All Things Dog Blog

Showing posts with label Boycott Boring Dog Toys. Show all posts

Friday, February 18, 2011

Ask the Dog Trainer, with Terry Lynn Cuyler
Why is My Dog Restless?

by Terry Lynn Cuyler, APDT, CPDT-KA

Dear Trainer: Why is my dog so restless?
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Dear Restless,

Many dogs who exhibit restlessness are young, under exercised and under stimulated. And restless behavior often grabs our attention so that is rewarding, even if it is negative attention. Two 20-minute brisk walks per day would be great, if feasible. These walks should be moving walks, not sniffing every bush. Only once or twice in said 20-minute walk should dog need to eliminate. Walks are great, but so are many other forms of exercise. TV trainers sometimes use doggie treadmills.

Dogs have working brains and they need to be used. Our sedentary lives and long work days do not lend themselves to enriching our dogs' lives. Training a trick can drain energy because it makes a dog use his brain. Something as simple as scattering half his kibble in the grass and making him hunt for it is an enrichment exercise.

Many enrichment toys are available to keep dogs brains as busy as their feet and mouths. Check out Pet Expertise for some of my recommendations: Kongs, Buster Cubes, Squirrel Dudes, Wobblers and the Everlasting Fun Ball are but a few. Chew toys also act as doggie pacifiers. I like the Nylabone Durables, hollow bones and real marrow bones.

HIde a food dispensing toy while your dog is practicing a STAY and then go back to him and release him to go find the food toy. Nan Arthur has written a book for your restless dogs entitled Chill Out, Fido that has some excellent exercises to practice. Hope we hear a report that your dog is soon a couch potato.

Terry, PawsProf

Our ASK THE DOG TRAINER Column can be reached at LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. For more information on Terry Lynn Cuyler and her training, you may find her at Paws Prof. A personal appointment with a trainer will likely provide more specific information on your dog's issues and your questions.

The PawsProf's advice does not replace an actual consultation with a qualified trainer.

Related Reading:

Dog Treadmill Training: Is it Right for Your Dog?

Dog Mental Stimulation

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Saturday, December 4, 2010

Two Dogs vs. Two Puzzle Toys: Kyjen Puzzle Review and Holiday Giveaway

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

The challenge is on. Kyjen, the dog toy manufacturer, has sent us two of our favorite puzzle toys to try out with Oliver and Tanner. Given a 10-pound, toy-sized dog, Oliver, and a 70-lb Golden Retriever, the question is which toy will challenge each dog the most.

I evaluated both toys and hypothesized that Tanner would quickly figure out both, but wondered how Oliver's diminutive mouth would factor into his success. I hoped the tiny holes in the Treat Wheel would help Oliver sniff out the goods, but was concerned about his ability to get the yellow paws out of the holes. Using a few tidbits of good-smelling stuff like cheese mixed in with healthy, organic kibble, I had great success once I tipped a yellow paw cap to show him how it opened. He was able to catch the small hole with his canines to lift the cap out, finally exposing the goodies underneath.

What's really cool about this toy, that is not obvious on the packaging, is that once all the yellow paws are removed, the inner compartment spins and holds more areas for treat exposure. This adds a whole new level of fun and exploration for the dog, keeping his interest for quite a long while. Oliver spent nearly a half hour eating his breakfast from this toy, which for some dogs could be a real advantage in feeding.

Once exposed, the inner compartments were more easily manipulated by Oliver's small mouth and tongue. Tanner found this toy more difficult for his much bigger snout, although he was able to manage and enjoy the treats by using just his long tongue. While not a toy for your Mastiff or Great Dane, it should be fine for any dog of Tanner's size or smaller.

Tanner was a quick study for the Star Spinner toy, while Oliver needed a little help with the swivel the first time. He's wary of using his snout as a tool, while Tanner's snout was probably made by Craftsman tools. Tanner plowed through the Star Spinner, slowed only by the small compartments, which once again made him use his tongue. With ten tiny bowls to find, this toy kept him busy for a good while, and slowed his eating pace a good bit.

Oliver's approach to the Star Spinner was more methodical, working from one section to the next one in a circular motion. It was sort of cute, almost like he was working a buffet! He didn't miss a single morsel, as his smaller snout fit nicely into the opening between the levels.

When it comes to using problem solving skills, these two toys can hardly be topped. Both Tanner and Oliver took a nap after breakfast, something that generally waits till after a morning walk. I suppose you can guess that this was because of mental fatigue, not simply the physical effort of eating. This is one great way to give your dog a job--finding his dinner!

Now comes the real fun. I'm going to give these great Kyjen toy samples away to two lucky winners. All you have to do to win is be one of the first two people to solve this puzzle:

Both my small and large dogs enjoyed each of these Kyjen puzzle toys. If I were to recommend one to you, I would suggest that you choose the ________________ for a toy-sized dog, and the ___________________ for your large dog. Let the guessing begin! And don't miss the hints over at 5 Minutes for Fido. Oliver and Tanner have strict instructions to be very subtle!

Answers will be accepted through comments below, on our Facebook page, or by email to LetsAdoptaDogPark@gmail.com. The contest will close when 2 correct answers (to both blank spaces) are received, or on December 14, 2010. Prizes will be shipped immediately; however, arrival before Christmas Day cannot be guaranteed. This offer good only to U.S. addresses.

Are there other ways to get Kyjen's great toys? Of course! They are currently running a toy-a-day giveaway through Christmas. You can sign up here for their "Boycott Boring Dog Toys" program. You could even become a toy reviewer for Kyjen and be entered to win a grand prize drawing that will include all of their toys! Sounds like fun, huh?!!!

Can't wait? Gotta, hafta, coulda, woulda....buy it here:

Full disclosure: The Kyjen products described in this post have been donated to All Things Dog Blog for an independent review. I have not been paid to provide my opinion of these products, and the opinion provided is my own.

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Saturday, November 27, 2010

Dog Toys on Your Shopping List? Here's Help...

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

At the recent Blogpaws Conference, I met representatives from one of our favorite dog toy manufacturers, Kyjen. Tanner and Oliver are currently reviewing two of their puzzle toys, so watch for this review coming soon. With the holidays fast approaching, Kyjen is out to sell lots of toys to all those bored and unstimulated dogs out there. If you've read much here at All Things Dog Blog, you know that I'm all about keeping our dogs stimulated, well-exercised and using their brains.

Surprise! That's Kyjen's goal as well. Over the holiday weekend, Kyjen launched a program to give a toy a day away to customers, presented by their program "Boycott Boring Toys." My pack loves the idea! You sign up to be a dog toy tester, and you could win dog toys as prizes, as well. What's better than that?!!!

If you're interested in the coolest dog toys on the planet, checkout Kyjen's selection and sign up at the Boycott Boring site. What have you got to lose?

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