In "The Happy Puppy" book Pippa recommends 3 Kongs, one with the dog, one to be washed, one in the freezer. I have had a look at Kongs in a pet shop and these are my questions: 1) How do I fill them with my own prepared wet kibble / food mixes? The pet shop is selling ready-made filler with a nozzle, it's doesn't look easy to fill without one? 2) Do I give the puppy the Kong frozen, i.e. straight from the freezer? I see no information on freezing on the Kong packaging. It's not too cold for the pup? 3) How do I get the Kong clean to reuse as the hole is so small to clean the inside? 4) Would an 8 week Labrador puppy start with a medium Kong? All advice greatly appreciated, thank you!
Hey Elsie, Its very easy to fill kongs with soaked kibble. Just squeeze it in there, the pre filled cans are not the best for calories etc. and very expensive. I seal the top with a smear of peanut butter. the kongs i use get rinsed and i try spooning any excess off, then it will go in the dishwasher. Not sure if this is ok but mine have stood the test of time My Rolo had a puppy kong when he was first with us at 8 weeks, as the rubber is more soft and durable. They are usually light pink and light blue I think, then around 12/14 weeks I put him on a red kong! No problems He has always had them straight frolm the freezer but I know some pups dont like it, once they smell the kibble thawing they will probably become interested if they aren't at first Enjoy!
Jyssica has given you some good advice 1. Use your fingers to stuff it in. My sister uses latex gloves. I use soap As Jyssica says, the shop-bought stuff isn't the best for regular use. 2. With a very young puppy I wouldn't freeze. Let the puppy get addicted to them first. This might actually mean starting with just a few bits of dry kibble in the kong first, which is easy to get out. It depends on how confident and persistent your pup is. Most pups would get bored very quickly with a frozen kong, so it's best to stick to easier ones to start off with, until they get the idea. Then you can start freezing and letting them partially thaw for a while before feeding, before going full-on frozen. My pup is approaching 15 weeks and now loves a frozen kong. It's definitely not too cold. She also gets frozen carrots, which she loves 3. Because it's rubber, nothing sticks too much to it. I just use hot water and washing up liquid. I can get my finger in to make sure it's clean. Or they go in the dishwasher. 4. Yes, the medium kongs are perfect for a Lab puppy. S/he still may need some help getting the last bits out. I tended to bash the kong on the floor to loosen it for her once she'd given up. It depends on their technique. All dogs seem to have slightly different ways of working them. As for quantity, the more the merrier - you can just make a big batch of your filler and fill them all at once, rather than one at a time. I have six medium and six large kongs with three dogs, and could really do with some more. It's very handy to have kongs always in the freezer so if you have to pop out unexpectedly, or if your puppy starts to fuss when you're in the middle of something, you can just chuck them one to keep them occupied for a while
I use a bottle brush to clean the insides. I use fish and other stuff in mine and it gets and stuff out. Not that theres ever much left
Mine started off with the light pink puppy kong with soaked kibble that wasn't frozen because she seemed to get frustrated with the frozen and just left it. Once she figured it all out, I'd say by 3 months or so, she started with the large red kongs that are frozen. An easy trick I use is to soak the kibble, enough for a medium size ziploc bag, mash it all up, or use a blender, put it all in the baggie, then snip off the end of the baggie and pipe it in. It's super easy! I use a clip to close the end of the baggie and have enough for the week. I have 3 kongs on the go at all times. When one is empty, it gets washed with the dishes, then refilled. I just use my finger to wash the inside.
I love that idea. The amount that you're putting in, is that from their daily food allowance or extras. Just wondering how you work it.
If you give extra in addition to their allowance, they will get fat.... so anything you give in addition to meals has to be accounted for by reducing their meals.
I bought a funnel especially for filling and fill the kongs with a mix of mushed banana and plain yoghurt (your pup might be too young for this yet). I put a piece of kibble in the hole to block it or else peanut butter. They get washed in the dishwasher, as they sit perfectly on a spoke. I've got 5 so there's a good stock
