At the Dog Learning Center, the Kong toy is an essential tool in my “DogBeGood” starter kit.
The toy provides adequate enrichment and mental stem for a dog. Used right, Kong are a outstanding tool to keep a dog busy and teach important good behaviors.
I want to teach people to change become aware of their mindsets and thinking cycles when it comes to raising a dog.
If you find yourself saying “oh my dog couldn’t care less about a Kong or a toys”. … I want you to try this simple reward and enrichment exercise. It is easy and effective to build toy and food motivation.
Ok so first things first, size matters!
If the Kong is too small or difficult to get to the goods, the dog will check out.
The best way to know you have the right sized Kong is to find the one that looks just about the right size for your dog- and then get one size bigger.
The right size allows for access to the food inside and increases how much you can shove up in there. Also, I tell my clients all the time not only to buy 1. Buy like 3 or 4! This way you are able to use, wash, rinse and rotate without be caught without one when you need it.
Next , when you get home….
gather your kongs, your dogs kibble and warm water ( its easy to prep kongs in the sink)
add some water or chicken/vegetable broth and freeze the kongs.
Once frozen, you can begin the King Kong rotation throughout each day. Do this to keep the dog busy and/or use the King Kong rotation for training purposes.
Dose your dog need a slow feeder?? If you have one of those always hungry chow hounds that consumes like a starving maniac, using this method of resource control , you have virtually created the best homemade “slow feeder” system for your dog.
King Kong rotation exercise - Make a routine and a simple fun game out of the rotation of Kongs a.k.a “meal time”. Routines make your life with your dog much easier- trust me on this one.
I always give the Kong in the crate or in a place we want your dog to relax in the house. Done right, you will start to shape behaviors like “down” and “place” - or my favorite “go somewhere else, be quiet please, I will love on your in a minute ” : )
When to use frozen kong…
Before or after a pleasure walk
Whenever guest arrive at the house
when you bring groceries in
when the garbage trucks, school buses. amazon/mailpersons, dogs kids and bikes pass the front window ; )
During human breakfast lunch and dinner
after a fun training session of playdate
when leaving your pup home alone
pretty much anytime you do not need or want your puppy to be “ up in the mix of things”
Did you know, just the act of eating and chewing releases tons of endorphins into the the brain, setting off a “pleasure bomb” for your dog!!!
Using King Kong rotation, we are teaching the dog indepence; he learns how to be alone. We are also helping to eliminate:
Boredom
Destructive chewing
Garbage picking
Counter Surfing
Barking when your not home
and a lot more
Now listen people, the King Kong is not going do the work all by itself! You will still need other toys, play and training to build a well balanced dog. Lots of social interactions is a necessity.
So, now that you have another good tool in your “DogBeGood” start kit. Get that King Kong rotation going and remember…
Train Hard. Stress Less. Live More.
~Myles DBG
