Go Stuff Your Kong.....

KONG STUFFING RECIPES
Reproduced with kind permission from the N.C.D.L

ICED KONG
Plug the end of the Kong with a treat. Turn it upside down in a cup. Fill it full of chicken gravy and freeze. Try Cat food as well.
WARNING - Frozen kong can get messy and are recommended for outdoor use only.

SPANISH KONG
1 egg, grated cheese and any vegetables your dog likes.
Scramble the egg and fold in the vegetables. Squash into the Kong. Sprinkle some cheese over the top and microwave for about 20 seconds to seal the ingredients. Cool thoroughly.
WARNING - Cheese becomes very hot in the microwave.

KONG AU GRATIN
Mix cheese pieces or cheese spread with your dogs usual dried dog food and press into the Kong. Microwave until the cheese starts to melt and bind the food together. Let it cool to a safe temperature. Use a cup to contain the Kong when in the microwave.

NOUVELLE KONGS
Smear peanut butter or Marmite inside the cavity of the Kong for a quick and minimalist alternative.

TANTALISERS
Cheese, Chicken skin, Bacon, Pate, Cooked lamb's liver, meaty canned cat food. - Use very sparingly and make sure this treat blocks the top hole so that none of your other ingredients fall out.

MAIN COURSES
Small dog biscuits, bread sticks, garlic bread, pizza crusts, carrot batons - These treats should be wedged into place. Experiment with different brands of dog biscuits and look at small dog sizes which are very versatile. You want to leave lots of interesting gaps. some biscuits should be harder to get out than others.

INSTANT REWARDS
Freeze-dried liver, cat treats, Chopped sausage, grated cheese. - These need to be small, flavoursome goodies. the second your dog nudges the Kong, some of these should fall out to get him hooked. If they are all dispersed immediately, its going to be a bit dull for your dog - so make sure you shake the Kong as you're filling it so some bits end up working their way into all the crevices created by the wedged biscuits.

BANANA-RAMA
1 fresh banana · 2 tbs wheat germ · 1 tbs plain yoghurt (can use your pet's favorite flavor as well) - Mash up the banana, add wheat germ and yogurt. Mash all ingredients together and use spoon to add to Kong. Freeze for 4 hours.

CHEESY DENTAL KONG DELIGHT
3 slices of your pet's favorite cheese - Just place the 3 slices of cheese directly onto the grooves of your pet's Dental Kong (if model has rope - make sure cheese does not get onto it). Melt in microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Give to pet after it cools.

PHILLY STEAK
Steak scraps · 1 ounce cream cheese - Place small scraps of the steak inside Kong toy. Spread cream cheese in the large hole to hold scraps.

FRUIT SALAD
Apple and carrot chunks, 1/4th of a banana - Place apples and carrots into Kong. Mush the banana in the large hole to hold fruit in place. You can include other fruits and vegetables, such as orange slices, peach, nectarine chunks, celery sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, tomato and black olive mixture.

MAC 'N CHEESE
Leftover macaroni and cheese · small cube of Velveeta · appropriate Kong Toy Melt Velveeta in microwave until gooey. Add mac 'n cheese to Kong Toy. Pour heated Velveeta into Kong. Make sure it has cooled before giving to your pet.

FAMOUS RECIPES
AUNT JEANNIE'S ARCHEOLOGY KONG (for advanced dogs) LAYER ONE (deepest): roasted, unsalted cashews · freeze dried liver bits LAYER TWO: dog kibble, cookies or liver biscotti · Cheerios · sugar-free, salt-free peanut butter · dried banana chips, apples and apricots LAYER THREE: carrot sticks · turkey or leftover ravioli or tortellini · Kong Toy (the larger the better!) Pack as tightly as possible. The last item inserted should be an apricot or piece of ravioli, presenting a smooth "finish" under the main opening. LIGHT VERSION: substitute crumbled rice cakes for cashews, Caesar croutons for freeze-dried liver, fat free cream cheese for peanut butter. - by Jean Donaldson

KONG ON A ROPE
Dry dog kibble · appropriate Kong Toy · Rope Take the rope, pull it through the Kong Toy and knot it. Hang this upside down from a tree, deck or post. The small hole should be facing the ground. Take the kibble and fill the Kong Toy. Make the toy hang just low enough that it is out of your dog's reach. The dog will spend hours trying to retrieve the kibble from the Kong Toy. At the end of the day, take the remaining kibble and give to your pet as a reward. This is advanced work for your dog. - by Ian Dunbar

FROZEN JERKY POPS
Peanut butter · bouillon · Jerky Strips · Water · appropriate Kong Toy · muffin tin Smear a small amount of peanut butter over small hole in your Kong Toy. Fill the cool water and add a pinch of bouillon. Place a Jerky Stick inside Kong Toy and freeze. This can also be put (once frozen) in a children's size swimming pool for a fun day of fishing for your pet. - by Terry Ryan


Just a word of friendly advice :-) I think Kong's are a wonderful invention and stuffing them is a great mental stimulator for dogs, as well as aiding relaxation, but some dogs that have problems are very frustrated and if given a Kong stuffed thoroughly and tightly can become more so.

Dogs Trust List Of Poisonous Plants, Garden and Household Substances.....

With the gardening season upon us, thought this might be worth looking at:

http://dogstrust.org.uk/_resources/resources/factsheets09/factsheetpoisonoussubstances09.pdf

Good Recipe For Training Treats.....

Liver Cake.

This is a good recipe for a fantastic training treat, but please note this treat should only be used for training purposes only, as it contains a lot of Vitamin A. Using as a "special" treat too, will increase the dogs motivation to receive some:

Ingredients.

1lb Liver
1lb Granary Flour
3 Eggs
2 Cloves of Garlic (Optional)
1 Teaspoon of Oil
Dash of Milk

Liquidise the liver with the eggs, milk, oil and garlic in a blender.
Add to flour and mix.
Put into a microwavable dish, and cook on full power for about 6 to 10 minutes.

The cake should bounce back when pressed, when it is fully cooked.

Cut into slices and freeze ready for your training classes, please note, do NOT re-freeze.

Fussy Eaters.....

For a dog not to be eating properly there is more than likely a medical or a behavioural issue such as stress as the reason.

Food means a great deal more to dogs than we give it credit for, it means survival to the dog, so for them not to be eating I would A) consider a visit to the vets after a few days settling in and B) consider whether the dog is stressed or anxious.

They should be considered first before chopping and changing foods as the constant change can have a detrimental effect on the dogs stomach and intestines.

Dont watch the dog eat as your stress can have an effect on the dog, dont force them to eat however dont leave the food down for them, give them 5 minutes and if they leave it pick it up. Dogs, in full health, will not starve themselves so if they are not eating rule out the two above before changing foods.

Coming Soon.....

Advice and Training Tips and other useful subjects such as "how socialisation is important," "training your dog builds a bond," "dog sports are excellent," "tired dog is a well behaved dog," "diet."