Reddit mentions: The best dog rope toys

Oh Lordy I have a ton...I'll try to categorize them...

Best for Puppies
These are all easy toys that dispense a lot of kibble with very little movement. Perfect for baby puppies or really low-confidence dogs. These can also be upgraded in difficulty later by stuffing them with wet food and freezing, or stuffing with a large, hard to extract treat (like a slice of lunchmeat).

• PetSafe Busy Buddy Twist 'n Treat...total pain in the ass to fill if you put more than half a cup of food in it, but it's a great "intro to puzzle toys" for a dog that has never had to work for food before. Also very easy to clean.
  
• Soda Pup Coffee Cup...representative of a whole genre of "rubber toys with large holes" that make great easy kibble toys or challenging stuff and freeze toys. Some other toys in this genre are the Kong and the West Paw Toppl. I like the Soda Pup ones best because they have higher capacity and a flat bottom.
  
• Planet Dog Orbee Tuff Snoop...pretty easy by itself with kibble, can be made more challenging by stuffing a Mazee ball in the large hole.
  
• Plastic Milk Jug...or a water bottle, raid your recycling bin. You'll have to supervise to make sure your puppy doesn't shred and eat the jug, but it's a relatively easy and fun (and free) enrichment item. Another puzzle toy you may find in your recycling bin is a cardboard box filled with paper balls. Sprinkle some treats in the box, fill with the balls, and let your dog forage around in your DIY ball pit.
  
  Easy Rollers
  These basically just dispense kibble by rolling. Not particularly complex, but good for the dog that prefers to solve puzzles by brute force.
  
  
• IQ Treat Ball...this toy takes the longest to empty out of all my toys, but it is way too freaking small and loud as hell on my hardwood at 6am. Really easy to fill and clean though, as it comes completely apart.
  
• Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball...a lot quieter but it empties faster and isn't as easy to fill (or clean).
  
• Kruuse Buster Cube...this one is also ungodly loud, but it takes a good while to empty despite the fairly consistent payoff per roll. It's a cube (but they also make a spherical one) and the insides have a few baffles to keep kibble from just falling out.
  
  Wobblers
  These require a more finessed rolling motion to empty, so they're the next step up from just batting a toy around.
  
  
• PetSafe Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble...more of a wobbler/roller hybrid. Surprisingly time-consuming for how huge the holes are, and it gets an A+ for filling and cleaning. Unfortunately my GSD knows how to unscrew it, so it's not much of a challenge for him.
  
• Starmark Bob-A-Lot...lots of ways to adjust the difficulty on this one, which is nice. I had a foster chew the yellow piece off of mine, but it still works well.
  
• Kong Wobbler...pretty standard toy, I actually do not have one of these but I know a lot of people that like them. They're available at big box pet stores which is nice.
  
• Nina Ottosson Pyramid...very similar to the Kong Wobbler, but the hole is in a more difficult location. Good toy but the bottom could use more counterweighting for the wobble action.
  
• PetSafe Busy Buddy Magic Mushroom...really good wobble action, but for some reason it's common for dogs to try and chuck this one down the stairs and break it. I've heard of a few dogs doing this, including my GSD. I have no idea what about this toy screams "fling me down the stairs!"
  
  Complex Action Toys
  These need movement in more than one direction (or very specific movement) to get kibble out of, which makes them pretty challenging.
  
  
• PetSafe Busy Buddy Tug-a-Jug...this toy is hard to learn but easy to master. Once your dog figures out the mechanism it doesn't last long. Also that rope gets SUPER GROSS.
  
• Nina Ottosson Board Games...I don't personally have any of these because my dogs cannot be trusted with small parts, but I've heard people say good things about them.
  
• Trixie Mad Scientist...this toy is cool because the dog has to learn to spin the tubes slowly or centripetal acceleration holds the food in. Good exercise in impulse control. I had a DIY one for awhile but my dogs decided to brute force this toy.
  
  Soothing, Low Energy Toys
  Along with the stuff n' freeze toys, these are good for dogs on crate rest or who need some extra help relaxing before bed.
  
  
• Snuffle Mat...great toy for activating a dog's foraging instincts and calming their minds. This is a good DIY project, or you can get extra lazy and chuck a bunch of food into the grass for nature's puzzle toy.
  
• HyperPet Lickimat...my cats eat their wet food from the orange kind ("buddy"), and my dogs use the green kind ("soother") with some PB or cheese as a distraction during grooming. You can spread a thin layer of something tasty on them and freeze for a long-lasting treat that promotes the calming behavior of licking.
  
  
  My dogs (and cats!) eat all their food out of puzzles so I am constantly on the lookout for new challenges! I'd be happy to provide more details on any of the toys I have, or buy and review any toys people have been wondering about :)
  EDIT: btw this Jackson Galaxy Asteroid is my favorite cat puzzle toy. They really need to make one for dogs because it is kinda quirky with its bounciness and super quiet.

Why not work in the yard on a long line instead of going on walks? Gets her outside and moving, but keeps her close to home, too. You can work up on distance when she is doing better. As long as you are active with your dog, it doesn't necessarily have to come in the form of a "walk".

Some alternatives:

• Training - ALWAYS good. Tires out the brain, builds skills and focus, can help with anxiety and stress, can be really fun for everyone. Tricks + basic skills are a good place to start. You can work up to more fun/physical things once you have a good foundation. Clicker Training is a really fun way and effective way to work with your dog. Training makes up a good hunk of our daily exercise/activities. The mental stimulation is what is really important for many anxious dogs.
  
  
• Flirt Pole - Tons of fun. You can play on a long line in the yard. Great way to work on impulse control and focus.
  
  
• Urban Agility / Backyard Agility - use common objects for obstacles (benches, stairs, poles, rocks, etc). You can build up different skills to help your dog learn how to maneuver these obstacles on cue. You can do things like cue to jump up on rocks/benches, walk across platforms (like retaining walls), weave between poles, etc. Good way to build focus and exercise the mind and body. You can make some homemade equipment, too (there are lots of different guides online).
  
  
• Fetch - you can play on a long line in the yard. If it is raining, you can also play on stairs in your house to burn some extra energy faster.
  
  
• Catch - you can play indoors or in the yard on a long line. Practice tossing objects up for your dog to catch. Play on softer surfaces - avoid concrete or hard floors to give your pup more cushion and be careful about encouraging your dog to jump TOO high. You can also incorporate stunts the more advanced you get or even look into flyball style games/training.
  
  
• Puzzles - IQ Ball, Kongs, Buster Cubes, Kong Wobbler, etc. Replace a meal in a bowl with a meal in a puzzle toy or two and occupy your pup!
  
  
• Scentwork - hid stinky treats or special scented objects for your dog to find. Here is some basic game ideas to help you get started. There are classes and tons of materials available on scent training.
  
  Not all of these are indoor/outdoor, but depending on the size of your space many of them can easily be done inside, too! It is really important that you don't let her apprehension about being outside keep her indoors. Counter Conditioning can be a big help in helping her become more confident outdoors - just work at her pace, but work consistently. Even if you stay close to home for the next several months and keep outdoor activities short, but more frequent throughout the day, it can do a lot to help her get over her anxieties.
  
  Depending on her level of stress, you could even try feeding her outside, or making sure the meals she enjoys outside have a little extra something in them that helps her realize how rewarding it can be to be outdoors.

You've gotten a lot of good opinions, I'll throw mine in for fun :-)

First. I think you're a good dog owner and I think you can make this work.

Many people have suggested a dog walker - I think that is a great idea. I have a coworker who has a dog walker who gathers up a few dogs from his neighborhood, drives them to a park and they have 3+ hour adventures! Plus they get to spend some time riding around to pick up and drop off the other dogs, I think it really fills their dogs day. My coworker does this M-F but even one day a week would be awesome.

Second. Work his brain. I'd start feeding all his meals in a food dispensing toy he enjoys. I used all of the ones I'll link below either for the dogs I work with or my pets.

[Bob-a-lot] (http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-A-Lot-Interactive-Pet-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4) This one is pretty tough and can be left alone with some dogs

[Tug-a-Jug] (http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Dispensing-Medium-Large/dp/B000KV7ZGQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1426890582&sr=1-1&keywords=food+dispensing+bottle+rope+toy) This one can be dangerous if they eat the 'rope' but I love how ease it is to fill.

[Tricky Treat Ball] (http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Paw-Tricky-Treat-Large/dp/B0002DK26M/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1426890517&sr=1-3&keywords=food+dispensing+dog+toy) This one takes my dog FOREVER but holds her interest well. The plastic is really soft so I supervise her using it (while I watch TV or brush my teeth) so she doesn't just lay down and chew at it to get her food. The other thing I like about the soft plastic/rubber is that it is pretty quiet for her to use unlike the other options I've listed.

[Buster Cube] (http://www.amazon.com/Buster-Food-Cube-Large-Colors/dp/B0006G54OU/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1426890999&sr=8-9&keywords=food+dispensing+dog+toy) Not sure if the buster cube was the first of the roll around style food dispensers but it was the only one I knew about for a long time. They're pretty sturdy and challenging.

There are a LOT more food dispensing toys out there but I think the ones they have to move can be a little more exciting than a tightly packed kong they lick at. Kongs are great too, I'd just include them in a rotation of feeding devices.

Another thing you can do to make life more exciting for your dog is to rotate toys. If he has a lot of toys only leave out 2 or 3 on a given day and swap them out for toys you've kept hidden and occasionally introduce a new toy. Some dogs really love novelty.

Finally I think trick training is great. A few 5 minute sessions a day of learning a new behavior, or building on an existing behavior is a great way to beat the boredom.

Some fun tricks you can teach that you can use to make really complex behaviors are take it (hold in mouth), paw target (touch with foot) and nose target (touch with nose). You can use those behaviors along with others tricks to teach him to close doors, open doors, turn lights on and off, put things away, cross his legs, ring a bell, limp, pretend to pee (targeting with a back foot) etc.

Lastly, I'd teach him to search for hidden items in your house. I like to hide something while my dog is out going potty, then watch her search for it while I brush my teeth.

Hope those ideas for easy entertainment help some! Keep the dog, do what you can, you're doing SO MUCH MORE than so many dog owners already. I think he'd be fine if you kept him and just did what you're doing now. :-)

>My hands look like someone tossed me in a thorn bush.

This is a different issue. Biting is how your puppy wants to interact with you, chewing is to help with teething pain.

For the biting, This video is only 3 mins long & will teach you why they bite & how to fix it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WT0nteyHI_M

Ok now chewing. Teething is pretty painful, and for a dog there are 2 ways to ease the pain, Cold & pressure. The pressure to the teeth is what reliefs pain & is why puppy's become such frantic chewers.

Think of being massively in pain, opening your medicine cabinet and grabbing one of every pill that might help resolve it. That's what your puppy is doing, except instead of pills its your furniture & belongings.

So to help your puppies pain relief, give him things that are easy to fit inside of his mouth to reach the back teeth, and things that he can really sink his teeth into.

Heres what I've used personally,




Kong rubber toys :

[ Bone ] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/KONG-Extreme-Goodie-Bone-Dog/dp/B0115C7BL2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491011147&sr=8-1&keywords=kong%2Bbone&th=1)

[ Frisbee ] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/KONG-Flyer-Dog-Toy-Large/dp/B000BRTADK/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1491011205&sr=1-1&keywords=frisbee)

[ Kong ] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/KONG-Extreme-Dog-Toy-Large/dp/B0002AR0II/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1491011238&sr=1-4&keywords=kong&th=1)

The above toys are great and long lasting. The nice thing about the kong & kong bone is they can be filled with food and frozen. This gives additional pain relief & more interest in the toy. We use peanut butter.

The frisbee is awesome, its softer then kongs and has a lip that they can use to get behind teeth. Its also great for fetch & tug. I've used one for tug with a full grown lab. It didnt rip at all.


Other toys :

[Rope ball] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nuts-Knots-Ball-Extra-Large/dp/B003TL3YM8/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1491011557&sr=1-5&keywords=rope+ball)

[Teddy bear] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/KONG-Knots-Medium-Large-Colors/dp/B014JZKVCS/ref=pd_lpo_199_bs_lp_tr_t_2?_encoding=UTF8&refRID=1RVKHA4CCB5FY2AGAQJH&th=1)

[Stick thing] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/West-Paw-Design-Zogoflex-Hurley/dp/B004A7X21I/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1491011862&sr=1-1&keywords=Zogoflex)

[Busy buddy] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/PetSafe-Busy-Buddy-Ultra-Stratos/dp/B00YHPNS8U/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1491012072&sr=1-3-spons&keywords=Busy+Buddy&psc=1)

[fill with water and freeze melon] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rosewood-Watermelon-BioSafe-Dog-Toy/dp/B00M1WYUCE/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1491012124&sr=1-2&keywords=Watermelon)

[Duck and giraffe rope toys] (https://www.amazon.co.uk/wangstar-Cotton-Clearing-Animal-Giraffe/dp/B01MYZ94VH/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1491012244&sr=1-1&keywords=duck+and+giraffe+rope)

We got the above and they can all be frozen apart from the stick & busy buddy. We've also found this selection to give variety in what shes chewing, which is important as dogs quickly get bored of a chew if its not providing enough relief or interest.


Dog Food items :

[Meat filled bone] (http://www.petsathome.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/pets/angus-filled-liver-bone)

[Pork roll] (http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/hollings-pork-roll-dog-treat)

[Beef hide] (http://www.petsathome.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/pets/hollings-beef-hide-dog-treat-small)

[Pigs ear] (http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/hollings-pig-ear-dog-treat-regular)

The hide rolls ( pork n beef) are my best finds to date. They are hard but soften with chewing, my dog uses them for both chewing on back teeth and pulling apart with front teeth, and they last for days ( 4mo husky chewing is pretty intense so days is high praise ). Meat filled bones are ok-ish, they are a hit n miss depending on the fillings. I'm probably not going to get another one as I think buying a chicken or beef based filling for a kong would be better. They do require super vision. Pig ears are fantastic for the same reason as the rolls, although they only last an hour or two.


Pet safe household food :

Carrots : Great from the fridge, cold and crunchy gives great relief. and they are good for the pooch too. Dont freeze fresh carrots turn to messy mush when they thaw out. I'm talking from experience -.-

Sweet potatoes : peel and give. They have great vitamins for your pooch, are crunchy and tasty from the fridge. Do not use normal potatoes, they are not safe.

Frozen peas : Good pain relief, but be careful as access can cause a laxative effect. Use more as a treat then a chew.

Fresh and frozen broccoli : crunchy and super healthy

Bones : Only do this if you have trained against resource guarding. I give my pooch meat bones to pick, then take the bone away when the meats gone. Cooked bones are dangerous as they splinter, so supervision must be given the entire time. Chicken bones & other small bones are a hell no. For example I gave her a leg of lamb bone recently, she picked it for the meat then i took it away.


Homemade toys :

T-shirt rope :

When my pups front teeth where coming through, she found a lot of her toys too hard to play with. So i made a rope toy out of an old tshirt. I basically cut one side of the tshirt, then cut it into 3 strips. Then I platted it. This is great as its super soft, and strechy.

Heres a video guide to making a more elaborate one then I did :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXbS-XIa-CQ


Frozen rag :

I actually used left over t-shirt for this. Simply soak a piece of cloth or a rag, and freeze it. Makes a great fun chew.


Sock and bottle :

A 500ml empty coke bottle, with the lid on, in a sock, Tied up. The sock stops them ripping up the plastic bottle and hurting themselves, and the bottle is fun for them due to the crunchy noise it makes.



It's important to mention, never give your dog more then 2-3 toys at a time. Or they will learn its ok to chew on everything.

I've posted this before, and it's a great list! Originally posted by u/manatee1010 and I have tried several:

I keep this list of brain toy links handy to send to friends who get dogs. It's getting pretty long...

Toys that get stuffed with food and frozen:

• Kong Classic (15-20 minutes) (it sounds like Watson is lukewarm toward this… have you tried mixing a spoonful of canned food in with some kibble and freezing it?
  
  
• Zogoflex Toppl Interactive Treat Dispensing Dog Toy (this can be a stand-alone toy, or if you get a big one and little one they can fit together and dispense kibble) (15-20 minutes)
  
  
• Starmark Pickle Pocket (my big dog really likes this one… we put cheese in it) (20-25 minutes)
  
  Kibble dispensing toys, hard material (good for carpeted areas)
  
  
• Bob-A-Lot (~10 minutes… this one can be adjusted to make it harder)
  
  
• Tug-A-Jug (10-30 minutes, depending on the dog)
  
  
• Magic Mushroom (10-30 minutes, depending on the dog)
  
  
• Kong Wobbler (~5-10 minutes)
  
  
• IQ Treat Ball (~10-15 minutes)
  
  
• Pet Zone IQ Ball (this is the ONLY toy my dogs can’t get all the kibble out of. They’ll usually persist for half an hour or so before they give up)
  
  
• Buster Cube (I think this has several difficulty settings… my guys now don’t have one of these, but my dog when I was growing up had one. I’d guess this is probably a 20-30 minute toy depending on difficulty and what you load into it)
  
  
• Treatstik – I have NO idea how long this one takes to load, but it’s on my to-purchase list because it seems like it’s one of the longer lasting toys on the market. If anyone has/gets one, I’m super interested to hear about it!
  
  Kibble dispensing toys, soft material (good for hardwood/tile/laminate)
  
  
• Barnacle (this can be stuffed like a Kong as well… I lost this one when I moved but I think in terms of kibble dispensing it was shorter lasting, maybe 5-10 minutes)
  
  
• Tricky Treater (I REALLY like this one; super easy to load and clean, lasts 10-15 minutes)
  
  
• Tricky Treat Ball (another super easy one… <5 minutes)
  
  
• Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop Treat Dispensing Dog Toy – this one just arrived yesterday so I don’t have a solid rating of its durability yet, but so far it seems great… easy to load, takes the dogs awhile to empty, and super duper quiet.
  
  
• JW Pet Company Treat Puzzler Dog Toy (this one is super easy for them to empty… I’d say 3-5 minutes)
  
  
• PetSafe Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble Meal Dispensing Dog Toy (this one is okay, not my favorite… I didn’t like that I had to make a decision about cutting it immediately after opening. It takes ~5-10 minutes to unload)
  
  
• Starmark Treat Dispensing Puzzle Ball - this one is new! I almost bought it the other day but haven't yet; I think it's most similar to a Buster Cube in terms of adjustable difficulty, it's just a softer material.
  
  Time-release kibble dispensing toys (good for work days)
  
  
• the Foobler is great because it works on a timer that rotates to the next of six, ¼ cup food hoppers at set intervals of time (you pick, the options are 15-30-60-90 minutes), which makes it last way longer than most of these toys. This is hard plastic.
  
  
• CleverPet – this has a December release date. I’m way pumped about it and have been in touch with the company… hopefully I’ll be getting one of the first models off the line!
  
  Lastly, there are also these two that I haven’t tried yet, so I’m not positive how to classify…
  
  
• Starmark Crunching Barbell
  
  
• Starmark Treat Crunching Multiball
  
  
  ETA: If you have any others you like (or don't like) that I've left off this list, please chime in!

Honestly, you exercise your dog while doing things as a family. I don't have a child, but some of my friends with a dog do and them spending quality time together usually consists of them going to the beach with a dog or going to the park with the dog, or going on hikes with the dog. They were active people to begin with (their daughter went on her first camping trip at 1 month old, the dad's a marathoner, the mom's a triathlete) so an active dog fit into their lifestyle. (They have a border collie - the most active of active dogs) Additionally, once your dog is 3 years old, they should calm down a bit, although labs are notorious for acting like puppies far into their adult years.

Generally, this is why people are actually advised away from labs - they're far more high energy than most people expect. They were bred to retrieve and hunt - to work the whole day with a hunter so they've got a lot of energy.

Does your dog have all their shots? Is there a dog park nearby? My dog will get wiped when she gets to play with all the other dogs. Have you taught your dog fetch? That's another great way to get out a lot of energy fast. Do you know what a flirt pole is? It's basically a giant cat toy for dogs (I got mine here). My dog is uber prey driven, so this is the perfect toy for her. You want to go easy on it as your puppy is still very young and their growth plates aren't fused yet, but it can still be very fun and tiring.

Does your daughter have a lot of fun with the dog? Maybe you can figure out some game that will not only tire out your puppy, but allow you to give your daughter your time as well.

Here's what I think you should try:

• get an exercise pen so you don't always have to worry about your puppy getting into stuff while you're working
  
• Take 5 minute breaks from work occasionally and work on some training with your dog - training is great mental stimulation and will also tire out your dog (also it's more effective when done in short bursts throughout the day)
  
• Don't give your dog any more food in a bowl. It always goes into some sort of puzzle toy (I have the starmark chew ball and the kong wobbler but there are tons) or is a reward for training
  
• Try to extend your walks a bit and make sure you don't always go to the same place. Sniffing new things is also mental stimulation and will also help tire out your dog
  
• Try to find more activities you can do as a family that will also wear out your dog
  
• Try a bitter spray like bitter apple for things she shouldn't chew on (my dog used to chew on the table, now she doesn't)
  
• Make sure you're giving your dog really good chews like bully sticks. They're pricey, but much less of a choking hazard than rawhide. I buy em in bulk off amazon.
  
• Try dog parks
  
• See if doggy day care, even for a day or two a week is feasible - it may really tire out your dog (most of them around here have a discounted rate for a half day, so that's an option as well)
  
• Try a flirt pole
  
• Try fetch
  
• Get thee to a dog training class! Once again, training will tire out your dog mentally so they're less likely to destroy stuff
  

Sorry I didn't get to this right away, OP. I knew it would get lengthy, so I wanted to wait until I had a chance to get to my computer.

First, just to clear up any (very common) misconceptions you might have, Dominance theory has been discounted and should not be used as a basis for making decisions about dog behaviour or training, so forget about being alpha in your pack (from the wiki.

The dog does not see you as competition. You're simply dealing with an untrained, high energy dog.

Now, before I give you any more advice, recognize that this is not your dog, so clear any training methods with your girlfriend first. Be supportive and NOT accusatory, and suggest taking a good positive reinforcement class with her. Hell, gift her a training class as a Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/whatever present, and go together.

>He exhibits a lot of bad behaviors that she does not correct, or will even defend

"Bad behaviors" is a relative term. What you may view as "bad," your girlfriend may view as no big deal. For example, my dog is horrible on leash. I've been training diligently for years, and he just cannot grasp the concept of walking on a leash without pulling. So, I gave up. If that's his worst behavior, then I'll let it go and just learn to manage it. For me, pulling on leash is not a "bad" behavior.

She's also likely getting defensive with everyone getting mad at her.

How much exercise and mental stimulation is the dog getting every day? My guess is, not nearly enough. Start there. Take the dog running/biking/hiking, get a flirt pole, take up a dog sport like nosework or agility (agility will require a basic obedience class first, but nosework you can start almost immediately in your own living room), feed out of puzzle toys or freeze meals into Kongs (ditch the dog bowl), and pick up clicker training and start working on obedience.

>He mostly only listens to her, but when his mind is set he listens to absolutely no one

This isn't uncommon, even with trained dogs. Training is a lifelong skill, and you can't just teach a command and be done with it. You have to train with different people, in different environments/situations, and make sure to reinforce good behaviors occasionally.

>He will dig in the trash, jump on the counters, eat any and all food he can find even if it makes him absolutely sick

This is more of a management issue than a training issue. The dog is being set up to fail. Digging in the trash and counter surfing are WAY more rewarding than any training you can do with the dog. It's fun and results in food. Garbage cans need to be put behind a closed door, and food cannot be left on the counters. Bonus points if you can block off the kitchen with a baby gate. Shoes and things need to be put away, as well as anything you don't want the dog to potentially view as a toy. You need to essentially puppy proof your home(s).

>he can't stand to be separated from her and exhibits severe separation anxiety

This isn't uncommon in gun dogs. Most are naturally very handler focused (to an extent), so it's hard for them to know what to do without their owner/handler. Here is our page on separation anxiety.

>he will listen for a few minutes and then just do whatever he wants after that

You're expecting a lot out of an untrained, underexercised dog. In fact, "a few minutes" is a fantastic stay duration, and you should actually view that as impressive. The dog has to learn how to work up to a stay of greater durations, and a dog should never be put in a position to break the stay. The stays you expect of this dog should never be a "permanent" stay (meaning, the dog should never be expected to stay until you get around to giving him attention again).

He's breaking the stay simply because he doesn't understand when he's allowed to move again. If you want him out of your way, you need to be giving him something else to do (this is where frozen kongs will be your best friend). Don't leave it up to him to maintain a long stay. Manage his environment so he has something better to do.

Also recognize that he's starved of attention and exercise. This is an underexercised dog, so he's going to be annoying and demanding as fuck until you can get him to the point where he is content to just go to sleep instead of waiting for you guys to entertain him.

>There have been multiple occasions where he has knocked her over or down stairs because he just excitedly shoves his way past her/us the split second she opens the house or car door, even if she tells him to sit and stay (he freaks out whenever he thinks she is going anywhere without him

He's bored as fuck, and is hoping like hell something exciting is about to happen. Again, daily exercise and mental stimulation will help here.

>and always ensures he is ahead of her wherever she goes

Forgive me if I'm just reading too far into this, but I didn't want to potentially pass over it. It's a very common misconception that a dog is trying to "dominate" us by "leading the way." This is entirely untrue. Dogs simply move way faster than we do, and the dog doesn't know where he should go, or what he should be doing instead. Again, its nothing more than a bored, excited dog.

>When she brings him to my (or anyone else's) house, he becomes an absolute terror where, even if he gets to sit right next to her, he eventually becomes restless and starts walking back and forth from her to the nearest exit

Dogs don't handle change well, and you're dealing with an overaroused, anxious, underexercised dog. He's WAY over threshold, and is literally unable to settle down.

>If I give him a command it's pretty obvious he knows what I want and then will do the opposite

He doesn't know what you want. He may have an idea, but dogs don't generalize well. That means a dog will not easily understand that "sit" applies wherever he is, from no matter who says it. You need to take the initiative to help train the dog in your house, and create a positive bond with this dog. Give him a reason to want to listen to you, and help him to understand what you expect of him.

The best dog training occurs when a dog is taught what to do, instead of what not to do. Set him up for success instead of just assuming he knows what he should be doing.

>Locking him in the car is her solution to this, every time. Apparently being locked in a tiny car is better than being inside a comfortable house

This is a very poor solution to a problem, but it likely allows the dog to calm down in a quiet, familiar space. Do not leave a dog unattended in a car, and do not allow this to become a bandaid. Again, and I'll repeat it as often as necessary, this dog needs more exercise every single day. High energy working breeds become neurotic if they're not exercised and given a job to do.

>it has grown to a point where he is challenging me, even in my own home

Obviously, by now you should understand this, but the dog is not challenging you. He's just untrained and underexercised.

>I've tried to come come up with solutions

What have your solutions been? You both need to crack down on the house training and train properly. Here is our housetraining page. In short, make sure the dog is 100% supervised, take him out frequently so he doesn't have a chance to decide to go indoors, reward heavily when he goes in the correct spot, and just calmly and quietly clean up messes.

>I'm stuck always being the "bad guy" who gets annoyed by the dog and ends up punishing him for his aweful behavior

Do. Not. Punish. Dogs don't understand punishment the same way we do. It's an entirely ineffective way to get your point across. In 99% of cases, if the dog has messed up, it's your fault, I promise you. If he pees in the house, why was he unsupervised? If he knocks over the garbage, why wasn't it behind a door? If he pulls on the leash, why haven't you trained him? If he's sprinting around the house, why hasn't he been exercised?

A dog can only behave as a dog. We're the ones with these arbitrary human rules, so we need to be the ones to help the dog succeed.

Needless to say, there's also a relationship issue here. If the dog is to be allowed in your house, your girlfriend needs to be responsible for him. But, as I said in the beginning, avoid accusing your girlfriend and make this a team effort. It's incredibly easy for someone to fall into this trap of "my dog is hopeless" which becomes "there's nothing wrong with my dog, STFU," believe me. If this is a long term, serious relationship, you need to be equally as involved. Here is our page on how to choose a trainer, and I would also be happy to send you a list of some trainers if you PM me your zip code. ALWAYS look for a positive reinforcement, force free trainer. And, for Dog's sake, thoroughly read through our wiki and sidebar. This dog is not hopeless by any means, and almost all of your training solutions can be found in the wiki.

You can (and definitely should) wean them off food rewards, but you can never stop rewarding behaviors altogether or they will go extinct. The best thing is to teach the dog to value some type of non-food object as a reward, generally a tug but a lot of folks use a tennis ball on a string type toy.

Some dogs are naturally more play-motivated than they are food-motivated, others have to be trained to enjoy playing as a reward.

EDIT: Reward schedules are important too. During the time when the dog is first learning a new behavior it should be rewarded 100% of the times that it does the behavior. Once the dog has learned the behavior well you can start rewarding every other, then every third, etc. It's important not to get stuck on rewarding every other for too long or else you'll get one half-assed attempt since the dog knows it won't get a reward until the next attempt. Same if you get stuck rewarding every third too long, you'll get two half-assed attempts and one strong one. A randomly varying reward schedule is best to keep the behavior strong.

ACDs are quite the toy destroyers aren't they? Although my guy isn't quite as esteemed in the destruction field as an ACD, he is pretty bad. Here's what has survived him:

• Kong Sqrunch
  
• Ethical Skinneeez Big Bite Coyote Stuffingless Dog Toy (I really like this one because you can replace the water bottle inside. The only issue I have with it is that it can get kind of grimey)
  
• KONG Wobbler Treat Dispensing Dog Toy (good if he likes puzzles)
  
• KONG Extreme Dog Toy, Black
  
• Invincibles Snake Stuffingless Durable Tough Plush Dog Squeaky Toy with Squeakers by Outward Hound
  
• Jolly Pets Push-n-Play 14-Inch (might be really fun for him as it taps in to some herding dog's natural herding instinct)
  
• Benebone Real Flavor Wishbone Chew Toy, Made in USA (I'd be careful with these and supervision only at first. If your dog's chewing style is too aggressive, he can end up bleeding. I wouldn't dismiss it until you try it though. My boy is pretty aggressive, but works for him.)
  
• West Paw Zogoflex Hurley Durable Dog Bone Chew Toy for Aggressive Chewers, 100% Guaranteed Tough, It Floats!, Made in USA, for Strong Chewers (this one is awesome. Aside from some dirt, it looks exactly like the day I bought it to this day.
  
• goDog Dragons Flats Plush Dog Toy with Chew Guard Technology (My guy really likes plush toys and squeakers. He doesn't normally get them because he likes ripping them out and it's not the safest. This is the best one that I've found so far that will put up the biggest fight.)
  
• Goughnuts - Original Dog Chew Ring (a lot of people really like this, but unfortunately, Atlas doesn't seem to like the shape too much.)
  
• MultiPet Goblets Pig latex Dog toy Assorted Colors (lmfao my dog fucking loves this pig. The squeaker doesn't last, but the pig's outer shell does. He loves it a lot.)
  
• JW Pet Company Mini Hol-ee Roller Dog Toy, Colors Vary (They've also got an extreme edition here)
  
• MuttNation Fueled by Miranda Lambert Faux Suede Dog Toy (his face has come off, and his tail is frayed, but it is still chewable and he enjoys playing with it)
  
• KONG Cozies Dog Squeaky Toy (Also a really great option if you want to treat him to a plush toy. It will last longer than most others. Mine ripped off the ear when he first got it, but the rest lasted quite a while.)
  
• Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel and Puzzle Plush Squeaking Toys for Dogs (He loved this toy so much. He loves puzzles, but he destroyed the log fairly quickly. Surprisingly, he has had one of the squirrels for over a year ... and it still squeaks. I lost the rest of them, but that one little squirrel is still going strong.)
  
• Mammoth TireBiter Chew Toy with Rope (don't get this unless you don't mind bits of tire coming off)
  
• OurPets IQ Treat Ball Interactive Food Dispensing Dog Toy (great if your dog eats kibble and likes puzzles)
  
• Nylabone Dental Dino Power Chew DuraChew Dental Chew Toy (Like the benebone, watch him with this one at first. It's really hard and you don't want him to hurt himself. Eventually wears down, but takes a damn long time)
  
• We also do rope toys, antlers, bully sticks (special occasion- they last like 5 minutes), raw bones (we feed raw), Himalayan Yak Chews, and Flirt Pole.
  
  Reading my list, god damn my dog is spoiled. Keep in mind, these are just the toys that have made it. I'm not even counting the ones he's destroyed!
  
  Let me know if you have any questions!
  
  Lastly, I don't own a husky, but man do I respect the destruction a husky can wreck. I would recommend going to a husky group on facebook or a subreddit to see what toys they would recommend. If it's husky approved... it should last.
  
  
  

Oh man, limited exercise makes everything harder. Sorry, I overlooked that part. On the upside, keep in mind things are going to get much easier when he can exercise. It's also possible that he doesn't feel great because of the heartworm treatment...if that's the case then things will also get easier once he's feeling more comfortable.

How much is he allowed to move around? I assume running and long walks are out.

What about sniffing around outside (slowly, not covering any distance)? Even if he can't run and play, spending as much time outside as feasible will help, especially if it's on a regular schedule. For one thing, the time he spends outside is time not spent getting into trouble. More importantly though, smelling stuff will exercise his mind and help him de-stress. Scheduled indoor and outdoor time will help quell some of the anxiety--anxious dogs thrive on strict schedules.

Or, is walking around inside okay? My dogs will walk around pushing puzzle balls (e.g. JW treat ball) for as long as it takes to get the treats out. Just...start with kibble rather than something bigger or more enticing, so he doesn't get frustrated and chew through it.

>We do a lot of frozen Kongs and mind games like "find it". He has fun with those and it does seem to tire him out a little. Unfortunately most other chews/toys/puzzle toys we have tried with him, he has chewed up in about 20 minutes.

That's a great way to tire him out and release some stress. Especially since he's proven to be a chewer/destroyer inside, I'd keep a steady stream of chewables coming for him to focus on. Very smart move.

Frozen kongs are great. Sometimes if you get a kong that's slightly too large for the dog (so his tongue can't reach all the way to the back) and wedge big biscuits in there along with the mush before freezing, they last longer.

Tug a jug is also fun, a bit more of a puzzle than a kong but still relatively sturdy. If the rope gets lost (read: destroyed) you can put a ball inside instead to keep the treats from falling out too easily.

For duration, nothing beats bones. My dogs will spend four hours working on raw beef marrow bones. Just, stick with fresh raw bones so they don't splinter. I've heard good things about deer antlers as well, but they cost more and my dogs don't care for them. Maybe you would have better luck with them than I did though.

And of course, nylabones are a classic. The big monster ones are pretty durable. e.g. http://www.indestructibledog.com/collections/chew-toys/products/dura-chew-monster-bone (<--that site is fantastic for chewers, btw)

>Perhaps tethering him so he doesn't do things that get him in trouble will give him the confidence to feel happy in our home and not feel the need to do these destructive things. Or, like you put it, "set him up to succeed". Right now we're really just expecting him to be good with all these distractions around then getting upset with him when he gets into them....

Well said.

>He had diarrhea and couldn't keep much food down.

Is that better now?

>I know some people won't approve, but we started him on Prozac last week.

If he's this anxious and you haven't been able to help him despite your best efforts, and if your vet recommends it, I don't think anyone has any right to judge. Let's hope it helps, along with the training and management you're working on.

You can find stick-shaped toys pretty easily, like

• hollow rubber ones
  
• fuzzy squeaky ones
  
  but they aren't made of wood, so if that's his driver then they might not grab his interest.
  
  He might also enjoy toys made from more natural materials, like rope, leather, or wool.
  
  
• my dog went nuts for this wool tug
  
• haven't used this, but leather looks good...https://www.amazon.com/12-Flat-Leather-Tug-2-handles/dp/B009L5DDAE
  
  If he's food driven as well, you can get tug toys that hide food to quickly build his interest in the toy. Clean Run is a great source of this sort of equipment in general.
  
  To some degree, you may be able to transfer his stick drive onto the new toy. Produce the new toy, get his interest, play (to whatever degree he'll play). While he's interacting with the toy, mark (praise or click) and throw a stick he didn't know you even had. That way playing with the new toy predicts excitement. With repetition he'll start to get automatically excited when he sees the toy. Just make sure he doesn't know you have a stick right away, or he'll focus on that instead of the new toy. Make sure you take away the toy when you're done playing, so it stays special.

So treats and food here are your friends. Also with socialization it's more of exposing the dog to the new things and providing positive experiences, so generally speaking that means feeding around those things, but not so close to them that they make the dog nervous or uncomfortable. That's what's called a threshold.

I wouldn't be too worried about him turned aggressive permanently, he is a puppy and at this state is very malleable. You get to shape his experiences of the world and choose what he's exposed to and manipulate his reactions. I don't know if one of your children is more brave than the other, but if one of them is then you can use them to help. Have the kid put food in a bowl for the dog and simply push it over to them and back up a little bit. See if he's comfortable with that. Ideally you're trying to teach the dog that good things come from your kids, so you'll want to break up meals into several portions for the dog, 4-5, and have them dole them out that way.

If your children are too young or unable to do that in a calm way and otherwise leave the dog alone, you'll have to find a friend with an older one to help you. The biggest thing here is to not allow the dog to practice the aggression and become habit.

There is also a chance that it could be play behavior and you have to be the judge of that. If it seems like it's guarding type stuff, it's more likely aggression. If there's play bows and stuff involved it's play, in which case you should have appropriate toys around to redirect him onto rather than having him chase your kids or target them. In any case having them feed him can't hurt anything and will help build the relationship between all of them. Better to err on the side of caution than end up with problems down the road.

Another thing that might help is having this kind of toy. It's long so no one has to get close, he can chase and bite it, it's made out of material that is easy for a puppy to bite. Shouldn't be left around for him to chew on because he might ingest pieces, but would be very easy to get him playing with that and not them.

Ahh definitely a problem I'm familiar with (high energy dog... in an apartment). I think it's great that you're thinking of it now. One thing that will go a long way is amping up the mental stimulation. This weekend discussion has a ton of examples! Mental stimulation is great for tiring their brains out - kind of like the tired feeling you experience after studying really hard for an exam. A lot of ways to get creative with this too!

Given her hunting skills, I'm guessing she's got a decent prey drive? Will she play fetch? We like to do some pretty intense fetch sessions to tucker our dog out.Flirt poles are also fantastic exercise tools (you can make your own for a fraction of the cost - I just linked one on Amazon). If you guys like to hike or go on long walks, have her wear a backpack. It'll tire her out much more than an unweighted hike/walk.

If you want to start dabbling into dog sports, I bet she would love Barn Hunt. In it, dogs search for a live rat in a PVC pipe (it's safe, they have strict rules about it) hidden in a haystack. It's a great way to harness some of those searching/hunting skills, my dog goes absolutely bonkers for Barn Hunt. Nosework is another fun one. Similar to barn hunt, they use their search skills to find essential oil scents, like birch, hidden in boxes or other containers. Both sports are really welcoming of newcomers and encourage people to try them, so it's not as scary as it seems to get started! If that does seem like too much, you could always just do a weekly obedience class together. Training classes are a nice way to work their brains too.

I'm in the same boat you are, just 6 months in. Never had a dog before, always a cat person. Here's what I've learned (so far).

1. All they want is to be with you. If she's not with you, she probably into something.
   
2. They're smart. So smart that you'll realize you're not as smart as you thought you were. I bought ours this, filled it with treats, then anxiously awaited as he tried to solve the puzzle. He just picked the whole thing up and flipped it over so that all of the treat covers fell out. "Problem" solved.
   
3. It took ours a couple months to get the "retriever" part down, but once he did.. man he brings us everything.
   
4. Give him lots of toys that he can "work" at. Kong toys with treats in them, maze balls, etc. I'm thinking of picking up something like this for ours next.
   
5. Be ready to walk. Cold, hot, doesn't matter. Golden's need exercise and love to run. On that note...
   
6. Get him out to a dog park or visit with other dog-having friends as much as you can! Not only is it great for socializing the dog, but she'll be tired out from all of the playing.
   
7. Try to curb jumping up as soon as possible. we didn't do this, and now we're kicking ourselves.
   
8. Get some training books and start as soon as you feel your pup is ready. Ours looooves being engaged and figuring out what he's supposed to do.
   
9. When she picks up something she's not supposed to, don't chase after her. Again, this is our boys favorite game now. "Oh, daddy is trying to work? I'm just going to grab this pillow and run!"
   
10. Remember that it's always your fault. Any bad behavior is the result of the dog not being told what is allowed. Positive reinforcement is always the better option!

Sure!

The Buster Cube (I have this) is an awesome puzzle toy (this is the "large" version, be sure to check sizes). This is a little bit more difficult to use, as the hole that spits out the food is pretty small, and as the kibble gets to be lesser and lesser inside of the Cube, it's harder to get it out. It's cube-shaped (obviously), so pushing it around isn't all that easy, and your dog needs to be firm with it in order to get the food out. This isn't a good toy for linoleum, or hardwood - it's really only good on carpet.

The IQ Ball is awesome too! It is adjustable, which is cool, so you can make it easy at first, and more challenging as your pup gets better and better at it. This is probably a better choice for tile, linoleum, hardwood, etc.

The Bob-A-Lot is another good one. It's more challenging than the Kong Wobbler (again, check the size, I believe this one is a "large").

I also have this Busy Buddy toy for my dog. It's really really challenging for her. The rope has to go inside of it, and then the dog has to pull it out in order to get the food out. This one takes a bit of effort on your part, unless you think your pup can figure out how to push the rope in and then pull it out again.

There are also plenty of food dispensing toys like this one that force your dog to move "puzzle" pieces around to get the food underneath them!

Lots of options!

I have a 2 year old American Bulldog aka Big Head lots of energy. Can relate. Below are some of the toys + tips for high energy destructive dog.

This figure 8 toy is pretty great and seriously difficult for the dog to break. Your dog may be initially less interested in it, for that reason, but if he's super into playing tug with it. It's also has some give so I'm less worried about him cracking a tooth or something. It's also neat because it changes color if torn into, and has a separate hold for your hand vs his mouth if he's still learning those two don't belong together during play.


This collection of rope toys is cheap so if he wrecks them, it's not so bad.

Tips:

1. Dogs don't always instinctively know or enjoy fetch, but you can teach it if it's something you're interested in. There's youtube videos that are p helpful. You can also get bulk dead/not bouncy tennis balls of ebay for super cheap. I think I paid like 30 bucks for 100 something including shipping?
   
   
2. Could also try tiring him out in other ways before tug so he's not as destructive? Maybe obedience training for ridiculous tips or Frozen stuffed kongs orthis barnacle buddy

I can totally understand not wanting to leave her in her crate for so many total hours each day. First I would recommend having lots and lots of toys on hand. The idea is to try to keep her engaged as much as possible while she's out there. Dogs can get tired of toys so I suggest investing in some new ones if you can and rotate them every few days. Have lots of chew toys on hand including hooves, horns (mine loves water buffalo horns especially) and antlers. The Busy Buddy Tug-a-jug can be a great toy once they get the hang of it. People who keep dogs in their apartment will actually give them all of their chow in these (start with small sized kibble first - any ACD mix will be smart enough to figure it out quickly) and they work to get it out during the course of the day. This will tire them out not only physically but mentally as well, which is hugely important, especially for ACD's. Along these lines, find new ways to engage her when you are home. Walks and exercise are essential but maybe start some training on new tricks (just 5-8 minutes at a time). ACD's need a job to do and helping to fulfill that in various ways can help to ease anxiety during others times of the day. It will be a process and it may not come without some trouble but it should eventually get better. I hope some of this is useful.

Here are some we've had luck with:

Hyper Pet Lickimat Slow Feeder Dog Mat & Boredom Buster there are a ton of recipes out there. I've learned Maisey prefers savory more to sweet recipes.

StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy This seems pretty darn sturdy. Ours has small teeth marks on the top from when Maisey pushes it into a corner and picks it up to move it, but otherwise she uses it exactly as intended and no destruction involved. Our blue heeler, on the other hand, knew where the treats were coming from and would actively paw at the opening to try and dig them out. She would NOT push it around. Dot was special though. Being a blue heeler, she was a stubborn, intelligent dog who wasn't playing anyone's games.

VARRAM Pet Fitness Robot Pet robot that cracks me up to see Maisey play with. It has an app on your phone that you drive it around with. It's like a sphero that dispenses treats.

Starmark Everlasting Bento Ball I highly recommend this. Maisey can spend so much time on it, we've started setting a timer.

Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole You'll see a lot of recommendations for flirt poles. They require training (for both you and the dog) to use properly - there are a ton of videos on YouTube about how to use it - don't get me wrong, it's pretty easy. Maisey didn't really go for it. It wasn't her thing. Her prey drive isn't very high.

We also have a Kong but it isn't my favorite. I don't like squeezing the toy in, I have problems every time. I know people will put in food and freeze it, but I don't have that kind of forethought. They are great for destructive dogs though.

You can also look up indoor games. You can put a treat or toy in a blanket and have them dig it out. You can setup obstacle courses. Just google something like indoor dog games or something similar.

Hope that helps!

I agree that your dog needs more exercise. One game that can help during the winter months is tug. If done appropriately it can even help stop bites.

Read Tug O' War is a Fun Game to Play With Your Dog for more info.

I've also heard good things about the flirt pole.

Remember, anytime she bites, play ends.

When guests arrive, I would keep her away from the door and the humans altogether. Set up a room or an exercise pen for her to stay in and give her a special treat, like a marrow bone or bully stick, for her to chew on. People entering is a lot of excitement; set her up to succeed by giving her something to do when people are entering and then let her greet people when she is calm. My dog bites for real and this has worked wonders.

Finally, learning to respond to her name as a positive interrupter, a solid recall, sit, and settle on a mat are all helpful tools to get her away from others or you and her feet and butt on the floor so drill those as much as you can, working towards increasing distractions. Desensitizing and counter-conditioning her to the sound of the door opening, knocking on the door and people entering can also help.

We have a four month old German Shepherd and he used to do the biting and play attacks but has gotten much better about it. He never play attacks me, and does it rarely for my wife. Here's what worked for us:

1. Take him to puppy socializations. When he bites you I bet he's trying to start play with you, but hasn't learned what appropriate play is. The best way for him to learn what's okay and what isn't is with other dogs. If he bites another puppy, they'll either leave him alone or clap back at him. GSDs are smart, he'll get it fast
   
   
2. Really startle him when he does it. Other people have suggested yelling ouch and all that, but if it's not working then do it even louder. There needs to be a visual reaction from him that he's startled. After yelling, immediately end play. We would put him in a short timeout in his crate, and after 5 minutes he would usually have calmed down.
   
   
3. Tire him out. Puppies can't really do long walks yet, so we have this: https://www.amazon.com/Squishy-Face-Studio-Exercise-Squeaker/dp/B00HFFXEWE He absolutely loves playing with it, and after 10-15 minutes of play he's totally exhausted. Just have him chase the birdie around but let him get it periodically so he doesn't get discouraged. Let him chew on it for a bit, and then when he takes a break flick it out of his grasp. Don't play tug of war with the birdie, that's not really the intent.
   
   I'd be willing to guarantee that a combination of these three things will work. It's frustrating now, but he'll definitely grow out of it. So be patient, if you can. I also like to keep my puppy on leash in the house (if he's not in the crate) as a housebreaking exercise. It just gives me much more control over him and gives him more structure. Plus it's good for bonding.
   
   Anyway, let me know how it goes!

Spot Play Strong - They'll get through them, but it takes longer than most toys. Wren's last many months.

Chuck-It Max Glow Ball - I don't know if she'll like this one as much since she isn't into fetch, but Wren's FAVORITE toy is Chuck-It Max Glow Ball. It's flexible, so it's not for chewing per say, more for mooshing in the mouth or throwing, but I've never met a dog who makes a dent for months. Bought as gifts for many family members with all kinds of dogs, every single one now raves about it. Must be Max Glow, not LED. Also great for playing in the dark, just shine it with a flashlight for a minute first.

Mammoth Tire Toys - Just awesome. Again, they'll get through them, but it take a long time.

As others said, also Wren approved:

West Paw Bumi - Overall lifetime favorite second to Glow Ball

Kong - The texture isn't Wren's fave chewing texture, but they hold up wonderfully. A little peanut butter makes it a hit

Frozen Raw Bones - Any bone does come with potential dangers. Dogs can break teeth, especially little dogs, or if they are a crazy strong enough dog where they can break off pieces, if they would eat them, this isn't for you. NEVER FEED ANY KIND OF COOKED BONE. Any bone that is not frozen/refrigerated is probably cooked. ALWAYS SUPERVISE. I like this brand for Wren. Ask your vet what they think for your dog.

If it's important to you, you can work on building her play drive. I used this method to get my dog from complete disinterest in toys to a reliable tug in the house. We're still working on interest in other environments.


Remember to always stop before she gets bored, always leave her wanting more. Even if that means putting the toy away after she sniffs it if you think she's not in the mood. Our agility instructor recommended that if you initiate play do whatever you have to do to get them interested, don't ever let them walk away from you first offering the toy, then you can stop once you get even the slightest bit of interest.


Have you tried chaseable toys like a flirt pole? If you're not morally opposed you could also try a toy with real fur. Clean Run has an entire category of motivational toys.


Last thing, it's probably impossible to over exercise a 2 year old pointer mix, but if she's getting all her energy out in other ways she might be perfectly content to just relax at home. My 2 year old is much more interested in play if I cut our 2 hours of daily exercise down to 1 hour for a day or two so she starts going just a little crazy.


Good luck!

There are plenty of ways to keep your dog occupied during the day. Adults at least; puppies require a lot more attention.

Kongs (which I swear really are dog toys, despite what they look like) can be filled with any number of treats like plain low-fat Greek yogurt, peanut butter, low-fat cream cheese, no-salt broth, wet food, pureed sweet potato, and more... and frozen to make the treat last longer.

Other treat dispensing toys like the Tug-A-Jug. The idea in both of these cases is to make getting their breakfast take up time and present a challenge.

And of course, it always helps to exercise them and give them short training sessions in the morning before you go so that once you leave (with a treat, so your departure is a positive thing), they're in for a nice long nap until you get back. A well-exercised/trained dog is a happy dog, and one that's much less prone to destroy your house or terrorize other people/animals. If you do get a dog, make sure you look into breeds that are known for having an energy level that fits what you're willing to offer!

Some folks crate train (and play crate games along with or as their training sessions), but I've found that the more settled my dog gets, the less he needs a crate. It's safe for him to roam part of the house.

Other people take their dogs to daycare (which sounds silly, but a good daycare with the right dog can be great for play and socialization) or hire a dog walker to come by during their work shift.

So this is Judge in the garden with a sprinkler. It's not indestructible but he loved this toy.

Here is an entire album of destructible toys. Don't buy these.

So now you know I am the voice of experience. Here are some toys Judge enjoyed that were more durable:

Orbee ball

Boomer ball

Snack Ball

However, Judge ENJOYED destroying toys, so every now and then I would buy him one to tear apart, just because he loved it so much. Here were his favourite destructible toys:

Rope tug toy

Squeaky duck or pheasant. Watch out for the squeaker - they can be a choking hazard.

These are hard wearing toys he did not play with much. They tend to be boring, non-interactive toys:

Bone

Frisbee

And, if your dog turns out to be a smart little thing, you can always get one of these: Obstacle Course. Judge could do all kinds of tricks and even jump through a hoop.

Bullies are very affectionate and learn quickly if you put in time with them, but they NEED that human interaction. They want to play with you, not by themselves :p

If I win, please take something to your local animal shelter for me.

The flirt stick I have is here (which honestly was probably way more sturdy than my dogs need XD), but you can also learn how to make your own here. It's important to limit tugging and chewing on the flirt stick anyway-- the game is the chase!

​

Rally is something you can easily start doing at home if you're interested and if your dog enjoys training with you. You can see signs and descriptions here and there's a great video demonstrating the signs here. If there's a certain exercise you're stuck on, you can generally find videos on YouTube that will teach you how to teach your dog X, Y, or Z. (This is how I learned how to teach my girl fronts.) I use a treat pouch when I train, and my dog gets SO excited when she sees me put the pouch on! In novice, you don't really need any equipment (some signs include cones, but you can either avoid those signs or use other things you have around to act as cones), which makes it a little more accessible than agility off the bat.

The thing that causes this behavior is that he is a working breed dog who is extremely energetic. You basically described almost every lab I have ever trained. His owners need to give him a lot more mental and physical stimulation.

Since he is a lab, a chuck it ball thrower would be a great way to play fetch. A flirt pole is another really great toy for tiring dogs out.

For mental stimulation, mealtimes are a perfect opportunity. Have them get either a Bob-A-Lot or a Kong Wobbler for daily feeding and get rid of his food bowl. I recommend the Bob-A-Lot because you can make it easier or harder. This gives him ~10 extra minutes of brain work every day and you don't have to do anything extra.

Then basic obedience and chew/puzzle toys (kong marathon ball, nobbly nubbly, squirrel dude) will also help.

Aww. Glad they were so generous about it.

Here's some unsolicited chewing dog advice. Take it or leave it.

With a dog that loves to chew, here's a few recommendations and a blog that is really great for hyper / anxious / chewy dogs. Goes without saying if you're already doing these things then keep on keeping on.

1. change all meals to puzzle toys like the tug jug and the wobbler. Make them work and think for their food
   
   https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Dispensing-Medium-Large/dp/B000KV7ZGQ
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003ALMW0M/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493834636&sr=8-1&keywords=kong+wobbler
   
   
2. more exercise and consider adding a backpack like the outward hound or ruff wear. Use filled Nalgene bottles for weight for an excellent doggy workout.
   
   https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00B2KAACK/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1493834678&sr=1-3&keywords=ruffwear
   
   
   
3. More training. A trained dog is a confident happy dog. Do a new trick a month. Join a class. Etc.
   
   All this is a recipe for a less chewy dog. If they're tired both mentally and physically and are confident, unwanted behaviors like chewing and barking generally decrease.
   
   Here's the blog - 3lostdogs (dot) com

I have a herding breed so I'm familiar with the alert barking! Your boy could be going through a fear period, which is common during adolescence.

What has worked for us is doing click+treat the moment he notices something, but before he barks. The idea is that when he sees something that piques his interest, he learns to check in with you instead of barking. If he is already learning to look at you, reward him when he does so! The timing can be tricky to nail down, but we've seen major improvement in just a week.

Due to his breed, I bet he would love to do some nosework games during the winter. Hide his kibble around the house and tell him to find it. If you're specifically looking for outdoor activities, my dog LOVES chasing his flirt pole. Running through the snow should wear him out extra fast, too!

I have a 6 month old ACD mix, so we're in the same boat! They LOVE to learn new things and are very easy to train for the most part. The problem with ours is carrying those skills over to distracting environments, as he wants to pay attention to everything besides me.

Doing all you can to give him as much exercise and mental stimulation as possible will go a loooong way. If you don't, he'll probably become a terror.

If you're not making him work for his food, you're doing it wrong! Get a Buster Cube or a Tug-A-Jug or any similar food toys. It will make him think, and it might help you separate his food from the other dog's.

You need to always make him sit or down or some other command before he gets his food. I usually make mine sit, then I put the food down, and he won't go eat it until I release him. Once he can do that, it should be pretty easy to keep him from eating your other dog's food.

Do as much training with him as possible. Working his mind will wear him out pretty fast. Games like 101 Things to do with a Box really make him think. Teach a bunch of commands and give him pop quizzes by doing a bunch of them in random order for 5-10 minutes.

One cool thing I did was buy one of those big inflatable balls for kids you always see at Target or Wal-Mart in those big tall bins. He LOVES it! He herds it around the yard and wears himself out and I don't have to do anything except kick it around every once in a while. It's also really cool to see his herding instincts kick in without ever being taught how to do it.

You also need to embrace his velcro dog qualities. ACDs are great off-leash dogs because they always want to be by you. Find an empty softball field, an empty dog park, any large area with a fence, and get to work on it!

A cool way of giving your dog a great work out, without overstressing the body, is a flirt pole. I got one for Capone, and he's loving it! As am I!!! It get's him nice and tired, way more than any walk ever would. I've heard you shouldn't run or weight train them until at least 1.5 so that you don't mess up the hips, growth plates, or bone development... I've talked to my vet about it and he says the flirt pole is great!!


Here's what I use

Enjoy!!

I also have an adopted destructo-dog.

We just got this toy in our Barkbox this month. She is rough on toys. So rough I had to email barkbox a few months ago and request stronger toys - she was ripping them up within a few minutes of play. She has not been able to put a dent in this one after some very spirited play. Ours is a cute little orange color - not the red.

This dog cigar toy came in a barkbox a few months ago. She loves it and it has also lasted.

I would avoid the Kong tennis balls. They're super cute and squeak but they are very easily destroyed. Someone on here sent us a pack of three and I think only one has not been gutted.

If we win she would like this toy OR this toy. I can't decide which one would be better.

> she won't take treats outside or when she is scared so I don't know how to make it work?

If she won't take treats, it means she's already too afraid for counter conditioning. If you open the door so she can just see outside, but remain inside, does she react this way? Maybe you could start there first.

Also, if you're struggling with exercise you might have better luck with a flirt pole. If you can take her somewhere secluded and just keep her on a harness and longline, you could play that for ~15-30 minutes. Even high energy dogs tend to get worn down pretty fast because of the fast paced chasing and turning.

Also, you say she's pretty smart. How often is she getting training sessions every day? Do you give her puzzle toys? Mental stimulation can really reduce a dog's energy.

Is she getting enough mental and physical exercise? It sounds like she’s bored and is getting into things. Even if you have appropriate chews for her, make sure she’s getting enough physical exercise and that you’re engaging her brain with puzzle toys and training. Both of my dogs eat their meals from Starmark Bob-a-Lot toys because it engages their brains. Nina Ottosson makes tons of great puzzle toys of varying difficulties that are relatively inexpensive. Working on trick training and obedience commands also helps tucker them out - do “commercial break” sessions, as short as 90 seconds and no longer than 5 minutes, a couple times a day.

When it comes to physical exercise, make sure she’s getting walks or that you’re playing fetch with her. Plenty of dog owners just toss their dogs out in their backyards and call it “exercise” even though most dogs aren’t going to actually expend much energy in a yard by themselves. Walks around the neighborhood are also a great opportunity for sniffing new smells, which is great mental exercise. If you don’t have the time or energy to walk her, consider hiring a dog walker, or sending her to doggy daycare one or two days a week. We also play with a flirt pole some evenings when my dogs seem restless despite multiple walks... best $15 I’ve ever spent! You can use it indoors in an open space or out in your yard (if you have one).

If your dog is getting plenty of physical and mental stimulation and still chewing things up, management is your best friend. Crate her when you can’t watch her closely or confine her to a puppy-proofed room. Or use the “umbilical” method - put her on a leash and tie it around your waist so she goes everywhere with you and isn’t out of your sight. You really can’t train a dog out of behaviors you don’t witness, but you’re setting her up for failure (and a dangerous intestinal blockage) if you leave her unsupervised in a room with tons of things she can (but shouldn’t) chew. A 15 month old lab is still effectively a big puppy and labs have an affinity for chewing things up. It might be that the best you can do is manage it now and hope she grows out of it in the coming years.

I personally really like French Linen tugs... tug-driven dogs love them and the handles are fantastic for tugging with. They're used a lot by Schutzund trainers, so they're durable enough to hold up to bite-trained German Shepherds.

Store the new toy in a drawer - never just leave it sitting around. Every time you take it out, make a big, excited fuss (have a specific word to describe it that you repeat a lot), and have a really fun game with her.

Then put the toy away.

Repeat this exercise often. Hide the toy in different places so you can pull it out and surprise her with an impromptu fun game. They're pretty unobtrusive - I stick them in my waistband when I'm running in agility practice.

Edit to ask: what method do you use then tugging? do you win or do you let her win? How do you get her to release the toy? There may be some training techniques you can use to make tug even more fun for her. My Sheltie wasn't remotely interested in tugging as a puppy, but with some work it's now one of his favorite things in the world.

So he's six months old and acting EXACTLY like a puppy with a lot of energy. You need to DO things with him and TRAIN him in bite inhibition. Dogs use their mouths to communicate and that includes play. More than likely he's not being aggressive but trying to play with your hands/arms/feet.

Since he's still a baby you can't do heavy exercise due to them still having to grow but you can still do things with him. You can make a flirt pole (an example: http://www.amazon.com/Squishy-Face-Studio-Exercise-Squeaker/dp/B00HFFXEWE )and play with him outside. You want to ENCOURAGE him to interact with you positively outside. A tired dog is a happy dog.

If you cannot move a lot (and that's why you can't exercise him a lot), I have a few possible suggestions.

https://smile.amazon.com/Squishy-Face-Studio-Exercise-Squeaker/dp/B00HFFXEWE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484324235&sr=8-1&keywords=flirt+pole

A flirt pole is almost like a cat tease toy. It's a pole with a felt toy at the end, and you can get your dog to chase after it. Most people use it in their back yards, and the individual can stand in one place while make the flirt pole go in a circle and the dog runs after it. Depending on the dog, it can really tire them out. My particular puppy likes it, but only for a very limited amount of time (he would rather play keep away). I could see how you might possible be able to do the flirt pole indoors from a seated position.

Dog-feeding puzzles might help your dog calm by taxing his brain:

https://smile.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Feeder-Bloat-Orange/dp/B00FPKNRCS/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1484324554&sr=1-2&keywords=dog+feeding+puzzles

https://smile.amazon.com/OurPets-Smarter-Interactive-Treat-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1484324953&sr=1-1&keywords=dog+feeding+ball

Also, you could try hiding treats or a toy, and teaching him how to play "hide and seek" with you.

When we want to watch tv, and don't want to get up, we play fetch, and that keeps him happy for a while [but the dang ball always ends up under the couch or other furniture!].

Hope this helps a little.

I have 2 puppies right now. One is very much like tax, the other is very calm and relaxed.
He's probably bored and needs to get rid of energy. You could walk him around your house on a leash, that would get him better used to the leash and you being a leader, also gives him something to do and releases energy. Make sure he's paying attention to you while you do it.
Make sure he has plenty of toys and things to do. The best toy to keep my 2 occupied has been this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000KV7ZGQ?psc=1&ref=yo_pop_mb_pd

You can fill it with treats or food and they have to work at getting it out

I love my poochy!!!

Thanks for the man's best friend contest!!! =D

Third suggestion for flirt pole!

My dog is the exact same, she likes chasing and being chased. I adopted her from a shelter and the old owner wrote down that she "likes playing tag" which exactly describes how she plays haha.

I bought this exact one a few months ago, and my dog loves it. It's very durable and has a great handle for the human. It's bigger than it looks in the photos.

• Labs are notoriously fast eaters, so maybe a puzzle toy? Here are some good ones: 1, 2, 3. You can also never have enough Kongs, and they're sold at big box pet stores.
  
• A cool fetch toy might be fun too, like a Chuckit or a Ball-on-a-Rope. You can find Chuckit products at the big box pet stores. I like the ball-on-a-rope for training...I can throw it, tug with it, dangle it like a flirt pole, and it fits in my pocket. This Frisbee is good for training too because I can fold it up and put it in my pocket. Plus it glows in the dark and floats!

Their intelligence is what leads to lots of their behavior issues. You gotta exercise that brain too.

Have a look at these toys. They have been great for our cattle dogs over the years. They tend to eat too fast so these tend to be food/game focused.

https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Dispensing-Medium-Large/dp/B000KV7ZGQ

https://www.amazon.com/OurPets-Smarter-Interactive-Treat-Colors/dp/B003ARUKTG/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1480272473&sr=1-1&keywords=dog+food+puzzle

https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Hide-Interactive-Puzzle/dp/B0043A71PU/ref=sr_1_15?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1480272473&sr=1-15&keywords=dog+food+puzzle

I love the above one but one of our dogs is too smart for it. She picks up the covers with her mouth and sets them aside. when she eats all she can reach she tends to turn it over to dump it out.

I'm super impressed with the bell to go out. We haven't been able to get ours to do that.

It sounds crazy but that honestly might not be enough exercise, especially if he's still "run[ning] around bonkers a bit on his own too". I am so glad I ended up with a smaller, semi-lazy dog, because even with four walks a day - adding up to probably around 6 miles total - he sometimes has extra energy to burn and we have to play fetch with him or tire him out with a flirt pole (which he LOVES). I'd be totally screwed if I had a larger, more active dog!

Mine dealt with separation anxiety, too, and it took months to train him to trust that we were coming back. High-value treats and food-dispensing toys helped a lot. It took a little while to figure out what he liked best. He goes nuts for peanut butter and bully sticks, though he chews through the latter in about five minutes so I started blending peanut butter with yogurt and water, piping that into a Kong plugged with a dried liver treat, and shoving the bully stick in the middle and then freezing that all so it takes him longer to get through. He also loves deer antlers, which are long lasting.

We decided to partition off one puppy-proofed room of the house instead of limiting him to just the crate. Now that he's finally used to us being gone he voluntarily goes into the crate to sleep until we get back.

The dog will be fine. My boyfriend and I just adopted a dog the end of May this year. She is a 1.5 yrs old Malamute/GSD/Lab mix. She has a TON of energy. We are out of the house from 6:50am-5pm and we have a webcam set up to watch her while at work, all she does all day is sleep in the sun. When we are home, we make sure to play with her, take her for a 20-30 mins walk in the morning before we leave, and a 40-60 mins walk in the evenings. We take her to the dog park on the weekends to help her burn off her energy as well.


If you are worried about burning off the energy, we invested in a flirt pole for her, maximum energy burn for her, minimum time/effort for us :)

Your job is absolutely not a problem!

This comment might help you out.

I don't know that we have a favorite. I like the the Omega treat ball or Snoop if I need a quieter toy (I have neighbors below me, so that's what she gets in the morning). When some noise is acceptable, I like the Magic Mushroom or the Bob-a-lot, they're both adjustable. I also really like Tug-a-jug because it's a bit different than the others, it's not something she can just roll around to get the food out. But I know some dogs would chew the rope to pieces so it wouldn't work very well for them.

Don't go the shelter/rescue road just yet. You're definitely not meeting the physical needs of his breed, however, I think you can start working on some things to make him AND you happier. Some ideas:

• Dogs don't self exercise in the yard. Go out there and work with him. I know you have joint issues, so work on things that pushes HIM but not you. Teach fetch, or a formal retrieve. You can tie the retrieve to an activity such as go around, and add a place. Add as many commands as you want, but then, as an example, you would send your dog to (eventually) run out to the cone, go around, and then you might send them in a different direction to 'place', and then in the opposite direction to retrieve something. It'll wear them out mentally AND physically, but you don't have to do much work beyond the set up.
  
• Get some toy engagement. Fenzi Course on this available here.
  
• Introduce your dog to nosework.
  
• Train your dog's off-switch. Use matwork, and/or, capturing calm, and/or default settle, and/or the relaxation protocol.
  
• Make use of a flirt pole - tie it with obedience such as leave it, get it, drop it, sit/down, etc.
  
• Consider a doggy-treadmill.
  
• Drop the idea that walks need to be long. Try to walk him for an hour a day, even if that hour needs to be 6x10minute walks. :)
  
  Remember you will never, ever be able to beat a BC for exercise. :) Wear them out mentally and the physical part might be easier to manage.

I have a papillon mix and they are so much fun to train! I do agility with my pup, and you are going to love it. :)

You could do nosework at home, or teach different "practical" tricks (put your toys away into a basket, fetch a newspaper, close the door etc.).

We also play the "101 things to do with a box" game with clicker training. This one is particularly fun because the dog gets to offer random behaviors, and you never know what your pup might be capable of. With this game, we've inadvertently taught our dog "paw at that" and "get in the box".

Edit: I wanted to mention that one of the few drawbacks with having a smart, "gotta have a job to do" dog means that you need to be mindful of keeping them from getting bored. We feed our dog all of his meals using various food toys/puzzles and that will usually keep him occupied for a while.

It seems you've tried most toys.

Have you tried something like a tug-a-jug or other toys designed to keep a dog interested?

Poodle crosses are generally smart, almost too smart for their own good. They can get bored easily and need to be mentally engaged and stimulated.

That's pretty neat. I had a food dispenser for my last dog (who was a pukey guy). When the food got released, it did make a lot of noise. How smart is Henry? He'd have to work for food to get it out. The dog I have now is smart, so we put some food in there and he has to work to get it out. http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Premier-Buddy-Tug-A-Jug-Medium/dp/B000KV7ZGQ.

Also, some of the rescues I've helped with recommend freezing treats in a Kong.

Also, you might want to bring it up next time Henry has a check up. Our last dog required daily antacids. The acid was making him throw up.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017JDGZO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kr6-zb8PX80P6

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000084E7Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Av6-zbS52SFWB

These are Penny's favorite toys, and they are super cheap. Feel free to link your pup's favorite too! Christmas is coming!

What about a flirt pole?


What type of toys does your son use to play with your puppy? Is there ample room between where the puppy grabs the toy and where your son holds onto it?


You can make the "bite = leave" concept more clear to puppy if you work with a baby gate. Have your son play with puppy on one side of the baby gate and puppy on another. Maybe take a long toy and drag it so puppy can get it. When puppy's teeth hit your son's skin, he needs to immediately leave the baby gate, whether he drops the toy for puppy or drags it with him is up to him. You may need to do a few practice sessions to show him exactly what you mean. But the baby gate creates a clear barrier and separation that you can immediately employ when needed. After 15-20 seconds, go back to playing.


Alternatively, you can have the puppy on a longer leash, like 6-8 feet at least. Have your son play with puppy while you hold onto the leash. When puppy bites, hold onto the leash firmly (don't pull) and have your son move away from the puppy immediately so puppy doesn't follow him.

I actually don't remember for sure...I think it was either walmart or petco?

I got this pack off of amazon, though:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B071JMC5M4?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Everything but the frisbee has survived for a while. Antler chews have been fucking lifesavers, though...I got two for like $30, she's been working on them for at least six months lol.

https://www.amazon.com/Squishy-Face-Studio-Exercise-Squeaker/dp/B00HFFXEWE

If your puppy is strong for his size, get a large flirt pole meant for bigger breeds. I know our pug Fizgig (1yr)LOVES to play with things meant for bigger dogs. And I honestly think she feels like she's a BIG dog lol.

Basically a cat toy for dogs. You can easily make one, but I am lazy and such and just buy this off amazon

It's a great training tool and a good way to exercise your dog during bad weather times because it can be used indoors in a room where there isn't anything to get knocked over or a hallway.

I used the flirt pole to teach about half of her commands because it is her highest valued toy. She will pretty much do anything for her flirt pole.

The Kong Wobbler and Bobs-a-lot are great toys. I also use a Tricky Treat ball a lot. My dogs also really love the Snoop.

You could also try the Tug-a-Jug, Kibble Nibble, or Buster Cube.

We have the tug a jug for our dog ----- which, won't crinkle or tumble like a soda bottle (it's hard plastic), but it's the same size and shape, and they're great for kibble or treats to keep them busy.
Different than what you were asking, but first thing that came to mind lol.

I don’t use those in particular, my current go tos are the tug a jug, Magic mushroom, and game changer.

I usually show him that kibble comes out and let him go to town. If he seems to be having trouble, I’ll usually show him every couple of minutes what to do but he usually picks it up pretty quick.

I introduced him to them pretty much as soon as I brought him home at 9 weeks. He very rarely gets a meal in a bowl. It’s pretty much training and puzzle toys when I’m feeling lazy.

I do not do agility, but I use these tugs as "treats" with my girl.

Yes, if I leave it with her, she will tear it up. But she loves playing tug with me so that is her first choice.

my bc/lab loves his flirt pole

We can go biking for hours, he'll take a nap, and be ready to go again. With his flirt pole, we can play for about 20 minutes and he's nice and chill after that.

I'm definitely interested in checking it out! I'll also check out Chewy.com. Normally shop on Amazon, but sometimes their prices go whack.

We were using the cloth lures that came with the pole (this one). He had interest in it, but it wouldn't engage him for extended periods of time as we had hoped.

Dog puzzle feeders.
My dog gets his dinner from toys everyday. I rotate between OurPets IQ Puzzle Ball, Kong Wobbler, Magic Mushroom, and Tug a Jug, since those are the slowest dispensing as well as easiest to fill. I also have a load of other ones but found them to be too easy for him (One minute to empty Buster Cube on "hardest" difficulty vs average 20 minutes from the toys I mentioned). I used them everyday for about 5 to 6 years and never had to replace them.( Then again, my dog is not much of a chewer of hard plastic.) My dog LOVES getting his food from toys to the point of actually almost refusing to eat while giving me a very sad disappointed face when I just put it in his bowl. He has fun and they tire him out (he is panting after every meal). Win for me.

I had the same issue. Found this one with a rope on the end!

Also fun cause the rope is long enough that we can mix in some tug too.

It's ok quality. I like that it collapses, but I feel like I have to lock the rods back in place mid play session most of the time.

Yep we have this one, this one, and this one. She always gets meals in one of those, or mixed with yogurt and frozen in a Kong, or I'll give it to her a few pieces at a time while doing tricks. Never just in a bowl. And we do scent work and tons of tricks. I think a lot of the problem is just that she's so freaking smart. Sitting there chewing a bone doesn't do it for her the way it does for a lot of dogs, she really needs to always be actively mentally engaged. I'm happy to do scent work with her for 20-30 minutes, and teach her a new trick every few days and run through all her old tricks, but I can't spend literally the whole day giving her mind something to do, so she gets bored and starts with the whining/pacing/pawing at me. I think I could get away with just a run a day if I could think of enough stuff to engage her mind, I'm just out of ideas! So we go walk for an hour, so she has new things to sniff and explore.

Like this dog plots things out. Once she saw I'd left the dog gate to the "cat's room" (where his food and litter are) open and she had a chance to go eat his food. She came back to the room I was in, watched me a little, then picked up her ball and threw it under the couch. I went down to get it as I always do, and while I was digging around under there she ran and ate the cat's food. That's so many steps of thinking for a dog. "Hm, I can get to the food. But if I just go for it she'll hear me and come stop me. I need to distract her. It always takes her a minute to get my ball out when I lose it under the couch. I'll put my ball really far under the couch so I have plenty of time to dash off and scarf down the cat food." That's just one example, it's amazing how much stuff she has figured out and how far ahead she can think to get around the rules and get what she wants.

Also if it’s an issue of her bouncing back way too fast after napping post dogpark, we love the flirt pole. 10-15 minutes in a green space with the flirt pole uses a lot of energy. Even better if you’re on a hill!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFFXEWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sqhXCb69Y3193

Food dispensing toys for meals are a good start. Kong Wobbler , Tug a jug* , and Buster Cube are a few that are recommended often on this sub. I use the tug a jug, but I wouldn't recommend it if your dog gives up easily. I've used the kong wobbler in the past, but my aussie figured out how to just slam it against the ground repeatedly to produce a small pile of food, but it was a good beginner food toy.

Kyjen makes a ton of puzzle toys, ranging from food-rewards to toy-rewards Hide-a-squirrel is a favorite for my dogs, though it's sometimes hard to figure out where they put all the squirrels.

You can also make DIY puzzle toys using old cardboard boxes, and stuffing them full of paper and treats, and letting your dog figure out how to open the box (usually by ripping it to shreds), it's a good boredom buster for rainy days if you don't mind cleaning up the shredded cardboard and paper afterwards.

I have an Add on for my puppy! This rope looks like fun! Thanks for the contest.

I think it's been a week since our pup started her full dose of Zoloft (the week before was half the therapeutic dose), and so far so good, knock wood. I'm pretty sure at this point in her Prozac journey she had already gone totally nuts, so the fact that she's pretty much just a little sleepier than usual is hopefully a good sign. We also didn't ramp her up on Prozac, which probably didn't help.

Has anyone seen SSRIs work with a dog that's very fearful outside? Ours, after weeks of progress where we could take her to all our lovely on-leash parks, regressed about a month ago and is back to panicking once we hit the end of our block. It's so sad. I try to remind myself we're only a week into a therapeutic dose and we shouldn't expect it to have fully worked yet. (My own SSRIs took longer than that!)

Also, I just wanna take a second to sing the praises of the flirt pole. I'm not a trainer, so I don't want to say it will work for every dog, but it tires our pup out like magic, which is important given that our walks have been so short. And it's way less exhausting for us than tug!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PQ5UH0C?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf. Wobble ball definitely won't be chewed through.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017J8NDY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_cCySAbPTN8V75. Extra large rope that took my rottie a very long time to chew through, plus it made smaller ropes for her to play with. I'm not 100% sure this is the same rope as I bought it at Jungle Jim's, but it looks the same.

If you call Barkbox and request toys for extreme chewers, they will send sturdy (but not indestructible) toys. It's a great price for what you get.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how hard it must be. I have two girls of my own that I'm dreading the day I outlive them. :(

Here is a picture of Trinity and Isabella

My girls would absolutely love this or a little less expensive they would also love this

I solemnly swear to give them extra loving over the weekend in honor of Moose! Thanks for the contest. Again, I'm so sorry about your loss. :'(

My dog really likes French linen tug toys (this is what I usually get). They’re really durable and great for tugging!

Wood Treat Puzzles like the ones Zanie's, Ethical Pets, and Nina Ottosson make are all ones my pit likes. Since they're made of wood they'll last a while. Also the Premier Tug-a-Jug has kept him guessing for 2 weeks now.

If your dog likes ropes, I recommend this one from amazon. It's cheaper and lasts longer than any we've bought in stores. I agree with you though; I'm leery of items that I can't look at/feel in person.

Yep, go to Jo Ann's Fabrics and get a yard of fleece for cheap. Cut up three strips, braid them together, and you have a good toy for your little guy. I did this for my boyfriend's mom's cats and they had a blast.

There's also this cute little fleece toy attached to a stick so you can play with your dog. It's called a flirt pole and my dog likes it a lot.

1. Stop playing the game. If he's not interested in chasing balls (as you state in issue 2), then stop playing with balls and encouraging this behavior... which has now spread into another related issue (#2).
   
   
2. Again, do not let the dog engage in the behavior... period. The dog cannot distinguish between a buff dude who is ok with it and a little old lady minding her own business trying to play with her dog... so do not allow the behavior AT ALL. Even if people are "ok" with it, it gets old and becomes annoying... not to mention that it's a bad habit for the dog to get into.
   
   
3. By playing the game of hiding your phone your just feeding into this obsession, which is shooting yourself in the foot when you're outside. Stop. You don't want to encourage this behavior of obsessing on sounds and ignoring you, you need to be finding ways to combat it. And it can sometimes tip into an OCD type behavior... like when people play with laser pointers with their dogs and then the dog become obsessed with lights.
   
   Your dog has high prey drive. Either buy or make yourself a flirt pole. And then use it to teach and practice impulse control (drop-it, wait, release, etc). This way the dog can satisfy his prey drive in a healthy way, AND it encourages engagement with you while at the park.

I agree with mental stimulation. I'm always home with my corgi and give him lots of exercise and socialization outside but he loves food toys for mental stimulation and it makes his meals last so much longer.

We use these for kibble: http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Tug-A-Jug-Dispensing-Medium/dp/B000KV7ZGQ

http://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-A-Lot-Interactive-Pet-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4

http://www.amazon.com/Buster-Food-Cube-Large-Colors/dp/B0006G54OU/ref=pd_sim_199_6?ie=UTF8&dpID=41NL87Y8KbL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1N6FCHDFXGVVTQFF7HAG

and we use these for treats:
http://www.petsmart.com/dog/toys/martha-stewart-pets-treat-dispensing-bone-dog-toy-zid36-19474/cat-36-catid-100118

http://www.fordogtrainers.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=5245

http://www.amazon.com/Starmark-Treat-Dispensing-Jack-Medium/dp/B00L61279E

If your dog likes this type of toy, try a flirt pole. They are one of the best dog toys ever invented.

> I just switched to part time work while going to school to become a dog trainer.

I would use this time to teach your dog some REALLY cool tricks from the couch!

Also, I read you have some treat balls - have you tried this treat ball? my dog finds this one the hardest, along with this one.

Get well soon!

Every dog is different - maybe ask your relatives what their dog likes? One of mine is a serious foodie and the other is more into toys/playtime.

FWIW - I wouldn’t offer it food without making sure they’re ok with it. Some dogs have incredibly sensitive stomachs and are on a specific diet.

Edit - if they have space and you’re down to spend a little, Ive yet to find a dog that doesn’t like a flirt pole. Would also be a way to keep the dog a ways away from you while playing

Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole V2 Dog Exercise Toy with Blue/Aqua Squeaker Fleece Lure, 36-Inch - V2FP-BS

6 years old is middle-aged, so she's not going to have as much energy as a younger dog does. She's also going to have some extra skin that may look flabby. Don't make her run if she doesn't want to, since dogs overheat extremely easily. Continue taking her to the dog park and look into different toys like a flirt pole. Don't bother with supplements, everything she needs is in commercial dog food.

My mom'a husky mix likes this treat dispenser rope thing and I've had several large breed fosters like this egg treat dispenser thing

I think what works for your dog probably depends on his preferences and chew intensity. If you're not solely interested in treat/food dispensers, you might look into some of the scent training aids. You can buy animal scents in liquid form, and you basically put a few drops on a piece of scrap fabric and hide it as a game. My beagle loved it when he was younger. I put it in a kong or kong-like toy then hide the toy. Of course, I'd never leave it hidden unattended. They still have scent hound competitions so there's quite a bit of information out there about training.

I mix together plain yogurt, a bit of peanut butter, and kibble, pour it in, and freeze. Do you have a Kong Genius too? Adds a little challenge. I just got the Wobbler and it's great - takes Tess about 10-15 minutes to get them all out and she has a blast doing it. She also has a Tug-A-Jug.

Really, no puzzle toy is going to be super long-term, though. Bones and hooves keep her occupied the longest, but for Tess I really only care about her being occupied during the first 15 minutes after we leave her alone.

I have this dog toy on my Pets wishlist :)

Thanks for the contest!

A flirt pole has been my puppy's favorite toy ever since we got him at 8 weeks (he is 10 months now). It's sooo useful for tiring him out, indoors or out!

Kraken being a fucking sexy gentleman and giving you a come hither look. Kraken may be a model. Kraken is so mighty he is Thor.

And for chewers and tuggers, I suggest this huge ass toy rope. I have one for Kraken and it has lasted him forever. I also have a pet wishlist. :D

the shelter i volunteer at gives kongs to all the dogs. i've never seen them tear one up. maybe i'll see an indentation on the kong, but i've never seen one break a piece off. seriously, hundreds of dogs, never an incident like you're describing. saint bernards, pit bulls, german shepherds, no kong incidents.

peanut butter alternatives: you can fill the kong with food mixed with peanut butter. sometimes i'll put rice and chicken in the food processor until it's a thick paste and fill the kong with that. or, you can make some "honest kitchen" wet dog food, put it in the kong, leave it in the fridge, and give it to her when you leave.

kong alternatives: i like busy buddies. I started with this one and moved up to this one (removed the rope) for my dog. This is where she gets all her food now. You can fill it with normal food if you're worried about the dog's weight. These are a little harder, so if the dog doesn't seem interested when you introduce them, you can fill them with really high value treats like hot dog pieces until she gets the hang of it.

you can give her the toys when you leave and take them away when you get home. Some people don't like to take the toy away when the dog is using it -- because it can lead to food guarding -- but that may be no big deal if you're only working on separation anxiety.

it sounds like the dog needs a lot of enrichment. in addition to toys, i would also check out clicker training. it's a good way to exercise the dog's mind and anyone can do it.

also, don't give them rawhide. bully stick instead.

more walks may help. take her down to the park and meet men. i don't have a fenced yard, either, so i got a 30ft leash so my dog can run around. i also run with the dog every now and then.

there's no magic bullet, but there are a lot of small things you can do. all this sounds like a big pain in the ass, but it's probably easier than cleaning up a bunch of trash when you get home.

also check out /r/dogtraining. there are people with actual qualifications there.

and if you decide to get professional help, check their qualifications. CeXXr MXXXn is like the Scientology of dog training. A lot of "trainers" and "behaviorists" will claim to be a "member" of a dog training association. That just means they go to conferences and pay dues. There are lots of CXXar MXXXns in disguise, like BXXk BXXXXXs. You want a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist or a Certified Pet Dog Trainer or a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant.

EDIT: Formatting

How about a treat dispensing toy?

IQ Ball

Omega Tricky Treat Ball

Planet Dog Mazee

Busy Buddy Magic Mushroom

Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble

Busy Buddy Tug a Jug

Kong Wobbler

Bob-a-Lot

get a flirt pole. you can tire any dog out completely in 5-10 minutes and you basically only have to stand in one place. pitbulls go craaaazy for them. so much more effective than long walks for physically exhausting them

something cheap like this


you can also get a spring pole but those require a little more money and set up https://bullymax.com/spring-pole/

and a soccer ball sized ball. kick and throw that. mine like it more than tennis balls .

Hm, looks like I was confused and it's just antler with rope (another example here)

BUT you can buy one of those circular bully sticks and tie another rope toy to it, maybe? Let him get started with it first perhaps if he is feeling really anxious.

Good luck!

Look here

Edit:
I have the large one for outside and the small one for indoors. She loves them!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000KV7ZGQ?pc_redir=1396769958&robot_redir=1
If food is a motivator this might work. My pup loves it!

My two current faverites are the Tricky Treat Ball and the Tug-A-Jug.


For the ball getting the first half of the kibble out is pretty easy but the second half is pretty tricky (aka getting the dog hooked and then upping the difficulty). The Jug is just awesome but it's loud as hell on wood floors and drives me nuts so I'll only give it to her when I'm about to leave the house.


I've also heard good things about Buster Cubes because they've got adjustable openings but I really need to stop buying stuff for my spoiled pup so I don't have one.

i built it after hearing about them (http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/homemade-dog-toy.html). if i had it to do again, i'd probably go with a pvc pipe handle so the rope actually goes through the whole handle to allow the toy to be pulled to the end of the pole for storage (and wrap up the excess rope). i've seen similar toys on amazon called "flirt poles" - but they didn't look as sturdy as the one i made. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFFXEWE

here's a video of a play session:
https://youtu.be/-TuZ9iGY8Lo

We have a tug-a-jug feeder

My 50lb shepherd loves it

PetSafe Busy Buddy Tug-A-Jug Meal Dispensing Dog Toy, Medium/Large by Petsafe Premier http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KV7ZGQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_VQuftb1JHFVRT

My Dog Zeus. He is a big old goon, and i love him to death.

He loves bones, and he loves tug of war. The only problem is he destroys most toys in an instant so he is limited to bones and rope haha

Kongs (black, not red), kong wubbas, stick chews, tennis balls (squeaky or not, my dog likes squeaky), nylabones, antlers and ropes for tug (I also use the wubba). If I could only choose one from that list, I'd go with the wubba. My dog loves that thing.

You need to consider all dog toys as consumables. You will have to replace them from time to time. That should hold you over for a while though.

Second vote for the Tug a jug, Buster Maze also the Mushroom are also good the Bobs A lot Also works great as it has variable settings for difficulty. Puzzles like this are great but they tend to be useless once the dog figures it out.

Looks like they're all over. Here's an Amazon link

https://www.amazon.com/Loopies-Doggie-Stoggie-Fetch-Stick/dp/B004XEF5Q8

In the UK I can get...

The Indestructiball is a big ball that they won't break or choke on. It will drive them insane. My gsd spends hours chasing it around the garden, trying to pick it up. It floats. She's had it forever. They do several sizes.

Kong aqua. I take this on when we go out for a walk and play fetch in water. If I left her with it then she'd chew the rope off.

Happy pet do the floating ropeball, which is similar to the kong aqua, but ball shaped. It bounces really well. I used to take non floating rubber balls on a rope, but she kept losing them in the bogs, marshes, swamps and mires that she so loves.

With 2 gsds you have to get a tug rope.

Here’s a doggo version of that cat toy so that big pupper doesn’t break the cat’s toy :)

This toy or a DIY version would be good in your back yard.

http://www.amazon.com/Squishy-Face-Studio-Exercise-Squeaker/dp/B00HFFXEWE

Also a puzzle toy is an option. My little pig-dog has a tug-a-jug, which takes him a good five minutes to eat his dinner, instead of fifteen seconds.

Here's a good article with DIY instructions. You can also buy them on Amazon

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017J8NDY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

Found this at Tractor Supply and its lasted about 8 months so far starting when our pup was 4 months until today. One of the end knots finally broke loose the other day, but its still holding strong.

Do you think your dog would like this? It’s basically a giant cat toy
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HFFXEWE/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1538696104&sr=8-1&keywords=squishy+face+flirt+pole&dpPl=1&dpID=317xyhwyOtL&ref=plSrch

[This bottle] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000KV7ZGQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_87STAbYCHNNXY). Our girl ripped out the rope almost immediately. We put a tennis ball in the bottle and now a few tiny treats provide her hours of entertainment.

sorry - totally spaced on this!!

this is my personal favorite, but we also rotate between the following:

kibble nibble

tug a jug - but we removed the rope

buster cube - this one is pretty tricky and may frustrate pups new to feeding from a meal dispensing toy

To this end, you might also think about a toy you stuff food into, such as this or this. It will slow the feeding down, and also keep your dog entertained throughout the day.

We have a 7 month old pup who still gets his 'zoomies' on every night around 8...its gone from 30mins - 1hour of it when he was younger, to just about 15 minutes now...he just bolts around in circles none-stop until he collapses on the couch next to me. We often play tuggy with him using this giant rope, that seems to calm him down faster...

A flirt pole is like a giant cat toy for dogs.

Something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/TireBiters-Large-Chew-Black-10-Inch/dp/B005FTN3SW

This is the one we have.
Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole V2 Dog Exercise Toy Bundle with 2 Fleece Lures and Fleece Tug, 36-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFFX3VQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_0oCZtb12RX98H8QB
The pole is very sturdy and stands up to our Presa very well

Are you looking for an exact match? There are some similar ones like the Nero Ball or the Chuckit tug, but I didn't find that exact one.

I use the Bob-a-Lot (linked above), the Tug-a-Jug and the Buster Cube.

They are all fairly loud, but keep him occupied for a while. I switch them out daily so he doesn't get bored with one.

Mine was a rapant destroyer until about 2 years old, now she is a little velcro firecracker. A toy I highly suggest is this Stick with an Elastic rope Toy. Easiest toy to play with, and minimal work for you. I do suggest a heavier toy on the end as the fleece one feels wimpy.

After reading your other comments it seems to me that your pup needs more exercise. Having herding breeds myself, this is something I have to make sure to do if I don't want a wound-up and destructive pup on my hands.

If you have a yard and you're not in the mood to go for a walk, I would recommend getting a Flirt Pole for him and tiring him out that way. A tired dog is a happy dog and a tired dog doesn't cause problems.

Be advised, that Flirt Pole I linked is strong enough for my 25 pounder but neither toy survived her wrath. The one made by Squishy Face Studio is higher quality and the toy holds up fantastically. So far the only issue we've encountered is the toy gets a bit dirty but that's nothing that can't be easily solved.

Also try giving him some frozen kongs when you leave or treat dispensing toys filled with his food rations so he will have something to keep himself busy while you're not home.

bone board bottle

Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole V2 Dog Exercise Toy with Blue/Aqua Squeaker Fleece Lure, 36-Inch - V2FP-BS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HFFXEWE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UU5VCb4G1M4G9

These have worked really for my ACD. The ropes for tugging and wrestling. The dragon is her "how can I rip a hole in this" toy, took her a few weeks to get the stuffing out of it.

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FO1CZW/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071JMC5M4/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got this flirt pole from Amazon when it went on sale. My westies go nuts for it but it doesn't do much for my GSD mix.

My border collie pup really enjoys this. I make him work for his dinner and breakfast. It has helped loads in turning down his destructive behaviors.

We picked some up off Amazon that were really good. No glue that I noticed. Hardly any damage after a boxer has been thrashing on them since April. They come in various sizes and random colors.

Flossy Chews Cottonblend Color 3-Knot Rope Tug, Large, 25-Inch

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0017JDGZO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_KR0hub19VHFV2

You can just use any old shirt.
http://stories.barkpost.com/how-to-make-a-t-shirt-dog-toy/

Though long tug ropes aren't super expensive either.

I got my power chewer the 72in one, she LOVES it. It's a bit long for tug of war, but is great for fetch as drags on the ground a creates a bit more effort for her to bring back. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0017J8NDY

I also got her this much smaller $4 one as an indoor chew after realized how much damage she can do whipping the 6ft one around like she is trying to kill a snake. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EVQZMC

Also, it's not a rope, but one of these has made it 4 months so far, and she chews it almost every day. https://www.amazon.com/Benebone-Bacon-Flavored-Dental-Chew/dp/B014JXJ2S4

There are many different kinds of toys and puzzles that will keep him occupied when you aren't at home. Just choose something centered around your dog's motivation, whether it be treats, toys, or something else and don't forget to play with him yourself!

On a different note, I used to have a dog who started chewing when he was a puppy. I made it absolutely clear to him that I was VERY unhappy when he chewed through my headphone cord, then gave him a length of denim from the scrap box and said, "This is for you." Ever since then, he'll only chew things you give to him explicitly.

Awwww! As bad as that is, that's really cute. Mine does that too. I bought her one of these bad boys and now she no longer destroys my personal property lol

So much destruction in a small package, am I right?

http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Buddy-Tug-A-Jug-Dispensing-Medium/dp/B000KV7ZGQ