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How to Stuff a Kong:
Stuffed Kongs provide great mental stimulation for dogs. It is the same as a difficult crossword puzzzle or a math problem. After he is done, he will shake himself, lie down, and probably sleep. This is high-level mental entertainment!
Dogs initially try to de-stuff Kongs by simply licking at them and following them as they are pushed by the licking. As time goes by, however, you will see your dog learning extremely creative and effective ways to de-stuff. Some dogs jam them into a certain corner of the kitchen, or learn how to fix them in place with their paws to dissect. Many dogs actually learn to drop them down stairwells and then clean up the stuff that falls out, or climb onto furniture and drop them to the floor!
If your dog is not on a proper feeding routine, you cannot use this as mental entertainment. Your dog will not work hard to get the food out. He will lick at it a few times and leave it. If he is on a proper feeding routine, he will work very hard to de-stuff the Kong. Even a very young puppy can easily dissect the beginner-level Kong described below.
Because some of the items in a Kong can be messy, please offer the Kong somewhere that you do not mind wiping up if necessary. You can offer Kongs in a crate if you wish. Doing so will help your dog associate the crate with positive things instead of with being alone. I find it easiest to buy two Kongs that are the largest size that your dog can pick up. That way I can offer one and toss the other one in the freezer to be prepared the next day. For most dogs above 15 pounds, the size large is what you will want (about the size of a large fist). The black Kong is for extreme chewers. Red is strong for normal chewers. Most other non-brand-name Kong toys are not durable and your dog will be able to destroy it easily. Although they cost less, buying name brand in this case is definitely worth it. Stuff Kongs creatively and offer Kongs as meal replacements as often as you desire. Kongs are dishwasher safe. Other brands may not be.
- Kong 101- for beginner dogs: This must be done a few times before offering more difficult Kongs or your dog may be too frustrated to finish them.
Liberally smear anything spread-able over the entire interior of Kong (peanut butter, cheese whiz, cream cheese, liverwurst, last night's gravy).
Stuff a layer of the dog's kibble, pack in hard.
Drop in something delicious like a dabble of canned fish, bacon, cheese, treat, etc.
Continue layering kibble/treat/kibble/treat/etc until you fill Kong to top. Use your knife to pack in hard!
Wedge two medium-size Milkbones into the large hole at bottom (this will be difficult, you might break a few at first, keep trying!)
Turn Kong over and shake. If something falls out, pack in harder until you can shake it and nothing falls out.
Put your dog in a sit/stay. Place Kong on floor. Wait for dog to look at your face, and tell him "Release, Kong!" or “GO get the Kong!”.
Watch a favorite television show for the next half-hour while your dog drives himself nuts dissecting his new favorite thing!
- Kong 201: for dogs who are easily de-stuffing Kong 101 in less than half an hour.
Soak kibble in plain yogurt/beef broth/tuna juice/ anything tasty and liquid until slightly soft.
Follow KONG 101 recipe above.
Place in freezer overnight
Put your dog in a sit/stay. Place frozen Kong on floor. Wait for dog to look at your face, and tell him "release, Kong!" or “GO get the Kong!”.
Watch a favorite television show for the next 1.5 hours while your dog drives himself nuts dissecting his Kong-sicle!
- Warm Veggie Delight recipe:
Use any or all of these veggies: Cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, green beans, tomatoes, peas and/or carrots
Grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Chop the veggies into chunks, grate them or steam and mash them. Put a few veggies into a KONG. Sprinkle in a spoonful of cheese. Repeat, layering the veggies and cheese until the KONG is full. Then microwave the KONG for five to eight seconds, just until the veggies are warm and the cheese is soft. Make sure the veggies and cheese aren’t too hot to eat before giving the KONG to your dog. To challenge him, you can freeze the KONG after stuffing and microwaving it. (The melted cheese will be hard to get out after it’s been frozen with the veggies.)
- Pumpkin Pie Kong recipe:
You’ll need:
Canned or freshly cooked pureed pumpkin
Yogurt or cottage cheese (only use plain or naturally sweetened yogurt—not yogurt with artificial sweeteners, which can be toxic to dogs)
Cooked oatmeal
Low-fat graham cracker
Put a spoonful of cooked oatmeal at the bottom of the KONG to seal the small hole. Then put two spoonfuls of pumpkin into the KONG. Follow with a spoonful of yogurt or cottage cheese. Repeat, layering the pumpkin and yogurt or cottage cheese until the KONG is almost full. Then cram a few pieces of graham cracker into the end of the KONG. Serve warm or frozen.