’m definitely getting more kings. I think I tossed them because the dogs just weren’t ever into it. I think I just need to change how I fill them and try it like yours. Either that or there’s one hidden in the back of the freezer I forgot about…………
My puppy is very small (weights 3 kg) and his calories intake is very little, so I unfortunately think things like peanut butter and even iogurt wont work for us. What can I use that is very light and can hold the kibble together? I am thinking on wet dog food, it has low calories and can still hold it (100g of wet food = 122 kcal, and I wont use even half of that) -- But I am open and needing some suggestions, his KONG is coming today. I had to buy one after him vomitting for eating a corner of the room wall.
Some lower calorie options would be applesauce, pumpkin, a dab of wet food, as well as just soaking his normal ration in a bit of chicken broth to soften it before freezing. Also, if your dog is small enough that its hard for him to get everything out of the KONG, you can also try the Toppl toy: amzn.to/2HHxnHj Hope that helps!
The Kong may be too big for your young pup. You may need to use a Toppl until the pup is a bit bigger and has the stamina and size he needs to get to the bottom: amzn.to/2RDb4Ev
Don't freeze it, or put kibble in the bottom and freeze something in just the top portion so when they get through the first inch, all the kibble falls out like a jackpot. It will train them to persevere. Alternatively, use a Toppl instead: amzn.to/3CKEMgQ Hope that helps!
It’s easier for them to digest and of course it’s natural some dog foods and be filled with salt for shelf life and raw meat also is good for their coat and teeth you probably already got your dog but I suggest putting them on das meat my 5month old bully and 1 year old pit bull are both on raw meat diet and they love it
@@rnmikey Hi Denise! Different people will have different opinions on raw. I would consult with your vet and also some of the raw feeding groups on facebook. That being said, I feed it daily to my dogs and they both enjoy it and are afforded wonderful health. No one believes that my cattledog is over 11 years old because his coat and body are in such good shape!
Thanks, what a wonderful Kong refresher! I’m curious about how you clean your Kongs-? The Kong website recommends warm water with dish soap plus a bottle brush, toothbrush and/or chopstick as needed and adds that you may also use your dishwasher’s top rack. My dishwasher left one of my red Kongs so dulled and bleached-looking I hesitate to use that method. But they’re hard to get really clean by hand which seems like a particular concern with raw food. So I wonder how you manage?
Hi Earth Wendy! Thanks so much for your comment! Yeah my dogs lick them completely free of any food debris (they are VERY thorough lol!) and so I just rinse them and then put them in the dishwasher. One of my red ones did get like how you mentioned but none of the others have so I'm not sure why that happens. Maybe reach out to the company? I've found them to be helpful in the past. Sorry I can't be of more help on that one! But I do agree that getting them really clean is important! If your dog doesn't reach all the way to the bottom, you can always throw dry kibble in the bottom and then wet on top. That will minimize things being left in the bottom.
@@DoggyU Great ideas and tips! Thank you! Really love your channel. Always upbeat with great pacing, packed with useful info, and features so many bright doggie scholars. Found it searching for examples of well-educated Koolies. :-)
@@earth2wendy ooo you're a Koolie person!!! Yay! You'll find a lot of CoolWhip content here lol! Are you a Koolie owner in Australia? or one of the countries they've migrated to? lol
@@DoggyU Oh dear, so sorry to disappoint! Not a Koolie owner just admirer:) Only learned of them recently after decades of interest in herding breeds, first English shepherds, and now a rescue BC-got him at 2, now 12. So…thinking ahead. I’m curious and learning. How are they different from kelpies, from BCs, etc. So it’s really fun to see you with yours! A happy koolie in a super-enriched home. Just the best! :-) I’m in Idaho, btw, nowhere so exotic as Australia! ;-D
@@earth2wendy hahah it's good to do research since they are more of a rare breed in the US and can have a quirky personality. Feel free to message me on instagram @doggy.u if you want to chat Koolies vs. other herding breeds :)
My German Shepherd (5 months old) was using his stuffed Black Kong for the past month and today got his lower jaw stuck on the hole. I freed him and he went right back at it and got stuck again!! Guess I'll wait a couple months till he gets bigger and only his tongue will fit.
Yikes! That's scary! Definitely sounds like the wrong size for now. I would consider trying the Toppl toy instead, which serves the same function but can be easier for most dogs and very difficult to have the problem you experienced above: amzn.to/3G4XGUi Here's a video on them: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
That's awesome! I bet your little pug is glad you found KONG's! Check out our training videos too - step by step instructions for those new to training! :)
Hahah yes! I still have two baby-Whip KONGs. Also, I think I like my Toppl video better for puppies, not sure if you've seen it but it's slightly more updated: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
Thanks Inercia for taking the time to comment! Happy training! also check out our Toppl video for even more ideas and applications of puzzle toys: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
Lee Vuletich thanks for your question! My dogs typically get about 3 a day but also train with treats/ kibble throughout the day. You would want to measure your dogs ration and see how many Kongs it fills. Then you would have a good idea about how many Kongs it would take for a meal.
My 4 month old never seems to get anything out down deep. So I end up just topping them. Loose kibble will fall out but p. butter etc ends up just sitting there if I fill it.
Does the kong always need to be used as a meal? For example: If I'm leaving the house and want to incorporate a kong to help with soothing in a crate, should this replace one of my puppy's meals or could it just be considered a treat?
Hi Vanessa - the KONG can definitely be used as a treat. You just want to make sure you don't overfeed your dog so if you're giving lots of KONGs it would be wise to decrease their food ration a bit. Hope that helps! :)
Very helpful video, but I do have a question. If I'm feeding an entire meal from a Kong, will a small puppy be able to get all the kibble out? We are getting a Coton de Tulear in a few weeks and it's going to be a tiny little thing (4-5lbs). I've never actually seen footage of a tiny dog using a Kong, and I'm worried being so small he won't be able to get the food out. I've been advised to only hand or Kong feed for the first few weeks but I feel like a Kong would be too hard for him to get all his meal out. He's going to have such a little snout. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
Hi Shoonasasi - Yes! You will just need the much smaller KONGs. You could also use a different puzzle toy if you find the KONG is a little too hard. Something like this might work! amzn.to/2H8kaUi - it might take a bit of experimenting, but you'll find some type of puzzle toy that will work well for your pup! Just give her a couple weeks to get used to it :)
Mia - yes you CAN! :) I would mix it with some dry food or veggies though because lots of canned dog food can be pretty high in calories. But, yes! Works great!
@@MiaMia-zn8fv I recommend starting new puppies off without it frozen so they learn to use the toy, and then start freezing it to make it last longer! :)
@@taylormoe96 Typically I feed them through training or out of a puzzle toy like the Wobbler. I also like using these: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
Hi Samantha - try the West Paw Toppl instead - it's easier to access the bottom so most dogs fine it easier to finish. You can find ideas for that here: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
My brother was using a Kong for his German Shepard, Ares. A piece of the Kong broke off and got lodged in his intestines. It caused a blockage and he had to have emergency surgery. He almost died. After that I have been too afraid to use Kongs.
I'm so sorry that happened to your family. That's so scary! They do make KONGs in various levels of toughness and if you have a heavy chewer, I recommend the black KONG. That being said, any toy could potentially break or be digested so always watch your dog when using a toy to make sure they aren't able to chew through it before leaving them alone with it. You could also try Toppl toys instead: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
We have a 10lb chihuahua terrier mix who just licks things out of the kong. Is there a better toy with a similar purpose? She's having a hard time getting all the food out.
Hi Ricky - yes! I love this toy for getting reluctant dogs into using puzzle toys. I would get the small one :) ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
Hi M B - someone asked this a long time ago, so I looked it up and yes, as long as you dethaw it in the fridge and then refreeze, you're good. My meat is typically pretty cold bordering on frozen when I stuff the KONGs.
Thanks for the tips. Any suggestions on keeping the mess down when using frozen Kongs? I typically soak my kibble to get it a bit soft then stuff the Kong and freeze it. When I give it to my pooch there is always a nasty puddle in the area she was eating. I also noticed that she doesn't even start working at it unitl it's defrosted a bit. Too smart for her own good I guess.
Hi Ann - So typically I feed them in a crate, outside or on a towel (my dogs are trained to stay with their KONG or chew on a dog towel that I can easily throw in the wash. I even put one in the crate with them to eat on). So I would throw down an old towel that you can easily clean. Also, as far as the defrosting, maybe fill your kongs 3/4 of the way for freezing and then add some fresh right before you give it to her so that she's immediately engaged with the toy. Then her licking will kickstart the defrosting process. Hope that helps! :)
Thanks for fast reply. Great tip on the towel. She likes to wander with her Kong. Sounds like I need to go back to the trainiing drawing board. I will try the 3/4 idea, thanks again.
Hey Ann - sometimes when I have a wanderer, I start tether training (I actually start all my puppies on tether training) to teach them to stay put with the toy. Then as they get older they don't need the tether because they are so conditioned to stay on their bed. Here is a link: amzn.to/2jKVZ2N Happy Training!
Any tips for making sure you aren’t over or under feeding when using Kong’s? My pooch never seems to want to go after the last bit at the end. For as food crazy as she normally is....scavenging for every scrap....this surprises me. Tips?
Hi Jenna - you can definitely use peanut butter! I just don't use a ton of it since it's high in fat. If you do use it, use a tablespoon or two and mix it with their regular food so everything is coated and easily frozen. have fun!
I love the info, but audio on your production hurts my ears. I want to see more of your info, but I suggest you record from a better venue. Maybe even carpeted floors would help. Again, thanks for the info! My dog is much happier these days...
Hi Steve! We launched in October and I'm brand new to RUclips. Still working out the kinks and hoping to get a mic at some point. If you want to donate one to the cause, let me know ;) Glad you enjoyed the content!
Hi Jeanine - thank you so much for supporting the channel! Make sure you subscribe - I'll be releasing more free training videos every week for the next few months! :)
Loved you video. Could you please tell me which size kong would be suitable for my beagle of 1 year first time using a kong and he loves to chew a lot what size would you recommend and durable
Depends on how big your beagle is, but if he's a heavy chewer and he's a larger beagle, I would recommend the size Large Kong Extreme: amzn.to/2t2dikQ. If he's smaller, you could go with a medium, but my 30 lb Coolie easily uses the large. Let me know how it goes! :)
I think if he's a heavy chewer I'd go with the large black extreme kong - but you know your dog best - if you think it's better to start out with a medium red, it's an easier chew. It really depends how heavy a chewer he is :)
We have to be careful when playing with this toy with our dog she won't tell us when she has had enough when we throw it she has never love any other toy more then this one so it's works 😁maybe a little to well it won't calm her it hypes her up but best toy ever invented
Thank you for the feedback! :) I'm sure they will love it! Also check out some of my other puppy videos featuring an Akita I was working with who loved his KONG! :)
Hey. great video. I have a question. If you feed your dogs only from kongs wont that take a long time? Or do you give them the kong and the rest on the bowl once they are finished?
Hi Jorge - yes it does take a long time, and that's my goal! I want them entertained for 30-60 minutes when given a KONG. I typically train for a few minutes with some kibble, then put them in their crates to chew on their KONG while i'm doing work. I also use the largest size KONG that is appropriate for my size dogs. The goal is to have them work for their food, get tired, and then relax :)
Rikki Tikki You can definitely use peanut butter, but if you are watching your dogs fat/calorie intake, it is the highest in the bunch. So if you need something lighter, the pumpkin or yogurt with kibble is a better bet. You can also use mashed sweet potato!
yeah boy ?????? How is that perverted? He didn’t say “well how about peanut butter on my ball sack?!” I’m pretty sure that he asked a legit question lol 😂
Great video!! I have a 4month old cocker spaniel who’s teething and gnawing at everything.. she playfully bites us too but her baby teeth r really sharp.. which kong do u recommend for her..?
Once the dog understands and is successfully getting all the filling out of an unfrozen KONG, I up the challenge and freeze it. My dog's get frozen meat KONGs at least once a day :)
When feeding kibble from a kong do you feed all the kibble that way? (minus what you use for training) is there a concern around giving too much of the yogurt or pumpkin? do you have info on feeding raw and kibble? our corgi pup is coming home and I want to make sure we feed him the right stuff in the right amounts from the start
Hi Anna - I am only putting about a tablespoon of yogurt and maybe slightly more pumpkin to coat the kibble. Typically, I am only using kibble to train, and raw is in all my KONGs. I just wanted to give people who dont feed raw the option that I have used with other clients and my own dogs in a pinch. I am not an expert on dog nutrition so you may want to talk to your vet about the raw/kibble feeding, as well as some of the other groups on facebook that deal specifically in raw. I can only tell you want I do with my dogs, which is a diet of kibble for training, raw in the KONGs and dehydrated raw for travel and sometimes in KONGs :)
DoggyU thanks so much for the response! I had it in my head there was a lot more yogurt etc. but that makes total sense. is there a raw group you reccomend? with our pup being a corgi I want to be careful about him not being overweight and having back or neuro issues because of it.
There's a facebook group called Raw Feeding Advice and Support that might be helpful, as well as speaking with a vet or dog nutritionist in your area (again, not a nutritionist, just a trainer :))
Because they are frozen, they tend to not be too messy because the dog is licking the meat out as it defrosts. I never have too much of a mess, but typically put a "dog towel" down that i can throw in the wash if it gets dirty. Or you could always feed outside and have no clean up :)
This was my concern, getting salmonella or sticky, smelly peanut butter on the rug Should we restrict the Kong feeding in a crate? Otherwise wouldn’t raw meat or peanut butter would get all over the house? Thanks for any advice!!
Jason Roos my dogs also get raw marrow bones and necks which clean their teeth. They both have very healthy mouths (vet says my older dog’s mouth looks like he’s 4 when he’s really 8 pushing 9). Also if you’ll notice in the video I feed them in the crate or on their dog bed with a dog blanket on the top that’s easily cleaned. You don’t have to feed them on the carpet ;)
Hey! Great video! I have a question: I have a miniature dachshund (4 months old) and when I freeze the kong with any type of paste he can't seem to get the food off (even I have trouble getting it out to clean). I tried once with mashed bananas and kibble and after a while he just gave up, I think it could be because his tongue is still very small. He's a very vigorous chewer so the puppy version is not an option (he has the red one). Do you have any suggestions? Am I doing anything wrong?
Hi Maria - so I would start with unfrozen kongs, maybe even just kibble and a tiny bit of banana so its REALLY easy until he gets the hang out it. Once he gets an easy one, try a harder unfrozen one (lots of banana and kibble), then once he masters non-frozen and challenging, then start freezing. A little bit of canned food at the bottom also might really incentivize him. I try to do something really stinky towards the bottom. Additionally, if they don't get everything out, you can use a bottle brush to clean them and also throw them in the top rack of the dishwasher. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for your quick reply!!! :) He manages just fine when it's only kibble (throws it until it all comes out), the trouble begins when I add something stickier. Will definitely try to phase it ;) Thanks again xx
Hey Abbey - try just putting in dry kibble in the KONG or move to this toy for the time being while your pup figures out how to use food toys: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
This is the only toy my dog has ever had that she hasn’t destroyed, she thought herself to throw it. Sometimes she gets up at night to play with her Kong ball, wakes everyone up and makes us laugh.
Are there dogs that actually behave appropriately in any normal situation WITHOUT having to be fed all the time?????? I almost feel like we're programming these dogs to expect to be fed constantly (whether it be treats of meals) just to "live" normally with us? Now I've had dogs in the past (and family dogs growing up) and I can't recall any of them who had to be constantly fed in order to behave? Am I missing something here?
Using food is all about creating positive associations and preventing problems before they arise. You're going to feed your dog anyways, so why not use it to get better behavior from your dog. The food doesn't need to be permanent but it helps set up a dog for success. Think of teaching a kindergartener to function in a classroom. You don't just expect them to behave - you show them what they should do: here's a desk - you get to color when you sit at your desk (reward!). As they get older, they don't get to color, but they've still patterned the sitting at the desk behavior and no longer have to be shown how to do that. When I have a puppy, I want to show it what I want: ie. lie here quietly in the crate. Then I help them get it right by giving them a food toy. Now I can crate my dog everywhere silently, without the use of food, because practiced behavior persists. But guess what, I do still give my dog a KONG or similar most days when I leave him. Why? Because he's a working dog who was bred to work all day and I am the one who brought him into the house, and told him to lie around part of the day when he was bred to be outside driving cattle or working sheep, so I want to give him mentally stimulating things to do as the human that brought him into the home. Because in the long run that's good for me, and good for my dog, and he deserves a life full of mental challenges, physical challenges and enrichment.
What do you stuff your KONGs with?
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Yep, the best thing to keep them busy for a while.
My 3 year old Malinois loves his frozen Kongs. I just stuff them with kibble that's soaked in water.
How long do you soak the kibble in water?
@@karatechickadee Not too long, about 2 to 3 minutes, I don't want them to get all soggy. And I put some peanut butter on top. he loves that 🙂
My puppy just had emergency surgery to remove part of a kong. Make sure you update the sizes of the kong for your pets weight so they can't bite it apart.
I'm so sorry that happened to you. Yes, you need to adjust both size and strength of the KONG (ei. classic, extreme etc.) based on your dog's needs.
Omg wow, okay so I just watched this today. I’ve had the KONG for as long as I’ve had my dog (3 years) and she just never seemed to use it right. She also always seemed to be bored of it too. But today after I watched this, I filled it up with the KONG easy treat and some of her favorite treats (only a little bit though) and she was going at it for a good 15 minutes and actually finished it too. I honestly thought she’d give up. Next time I’m totally going to freeze it and see how it goes. Thanks so much for this helpful video!! 😄
That's awesome! :)
Thank you for the video the kongs have really helped me as a 1st time dog owner with my labrabull his seperation anxiety is insane lol
Separation anxiety can be tough, but having a structured Kong regimen can be helpful (along with other types of training).
If I didn't use Kong, my dog probably wouldn't be eating at all,as she does not want to eat from the classic bowl. Kong is so helpful for non-eating dogs,because there's a little play with food at the same time. It's fine to load some of them and watch,how they are being emptied by the dog. I am grateful for that pretty invention,thanks to which my dog can eat and play.Beautiful video-thank You very much :-))
Hi Halina! Thanks for sharing your story! When my puppy was young, she also wouldn't eat from a bowl but loved to eat out of puzzle toys! :)
We've been Kong feeding our pibble since she was 5 weeks old. These techniques are amazing!!!!!
Yay for KONGs!
Thank you so much for these ideas. I just got my whippet pointer n they are sooo food motivated. I really needed this to help train my pup
That's awesome! Congrats on your new pup and thanks for commenting!
Thanks for all the good tips, our dogs are going to love this!
Let me know how it goes! :)
I never even knew people did this to feed their dogs. I’ve been looking into these because my dog loves to eat and he gets so bored being outside while Im at work. This looks promising. Thanks for the information ! :)
Excellent - yes giving your dogs kongs and puzzle toys while in the yard can prevent the bad behavior that can develop in the yard such as barking, digging, etc.
IF I GIVE THAT TO MY DOG HE WILL GO ON STRIKE WITH A SIGN THAT SAY WHERE THE BEEF, WHERE THE BEEF!!
Do I have to fill this with normal dog food or can I put treats in there too?
You can definitely put treats in too! I like to top the top and bottom off with stinky treats and then use their rations in the middle to make sure their not getting too much food that's calorie dense. But definitely experiment with what works for your pup!
DoggyU ok ill try that
Great video! Getting a puppy tomorrow and I’ve bought a kong. However, I was wondering wether I should give her her meals from the kong straight away or start off with feeding them from the bowl.
It depends what you're feeding but I would start with just putting loose kibble in the kong so all they need to do is knock it over and the kibble will fall out. This will teach them how to work with a puzzle toy and how rewarding it is. If you feed raw I would put some in and some on the outside and not freeze it. You have to train some puppies to use the KONG. Also, some young puppies don't have the attention span for it. I would try using the KONG and if they aren't into it, hand feed them to make sure they get all the nutrition they need, and then return to the KONG once their appetite/attention span is up :)
So needed these recipes for my greyhound! Thankyou.
Can you start a new puppy (8-12 weeks) on the puppy kong for feeding?
Hey WeiseGuy - you definitely can, however, I typically start by just putting their dry food in and letting them knock it out of the KONG so they learn that they can eat from them easily and without frustration. You'll want to measure their meals for the day and put some of the meal in the KONG, just so you're making sure they get all the food they need for the day. Some pups take a few weeks to get into it and some take to it right away. Another trick is to fill the KONG with their food, then top with a smear of peanut butter. They lick off the peanut butter and all the rest of the food falls out and the young puppy feels successful and rewarded. Good luck with your new pup!
Great video! So many new ideas to try with my new puppy. I do have a question about one of the items in the video. What brand and flavor of meat roll is on your table? Where can that be purchased? Do you cut them up for training treats too?
The meat roll is actually raw grinds from Bravo. You can typically find similar raw at your local natural dog food store, but you can also buy directly from certain companies like Top Quality Dog, depending on where you're located. Also check out this video which might have even more ideas for you :) ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
Does it have to be organic pumpkin purée?
It does not have to be organic. It does have to be 100% pumpkin and not "pumpkin pie filling" which has additional spices we don't want our dog to have. Hope that helps!
@@DoggyU oh yes thats very true. Appreciate it
@@JulienneCooksatHome you're welcome! Happy Training!
My puppy has unlimited energy. I have a 6 months old toy poodle and I'll take him outside to play fetch, then do some obedience training outdoors and take him for a walk - at least for 30-45 minutes. He'll also play with other dogs outside. He gets plenty of chances to sniff around.I. also do trick training. with him daily, for about 3 short session. But when we come back, he doesn't seem tired at all. He'll keep running round like crazy. Demands playtime indoors too (we don't let him choose when its playtime, he gets at least two 30 minutes of play indoors when he wakes up and after his dinner). Kongs, other interactive toys like treat dispensing balls and puzzles are our savior. My puppy is extremely intelligent and learns a new puzzle in a matter of minutes. We just ordered another kong and more challenging puzzles because that's the only way we can keep him busy when we have work or chores.
Those poodles are quite busy little pups! The nice thing about a KONG is that it can also help teach young puppies to settle and have an "off-switch" by combining it with a crate or tether training. Good luck with your pup!
@@DoggyU we are crate training him but he is only calm in there if he can see us. I give him kongs, frozen licky mats and chews (if I can supervise). He will start whining if I’m not in eye sight. We still have a lot of work to do apperently.
@@edagrlr you may want to consider training it similar to a stay. Dog goes in crate, close door, open door, treat. Once successful without whining, move on to close door, take one step back, one step forward treat etc. progress slowly to being out of sight.
Is this for treats through out the day or do you have their main meals in the kongs?
Really depends on the dog and how much they eat. I typically use it as a portion of their meal and subtract some kibble from their typical ration. But sometimes they get it as an extra. I keep an eye on my dogs weight and adjust accordingly.
If I use a large Toppl then that’s typically a meal because it holds more: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.htmlsi=pqxBcmyc-Z16eAkU
Very helpful information!! Thank you!! I needed something simple and clear!!!
Hi Sarah! Glad you found this video helpful! If you liked this one, you might enjoy this video on Toppl's too. It's a bit more updated and it's my other go-to toy/food combo: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
@@DoggyU THANK YOU!!! Great link to a new way to help my dog!!! She’s a beautiful German Shepherd that has DM. I’m wanting this kind of enrichment for her! You’re so helpful!!!
@@SueDamron You're welcome Sarah! Not sure if this is helpful but my old man loves this food puzzle toy too. It's less stationary but doesn't go very far. I like to put it in the grass so it's a bit harder for him: ruclips.net/video/l2QwfdY76ek/видео.html
@@DoggyU, Wow! Thank you again! I’m going to work on the first two because I want her to be able to relax more like she does with a rawhide bone that I’ve removed from her as a source. I have subscribed so I will be looking for more of your wonderful ideas!! Feel free to point me in any direction you feel is helpful too!!! You’re very kind!!
@@SueDamron You're welcome Sarah! It's awesome that you're doing so much to help your pup be comfortable and enriched! Happy Training!
?? How do you clean and disinfect your Kong‘s. After the Raw meat. ??
Thank you for the video.
I rinse them out to make sure there's no meat pieces left and then throw them in the dishwasher. If they are icky you can use a bottle brush and soap before tossing them in the dishwasher.
Even I fill Yummy Kong for Angel frequently 😊😊
Great information. Going to try the kibble and yogurt to feed my pup his lunch.
Excellent! Let me know how it goes! If they have never had it before, I would not freeze it and if he gets through it real quick, freeze it for the next meal!
Dogs can eat yogurt? I thought diary was not good for them? However will try the pumpkin 🎃 idea!
So a small amount of yogurt has beneficial probiotics (1 tbsp or so) and is typically fine for most dogs, but I would consult with your vet to see what they think is best for your dog. Pumpkin is pretty safe though (just less tasty lol!) :)
great video! i guess you’d have to buy quite a few kongs just for one feeding if kibble. doesnt look like they hold too much.
It really depends on the size of the KONG you use and the type of kibble, however, I typically train with some portion of my kibble, and then give them the KONG that is pre-filled with the rest. This way they get trained a couple times a day with the food I was already going to feed them! :)
Excellent tips!
Thanks Jessif!
I have found that plain greek yogurt (and cheese) makesmy puppy's stool very soft. Is this common?
Each puppy is different. You may be using a bit too much (I do about 1 tbsp mixed with kibble), or try applesauce instead and see how your pup does with that!
This is a perfect complete guide
Thanks for watching Alexander! Make sure you check out our other content including lots of step by step training videos! :)
Thank you!!! I’m definitely going to start doing this for my puppy👏🏼
Remember to start slow with easy content and work up to the frozen stuff. Happy Training!
@@DoggyU yes! That’s the best advice I took! I started with frozen the other day and he lost interest fast, when I saw you mention to let them learn to eat from there with easy contents I was like OHHHHH no wonder😅😅 thanks so much!! I tried today and he didn’t cry when I left the house and fell asleep after ♥️
@@staciesassine5420 Wonderful! :)
hi. i have a extra small kong for puppys , my dog is small medium breed , and has 2 months ... i put small kibles with peanut butter mixed and shoved into the kong , but the dog eats only wherever he can reach with his tongue , after that he loses interest. :( help !
Hi Jean! This is really common with young dogs. The KONG is probably a bit too small but also check out this toy - it's a really good option for a young puppy so they don't lose interest: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
Great video, thank you for sharing!
You're welcome! I appreciate the feedback!
Good video! My Russell Terrier loved your suggestions.
Excellent! So glad!
Hi, do you freeze them during winter as well? I’m worried that is going to be to cold during winter
Hi Daniela - I freeze them during all weather. They are typically fed inside the house in the crate so temperature doesn't matter but they will eat them outside when it's cold too :)
@@DoggyU So you give it to them frozen?
@@lucyq.8041 yes - I give it to them frozen. It will slowly thaw as they lick/chew it.
So my 11 month old beagle has stopped eating food since 5 days. He only likes to eat sausage sticks and fish sticks. and no kibble rice etc. He's super choosy about food. Pls tell me what should i do to make him start eating food. As i mentioned, he's super super choosy, there is no one particular thing he likes. How do i train him for Kong, also is it a good idea?
Whenever a dog stops eating, I would consult your vet to make sure the dog isn't having a health issue. That would be my first call.
This video was very informative, thank you! What size KONG do you recommend for a medium sized labradoodle (about 30 pounds)? I’ve heard that you should always go a size up to eliminate choking and make it a little easier for them to access the food. Do you agree with this?
Thanks for the feedback! :) I would give a 30 lb labradoodle a size Large. I have a 30 lb Coolie who is not really a choking risk just based on her style of eating, but the medium size is too easy and she gets through it really quickly. The large gives her more meat, plus a longer amount of time with the KONG. So I would go large both to reduce risk and lengthen the amount of time you get out of the activity. Happy Training!
DoggyU Thank you for the fast reply! I have the larger size already and wanted to make sure that it was suitable for my dog. She will be trying her first KONG today!
Awesome! Yeah the XL will be the size of her head - way too big! Have fun, and try it without freezing it first so you can teach her how to use it. Sometimes I just put kibble in on the first day and let it fall out easily so they are motivated to work for it, if you have a hesitant dog. If you have a very food motivated dog, go ahead and put a substrate in there like pumpkin to make it harder, then eventually freeze it for ultimate difficulty and an awesome cool summer treat!
DoggyU She is VERY food motivated and figured out the dry kibble immediately haha. I’m going to try freezing some later today :)
Awesome!!
Thanks I was looking for more creative ways to fill my kong. I just been using peanut butter and kibble. Need to invest in more kongs though...
sometimes kong or chewy run deals on them!
Informative, TNX
Thanks for taking the time to comment! Happy Training!
How much do you feed your dogs a day? Do you assume one meat stuffed kong as a 1/3 or 1/2 of his/hers daily portion?
I never know if I'm over feeding or under with the addition of snacks and such... I have a 4 month old lab!
So my answer isn't super helpful as I generally just monitor my dog's weight and if I feel like they are getting a little heavy I decrease their food intake and if I feel they are getting a little light, I increase it. That being said, I would probably measure how much food you can fit in whatever size KONG you have and subtract that from your daily ration. When I'm training with my dogs as young pups with kibble, I tend to measure the entire day's ration out and put it on the counter and then I know I'm not overfeeding as I take some for every meal to train with. You could see how much you're fitting in the KONG and then just subtract it and then you would know for sure how much of their ration a KONG replaces. :) If you're using raw meat you will have to go by weight. There's some really good raw feeding advice groups on facebook if you're looking to learn more about that!
So funny! You feed raw exactly how I feed it.” Grooooooosssss” 😂 but the dogs love it so I do it for them.
I’m definitely getting more kings. I think I tossed them because the dogs just weren’t ever into it. I think I just need to change how I fill them and try it like yours.
Either that or there’s one hidden in the back of the freezer I forgot about…………
My puppy is very small (weights 3 kg) and his calories intake is very little, so I unfortunately think things like peanut butter and even iogurt wont work for us. What can I use that is very light and can hold the kibble together? I am thinking on wet dog food, it has low calories and can still hold it (100g of wet food = 122 kcal, and I wont use even half of that) -- But I am open and needing some suggestions, his KONG is coming today. I had to buy one after him vomitting for eating a corner of the room wall.
Some lower calorie options would be applesauce, pumpkin, a dab of wet food, as well as just soaking his normal ration in a bit of chicken broth to soften it before freezing. Also, if your dog is small enough that its hard for him to get everything out of the KONG, you can also try the Toppl toy: amzn.to/2HHxnHj Hope that helps!
How does he get to the bottom of that kong? I have a 3 month old jack russell?
The Kong may be too big for your young pup. You may need to use a Toppl until the pup is a bit bigger and has the stamina and size he needs to get to the bottom: amzn.to/2RDb4Ev
My dog gives up if it’s frozen in the Kong. Any advice?
Don't freeze it, or put kibble in the bottom and freeze something in just the top portion so when they get through the first inch, all the kibble falls out like a jackpot. It will train them to persevere. Alternatively, use a Toppl instead: amzn.to/3CKEMgQ Hope that helps!
I am getting a baby Shitzu in 2 weeks
It’s the first time I hear anything about giving dogs raw meat?
Please explain
It’s easier for them to digest and of course it’s natural some dog foods and be filled with salt for shelf life and raw meat also is good for their coat and teeth you probably already got your dog but I suggest putting them on das meat my 5month old bully and 1 year old pit bull are both on raw meat diet and they love it
@@rnmikey Hi Denise! Different people will have different opinions on raw. I would consult with your vet and also some of the raw feeding groups on facebook. That being said, I feed it daily to my dogs and they both enjoy it and are afforded wonderful health. No one believes that my cattledog is over 11 years old because his coat and body are in such good shape!
My German Shepherd chews his up-suggestions?
Thanks, what a wonderful Kong refresher! I’m curious about how you clean your Kongs-? The Kong website recommends warm water with dish soap plus a bottle brush, toothbrush and/or chopstick as needed and adds that you may also use your dishwasher’s top rack. My dishwasher left one of my red Kongs so dulled and bleached-looking I hesitate to use that method. But they’re hard to get really clean by hand which seems like a particular concern with raw food. So I wonder how you manage?
Hi Earth Wendy! Thanks so much for your comment!
Yeah my dogs lick them completely free of any food debris (they are VERY thorough lol!) and so I just rinse them and then put them in the dishwasher. One of my red ones did get like how you mentioned but none of the others have so I'm not sure why that happens. Maybe reach out to the company? I've found them to be helpful in the past. Sorry I can't be of more help on that one! But I do agree that getting them really clean is important! If your dog doesn't reach all the way to the bottom, you can always throw dry kibble in the bottom and then wet on top. That will minimize things being left in the bottom.
@@DoggyU Great ideas and tips! Thank you! Really love your channel. Always upbeat with great pacing, packed with useful info, and features so many bright doggie scholars. Found it searching for examples of well-educated Koolies. :-)
@@earth2wendy ooo you're a Koolie person!!! Yay! You'll find a lot of CoolWhip content here lol! Are you a Koolie owner in Australia? or one of the countries they've migrated to? lol
@@DoggyU Oh dear, so sorry to disappoint! Not a Koolie owner just admirer:) Only learned of them recently after decades of interest in herding breeds, first English shepherds, and now a rescue BC-got him at 2, now 12. So…thinking ahead. I’m curious and learning. How are they different from kelpies, from BCs, etc. So it’s really fun to see you with yours! A happy koolie in a super-enriched home. Just the best! :-) I’m in Idaho, btw, nowhere so exotic as Australia! ;-D
@@earth2wendy hahah it's good to do research since they are more of a rare breed in the US and can have a quirky personality. Feel free to message me on instagram @doggy.u if you want to chat Koolies vs. other herding breeds :)
Use these all the time. They also make some large durable squeakers that our pups like as well.
Yes we love those too!
My German Shepherd (5 months old) was using his stuffed Black Kong for the past month and today got his lower jaw stuck on the hole. I freed him and he went right back at it and got stuck again!! Guess I'll wait a couple months till he gets bigger and only his tongue will fit.
Yikes! That's scary! Definitely sounds like the wrong size for now. I would consider trying the Toppl toy instead, which serves the same function but can be easier for most dogs and very difficult to have the problem you experienced above: amzn.to/3G4XGUi
Here's a video on them: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
I’m a new dog owner. A little pug. He’s so full of energy. Kong time = nap time 😴
That's awesome! I bet your little pug is glad you found KONG's! Check out our training videos too - step by step instructions for those new to training! :)
DoggyU will do, thanks!
Just watching this one again to share it with a friend. Were the pink kongs for little puppy Whip? That feels like a throwback!
Hahah yes! I still have two baby-Whip KONGs. Also, I think I like my Toppl video better for puppies, not sure if you've seen it but it's slightly more updated: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
I love your ideas. Thanks
Thanks Inercia for taking the time to comment! Happy training! also check out our Toppl video for even more ideas and applications of puzzle toys: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
I have a 2 month old yorkie, can I still give him the meat?
I give raw meat to my 8 week old puppy but check with your vet whenever making dietary decisions.
So these Kongs are to take the place of bowl feeding throughout the day? How many Kongs do you give your dogs on a typical day?
Lee Vuletich thanks for your question! My dogs typically get about 3 a day but also train with treats/ kibble throughout the day. You would want to measure your dogs ration and see how many Kongs it fills. Then you would have a good idea about how many Kongs it would take for a meal.
That yogurt is a dog yogurt or a normal yogurt? cuz i dont know dog can eat sour stuff
I use Plain Greek Yogurt - about 1 tablespoon. You just don't want anything sweetened or flavored.
Thanks 😊
Thanks for taking the time to comment! Be sure to subscribe for lots of dog training content!
Thanks question answered. Great video
My 4 month old never seems to get anything out down deep. So I end up just topping them. Loose kibble will fall out but p. butter etc ends up just sitting there if I fill it.
That's definitely one way to do it. Your puppy may do better with a Toppl while they are still growing: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
@@DoggyU Thanks I actually put that in my cart today at chewy
@@deb9806 Perfect! Happy Training!
This video is terrific!! Thank You Laura :)
William Blake glad you enjoyed it!!
DoggyU xxx
Does the kong always need to be used as a meal? For example: If I'm leaving the house and want to incorporate a kong to help with soothing in a crate, should this replace one of my puppy's meals or could it just be considered a treat?
Hi Vanessa - the KONG can definitely be used as a treat. You just want to make sure you don't overfeed your dog so if you're giving lots of KONGs it would be wise to decrease their food ration a bit. Hope that helps! :)
Very helpful video, but I do have a question. If I'm feeding an entire meal from a Kong, will a small puppy be able to get all the kibble out? We are getting a Coton de Tulear in a few weeks and it's going to be a tiny little thing (4-5lbs). I've never actually seen footage of a tiny dog using a Kong, and I'm worried being so small he won't be able to get the food out. I've been advised to only hand or Kong feed for the first few weeks but I feel like a Kong would be too hard for him to get all his meal out. He's going to have such a little snout. Any thoughts on this? Thanks!
Hi Shoonasasi - Yes! You will just need the much smaller KONGs. You could also use a different puzzle toy if you find the KONG is a little too hard. Something like this might work! amzn.to/2H8kaUi - it might take a bit of experimenting, but you'll find some type of puzzle toy that will work well for your pup! Just give her a couple weeks to get used to it :)
great video, thank you!
Thanks for the feedback!! :)
Can you use dog food like can dog food
Mia - yes you CAN! :) I would mix it with some dry food or veggies though because lots of canned dog food can be pretty high in calories. But, yes! Works great!
@@DoggyU thx but I have another question can you freeze it or you don't have to
@@MiaMia-zn8fv I recommend starting new puppies off without it frozen so they learn to use the toy, and then start freezing it to make it last longer! :)
@@DoggyU ok thanks again
Do you use these for every meal?
I typically feed one a day to my adult dogs. That being said, I would use them 2 or 3 times a day for young puppies depending on their energy level :)
DoggyU Other than the KONG’s, do you feed them out of a bowl or only using the KONG?
@@taylormoe96 Typically I feed them through training or out of a puzzle toy like the Wobbler. I also like using these: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
my puppy never finishes her food when we put it inside the kong. any suggestions? :)
Hi Samantha - try the West Paw Toppl instead - it's easier to access the bottom so most dogs fine it easier to finish. You can find ideas for that here: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
My brother was using a Kong for his German Shepard, Ares. A piece of the Kong broke off and got lodged in his intestines. It caused a blockage and he had to have emergency surgery. He almost died. After that I have been too afraid to use Kongs.
I'm so sorry that happened to your family. That's so scary!
They do make KONGs in various levels of toughness and if you have a heavy chewer, I recommend the black KONG. That being said, any toy could potentially break or be digested so always watch your dog when using a toy to make sure they aren't able to chew through it before leaving them alone with it. You could also try Toppl toys instead: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
How long do U keep it in the freezer??
Hi Shannon - I usually freeze them overnight. You want them to be totally frozen so they last longest. I usually make 20 at a time or so!
We have a 10lb chihuahua terrier mix who just licks things out of the kong. Is there a better toy with a similar purpose? She's having a hard time getting all the food out.
Hi Ricky - yes! I love this toy for getting reluctant dogs into using puzzle toys. I would get the small one :) ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
the raw food is purchased thawed or frozen?
I purchase it frozen. I typically use "Bravo" and then partially thaw and refreeze it once in the KONGs
This is great for a dog treat yet I don't see this as being good for a meal. Being that this can't fit a dog's regular meal size. Great Treat!
Depends on how big your KONG vs. dog is, what you're feeding etc. But it can be a great treat, or portion of the meal depending on your dog :)
@@DoggyU Thank you very much for informing me.
Is it ok to let the meat thaw out and the refreeze it ?
Hi M B - someone asked this a long time ago, so I looked it up and yes, as long as you dethaw it in the fridge and then refreeze, you're good. My meat is typically pretty cold bordering on frozen when I stuff the KONGs.
Ok great ! Thanks for the response
Thanks for the tips. Any suggestions on keeping the mess down when using frozen Kongs? I typically soak my kibble to get it a bit soft then stuff the Kong and freeze it. When I give it to my pooch there is always a nasty puddle in the area she was eating. I also noticed that she doesn't even start working at it unitl it's defrosted a bit. Too smart for her own good I guess.
Hi Ann - So typically I feed them in a crate, outside or on a towel (my dogs are trained to stay with their KONG or chew on a dog towel that I can easily throw in the wash. I even put one in the crate with them to eat on). So I would throw down an old towel that you can easily clean. Also, as far as the defrosting, maybe fill your kongs 3/4 of the way for freezing and then add some fresh right before you give it to her so that she's immediately engaged with the toy. Then her licking will kickstart the defrosting process. Hope that helps! :)
Thanks for fast reply. Great tip on the towel. She likes to wander with her Kong. Sounds like I need to go back to the trainiing drawing board. I will try the 3/4 idea, thanks again.
Hey Ann - sometimes when I have a wanderer, I start tether training (I actually start all my puppies on tether training) to teach them to stay put with the toy. Then as they get older they don't need the tether because they are so conditioned to stay on their bed. Here is a link: amzn.to/2jKVZ2N
Happy Training!
Any tips for making sure you aren’t over or under feeding when using Kong’s? My pooch never seems to want to go after the last bit at the end. For as food crazy as she normally is....scavenging for every scrap....this surprises me. Tips?
Could we have you folks review our Dog Waste Bags?
RangerRob - email me at DoggyUTraining@gmail.com
Great video. Really helpful ideas for someone new to Kong toys like me. I'm sure my 8month old Golden Retriever will love his new Kong.
Thank you! Please let me know how it goes! :)
He loves it. He's quickly worked out that throwing it makes the food fall out.
Perfect, probably time to freeze it! :)
do you give it to them frozen, or you defrost it first?
I give it frozen because it lasts longer :)
Are these meals or treats?
You can use them as either! I typically use them for at least one meal a day but also use them for an awesome crate treat!
Can I use peanut butter?
Hi Jenna - you can definitely use peanut butter! I just don't use a ton of it since it's high in fat. If you do use it, use a tablespoon or two and mix it with their regular food so everything is coated and easily frozen. have fun!
I love the info, but audio on your production hurts my ears. I want to see more of your info, but I suggest you record from a better venue. Maybe even carpeted floors would help.
Again, thanks for the info! My dog is much happier these days...
Hi Steve! We launched in October and I'm brand new to RUclips. Still working out the kinks and hoping to get a mic at some point. If you want to donate one to the cause, let me know ;) Glad you enjoyed the content!
Hey Steve turn down your audio...just a thought
hey steve, GFYS
Thank you! I just ordered some stuff from your Amazon Shop :) I just watched tons of your videos in one evening and appreciate your training methods.
Hi Jeanine - thank you so much for supporting the channel! Make sure you subscribe - I'll be releasing more free training videos every week for the next few months! :)
Loved you video. Could you please tell me which size kong would be suitable for my beagle of 1 year first time using a kong and he loves to chew a lot what size would you recommend and durable
Depends on how big your beagle is, but if he's a heavy chewer and he's a larger beagle, I would recommend the size Large Kong Extreme: amzn.to/2t2dikQ. If he's smaller, you could go with a medium, but my 30 lb Coolie easily uses the large. Let me know how it goes! :)
My beagle is 25 pounds so is it better to take a med or large as it is his first time is it better to take kong extreme or the red kong ?thanx a lot😊
I think if he's a heavy chewer I'd go with the large black extreme kong - but you know your dog best - if you think it's better to start out with a medium red, it's an easier chew. It really depends how heavy a chewer he is :)
DoggyU thanx a lot ill take the the medium then. Then ill change to large😊
kashyap varma awesome!
We have a long but we don’t fill it with stuff because it’s small
Maybe get the slightly larger size? But even the small ones fit a couple bits of kibble and peanut butter! :)
@@DoggyU our dogs just chew it fir fun
@@InspirationEmPire25 that's great that they like it all on it's own!
We have to be careful when playing with this toy with our dog she won't tell us when she has had enough when we throw it she has never love any other toy more then this one so it's works 😁maybe a little to well it won't calm her it hypes her up but best toy ever invented
The pink was for the puppy, I was told not to give dairy products to a puppy it had to be lactose free products
Feel free to use whatever your vet recommends. Pumpkin might be a great option!
And yes, they make puppy KONGs in pink and blue
Great video! I'm getting 1 for my akita pup today. Hopefully he will enjoy this. I'm sure he will.
Thank you for the feedback! :) I'm sure they will love it! Also check out some of my other puppy videos featuring an Akita I was working with who loved his KONG! :)
@@DoggyU Ok, I definitely will check it out!
THANKS A MILLION
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it! :)
How do the dogs get the food out of the kong
They lick it out. Sometimes they will squish it in their mouth or pick it up and drop it to loosen the contents. But generally they lick it out :)
Hey. great video.
I have a question. If you feed your dogs only from kongs wont that take a long time? Or do you give them the kong and the rest on the bowl once they are finished?
Hi Jorge - yes it does take a long time, and that's my goal! I want them entertained for 30-60 minutes when given a KONG. I typically train for a few minutes with some kibble, then put them in their crates to chew on their KONG while i'm doing work. I also use the largest size KONG that is appropriate for my size dogs. The goal is to have them work for their food, get tired, and then relax :)
How about using peanut butter?
Rikki Tikki You can definitely use peanut butter, but if you are watching your dogs fat/calorie intake, it is the highest in the bunch. So if you need something lighter, the pumpkin or yogurt with kibble is a better bet. You can also use mashed sweet potato!
I have used PB in Kongs. My dogs loved them.
yeah boy ?????? How is that perverted? He didn’t say “well how about peanut butter on my ball sack?!” I’m pretty sure that he asked a legit question lol 😂
Peanut butter is protein, walk your dogs make sure they get exercise
Good info and it's fun to see your personality! (Raw meat...gross!) haha!
Sarah Robinson thanks Sarah! Yeah raw meat grosses me out but the pups go bananas for it so I suck it up 😂 Do you feed raw at all?
Great video!!
I have a 4month old cocker spaniel who’s teething and gnawing at everything.. she playfully bites us too but her baby teeth r really sharp.. which kong do u recommend for her..?
The red would probably be good- the "puppy" pink/blue one might be too light. I would get one of the red and give it a try before buying more.
Do you freeze it before serving?
Once the dog understands and is successfully getting all the filling out of an unfrozen KONG, I up the challenge and freeze it. My dog's get frozen meat KONGs at least once a day :)
@@DoggyU Thank you
When feeding kibble from a kong do you feed all the kibble that way? (minus what you use for training) is there a concern around giving too much of the yogurt or pumpkin? do you have info on feeding raw and kibble? our corgi pup is coming home and I want to make sure we feed him the right stuff in the right amounts from the start
Hi Anna - I am only putting about a tablespoon of yogurt and maybe slightly more pumpkin to coat the kibble. Typically, I am only using kibble to train, and raw is in all my KONGs. I just wanted to give people who dont feed raw the option that I have used with other clients and my own dogs in a pinch. I am not an expert on dog nutrition so you may want to talk to your vet about the raw/kibble feeding, as well as some of the other groups on facebook that deal specifically in raw. I can only tell you want I do with my dogs, which is a diet of kibble for training, raw in the KONGs and dehydrated raw for travel and sometimes in KONGs :)
DoggyU thanks so much for the response! I had it in my head there was a lot more yogurt etc. but that makes total sense. is there a raw group you reccomend? with our pup being a corgi I want to be careful about him not being overweight and having back or neuro issues because of it.
There's a facebook group called Raw Feeding Advice and Support that might be helpful, as well as speaking with a vet or dog nutritionist in your area (again, not a nutritionist, just a trainer :))
Maybe a silly question, but don't you get raw meat all over your house or kennel? They seem cool, but also a huge mess
Because they are frozen, they tend to not be too messy because the dog is licking the meat out as it defrosts. I never have too much of a mess, but typically put a "dog towel" down that i can throw in the wash if it gets dirty. Or you could always feed outside and have no clean up :)
This was my concern, getting salmonella or sticky, smelly peanut butter on the rug
Should we restrict the Kong feeding in a crate? Otherwise wouldn’t raw meat or peanut butter would get all over the house? Thanks for any advice!!
hey well if it doesnt work for your dog it might work out for her or your significant other
Nevermind-the black KONG 😂
your awesome
Ha! Thanks for watching! :)
My vet says wet food like that gives dogs cavities. Also, doesn't that make a mess all over your carpet?
Jason Roos my dogs also get raw marrow bones and necks which clean their teeth. They both have very healthy mouths (vet says my older dog’s mouth looks like he’s 4 when he’s really 8 pushing 9). Also if you’ll notice in the video I feed them in the crate or on their dog bed with a dog blanket on the top that’s easily cleaned. You don’t have to feed them on the carpet ;)
Do you have a training video for keeping a dog in one place when presented with a toy like this?
Hey! Great video! I have a question: I have a miniature dachshund (4 months old) and when I freeze the kong with any type of paste he can't seem to get the food off (even I have trouble getting it out to clean). I tried once with mashed bananas and kibble and after a while he just gave up, I think it could be because his tongue is still very small. He's a very vigorous chewer so the puppy version is not an option (he has the red one). Do you have any suggestions? Am I doing anything wrong?
Hi Maria - so I would start with unfrozen kongs, maybe even just kibble and a tiny bit of banana so its REALLY easy until he gets the hang out it. Once he gets an easy one, try a harder unfrozen one (lots of banana and kibble), then once he masters non-frozen and challenging, then start freezing. A little bit of canned food at the bottom also might really incentivize him. I try to do something really stinky towards the bottom. Additionally, if they don't get everything out, you can use a bottle brush to clean them and also throw them in the top rack of the dishwasher. Hope that helps!
Thank you so much for your quick reply!!! :) He manages just fine when it's only kibble (throws it until it all comes out), the trouble begins when I add something stickier. Will definitely try to phase it ;) Thanks again xx
You're welcome! :) maybe try just a dab of peanut butter around the rim to start :)
My puppy doesn't understand to get the food out of the kong :(
Hey Abbey - try just putting in dry kibble in the KONG or move to this toy for the time being while your pup figures out how to use food toys: ruclips.net/video/3kCFdBMyeUw/видео.html
This is the only toy my dog has ever had that she hasn’t destroyed, she thought herself to throw it. Sometimes she gets up at night to play with her Kong ball, wakes everyone up and makes us laugh.
Walter Scott that is adorable :) they are a nice and durable toy!
Are there dogs that actually behave appropriately in any normal situation WITHOUT having to be fed all the time?????? I almost feel like we're programming these dogs to expect to be fed constantly (whether it be treats of meals) just to "live" normally with us? Now I've had dogs in the past (and family dogs growing up) and I can't recall any of them who had to be constantly fed in order to behave? Am I missing something here?
Using food is all about creating positive associations and preventing problems before they arise. You're going to feed your dog anyways, so why not use it to get better behavior from your dog. The food doesn't need to be permanent but it helps set up a dog for success. Think of teaching a kindergartener to function in a classroom. You don't just expect them to behave - you show them what they should do: here's a desk - you get to color when you sit at your desk (reward!). As they get older, they don't get to color, but they've still patterned the sitting at the desk behavior and no longer have to be shown how to do that.
When I have a puppy, I want to show it what I want: ie. lie here quietly in the crate. Then I help them get it right by giving them a food toy. Now I can crate my dog everywhere silently, without the use of food, because practiced behavior persists.
But guess what, I do still give my dog a KONG or similar most days when I leave him. Why? Because he's a working dog who was bred to work all day and I am the one who brought him into the house, and told him to lie around part of the day when he was bred to be outside driving cattle or working sheep, so I want to give him mentally stimulating things to do as the human that brought him into the home. Because in the long run that's good for me, and good for my dog, and he deserves a life full of mental challenges, physical challenges and enrichment.
My six month old son would not stop crying so I stuff a Kong with raw hamburger and gave it to him. Worked like a miracle.
Yes, it's a joke.
😂😂😂 stirring up trouble over here ...