Kongs

Kongs are the best interactive toys ever. And most dogs can't destroy them. Get the Kong shaped like a snowman in a size appropriate for your dog. Get red for average chewers, black for heavy chewers. In addition to being a great way to keep your dog occupied with a positive way, stuffed Kongs can help with a variety of behavior issues including separation anxiety.

Stuffing the Kong
Check out the stuffing recipes on the Kong website. Here's my personal favorite: pour a cup or more of your dog's dry food into a bowl. Cover the dry food with hot tap water. Wait until the food has absorbed the water (it should be moist - about the consistency of turkey stuffing). Now it's time to stuff: drop something really smelly and tasty like dried liver treats into the Kong first. Next, stuff the Kong half way with moist food, packing it tight. Now add something interesting like a bit of fish or meat, pieces of apple, some blueberries, a drizzle of honey ... anything to make it smell enticing. Your dog will be able to smell everything in there, so make him want to get to the bottom of the Kong. Finish stuffing it with moist food, again packing it tight. Cover the big hole with peanut butter, yogurt or cream cheese and ... here's the most important part ... freeze the Kong. Frozen Kongs are awesome for teething pups. For older dogs, the frozen contents will take a bit longer to get out - always a good thing.

Stuffed Kongs are good when company comes, too. And, they can help ease the anxiety your dog feels when you leave the house. If you have a large or giant breed puppy, don't bother with the swirly blue and pink puppy Kongs. Your pup will outgrow them almost immediately, so go ahead a start with a mid-sized red one.

That's Murphy in the midst of enjoying his frozen Kong. Yum!