Good idea: Bottle Kong

How to make a Bottle Kong for your dog

Consider measuring out your dogs’ daily ration of kibble and feeding it in other ways. Kongs can be a fantastic, easy way to feed your dog instead of using a bowl. You can make it harder for those dog that are Kong experts by soaking the kibble before putting in the Kong and then freezing it. Another option is to ‘seal’ the hole with some tasty peanut butter!

Don’t have a kong? No problem! This DIY at home version is just as great and uses a plastic bottle which you are likely to already have at home.

Watch the video below to see our trainers do it.

STEPS

• Get a clean, empty plastic bottle and cut 2 holes in either side.
• Fill it with a portion of kibble.
• Put it on the floor for your dog to push, nudge, kick and bite!

This can take them up to 5 minutes to complete.

When they have mastered this game you can repeat it with a new bottle with slightly smaller holes to increase the difficulty. If they struggle or give up, try helping your dog out by making the holes even bigger.

Have fun!

We’ve put together some brain games and enrichment ideas for dogs during the coronavirus lockdown period to help keep your dogs happy.

Enrichment is described as giving animals’ mental stimulation that allows them to perform natural behaviours, permits them to be more active and increases the control over their environment. Enrichment helps satisfy both the physical and psychological needs of animals and allows them to make choices and encourages them to use their brain to solve puzzles and problems. This can increase their overall happiness and satisfaction, whilst reducing boredom, anxiety and physical and psychological energy.

See all of our good ideas for lockdown.