Central West Virginia's Guide To Life

SCRATCHES, DENTS & DINGS
By Lisa & Frank Minney

KONG DOG TOY
Price Range:
Classic- $4.39-$14.99
Power Chewer- $11.99-$13.99

If you have a dog, you need a Kong. Kong is not just any ole’ dog toy. It’s THE dog toy. Kong will not only give your canine friend some pure entertainment and needed brain activity, but will also provide you with solutions to some typical dog behavioral problems.

Likely, Kong is the first and last toy you will ever need to buy for Fido. Forget punctured squeaky toys, destroyed tennis balls, shredded plush. Kong is virtually indestructible. The outside can be forever gnawed upon, but it is the hollow middle that holds Kong’s true secret. Treats, dry kibble, even steak chunks or peanut butter can be stuffed inside. You dog then has the challenge to ‘empty it.’

Dogs embrace this challenge. Like cleaning marrow from a bone, the dog’s instincts embrace Kong. The level of the challenge can be increased by how you fill the cavity, and with what. Some Kong owners mix yogurt and kibble, then stuff and freeze the Kong, offering their pooch a Kong popsicle.

If your pet’s need for brain activity and enjoyment isn’t enough to convince you of Kong’s worth, then consider how Kong improves your life.

Kong can save your shoes. Dogs, especially puppies, love to chew. In fact, most puppies go through two teething phases. A puppy-size Kong with a dab of peanut butter can save your shoes, your furniture, eye-glasses, purse, belts, etc.

Kong can help relieve separation anxiety. If your dog is trashing the house while you’re gone, he could simply be bored. A Kong popsicle treat upon your departure not only lessens the immediate anxiety, but also provides your dog with an activity that could keep him occupied for hours.

Kong is also a wonderful training tool. Not only does it stimulate a puppy’s growing brain, Kong serves as that special treat that comes with the rewards of good behavior. Kong can be used to teach the basic commands of fetch, here, heel, stay. Training manuals are online at the Kong web site.

It is a challenge to keep any young dog occupied - especially a beagle. Daisy Dewdrop can, and will, play for hours. When we got tired, or the toy got trashed, we used to toss her a rawhide -which would last about ten minutes - and then she’d be back again. In fact, just about any toy she had to herself for long lasted about ten minutes before she destroyed it.

Daisy was relentless in the evenings when we wanted to rest, wound up from being home alone all day. Our patience for play was thin. Then, we found Kong.

We bulked a little, spending almost $8 on a dog toy. (Your Kong comes some treats to put inside, but different treats and food will work. No need to purchase theirs specifically.) I don’t know why we first bulked at the price, since we had already spent much more than that on raw hide, other toys, and shoes.

Daisy loved it immediately, AND, depending on the level of the challenge, Kong will keep her occupied sometimes up to 30 minutes, time enough to read the newspaper or catch a short nap.

We also feel better leaving her home by herself with a Kong challenge. It may seem like a small thing to give her something to do, but you know, dogs are people too.

To us, and to Daisy Dewdrop, Kong was worth every penny.