KONG Stuffing: Moderate

kong - By Staff Writer on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 14:36

So your puppy has made it past the Easy KONG Stuffing and is able to pull the treats out in a matter of mere seconds.  Congrats, you have a smart pup with a strong mouth so now you must make the KONG a little more challenging.  With a little preparation you can keep the KONG an entertaining tool that keeps your dog busy.  Below are some techniques to give your dog a moderate challenge while playing with their KONG.

Microwave Cheese
If you find that your dog is getting bits of treats too quickly try using the microwave and some cheese to stick the treats to the side.  We suggest placing the KONG upright in a cup or placing plastic wrap on the ends to keep all treats inside.  Fill the KONG with treats and cheese and microwave it until the cheese has melted and coated the sides.  Let the KONG fully cool, you can place in the fridge to help the process, before giving the KONG to your dog.  The cheese will have melted to the sides and shaped into the KONG making it much harder to get treats and cheese out.

Frozen KONGs
Try filling your KONG with chicken broth, yogurt or peanut butter and freezing it.  You should cover the ends with plastic wrap and set upright in a cup so that the contents stay in the KONG while freezing.  This is great for a hot summer afternoon and makes any filling a bit more difficult for your dog to remove.  If you do use chicken broth make sure to set the KONG on an easy to clean surface so your dog does not get the liquid everywhere.

Pack The KONG Tight
Lodge some treats way down into the end of the KONG.  If you wedge them in at the bottom they become much more difficult to get out.  Your dog will be able to reach them but not be able to dislodge them quickly.  In addition using larger pieces of treats and squishing the opening when placing them in to allow for wider items works well as the KONG opening will become round when you let go and the item will be stuck inside.

You can use a variety of fillers for moderate level stuffing so mix and match the techniques and fillers to keep your dog entertained.  If you find this easy for your dog you can move onto the difficult level of stuffing.  We do recommend that as you move on you alternate the levels so your dog does not get frustrated.  Give your pup an easy KONG now and then to keep them engaged.