THE MANY BENEFITS OF A KONG RUBBER

TEETHING.

Puppies have 28 baby teeth that erupt through the gums, sometimes causing pain. Chewing soft rubber helps to alleviate teething pain. KONG Puppy rubber toys are designed for growing teeth and jaws. These toys help promote the entry of growing teeth, while establishing healthy chewing habits.

DESTRUCTIVE CHEWING

Without an acceptable outlet for the natural instinct to chew, many dogs turn to destructive chewing in the home. KONG toys are made from durable rubber in a variety of formulas and provide dogs an appropriate way to fulfill chewing instincts. Chewing a KONG keeps jaws strong and teeth clean.

SEPARATION ANXIETY

Separation anxiety 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.

BOREDOM

To combat boredom, a dog will always find something to do—often this leads to problem behaviour. Stuffed and frozen KONG toys extend playtime and create a healthy, long-lasting challenge. In addition to extending playtime, working on a stuffed KONG mentally stimulates dogs, beating boredom and keeping the mind sharp.

DIGGING AND BARKING

Digging and barking are typically outgrowths of boredom or fear. 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 behaviours.

CRATE TRAINING

Crates provide a sense of security for dogs and also aid in housetraining. To successfully crate train a dog, it’s critical 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.