Win the Doggy Puzzle Pack!
Every pet owner knows their dog needs physical exercise and activity. Walks, runs, dog parks are places where lots of physical dog energy is expended, which is wonderful! And yes, some of us are less successful than others at making sure they get enough physical activity. But, as a pet parent, it is just as important to alleviate their boredom with mentally stimulating activities as physical ones. Some activities, like tracking and obedience really involve both, but there are fun and easy things you can do at home to provide that much need mental stimulation.
I like two kinds of toys – what I characterize as busy toys and puzzle toys. Busy toys, which often have a fairly easy food or treat reward to keep the dog’s attention focused for a while are great at keeping your dog occupied, and my favorite line is the Busy Buddy line by Premier Pets. But soon, your dog will eat all the treats and be “done” with toy. That’s when its time to take to the next level and introduce the puzzlers. The toys that frustrate our canine friends and cause them to stop, think, and stop and think some more. This true mental stimulation is so important.
When I’m at work all day, sitting at my desk, in front of my computer, there is virtually no physical activity. However, I may have to stretch and strain my brain to figure how to address the legal problems in front of me. And, at the end of the day, I’m physically and mentally EXHAUSTED! Even watching television and playing on the computer provides that mental stimulation for us humans. What are our dogs doing while we’re “mentally stimulating” ourselves with the laptop? Probably laying around doing nothing. Challenging puzzle toys and games can do for your dog what computer games, complex TV shows (no, reality shows don’t count!), and facebook do for you! I love simple puzzles like the Buster Cube, the Kibble Nibble, and the Tug a Jug to start. With these, the dog has to figure out how to roll the cube or jug around and get the food out. It usually doesn’t talk long for the dog to figure it out, but once they do, it can be lots of fun for them. This can easily be done at every meal and with snacks. Just to provide that bit of extra mental stimulation every day.
At the next level are more difficult puzzle games like Aikio Interactive dog bowl. Not only does it slow down a pup who eats wayyyyyy to fast, but it makes them think and work for that food reward. Often, after 10 or 15 minutes of playing with this type of toy, your dog will appear physically exhausted. That mental stimulation takes its toll in a shorter time than physical activity. A lot of these cool puzzle toys like the Ethical Pet Seek-A-Treat Shuffle Bone Dog Puzzle, the Kyjen dog games puzzle, can be purchased at Preuss Pets in Oldtown, Lansing. You will learn that only after 10-15 minutes of this type of activity, your dog is tired, calmer, and happier. And maybe, a little smarter.
*** This is not a paid or sponsored post. These are Angela’s actual opinions about these products based on her use in her home and in her business.
Angela Brown is an attorney and co-owner of AnnaBelle’s Pet Station, a dog training, grooming, and group play doggie day care facility in Downtown Lansing, MI. She lives in Okemos with her husband, Scotty, their two bouncy Rottweiler mixes, Buddy and Martini, and their three cats, Lucy, Rudy, and Nikki Six Toes.
So now to the FREE stuff! We are giving away an Aikiou Dog Bowl, a Hagen Design Dog Drinking Fountain, and a Premier Busy Buddy Tug-a-Jug Treat Dispensing Toy (for medium/large dogs)!
Here is what you have to do to win:
- Leave a comment below telling us why your dog needs to be kept busy.
- “Like” us on Facebook and leave us a comment below letting us know & giving us a name or a way to confirm that you did.
- Tweet this blog or mention us and the giveaway on Twitter and let us know in a comment below what your Twitter name is so we can match it up with your entries.
That’s it! Each of these is worth one entry in our giveaway. Entries must be received by Thursday, February 9, 2012. The winner will be chosen at random after the entry time expires.
*The fine print. You have to be within the US so that we can ship your prize package to you.
65 Comments For This Post
February 2, 2012 at 4:40 pm
I have 7 dogs that need to be kept busy! German wirehaired pointers are very, very smart and when they get bored, they find something to do and that something is usually very naughty!
February 2, 2012 at 4:41 pm
I “liked” you on Facebook.
February 2, 2012 at 4:52 pm
I have three dogs that are very active and busy. One of my dogs is a 2 year old Dutch Shepherd that LOVES to work. Puzzles are great ways to keep her busy and she would love some new ones! I also have a miniature pinscher that makes it her personal mission to find every last kernel of food. Thanks for having the contest!
February 2, 2012 at 4:54 pm
I “liked” you on FB too!
February 2, 2012 at 5:42 pm
I am a second year veterinary student and my pitbull, Rosie, stays at home by herself while I am at school. She is not destructive, but gets pretty depressed when I am gone and I think a puzzle toy would be a great way to keep her occupied and happy while I’m away!
February 2, 2012 at 5:45 pm
I liked you on Facebook as well.
February 3, 2012 at 4:02 pm
I followed you on Facebook, and tweeted at you (@gabicmoore).
My rescue dog Snoopy is one of those “too smart for his own good” dogs – he is constantly looking for something to do and a puzzle feeder is perfect! The only thing he loves more than keeping busy is food, so playing a game to get his food is a combo of his favorite things.
February 5, 2012 at 5:03 am
My 12 Year Old Alaskan Malamute, Milele, needs to be kept busy so she retains her cognitive abilities. She is going strong and we want her to live a long, happy, healthy life. Her brother, Kouga who is 5 needs to be kept busy so he is happy and active.
February 5, 2012 at 5:05 am
I liked you on Facebook as Kelly Ann T
February 5, 2012 at 5:07 am
I tweeted your giveaway. https://twitter.com/#!/cstironkat/status/166024631684313091 and my twitter handle is @cstironkat.
February 7, 2012 at 6:56 pm
I have a new puppy. We nicknamed her Destructo Dog. I would love to give her something to do other than eating my 4 year old daughter’s ears.
Thanks.
February 8, 2012 at 3:02 pm
My dog needs to be kept busy so she has less time to chase our cats
February 8, 2012 at 4:19 pm
I have a 5 year old Airedale, Pepper, who is very active. She needs to keep busy to stay out of trouble!
February 8, 2012 at 4:20 pm
tweeted @annedoggett
February 8, 2012 at 4:43 pm
My dog is 6 years old today actually, and he is still hyper as a puppy lol, I am always looking for ways to keep him busy and active.
February 8, 2012 at 4:43 pm
I am following on Facebook Jodi D
February 8, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Casey is a busy busy dog. He bounces off walls. Not really but he is a rat terrier and has lots of energy
stanleybilly(at)bellsouth(dot)net
February 8, 2012 at 5:49 pm
They like a mess otherwise.
February 8, 2012 at 6:06 pm
My pooch can get easily bored and I’d love to stimulate his mind more!
February 8, 2012 at 8:12 pm
my chico needs to be kept busy because if not he chews my shoes,gets into the trash can and plays tug of war with my bed spread
February 8, 2012 at 8:14 pm
like you on facebook kathy pease
February 8, 2012 at 9:01 pm
Because I have a 2 year old Lab and she has way more energy than I do!
jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com
February 8, 2012 at 9:04 pm
My dogs need to be kept busy so I can actually get a full night of sleep
February 8, 2012 at 11:16 pm
My dog needs to be kept busy and stimulated because he gets into trouble when he is not! He is just too curious!
February 8, 2012 at 11:16 pm
like yall on FB – Marianna B.
February 8, 2012 at 11:21 pm
My dog needs to be kept busy because his natural tendency is to sleep as much as possible.
February 9, 2012 at 12:13 am
My 2 dogs are hounds and love to play constantly….this would be awesome for them.
February 9, 2012 at 12:14 am
facebook fan
February 9, 2012 at 2:36 am
We have a new Jack Russell Terrier puppy who needs to be kept very busy or he will be into constant trouble.
xraygirl2008 at hotmail dot com
February 9, 2012 at 2:38 am
I liked you on FB as Kristi Hayes.
xraygirl2008 at hotmail dot com
February 9, 2012 at 2:38 am
because he spends a lot of time alone
vmkids3 at msn dot com
February 9, 2012 at 3:31 am
We have a new puppy who go through toys faster than we can buy them. This would really keep him occupied.
February 9, 2012 at 7:45 am
We have dachshunds and when they aren’t all snuggled up to us they’re looking for something to get into. One of them in particular I think would love this. He’s very interesting just to watch where he stashes toys and treats and moves things around. He and his sister have figured out how to open doors and do things like hit the snooze button on the alarm. They could use a new ‘challenge’.
Thanks so much!
February 9, 2012 at 7:45 am
I’m Manda Marie on FB and I Lliked your page too.
Thanks again from me and the pups!
February 9, 2012 at 8:11 am
My dog, Butters, is a very smart and energetic lab/border collie mix. Being that I’m in cancer treatment, I really need ways to keep him entertained.
February 9, 2012 at 8:16 am
I’ve also “Liked” you on facebook.
February 9, 2012 at 2:33 pm
My puppygirl loves to play all the time. It would be nice to have something to occupy her time when I’m trying to fix dinner, do laundry, etc.
February 9, 2012 at 2:34 pm
I ‘like’ Fido’s Future on Facebook.
Kim McConahay
February 9, 2012 at 3:38 pm
This would so help keep my Lab/Dobe mix and my Saint Bernard busy. Coco the lab mix has such high energy that she would play with this for hours
February 9, 2012 at 3:40 pm
My dog needs to stay busy because she is a young dog. We just adoption back in December and she is doing good. She is about 2 years old and we name her Hollie. She is very active and and needs a new dish and toys. We love her very much and she runs around the house and alot of energy. I want to thank you for this awesome sweep and hope to win. Like on Facebook – Susan Jones Ladd
February 9, 2012 at 3:40 pm
entered on both Facebook and twitter (@samanthajoy623)
February 9, 2012 at 3:56 pm
I am the proud new owner of a boxer pit mix. I rescued her from an ad on Craigslist. She was skinny, abused,and bred before the age of 1. She seemed like a gamble, but her sweet disposition was so impressive I took the chance. She is adapting well and is wonderful dog, however on the days she has time by herself she gets so bored she is starved for stimulating activity. Most toys fall short in providing her what she needs. The puzzle pack would be an amazing, life changing product in our home!
February 9, 2012 at 3:57 pm
My dog needs to be kept busy so he doesn’t obsessively groom himself.
February 9, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@sarohioan tweeted:
your giveaway but could not cut and paste tweet url
February 9, 2012 at 5:22 pm
We have a lab puppy that is home alone all day. He NEEDS some stimulation.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill12@gmail.com
February 9, 2012 at 7:24 pm
My dog needs to be kept busy so he will leave our pregnant dog alone. He wants to play with her so bad but she is in no condition to accomidate him…so he needs something to entertain him!
February 9, 2012 at 7:53 pm
Mitsy loves to chew on anything! This would help her to stay busy for sure!
mamavresale@yahoo.com
February 9, 2012 at 7:54 pm
I tweeted on my @BNTVosburgh twitter account.
mamavresale@yahoo.com
February 9, 2012 at 7:56 pm
He’s 6 and lazy. I don’t want him to get old so quicly, he needs to be more active
February 9, 2012 at 8:24 pm
14 month old Lab, her name is Daisy, loves to play fetch – but on cold rainy muddy days she comes in a little too muddy. Would like something like this to vent all of her extra energy on days she can’t be outside too long and play fetch with me. Looks like a good option for her. Thanks.
February 9, 2012 at 8:38 pm
I have three Dobermans, all rescues and one of whom I am fostering. The foster has heart worms (poor thing) and needs to be kept isolated and quiet while she undergoes her treatment. She would love a puzzle to keep her busy while she stays in her quiet room and recovers.
February 9, 2012 at 8:43 pm
My dog would love this. Maybe it would keep him from chewing my shoes.
February 9, 2012 at 9:34 pm
My dog needs to be kept busy because she has some anxiety issues. She’s great when we’re around but walking out in public is a different story. Thanks for the chance!
januarywins at hotmail dot com
February 9, 2012 at 9:36 pm
I liked you on FB (I saw the Doggie Body Language posted on 2/7
(Christie Roberts)
januarywins at hotmail dot com
February 9, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/januarywins/status/167723592635793408
januarywins at hotmail dot com
February 9, 2012 at 10:59 pm
i have two Schnoodles and they are Energizer bunnies!!!
gatsby1981 at gmail dot com
February 9, 2012 at 11:00 pm
I like you on fb @andrea maes
gatsby1981 at gmail dot com
February 10, 2012 at 1:13 am
my 3 “kids” eat way too fast, it would be great to have them work at it a bit harder.
February 10, 2012 at 1:14 am
like you on fb
February 10, 2012 at 1:15 am
twitter follower & I tweeted : https://twitter.com/#!/tamathahunter/status/167778525359767553
February 10, 2012 at 1:57 am
My mini Dachshund named little bit needs stuff to keep her from chewing on things shes not suppose to!
freebiegoddess03@aol.com
February 10, 2012 at 2:18 am
I have two dogs that are both rather co-dependent on me. It’s great but since I work from my home office for 8+ hours a day, it would be wonderful to have something occupy their time
February 10, 2012 at 2:48 am
We have very silly dogs. All have their own personality, this would keep them busy without wondering what the other one is doing.
February 11, 2012 at 1:27 am
My little Jack Russell Terrier’s birthday is coming up so while I prepare everything for it (bake her the cake, decorate the house, invite over her doggie friends) she will need something to do. It would also be a great birthday gift as well as Roxy is very agile and active!
March 20, 2012 at 11:34 pm
I have a 4 month old boxer-mix named Bruin and he suffers from what we affectionately call “Puppy A.D.D.” Bruin is constantly distracted and no matter what new toys we throw in front of him… he gets bored! Since I am a student I cannot keep my eyes on him all the time and he craves mental and physical stimulation! These busy toys would be a perfect solution!
Liking you on FB — Kelly Larabee
Tweeting about you — @kelbel341