Hi Everyone

My little one [11 months now] is at home alone for about 4 hours x 3 days a week. He gets a 20-30 min gentle walk first thing then a longer and more fun walk with other dogs in the middle of the day which tires him out and he sleeps a lot in the afternoon. He is not short of interaction with us even if it sometimes just involves me rabbitting on to him, grooming or chucking a ball.

He is extremely good and I've never come home to anything being chewed up, no bins destroyed, no poos/wees - nothing. When we are at home he barks when he nears noises outside but no prolonged barking - he stops after a few barks.

When I leave in the morning he gets the radio on, his toys, a different Kong filled with peanut butter, cheese, treats and loads of other things which he likes. Alternatively he gets a taped up egg carton/cardboard box with treats inside which gets ripped up. I have also tried those treat filled cubes which roll around but he isn't that interested in those - too easy maybe. Until recently he used to take the Kong and I was able to leave the house quietly. Lately I think he is getting bored with the Kong as he seems to get through it even before I am out the door. Now he has started following me to the door, doing the WORRIED/SAD EYES/FURROWED BROW and barking at it after I've closed it so I have to go to work feeling awful - if he becomes quiet I have gone back in for a few minutes and found him lying by the front door without the Kong. Then I have to get him interested in whatever I've left and leave again.

Does anyone have any more stimulating things to do - he is a smart and well behaved dog and I really don't want him to be bored and worrying about where we are.

Regards
Cissy

Hi,
You may have one already, but I saw a red rubber bone-shaped chew-toy with holes in the ends for filling with goo, Kong-style. Perhaps that would be a change?
:)

How about filling the Kong and then freezing it before giving it to him?

Melody :)

Hi JG/Melody

Thanks - will try both options. I was going to buy one of those red Kong variations at Pets at Home once but was one of those days when I was fed up with buying new toys all the time which are a novelty for about 5 minutes. I think the Kong type things are the best investments though so will get one and swap them around.
cissy xx

ooh I like the egg box idea.

Will have to try that one!!

For all of you that leave your dogs with kongs please be aware that they are not always a safe toy. IF your dog can chew them up then don't let him/her have them as it can be very expensive to recover them from their insides.

Most dogs don't do this but if you do yave a demolisherit is something to be aware of

Christine

Thanks Christine - I was wondering about that and while I have only observed him licking it I have kept an eye on the state of the Kong [for any weaknesses etc]. I previously thought I didn't have a demolisher until I saw a murdered tennis ball this morning!.
cissy

It is good to be aware of, but before everyone starts worrying that kongs are dangerous, there are VERY FEW instances where a dog has managed to chew up a kong. YES if your dog is one of the exceptions then be careful, but it would take a very strong determined dog for it to happen and you would know pretty quick if your dog was able to do this:)

For sheer interest the Kong site is interesting with the story of how they were created (a guy who wanted something his own dog could not destroy) along with all kinds of recipes:) I believe the link is www.kongcompany.com

Wendy

I bought my gsp a nylabone (they are apparently flavoured liver/lamb etc) for strong chewers and also a smoked bone from the petshop - he has had both for a few months now (he's one) and spends hours chewing - I think it calms them down and keeps them occupied. The smoked bones are great because they do not lose their flavour. You can also squich bits of ham right inside for a bit more of a challenge. Small cardboard boxes with treats in hidden around the place are good fun, but best if not left unsupervised as they will get eaten too!

We went out this afternoon and we knew we would be out for about an hour and a half ...as the weather was so sunny and warm it wouldn't be fair to leave Hudson in the car whilst we shopped so I dug his Kong out of the freezer where I had put it last time ....he took 2 hours to get through bread followed by pilchards followed by cheese followed by more bread :D The fact it was frozen was an added bonus

:D

Melody

A thing we do to keep the interest up with Toys is alternate them. We have a toy box to keep their toys in.When we are in they have just a few toys to play with. When we go out we then get a few more out for them to play with. It is a bit like the goldfish senario !! :D
Lucy

Hi Cissy

I doesn't sound so much that your dog is getting bored with the kong - more like he is starting to associate getting a stuffed kong immediately prior to you leaving him alone.

Try breaking this pattern by sometimes putting him in a different room with a kong while you are still in the house. Pop back in every now and again - leaving variable gaps between your visits. Don't always acknowledge him when you go in - sometimes go in and pick something up and leave again without even looking at him.
Don't leave all his toys available - give him a bit of variety by changing them over every now and again. A favourite toy not seen for a few days and then reappearing takes on a whole new meaning.
You could try hiding little treats around for him to sniff out and enjoy. Show him first a few times so he gets the idea.
Leave the radio on now and again when you are home as well if you don't already.
Lara x

That's an interesting take on it and if it's true it's amazing what differences there are in dog personalities. Mine (5 & 2) only get stuffed kongs when we go out and for them, yes it's a cue that we're leaving, but they look forward to it. If we don't go out for a few days (like a long weekend where we're busy round the house) they will start to look up at where we keep the kongs and whine. If we then go out they go crazy for their kongs.

Just a different take on it. My thoughts are that if the kong is something that they have all the time it may not be enough to keep them occupied when leaving. They'll think - oh its a kong - cool. Wait mom and dad are leaving! (and forget about the kong).

Wendy

sorry to rehash this post but didnt want to start a new one about it, i was thinking of getting tilly a king for when shes alone, but what i've found is that when i leave her, whatever i give her, be it her fave treat/toy or her breakfast, it doesnt get touched. even if im out for a while, she doesnt touch it, but when i get home, she seems happier and will play with the toy/eat the treats. My mums dog is the same although she doesnt fret anymore when they go out, she just sleeps - but wont eat anything or play while they're out.
Does anyone think a kong is interesting enough to change this?! i hate to think of her sitting behind the door waiting for me instead of settling down and knowing i'll be back soon.
Lynz and Tilly x

Dear Tillysmummy
Don't worry about rehashing - I was going to post an update anyway!

I took Melody's advice to freeze the Kong and contents and have found this to have been a good distraction from me leaving the house. When I come back it is not finished but I know he has spent some time chewing on it.
Also Lara mentioned giving the Kong sometimes when I was at home so I tried this. That tip has also improved things as he doesn't associate it always with me leaving. Today it was quite hard to leave but I have to accept that not everyday will be a success.

I still often find him at the door when I come back but I am always waking him up from a deep sleep - this is ok as I know it is due to tiredness from being out for a good chunk of the day and not from boredom.

I think the Kong will help you - it gives the dog something interesting to do on his own. If a dog has nothing to do it will sleep all day or muck up. A bunch of toys isn't really enough for my dog on his own - he would prefer someone to play with him and the toys. Chewy things like kongs and pork strips don't need playmates. How long are you out? If it is only for a few hours then a kong is ideal.

cissy

thanks cissy,
i think we'll get her one - how do they work? sounds a bit manky to me stuffing it with food but then dogs love manky stuff... do they get it out by licking? She loves mashed potato so would that b a good stuffing u think? still not convinced that she'd play with it while we're out though. Longest shes been left so far is 3 and a half hours, she was very excited when we got home to the point of being frantic but otherwise seemed to cope quite well. Though she's been left for shorter amounts of time and made a big hole in the carpet behind the door. little minx ;)
Lynz and Tilly
x

hi - yes they spend ages licking them and yes they get manky if not finished off but it's ok if you keep washing them out. Have a search for "Kongs" - there was a good and very long thread about 2 months ago which had all sorts of recipes you can use.
good luck
cissy