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Hi,
I was wondering what dog puzzles have been a success for your babies?
Christine mentioned Enzo's, I mean Gator's, treat ball. Claire mentioned using some to keep Meg busy but relatively calm.
Milo was a Muppet, not a dog (never chased balls, no interest in toys, didn't steal food, horrible sense of smell, rarely barked.... not a real dog!) Darcy found his old toy basket in a back bedroom. It had been untouched for years. There was one Weeble/Wobble treat dispenser she loves. (Starmark Bob a lot at Amazon for $16.95.)
Peace,
Jenifer, Milo, & Darcy
We have several, Elly is good at most of them except the tug a jug. Obie used to play with the tug a jug until he was exhausted but now he has lost patience, if he doesn't get an almost immediate reward he gives up. Elly has figured out how to tip the tug a jug on end so the food pours out, she doesn't get that one anymore 
Tug-a jug. One problem that I had with the Tug was that the threaded part at the bottom, where you fill with food, breaks down so you can't close it anymore.
Elly gets her breakfast almost every morning in a mushroom shaped toy. It's cool because you can adjust the size of the holes that let the food out. I've also put a small ball inside which helps slow the food dispensing out.
We also have 3 food puzzles: Twister, Tornado, and this one. Obie used to play Twister all the time and was good at it, now he doesn't really have the patience. I think being 10 has diminished his interest in play. With Twister and Tornado you can adjust how hard it is to get to the treats. Elly is really good at all of them. I try to rotate them in and out of use to keep her interested.
I also made a toy for Elly out of a hard water bottle and a couple of small balls. The bottle has a small opening so I put treats in that will just barely come out. She has to knock the bottle around to get the treats out. She has learned how to tip the bottle up on end which is why I put the balls inside, it keeps the food from just falling out. Incidentally this toy is why she can't play with the Tug a jug!
Lots of choices out there!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Maggie's Story Amputation and Chemo
Find me now on Tripawds Circle
Hi Jenifer,
Pre-amp, Meg's favourite toy was the dog pyramid by Nina Ottosson. It sounds a bit like Gator's treat ball, except it's not a ball, it's like a giant weeble – you (or rather the dog) bats/whacks/pushes it over, so the little hole near the top releases a treat/piece of kibble and then it bobs back up. (It sounds very much like what you're describing) Both Meg and Elsie loved these, but I stopped using them after Meg's amp because I thought it would be frustrating for her or else encourage her to rear up and down, putting too much pressure on that front leg, not a problem for Darcy.
Their other toys are various food puzzles, again by Nina Ottosson. Here's a link to her website, which features the whole range. We have the Mixmax puzzle, the Dog Worker, the Dog Fighter, Dog Domino and Dog Brick. I prefer the wood versions (though I'm not sure E and M mind, lol). These are really interactive puzzles, not ones I would leave them alone with. I sit together with them while they do them, and you can also set them up in various ways to make them easier/harder.
The other thing they both love is a simple treasure hunt. I just hide bits of chicken etc., around the garden and then they go and find it. This is one of their favourite things ever. I posted a video of them doing it, which you can find in Meg's blog under 'my movies' if you're interested.
I love the fact Darcy found Milo's old toy basket, rooting around a back bedroom.
Do not neglect to post some pics of her playing with her new toys....
Meg and Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Speaking of pics...
Meg with the Dog Fighter
Else with the Dog Worker
Meg with the Dog Brick
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Enzo's toy (oh, I mean Gator's) is called a Bobs-a-Lot. Also kind of a weeble, with the opening on the side. At this point, I just put dry cat food in it. When Enzo knocks it around, Gator hangs out to share the food. He apparently likes cat food too.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Great question! Interactive food puzzles are a pawesome way to challenge a dog's brain and tire him/her out. Puzzles and brain games are more effective than running and chasing balls to tire a doggy and so much healthier/easier on the joints!
We've written about food puzzles in the past, but we'd love to hear about others' experiences with them so we can update our content. Here are some links you can check out and we hope that when you buy you'll shop through the Tripawds Amazon blog 😉 (small commissions help support the Tripawds community!). Thanks!
Interactive Games for Recovering Tripawd Dogs
More Interactive Doggy Brain Games
Fun Tricks and Tips for Bonding with Cats and Dogs
Dog Twister Game Keeps Recovering Dogs Entertained
Twisting with the Pug-a-Palooza
Keep Recovering Dogs Entertained for Hours
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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