has anyone used them and do your dogs like them? any reccomendations

I haven't used them but they are not cheap.  I was looking at some in PAH today and they were averaging at £20-£25 - ouch.  In these credit crunch times empty juice bottles will have to suffice in my house.

they are pricey but the behaviourist suggested they might be a good idea for tio to challange him and improve confidence and knacker him mentally.

the price is do able but i don't want to shell it out on something thats a bit pants.

> any reccomendations

Nina Ottosson

There is another thread here.   I got an email from Pet Planet listing some on special offer but they are still expensive so I wasn't sure whether to commit either!

thanks for that. i'm also concerned about how robust they might be... tio is not always the gentlest with toys

I've often wished to have a version of a dog library so you can borrow these things first!!  Like you I'd be happy to buy but only if I thought my boys would get some benefit - although I'm sure the kids would enjoy it.

Now there's a thought - we can always pass it on to a toddler with a tube of smarties :)

> I've often wished to have a version of a dog library so you can borrow these things first!!

that would be an awesome thing! its a lot of money to spend if i don't know he'll like it.

hmm... bf is getting tools for x-mas from his mum... might set him to work on making something...

Kim, one of my friends bought me a joke pressy for my birthday the other year and it was a test your dog's IQ kit.  It has loads of games and things to do with your dog including daft things like hiding a treat under a cup and making the dog find it and more complicated ones although you have to be there with the dog rather than a toy you can leave the dog with when you go out.  I think Kong are also making toys like that where your dog has to use his brains.  They might be more robust.

i couldn't find the kong ones, apparently there is one that releases the kongs at timed intervals?

that iq book might be a good plan- can i have its details so i can see if i can find one?

Having tried most of the dog toys going I think the best one is the dog pyramid from the Company of Animals,all my dogs love it and what makes it so good is that it can't be knocked over or end up wedged in a corner.

I bought the bones one :-)

You have to take time to teach your dog how to use it, which can be frustrating lol!  Jack was nosing it like crazy trying to push the bones off, then he'd try to bite it off, but the plastic is too slippy for him.  So I put my hand out and showed him "look lift it off there is a sweetie inside!"  And what do you know he put his paw out and tried to pick it up bless him!!!  They are getting the hang of it but I think I need to use better treats, something that they really really want.  They do like to run off with the plastic bones though and try to chew them.  And yes they are expensive.

http://www.hawkin.com/find/product-is-07809/?ppcid=Google_PPC_Product&gclid=CO7S_dKQ0JcCFUob3godRnJCCg

I'm starting to wonder if I imagined the kong toys like the ottoson ones as I can't find them online.  I was looking for dog for the other day and came across them but can't find them now.  The link above is for the iq test.  I'm sure ebay will have them for £1 though.

No need to fork out and buy the IQ test..It's all here Dog IQ test On~line
:)
We're big fans here! Sienna is an annoying child prodigy and Storm veers from Genius to The Simpson's dog!! (depending on his mood!)
Enjoy!

They are brilliant.
Worth every penny & more.
They are used within Guide Dogs & provide excellent stimulation for the dogs & they get self reward for working out what to do, IMO they are all wonderful.

> No need to fork out and buy the IQ test..It's all here Dog IQ test On~line> :-)

Thank you.  I've printed these off and will test both of mine over the Christmas week.  Let's see if too much TV really does damage your brain!!  My youngest is an avid TV watcher...

> It's all here [url=http://www.abc.net.au/animals/dog_test/test1.htm" rel=nofollow]Dog IQ test On~line[/url]
>

The videos are great! :-)  I love the "parents" show of pride when the "not very bright" dog shows a flash of ability :-D

My daughter bought the 'Dog Tornado Fun Activity Game'. It has 4 layers & each layer swivels around. Treats are hidden & the dog has to move the sections to find them. There are also 3 'bone moulds' which are placed over treats, these also have to be removed to find the treat. Zak (GSD) took about 2 mins to suss it out (even the hardest level of activity). Tilly (terrierx) couldn't move the mould with her teeth, so she just flipped the whole lot up with her nose!!!!!!!!!! Robust design, but is very light & is very easily flipped over. My daughter got a good discount from the vets that she works at, but to be honest I would only give it a 5 out of 10 rating.

We love them and have two here (twister and dog fighter), but.. their value depends on how you use them.

They are not designed for the dog to play with alone and I think thats something people dont realise sometimes, they are interactive, you and your dog play with them together.

The only time i use them other than this is with Dillydog whose only real pleasure in life is stealing - if he thinks hes WORKING for a reward he switches off (dont ask me why but in 7 years i have not figured out a way of directly motivating him for more than 10 seconds/1 repetition of something)..

To provide him with an appropriate outlet for his stress/reactivity, where he would normally go and look for something to steal, i will sometimes set him up to 'find' one of the toys, pre loaded with tastey foods. Because he thinks he found it and is stealing hte contents its super rewarding for him and hes NOT practicing counter surfing or fridge/freezer raiding..

Put it on the floor in the room im in and try to play with it with him and he just goes to sleep!

I still wouldnt leave one (even the new plastic versions) with an unsupervised dog, either they wont get the benefit of using their brains to figure it out, or they will learn to get the treats out in an inappropriate way (one N.O. toy slung at a window or wall or tv does a fair bit of damage i would imagine, and i do have dogs sufficiently into brute force and ignorance type approaches to problems to do that!)

thanks guys, thats all increadibly helpful :)

Got mine today and my wee'est one loves it. He started with the Dog Magic and the Dog Brick. Loved them both on the easier levels. Going to to one to work tomorrow and see what the kennel dogs think of it.. On the package inserts are photos of new toys coming out and they look really good as well. I have the plastic version so they can be well cleaned in between dogs. More later when he graduates to the dog tornado...:-)

I got my working cockers the dog brick for Xmas.  They love it.  The older dog worked it out pretty quickly, the puppy (5 months) found it a little more difficult as he tends to use his nose to operate the sliding covers rather than his paws, so he found it a bit tricky to get the bone-shaped covers off, but he got the hang of the sliding bits quite quickly. We have just been playing with it now and they are desperate for another game!  I'd echo what others have said - you do need to show them how it works and supervise them - the puppy would have chewed the removable plastic bones if I'd left him to it.  I will probably get them another Nina Ottosson toy in the future, but a more difficult one next time.  If you are thinking of getting one, go for the plastic version as they are tougher and washable (inc. dishwashable)