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When we took Bailey to obedience training, the trainer stressed the importance of keeping her both mentally and physically stimulated for her optimal wellness. Dog owners know that when your dog is bored, destruction occurs…like finding a pillow de-stuffed or chewed coffee table corners. Bailey has a crate with a variety of toys and chews, but the ones listed below are some of my favorite items to keep her and the foster dogs entertained:

Himalayan Chews

The Himalayan yak chews are amazing. I buy the real Himalayan dog chewsthat are sourced from Nepal. (They have a fair-trade agreement with the farmers and are naturally sourced.) These yak chews are very hard, and dogs must soften them with their saliva before chewing a piece off. Bailey and my foster dogs will spend HOURS licking and biting little pieces off of the hard chew. I would strongly recommend these being eaten outside or on a surface that can be cleaned. What I love about Himalayan chews is that there is no waste. When a small piece remains, heat it in the microwave and it becomes a yummy yak puff.

Bully Sticks

The only penis my dog will ever nibble on… I purchase the Redbarn 7-Inch Braided Bully Sticks. I prefer the braided bully sticks since they are more difficult for the dogs to break apart. These are softer and more pliable than the Himalayan chews, but still a tasty treat to occupy Fido. I would have to say that this is Bailey’s favorite treat.

KONG Dog Toy

KONG Toys toys are multi-purpose and a great investment. I sometimes put treats inside (your dog must roll the KONG around to get the treats out), or freeze peanut butter or water for a tasty treat. You can also make mealtime interactive by placing kibble inside the KONG. I appreciate that KONG toys can be easily cleaned and are relatively inexpensive.

Tug-a-Jug

Bailey HATES this toy. She gets SO frustrated; however, my foster dogs usually LOVE the Tug-A-Jug, and often show Bailey how it’s done. Take small treats and put them in the jug. Fido’s job is to tug and manipulate the jug to get the treat. Bailey has turned this toy into a chew toy (she tries to bite through the rope), but the foster dogs are motivated to get the treat. It is a great brain teaser and keeps them mentally stimulated.

Dogit GUMI Dental Dog Toy

Bailey has been a chewer since we rescued her almost three years ago. She has chewed through things that have claimed to be “indestructible,” so I didn’t have high hopes for this toy. The Dogit GUMI Dental Dog Toy surpassed my expectations. She absolutely loved chewing the edges and ripping apart the middle section to get to the plastic part inside. (Pictured is the Floss version, I get the 360 Clean version). On the 360 Clean version, there is a treat pouch that you can freeze for teething puppies or add Fido’s favorite treats for added motivation. Besides keeping her and the foster dogs busy, the GUMI Dental Dog Toy helps floss and remove plaque from her teeth. This toy has provided hours of entertainment!

Final Thoughts

These are my top five items that have helped occupy Bailey and my foster dogs. An occupied dog is a happy dog.

What are your go-to items to keep your dog’s mentally and physically stimulated?

Namaste.

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