Food for Thought

We spend much of our time earning what is necessary for survival; food, shelter and clothing and if we’re lucky, the little extras. We go to work and perform our daily duties and in return earn a paycheck  to pay for the necessities. Thinking and problem solving  at work exercises our minds and by the end of the day, has proved to be tiring. Take for instance, being in a meeting for a day; while physical exertion does not play a part in the equation, by the end of the day we can be just as exhausted from thinking.

Why not have our dogs working and thinking for their food? There are several ways to have your dog earn their own paycheck; one of the ways are interactive, food dispensing toys, they are great ways to feed your dog as they have to think about what gets them the food and can entertain them for hours. A proven sturdy favorite in my household is the Tug-A-Jug. The bottom of the toy unscrews which allows you to easily load it with food at mealtime and then the game begins. The dogs quickly figure out which end the food comes from but the most challenging part is how to manipulate the rope toy to dispense the food. This has kept my dogs busy for hours, which is an added bonus after a long day of work.

There are also some good choices for the dog that looses interest easily; such as the Twist and Treat. What makes this toy unique is that you can control the level of difficulty by adjusting the size of the gap in which the food is dispensed. It can also accommodate dry food or treats and even peanut butter.

Many dogs need more mental stimulation than is being provided on a daily basis, and it is equally as important as physical exercise.  So whether you are having a short training session before mealtime, or using interactive toys, or doing something else, having your dog work at meal time may be your missing link!

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