Like most of our wonderful puppies, Daisy likes to shred and tear things up. My slippers, my gloves, my socks, CD cases (what could be appealing about hard, brittle plastic??), and also any kind of box. A few weeks ago, I tossed an empty cracker box to her and she thought it was manna from heaven! Prancing around, showing it off, then demolishing it into leettle, teeny pieces! Since then, we've gone through almost every empty box in our basement, from small gift box size to medium shipping boxes. Yesterday, I sent an all-school email to my colleagues, asking for empty boxes and got flooded! Cracker boxes, cereal boxes, microwave dinner boxes, shipping boxes - you name it! If it comes in a box, I probably have a sample of it (I'm amazed at some of the things my co-workers buy! ). I've nested some smaller ones in the larger ones, and baited the very inside box with a bit of kibble, then taped it all up. She thinks they're great, and what a nice, cheap toy! Makes kind of mess in the house or garage, but what the heck. I've thought about using old paperback books, but am afraid to teach her that shredding books is okay!
Re: Cheap entertainment Great fun!!!! We use empty toilet roll holders too Put a treat inside and fold in the ends.
Re: Cheap entertainment I put a few bit of kibble in empty egg boxes. Toilet rolls a a firm favourite. He'll knock them off the holder the shed, shred, shred. Until me have an indoor snow storm. He now keep bathroom doors closed but he still manages yo steal a roll every now and then. I'd rather he shredded toilet rolls which are a couple of pence to replace rather than his Tuffy toys which cost quite a bit more, or my wool trousers, leather gloves, and wooly hats!
Re: Cheap entertainment I do give Charlie old paperback books and he loves them. They don't last very long though, and tough packaging is better value for the mess. I didn't have to teach him that tearing up books is ok, he came knowing that. If I don't want Charlie to tear things up, they are out of Charlie reach.
Re: Cheap entertainment Harley loves boxes, toilet rolls folded over with a treat in, empty plastic milk bottles with a treat or two in and old socks - somehow she knows that unless I give her an old sock she is to leave the others
Re: Cheap entertainment I had a couple dogs a number of years ago that learned if I tied a knot in a sock (or any kind of rag) it was a tug and chew toy. They'd get very excited, watching me tie the knot, then take off with it, pulling back and forth. Never took any "good" socks, though! I haven't tried the kibble in a plastic bottle - coming up next!
Re: Cheap entertainment Last night, John gave our two the cardboard box from a case of wine. A loo roll or kitchen roll tube is one thing. You have NEVER seen so much cardboard spread around a room!!
Re: Cheap entertainment Bella goes to work with my hubby every day...and since we own a winery...there is no shortage of cardboard boxes for her to demolish!!! 8) 8) 8) Wine boxes, beer cases, label rolls, packing boxes, you name it...she'll destroy it. it's a good activity for her at work for some out of crate time...she'll keep herself entertained for a good long while with the boxes in the recycle pile! ;D ;D ;D
Re: Cheap entertainment And they're helping the recyclers shred the cardboard for processing! Talented dogs... ;D
Re: Cheap entertainment We use empty plastic bottles and cardboard boxes as cheap treat dispensers on a regular basis. With the bottles we make a small hole in the lid on just to let a few kibble out so she gets the idea. One bottle will keep her busy for at least an hour. Happy days!
Re: Cheap entertainment You know all those odd socks that you keep finding? (If you are anything like me, that is....) Now they get stored up til we have three or four of them, and then they get tied together in a knotty ring and given to Pongo. His favouritest toy ever.
Re: Cheap entertainment We were always big fans of cardboard ( although not so much the mess ;D) we also do the sock toy and sometimes add a pair of old tights to the combination....bliss,especially,if he has another dog to play with x
Re: Cheap entertainment Having read this thread yesterday, it seems only too appropriate to pop a picture of Alfie and his antics here today after the postman came! What a lovely box to have fun with! A few minutes later he tugged it to the floor, but oh well!
