[post78]

My 8mo Goldendoodle puppy finishes a kong classic in less than 10 minutes. Sometimes 5. I'm trying to extend that to more than double for extended crate training and general distraction when we need it.
Is there a treat toy similar to the kong classic that has a smaller hole? I've done the peanut butter freezing method, I've mixed peanut butter with the kibble as well as water, and I’ve added larger treats to try to block the hole a little as he goes. This dog is too smart for my own good and I think I just need a smaller hole to slow it down a little.

Thanks.

 

[Bluemoods]

Try using bigger bits of treats or, putting peanut butter on top of treats for the last 1/3 of the kong.

 

[post78]

We already do this and freeze it. He's able to finish it too quickly.

 

[cookieface]

You might try a squirrel dude: https://store.petsafe.net/busy-buddy-squirrel-dude It doesn't have a smaller hole, but it has fringe on the opening that makes it a little more difficult to get stuff out. There are a few similar toys by Pet Safe (https://store.petsafe.net/busy-buddy-chuckle-toys)

I'm not quite sure I'm understanding what you're putting in the kong, but I use something with a mushy texture (e.g., soaked kibbles, pumpkin, pureed chicken) to fill the entire kong and then freeze it. It takes even my determined boy a while to empty it simply because the frozen block of treat can't fit through the opening.

Another thing I've discovered to keep him occupied is a lickimat* (https://www.industripet.com/product/lickimat-playdate/) spread with cream cheese, peanut butter, or something of a similar texture. It's not difficult, but it's more time consuming than some other toys I've tried.

* I've been using silicone pot holders because they're less expensive than dog-specific toys.

 

[Jen2010]

We have one Kong and one of these: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00MPE5KFY/?coliid=I3BIV812BOUL9S&colid=1X27KPHGTTDHK&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it This one is Kane's favourite. It has the fringe opening like cookieface described, although the top 1/3 of the toy is a squeaker, and only the bottom 2/3 is for filling. Amazingly enough we've had ours for probably 3 years and it still squeaks!

Another thing I've discovered to keep him occupied is a lickimat* (https://www.industripet.com/product/lickimat-playdate/) spread with cream cheese, peanut butter, or something of a similar texture. It's not difficult, but it's more time consuming than some other toys I've tried.

I've never seen these before, what an interesting idea! I wonder if it would be a bit hard on the dog's tongue though?

 

[Kathyy]

Watch out with fringe/prongs. My sweet princess Ginger thought those were in the way and first thing she did was snip them off a very cute stuffable rubber toy with scary mouth full of teeth toy I got a couple years ago. Every once in a while she proves she really is a dog!

Try forcing something hard and tasty into the kong then packing full and freezing. I had to step on the kong to get a big biscuit in and my dog was delighted to work on that puzzle for 20 minutes first time. She figured out to crunch hard then throw it soon enough though. But if you put in a piece of something that doesn't soften up when damp it might keep the puzzle going longer. Maybe dried sweet potato or if you have jerky you trust?

 

[Jen2010]

Watch out with fringe/prongs. My sweet princess Ginger thought those were in the way and first thing she did was snip them off a very cute stuffable rubber toy with scary mouth full of teeth toy I got a couple years ago.

Yes all of the "prongs" are gone on ours too.

 

[cookieface]

Watch out with fringe/prongs. My sweet princess Ginger thought those were in the way and first thing she did was snip them off a very cute stuffable rubber toy with scary mouth full of teeth toy I got a couple years ago. Every once in a while she proves she really is a dog!

That's interesting and now I'll spend the day trying to imagine how that happens.