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Yorkiedog · 02-05-2006, 12:51 PM

Here are some ideas for your kong.

Kong Dog Toys are widely used and recommended for therapy and prevention of under-stimulation, boredom, separation anxiety and other behavior problems. Following are some simple ways Kongs can be utilized to promote good behavior in your dog.

It is important for dogs to succeed at their "work". Make it easy to remove the kong stuffing at first.

AS THEY BECOME MORE EXPERIENCED, YOU MAY WANT TO MAKE THEIR JOB MORE CHALLENGING - HERE'S HOW:
1. Pack stuffing tighter.
2. Wedge biscuits inside the cavity using the inside rim of the opening to secure them.
3. FREEZE IT! Very Popular! Try various combinations of canned food, gravy, noodles, rice and mashed potatoes mixed with food nuggets and freeze. KONGSICLES are a favorite with many hot dogs! Put a dab of peanut butter in the small end of the Kong to plug it. Turn it upside down in a cup. Fill it full of water, chicken broth or fruit juice and freeze. Cool doggies! Kongsicles are recommended for outdoor use.
4. CHEESE IT! Mix cheese pieces or cheese spread with food nuggets and microwave until cheese melts. Let it cool to a safe temperature. NOTE - Use a cup to contain the Kong when freezing or microwaving.

Most of these are frozen and can be made softer or harder depending on how good the dog is at "excavating" the Kong. The frozen recipes can also be put into ice cube trays or other containers

When filling Kongs, you'll need to plug up the smaller hole if the filling is liquidy, so it doesn't fall out. You can also plug the larger hole to make it harder for the dog to get the filling out. Some things you can use to plug the holes: a grape or piece of another type of fruit, cheese, dog treats, peanut butter, veggies, or anything else that will fit. You can also add dog biscuits, fruit, or veggies (or whatever your dog likes) to the Kong along with one of the recipes below, to make layers or mix in.

Following are recipes created by veterinarians, dog trainers and dog lovers worldwide.

BANANA RAMA: 1 fresh banana · 2 tbs wheat germ · 1 tbs plain yogurt (can use your pet's favorite flavor as well) · Kong Toy that best fits your pet's chewing temperament In a bowl, mash up banana. Then, add wheat germ and yogurt. Mash all ingredients together and use spoon to add to Kong. Freeze for 4 hours. Makes 1 serving for Medium Kong. Double for every Kong Size that is bigger.

SIMPLE, TRIED AND TRUE: Peanut butter · appropriate Kong Toy Smear peanut butter inside the cavity of your Kong Toy. It's that easy! – by trainers and vets worldwide

ICED KONG
Plug the end of the Kong with a treat. Turn it upside down in a cup. Fill it full of chicken gravy and freeze. Try Cat food as well. WARNING - Frozen kong can get messy and are recommended for outdoor use only.

SPANISH KONG
1 egg, grated cheese and any vegetables your dog likes. Scramble the egg and fold in the vegetables. Squash into the Kong. Sprinkle some cheese over the top and microwave for about 20 seconds to seal the ingredients. Cool thoroughly. WARNING - Cheese becomes very hot in the microwave.

KONG AU GRATIN
Mix cheese pieces or cheese spread with your dogs usual dried dog food and press into the Kong. Microwave until the cheese starts to melt and bind the food together. Let it cool to a safe temperature. Use a cup to contain the Kong when in the microwave.

NOUVELLE KONGS
Smear peanut butter or Marmite inside the cavity of the Kong for a quick and minimalist alternative.

TANTALISERS
Cheese, Chicken skin, Bacon, Pate, Cooked lamb's liver, meaty canned cat food. - Use very sparingly and make sure this treat blocks the top hole so that none of your other ingredients fall out.

MAIN COURSES
Small dog biscuits, bread sticks, garlic bread, pizza crusts, carrot batons - These treats should be wedged into place. Experiment with different brands of dog biscuits and look at small dog sizes which are very versatile. You want to leave lots of interesting gaps. Some biscuits should be harder to get out than others.

INSTANT REWARDS
Freeze-dried liver, cat treats, Chopped sausage, grated cheese. - These need to be small, flavoursome goodies. the second your dog nudges the Kong, some of these should fall out to get him hooked. If they are all dispersed immediately, its going to be a bit dull for your dog - so make sure you shake the Kong as you're filling it so some bits end up working their way into all the crevices created by the wedged biscuits.

Info taken from http://www.geocities.com/joan_sinden/kong.html

Also always choose the right kong for your dog here are the sizes

BREED SIZE KONG

AFGHAN HOUND - Red Large
AIREDALE - Red Large
AKITA - Red Extra Large, Red Giant
ALASKAN MALAMUTE - Red Extra Large, Red Giant
AMERICAN BULLDOG - Red Giant, Black Giant
AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER - Red Giant, Black Giant
BASENJI - Red Medium
BASSET HOUND - Red Large
BEAGLE - Red Medium
BEARDED COLLIE - Red Medium
BICHON - Red Small
BOSTON TERRIER - Red Medium
BOXER - Red Large, Black Large
BRITTANY - Red Medium
CAVALIER SPANIEL - Red Medium
CHIHUAHUA - Red Small
CHOW CHOW - Red Large
COCKER SPANIEL - Red Medium
COLLIE - Red Large
DALMATIAN - Red Extra Large
DACHSHUND - Red Large
DOBERMAN - Red Giant
FOX TERRIER - Red Medium
GERMAN SHEPHERD - Red Giant, Black Giant, (Black Large - supervised training)
GOLDEN RETRIEVER - Red Extra Large, (Black Large - supervised training)
GREAT DANE - Red Giant, Black Giant
GREYHOUND - Red Extra Large, Red Giant
IRISH SETTER - Red Large
JACK RUSSELL TERRIER - Red Medium
KEESHOND - Red Extra Large
KING CHARLES SPANIEL - Red Medium
LABRADOR RETRIEVER - Red Extra Large, (Black Large - supervised)
LHASA APSO - Red Medium
MALTESE - Red Small
MASTIFF - Red Giant, Black Giant
POODLE (STANDARD) - Red Large, Red Extra Large
POODLE (MINIATURE) - Red Medium
POODLE (TOY) - Red Small
PUG - Red Medium
RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK - Red Extra Large, Red Giant
ROTTWEILER - Red Giant, Black Giant
SAINT BERNARD - Red Giant
SAMOYED - Red Large, Red Extra Large
SCHNAUZER (MINIATURE) - Red Medium
SCHNAUZER (STANDARD) - Red Large
SCHNAUZER (GIANT) - Red Extra Large, Red Giant
SCOTTISH TERRIER - Red Large, Red Extra Large
SHETLAND SHEEPDOG (SHELTIE) - Red Medium
SHIH TZU - Red Small
SIBERIAN HUSKY - Red Extra Large
SPRINGER SPANIEL - Red Large
STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER - Red Giant, Black Giant
WEIMARANER - Red Giant
WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER (WESTIE) - Red Medium
WHIPPET - Red Medium
YORKSHIRE TERRIER - Red Small
_________________Hope this has helped Sharon,Charley & Melody xx

02-05-2006, 12:51 PM	#12
Yorkiedog Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Scotland UK Posts: 190	Here are some ideas for your kong. Kong Dog Toys are widely used and recommended for therapy and prevention of under-stimulation, boredom, separation anxiety and other behavior problems. Following are some simple ways Kongs can be utilized to promote good behavior in your dog. It is important for dogs to succeed at their "work". Make it easy to remove the kong stuffing at first. AS THEY BECOME MORE EXPERIENCED, YOU MAY WANT TO MAKE THEIR JOB MORE CHALLENGING - HERE'S HOW: 1. Pack stuffing tighter. 2. Wedge biscuits inside the cavity using the inside rim of the opening to secure them. 3. FREEZE IT! Very Popular! Try various combinations of canned food, gravy, noodles, rice and mashed potatoes mixed with food nuggets and freeze. KONGSICLES are a favorite with many hot dogs! Put a dab of peanut butter in the small end of the Kong to plug it. Turn it upside down in a cup. Fill it full of water, chicken broth or fruit juice and freeze. Cool doggies! Kongsicles are recommended for outdoor use. 4. CHEESE IT! Mix cheese pieces or cheese spread with food nuggets and microwave until cheese melts. Let it cool to a safe temperature. NOTE - Use a cup to contain the Kong when freezing or microwaving. Most of these are frozen and can be made softer or harder depending on how good the dog is at "excavating" the Kong. The frozen recipes can also be put into ice cube trays or other containers When filling Kongs, you'll need to plug up the smaller hole if the filling is liquidy, so it doesn't fall out. You can also plug the larger hole to make it harder for the dog to get the filling out. Some things you can use to plug the holes: a grape or piece of another type of fruit, cheese, dog treats, peanut butter, veggies, or anything else that will fit. You can also add dog biscuits, fruit, or veggies (or whatever your dog likes) to the Kong along with one of the recipes below, to make layers or mix in. Following are recipes created by veterinarians, dog trainers and dog lovers worldwide. BANANA RAMA: 1 fresh banana · 2 tbs wheat germ · 1 tbs plain yogurt (can use your pet's favorite flavor as well) · Kong Toy that best fits your pet's chewing temperament In a bowl, mash up banana. Then, add wheat germ and yogurt. Mash all ingredients together and use spoon to add to Kong. Freeze for 4 hours. Makes 1 serving for Medium Kong. Double for every Kong Size that is bigger. SIMPLE, TRIED AND TRUE: Peanut butter · appropriate Kong Toy Smear peanut butter inside the cavity of your Kong Toy. It's that easy! – by trainers and vets worldwide ICED KONG Plug the end of the Kong with a treat. Turn it upside down in a cup. Fill it full of chicken gravy and freeze. Try Cat food as well. WARNING - Frozen kong can get messy and are recommended for outdoor use only. SPANISH KONG 1 egg, grated cheese and any vegetables your dog likes. Scramble the egg and fold in the vegetables. Squash into the Kong. Sprinkle some cheese over the top and microwave for about 20 seconds to seal the ingredients. Cool thoroughly. WARNING - Cheese becomes very hot in the microwave. KONG AU GRATIN Mix cheese pieces or cheese spread with your dogs usual dried dog food and press into the Kong. Microwave until the cheese starts to melt and bind the food together. Let it cool to a safe temperature. Use a cup to contain the Kong when in the microwave. NOUVELLE KONGS Smear peanut butter or Marmite inside the cavity of the Kong for a quick and minimalist alternative. TANTALISERS Cheese, Chicken skin, Bacon, Pate, Cooked lamb's liver, meaty canned cat food. - Use very sparingly and make sure this treat blocks the top hole so that none of your other ingredients fall out. MAIN COURSES Small dog biscuits, bread sticks, garlic bread, pizza crusts, carrot batons - These treats should be wedged into place. Experiment with different brands of dog biscuits and look at small dog sizes which are very versatile. You want to leave lots of interesting gaps. Some biscuits should be harder to get out than others. INSTANT REWARDS Freeze-dried liver, cat treats, Chopped sausage, grated cheese. - These need to be small, flavoursome goodies. the second your dog nudges the Kong, some of these should fall out to get him hooked. If they are all dispersed immediately, its going to be a bit dull for your dog - so make sure you shake the Kong as you're filling it so some bits end up working their way into all the crevices created by the wedged biscuits. Info taken from http://www.geocities.com/joan_sinden/kong.html Also always choose the right kong for your dog here are the sizes BREED SIZE KONG AFGHAN HOUND - Red Large AIREDALE - Red Large AKITA - Red Extra Large, Red Giant ALASKAN MALAMUTE - Red Extra Large, Red Giant AMERICAN BULLDOG - Red Giant, Black Giant AMERICAN PIT BULL TERRIER - Red Giant, Black Giant BASENJI - Red Medium BASSET HOUND - Red Large BEAGLE - Red Medium BEARDED COLLIE - Red Medium BICHON - Red Small BOSTON TERRIER - Red Medium BOXER - Red Large, Black Large BRITTANY - Red Medium CAVALIER SPANIEL - Red Medium CHIHUAHUA - Red Small CHOW CHOW - Red Large COCKER SPANIEL - Red Medium COLLIE - Red Large DALMATIAN - Red Extra Large DACHSHUND - Red Large DOBERMAN - Red Giant FOX TERRIER - Red Medium GERMAN SHEPHERD - Red Giant, Black Giant, (Black Large - supervised training) GOLDEN RETRIEVER - Red Extra Large, (Black Large - supervised training) GREAT DANE - Red Giant, Black Giant GREYHOUND - Red Extra Large, Red Giant IRISH SETTER - Red Large JACK RUSSELL TERRIER - Red Medium KEESHOND - Red Extra Large KING CHARLES SPANIEL - Red Medium LABRADOR RETRIEVER - Red Extra Large, (Black Large - supervised) LHASA APSO - Red Medium MALTESE - Red Small MASTIFF - Red Giant, Black Giant POODLE (STANDARD) - Red Large, Red Extra Large POODLE (MINIATURE) - Red Medium POODLE (TOY) - Red Small PUG - Red Medium RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK - Red Extra Large, Red Giant ROTTWEILER - Red Giant, Black Giant SAINT BERNARD - Red Giant SAMOYED - Red Large, Red Extra Large SCHNAUZER (MINIATURE) - Red Medium SCHNAUZER (STANDARD) - Red Large SCHNAUZER (GIANT) - Red Extra Large, Red Giant SCOTTISH TERRIER - Red Large, Red Extra Large SHETLAND SHEEPDOG (SHELTIE) - Red Medium SHIH TZU - Red Small SIBERIAN HUSKY - Red Extra Large SPRINGER SPANIEL - Red Large STAFFORDSHIRE TERRIER - Red Giant, Black Giant WEIMARANER - Red Giant WEST HIGHLAND WHITE TERRIER (WESTIE) - Red Medium WHIPPET - Red Medium YORKSHIRE TERRIER - Red Small _________________Hope this has helped Sharon,Charley & Melody xx