Toys that contain food can be a useful tool in helping puppies learn to settle. They also give higher-energy puppies something to do when the family cannot give them sufficient stimulation in other ways. Only the toys listed below may be used with food. There are many food-dispensing toys on the market but most are not safe and/or not practical for puppies. These toys have been tested extensively and although they are very durable, care must always be taken with any type of toy left with a puppy. Black Kongs are stronger than red Kongs but some pups can destroy even black Kongs (and may be especially motivated to do so if there is food inside!)

Stuffed Kongs
Situations where a stuffed Kong may be beneficial:
● Introducing puppies to being left alone in a crate
● When riding in vehicles for nervous puppies
● As part of a behavior modification program for puppies with anxiety in the crate
● In an ex-pen or on tie down at work with a higher energy puppy

Stuffing the Kong
The puppy’s regular kibble should be soaked and stuffed into the Kong. For young puppies, or to get an older puppy interested in the stuffed Kong, it should not be frozen as this makes it harder for the pup to get the kibble out causing the pup to lose interest. Once the puppy is enjoying the stuffed Kongs, the kibble should be lightly soaked before inserting and the Kong frozen. If the kibble is just lightly soaked small pieces will fall out
as it defrosts making it more enticing than a ‘block’ of food in the Kong which may be hard for the pup to reach and discouraging.

The amount of kibble used should be deducted from the pup’s normal feeding ration.

Very occasionally, a puppy with lower food drive will have no interest in a kibble-stuffed Kong. Then use higher value food to be used, such as canned dog food (following guidelines for unfrozen/freezing above). Peanut butter may be used but a no more than a tablespoonful and care must be taken that the product does not contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is poisonous to dogs. Other good fillings are pureed vegetables (such as carrots or peas), unsweetened plain yogurt, or pureed unseasoned meat.

The Wobbler
The “Wobbler” is made by the Kong Company and can be purchased at most pet stores or online. The smaller size should be used for puppies 25lb and under and the large size for puppies over 25lb:
https://www.kongcompany.com/dog/play-type/interactive/wobbler

The Wobbler may be used in a plastic crate but is noisy and creates movement so a stuffed Kong is a better choice in that situation. It is not recommended for use in a wire crate or on tie down due to the scattering of kibble. Ideally the Wobbler would be utilized in an x-pen or dog run.

The puppy’s regular kibble is the only food that may be placed in the Wobbler to keep it clean! Other dry treats can be placed inside the Wobbler, but avoid wet treats that would typically go in a Kong. It is ideal that the amount of food used in the toy should be deducted from the puppy’s meals and should not exceed the amount the puppy would normally be fed. This keeps your puppy focused and driven at the task at hand (which is essentially utilizing their energy to direct into the Food Dispensing Toy, and building associations with ‘settling’. If you overfeed your puppy, they may not be interested in the food filled toys, and neither you or the puppy get to realize the benefits of these tools!)

Some types of kibble are small and the hole that the kibble is dispensed from is so large that too much food escapes at once. The hole can be made smaller by partially blocking it with duct tape on the inside of the Wobbler. Duct tape should not be placed on the outside tempting the pup to pluck it off!

Care should be taken to tighten the Wobbler firmly so that is does not become unscrewed as the pup is playing with it. If the puppy gnaws on the Wobbler, or persists in getting one apart, you may consider taking the toy away indefinitely, or only using it in supervised scenarios.

Like any toy, the Wobbler should be checked regularly for wear and tear and discontinued if the puppy is chewing it excessively.

The Mango
The Mango is available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/M-C-works-Aggressive-Chewer-Dental-Indestructible/dp/B082R2H9ML

This toy can be loaded with food in two ways: small kibbles can be inserted to fall out when the toy is moved around, or the grooves can be coated with a soft/sticky food. Soaked and mushed up kibble (to make a paste) will work, but for puppies with lower food drive, peanut butter or canned dog food may be used. The Mango should be soaked and well washed after each use.

For Husbandry
The Mango is a great tool for use in husbandry such as grooming and nail trimming. Puppies that are uncomfortable/sensitive to e.g., ear cleaning, vet exams, nail trimming, may tolerate the procedure better when distracted by food smeared on the Mango. Classical conditioning is also occurring when the Mango is utilized this way so that future handling is more likely to be well tolerated by the puppy. The puppy should be gradually weaned off the necessity of the Mango when grooming.