Reddit reviews SPOT Ethical Pet Interactive Seek-A-Treat Shuffle Bone Toy Puzzle That Will Improve Your Dog's IQ, Specially Designed for Training Treats

https://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Seek-Treat-Shuffle-Puzzle/dp/B0038WP1YC

You put a treat in each hole and your pet tries to slide the things over and get it out.

I've been using this instead of a bowl...

She binkies every time I go to put it down. Helps to keep her brain thinking too. Took her a few days to figure it out but she loves it now. It also slows down her eating so she doesn't just inhale the pellets.

My dog loves this puzzle toy. But really any puzzle toy with a treat associated will do. They love having a task to break up the boredom.

puzzle toy

Hi!

My chi’s LOVE food puzzle games. We got our teacup an IQ ball on amazon and she rolls that thing around - it gets her some activity, feeds her, and she uses her brain. My bigger chi likes this one

Maybe that will help?

Obviously Kong was where we started. We moved to the kibble balls, the balls that dispense kibble if rolled a certain way. We recently went away from kibble and moved to raw so we’ve been putting a few small training treats in the kibble ball. The one we have is cylinder shaped, rather than ball shaped
That turned dinner time into a job.

We’ve since started buying random puzzles on Amazon. Here’s a few we like. You do have to monitor them to make sure they don’t brute force their way through the puzzle.

https://www.amazon.com/Trixie-Products-Flip-Board-Level/dp/B0054Q9TMA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1540311818&sr=8-4&keywords=Dog+puzzles

https://www.amazon.com/SPOT-Interactive-Specially-Designed-Training/dp/B0038WP1YC

Here is a tip you need to know. If you bake fairly often and need buttermilk but don't have any, you can make your own. Pour 1 Tbsp of white vinegar in a measuring cup, and fill the rest of the cup with milk. (Up to the 1 cup line of course) Allow it to sit on the counter for roughly 5 minutes and voila!

The first two issues (going to the bathroom indoors and the aggression) call for a vet visit.

Excercise-wise, I'd start with two 15 minute walks/day and scale up from there to, maybe, three 20 minute walks, or 60 minutes of walking or outdoor play spread out over the day (20 in the morning, 40 at night, etc).

Puzzle toys are great too. I recently got this toy for my pup, he really loves it, it's solidly built and pretty inexpensive.

Wood Treat Puzzles like the ones Zanie's, Ethical Pets, and Nina Ottosson make are all ones my pit likes. Since they're made of wood they'll last a while. Also the Premier Tug-a-Jug has kept him guessing for 2 weeks now.

Oh man, I have so many of them right now. I'm a huge fan of the Kong Wobbler but it makes too much of a mess on my floors (attracts ants -_-). I also have the Kong Tiltz which is apparently not as fun to my Shiba lol. I'm about to get a snuffle mat for Matcha! We have an IQ ball which also isn't very interesting to her lol. I have a few Starmark toys since they have lots of different interactive toys as well.

I also have this thing, which Matcha is still convinced is a chew toy lol.

My guy didn't care about peanut butter. Instead we soak a portion of his food in water and then mash it into the kong and freeze it the night before. It gives my guy about 20-30 mins until he starts whining (he's also 7 months). The kongs are built to withstand freezing and biting, so you should be fine.

We got my guy this https://www.amazon.ca/Ethical-Pet-Treat-Shuffle-Puzzle/dp/B0038WP1YC but he is too smart. This takes him like 2 mins to get all the treats out. He is a mini Aussie.

I came to this thread hoping to get advice on harder treats too :)

• Omega Ball
  
• Flirt Pole
  
• Shuffle Treat Board
  
• Flip Board
  
• Nosework Games
  
• Fenzi Training
  
• Bob a Lot
  
• Treiball Balls

I have a GSD mix and the only thing (other than hide and seek) is that I bought a chicken and barn dog game that she loves. Here's something similar:

http://www.amazon.com/Plush-Puppies-Hide-A-Squirrel-Pet-Large/dp/B0002I0O60/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382228088&sr=8-1&keywords=squirrel+game+dog

Generally, mine is only into it if I give it to her--so I doubt she'd play with it that much while I'm at work. If he's food motivated (mine isn't) there are a bunch of toys that will dispense food while requiring him to figure out a puzzle. Here are a couple examples (but there are a ton more):

http://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Seek-A-Treat-Shuffle-Bone-Puzzle/dp/B0038WP1YC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1382228265&sr=8-2&keywords=dog+food+puzzle

http://www.amazon.com/Dog-Games-Star-Spinner-Treat/dp/B00440D8GU/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1382228265&sr=8-10&keywords=dog+food+puzzle

Good luck!

Right now, our favorite is The Odin. My dogs like that it's rolly and that I stuff it with good smelling things. I like that it doesn't make a bunch of noise banging around our hardwood floors.

My female dog is VERY smart. We used to have the IQ Treat Ball but she pretty quickly figured out that all she had to do was shake it the right way and the treats would fall out. The Odin is trickier and they spend more time on it.

Autumn also used to have things like this one but, again, she figured them out so quickly it was kind of a waste. That one, she can now do in under ten seconds. It's not even a challenge.

So instead of spending money on seek and find toys, I recommend making your own games like that by hiding treats under small solo cups or tennis balls cut in half.

As for training sessions...

Small, focused sessions work best when the dog is learning a new skill. It's easy to get frustrated and overwhelmed when you're learning something new, in a language you don't even speak. But once they have the basics down, you can add more variety and length. You also don't have to, say, do a 30 minute long stretch. You can do two 15s. Or two 10s.

And once they have the basics down, you can turn training into games. Sit-Down-Stand is one of my favorites because it's so useful and it can be done in a smaller space.

Games work great because you're reinforcing the "training" behavior, but you're doing it in a way that feels like fun for both you and your dog. Spending time with your dog should be fun!

I hope this helps. I have a pair of high energy, loudmouth kids of my own and this has made them a lot more managable.

For interactive play, I have two puzzle toys
this
and something like this

So each lunch break, we play the "Find!" game. He loves manipulating things with his nose and feet.

He is fed out of puzzle toys, which I'm around for to make sure he doesn't chew on them too much, but he works himself. That's the kong wobbler, and an IQ treat ball. For monitored play, I also have stuffed toys, which he throws around like that video of an orca playing with a seal (vaguely disturbing), and WILL tear up given the chance. I also have balls on rope toys. Again, he will toss and whip those around, chase them across the floor, generally have a grand ole time. He WILL chew on the rope though, so that toys gets picked up when I'm not in the room.

For unattended, crate time, I have two rubber kongs, also stuffed with food, usually frozen, a Starmark ever-lasting treat ball, and a full antler. I got a split antler because I thought he might not like it. That was a mistake. he was splitting shards off the split one in < 30 min. He is the second dog I've seen do that, so I cannot recommend split antlers under any circumstances. We've had the full antler for about a month, and thought it's worn, it's still very solid. I have no concerns leaving it in his crate, and he chews it like a pacifier when he gets stressed/bored.

I am caring for a SUPER mouthy lab. He will pick up and eat anything. Really.An-nee-thing. I have lot of toys and try to rotate, but sometimes he still picks up a houseplant.

Second vote for the Tug a jug, Buster Maze also the Mushroom are also good the Bobs A lot Also works great as it has variable settings for difficulty. Puzzles like this are great but they tend to be useless once the dog figures it out.

Thus thing is my Paps favorite! Just put a few pieces of their regular kibble in it. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038WP1YC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_pK2EAb3NJKM11

I've been really wanting this puzzle for my puppy, she destroys all her toys but I doubt she would see this as a chew item!
Thank you so much!
:D

I'm actually a grad student as well, and am always looking for ways to keep the critters busy while I'm gone or studying. I've found a few helpful toys, though the best entertainment I have is a bird feeder on my deck, they will sit and chirp at the birds for hours.

I've heard good things about this toy, unfortunately you can't set it to go off while you're gone. But it has a setting to turn off after 15mins so you can set it and leave.
http://www.amazon.com/FroliCat-BOLT-Interactive-Laser-Pet/dp/B0021L8W6K

This one is amazing, it was recommended to me by a vet. If your cat is food driven this will keep him busy. You can put treats or cat nip in it, or even their whole meal.
http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-SlimCat-Food-Distributor-Ball/dp/B0018CG40O/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1348904553&sr=1-1&keywords=food+ball

This is also great for food motivated cats, one of mine will walk over and move the sliders around asking for treats. If he seems particularly bored I'll put most of his meal in this and make him work for it.
http://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Seek-A-Treat-Shuffle-Bone-Puzzle/dp/B0038WP1YC/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1348904645&sr=1-2&keywords=dog+puzzle+toys

I have this one as well, this works better for when you're home and can turn it on and off, there is no timer. My cats love to chase things under blankets, and they come running when I turn this on. It is kind of loud, so I put it in the other room while I'm studying so I don't have cats all over my books.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11539790

Hope this helps! I would highly recommend starting with the food ball or the laser light as they're a little cheaper, but I also know us pet parents like to spoil our critters.

My dog would love this/ Datsyuk! Thanks for the contest!

I want to get this for my bunny! I don't get to spend as much time with him as I would like and I imagine he gets very bored when I am not home.

As for music: Muse, Silversun Pickups, Interpol, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Gorillaz, Royal Blood...

> sidering the bob a lot by starmark.

We use them for a treat after they get their nails done or teeth brushed, they seem to look forward to those activities more and more now...

We have this one (no name)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KZ5EZU/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and this:
http://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Seek---Treat-Shuffle-Puzzle/dp/B0038WP1YC/ref=sr_1_sc_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1416098799&sr=1-6-spell&keywords=nina+ottoson


I like the 1st one best, the second one it is hard for them to slide the trays as they are so slippery. I'd like to get a few more , they really like them. They don't work as great on our Newfoundland, it's just to small for her, but for our Italian greyhounds they are the perfect size.

Bully sticks are good options for chewers, and they come in a variety of sizes, cuts, and lengths. I recommend the Barkworthies brand because they have odorless ones that won't smell up your place - they are available on Chewy, Wag, and Amazon. They have curly ones that seem to require a tad bit more effort than the standard stick ones. The Barkworthies ones are fine on the carpet as well - never had any color transfer, and I'm cautious since I'm a renter. There are probably other just as good brands out there, but be cautious about where the product is made - no Chinese produced bully sticks (per my vet).

Another good option are puzzle games. There are tons of types, and they have the advantage of both entertaining your dog, and giving them mental exercise at the same time. Nina Ottosson ones are fabulous, but they aren't very cheap (and can be a bit complicated, and often require more interaction from the human). My dog loves the Ethical Pet brand ones for some reason this is her favorite one. They are kind of boring looking, but she seems to be more willing to engage with those than the flashier ones.

I usually get chicken jerky and use kitchen shears to cut the strips up into tiny little pieces, and use those in the puzzle games as opposed to traditional treats. I also use string cheese and carrot pieces, and she loves 'em.

Have you looked into nosework? This comment does a good job of laying out structured nosework. But, for my dog (Lhasa Apso), I usually just take the cut up pieces of chicken jerky and toss 'em around the room - they have a pretty strong smell, and she just goes off searching. It keeps her occupied for a good bit, and then she just takes a nap.

Some puzzles tend to be made of particle board and aren't very durable. Normal licking and pawing will start to make the particle board puzzles fall apart. This happened with my dog.

This is what I mean by particle board puzzles: http://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Seek---Treat-Shuffle-Puzzle/dp/B0038WP1YC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324588644&sr=8-1

It seems like that brand in particular uses the particle board type material. It would probably be fine for some dogs but my large lab mix licked and pawed and pieces fell off.

My favorites persons are my kitties! They love new toys like this one. Sometimes, they get a little obsessed with new toys, but I think that's okay :)

bone board bottle

Trick training is amazing to wear out your dog's brain and you can make major progress in as little as two 10 minute sessions a day. Check out Kyra Sundance's books:

101 Dog Tricks

10 Minute Dog Training Games

101 Ways to do More With Your Dog

Kyra runs the Do More With Your Dog website which is an easy way to earn titles with your dog by doing tricks. At the lower levels anyone can sign off as witness to your dog's tricks to earn the titles so you don't have to be in a class or anything (though classes are fun and the DMWYD website has resources to find local trainers)

You can also check out brain engaging toys such as these (NOTE these toys should be used with supervision so your dog doesn't eat the toy!)

-Ethical Pet Seek-A-Treat Shuffle Bone Dog Puzzle

-Ethical Pet Seek-A-Treat Flip 'N Flap Dog Puzzle

-Nina Ottosson Plastic Dog Brick Interactive Interactive Doy Toy Puzzle for Dogs, Plastic

-Nina Ottosson Dog Casino Interactive Doy Toy Puzzle for Dogs, Wood

Really any toy by Nina Ottosson is a good choice.

Enrichment can also be as easy as not feeding your dog out of a bowl. Try these (can be used with less direct supervision)

-Nina Ottosson Dog Treat Maze

-Kong Wobbler

And my dogs have constant access to these chewies (i leave these in their crates as well as long as they don't chew them down small enough to be choking risks).

-Nylabone

-Busy Buddy Treat Holding Bone

-Busy Buddy Jack

-Refills for the above Busy Buddy bones

-Busy Buddy for extreme chewers