KONG Puppy is made with our exclusive teething rubber formula designed for puppies up to nine months. Veterinarians and trainers recommend stuffing the KONG Puppy with healthy treats to aid in crate training, decreasing separation anxiety, promoting proper chewing behavior and deterring misbehavior for happy, healthy puppies. Our super-bouncy, pink or blue natural rubber compound is unequaled for dogs who like to chew.
Since most puppies love to chew, it’s important to teach your dog which items are acceptable to chew. Teach this lesson in a positive and fun way by introducing a KONG toy stuffed with treats; provide constant praise when your dog plays and chews on it rather than your favorite shoes. Remember to use a variety of KONG toys and treats to keep lessons fun and interesting and to always monitor how your dog is chewing until you’re comfortable (it usually takes around two weeks to determine your dog’s chewing temperament).
Crate training is an effective way to house train a puppy or new dog. In this critical time, you can help relax your dog with a treat-stuffed KONG to create a positive association with the crate. Start a dog’s crate training by stuffing a KONG toy with a favorite treat. Let the dog see and smell the stuffed toy, then place the KONG in the back of the crate leaving the door open. As the dog chews on the KONG inside the crate, they begin to feel more comfortable and create a positive association with the crate. Repeat this until their dog is happy to settle in the crate on their own.
Separation anxiety typically occurs in the first 20 minutes after you leave a dog alone. A simple solution is to help the dog develop a positive association between being left alone and good things, like a treat-stuffed KONG. Stuffing a KONG toy with a mix of wet and dry ingredients creates a challenge that typically lasts 20 minutes, engaging dogs during the time when anxiety is at its peak. A KONG can even be frozen so that getting all the food out takes even more time.
Dogs bark to communicate and dig when bored or afraid. Creating good behaviors start with productive play, which allows dogs to expend excess energy. Every time you throw a KONG toy, the unpredictable bounce ensures no two games are ever the same, keeping the dog engaged and excited for more. A stuffed KONG is also helpful for a dog left outside to play. Directing their energy toward something positive, like working for the food inside the toy, diminishes bad behaviors.
For dogs, physical and mental development, emotions and behavior are all influenced by healthy play. Play helps dogs expend excess energy, which is important for appropriate behavior. KONG dog toys encourage play, satisfying dogs' instinctual needs and strengthening the bond between dog and owner.
