It is important
for dogs to succeed at their "work". To start with, make it easy to remove
the kong stuffing. As they become more experienced, you can start to make
it more challenging by:
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. You're your dog cool with KONGSICLES. 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.
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 hold the kong upright when freezing or microwaving.
5. Hide stuffed Kongs indoors and/or out. The hunt is great
fun and rewarding.
IMPORTANT POINTS WHEN USING KONGS:
1. Provide stuffed Kongs randomly so they won't always be
associated with you leaving.
2. If your dog is unstuffing several Kongs per day, you should
appropriately reduce the amount of bowl feeding.
3. CLEAN KONGS THOROUGHLY AFTER USE! Dishwasher is recommended.
Your dog's job will last until the Kongs are unstuffed. You can keep your
dog "working" all day if you provide enough stuffed Kongs!
KONG STUFFING
RECIPES
(courtesy of the Kong
Company)
As you create recipes, be sensitive to your dog's tummy as you experiment.
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.
CHEESY DENTAL KONG DELIGHT:
3 slices of your pet's favorite cheese · Dental Kong Toy A very
simple and creative way to make any pet drool in delight. Just place the
3 slices of cheese directly onto the grooves of your pet's Dental Kong (if
model has rope - make sure cheese does not get onto it). Melt in microwave
for 20 to 30 seconds. Give to pet after it cools.
PHILLY STEAK: steak scraps · 1 ounce cream cheese ·
appropriate Kong Toy Place small scraps of the steak inside Kong toy. Spread
cream cheese in large hole to hold scraps.
FRUIT SALAD:
apple and carrot chunks · 1/4th of a banana · appropriate
Kong Toy Place apples and carrots in Kong Toy. Mush the banana in large hole
to hold fruit in place. You can include other fruits and veggies: orange slices
· peach and/or nectarine chunks · celery sticks · broccoli
and/or cauliflower · tomato and black olive mixture.
VEGGIE KONG OMELET:
1 egg · your choice of shredded cheese · any vegetables that
your pet may like · appropriate Kong Toy Scramble egg and fold in
vegetables. Put into Kong toy. Sprinkle some cheese over the top and microwave
for about 20 seconds. Cool thoroughly before giving to dog.
MAC 'N CHEESE:
Leftover macaroni and cheese · small cube of Velveeta · appropriate
Kong Toy Melt Velveeta in microwave until gooey. Add mac 'n cheese to Kong
Toy. Pour heated Velveeta into Kong. Make sure it has cooled before giving
to your pet.
AUNT JEANNIE'S ARCHEOLOGY
KONG
LAYER ONE (deepest): roasted,
unsalted cashews · freeze dried liver bits
LAYER TWO: dog kibble, cookies or liver biscotti · Cheerios
· sugar-free, salt-free peanut butter · dried banana chips,
apples and apricots
LAYER THREE:
carrot sticks · turkey or leftover ravioli or tortellini ·
Kong Toy (the larger the better!) Pack as tightly as possible. The last
item inserted should be an apricot or piece of ravioli, presenting a smooth
"finish" under the main opening.
LIGHT VERSION:
substitute crumbled rice cakes for cashews, Caesar croutons for freeze-dried
liver, fat free cream cheese for peanut butter. - by Jean Donaldson
KONG ON A ROPE:
Dry dog kibble · appropriate Kong Toy · Rope Take the
rope, pull it through the Kong Toy and knot it. Hang this upside down from
a tree, deck or post. The small hole should be facing the ground. Take the
kibble and fill the Kong Toy. Make the toy hang just low enough that it
is out of your dog's reach. The dog will spend hours trying to retrieve
the kibble from the Kong Toy. At the end of the day, take the remaining kibble
and give to your pet as a reward. This is advanced work for your dog. - by
Dr. Ian Dunbar
FROZEN JERKY POPS:
Peanut butter · bouillon · Jerky Strips · Water
· appropriate Kong Toy · muffin tin Smear a small amount of
peanut butter over small hole in your Kong Toy. Fill the cool water and
add a pinch of bouillon. Place a Jerky Stick inside Kong Toy and freeze.
This can also be put (once frozen) in a children's size swimming pool for
a fun day of fishing for your pet. - by Terry Ryan
SIMPLE, TRIED AND TRUE:
Peanut butter · appropriate Kong Toy Smear peanut butter inside
the cavity of your Kong Toy. It's that easy! -
TRIXIE'S FAVORITE:
Trixie, a 50 pound Aussie/Springer mix, loves turkey, chicken or marrow
bites mixed with slightly moistened food nuggets frozen inside her Kong. She
is very clean about unstuffing - some dogs are not! - by Joe Markham
Every dog has a favorite recipe - finding your dog's will be fun! Remember,
not all foods are healthy for dogs, check with your vet if you are not sure.
If you have found a unique Kong Recipe, drop us an email and we will include
it here.
www.kongcompany.com
© Canine Concepts, United Kingdom