I bought a Kong for Micky today, based on a recommendation by someone at the pet store. She told me it keeps her dogs occupied for hours. I thought that would
be a good thing to give Mickey in his crate when I go out. I noticed on the package that it says it should only be used under supervision. What's been your
experience?
0 Kudo
The Kong toy
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 JaneMicky |
The Kong toy |
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Posts: 78 07/21/08 7:10 PM |
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GoodGollyMissHolly |
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Posts: 8 07/21/08 8:31 PM |
We have a kong for our puppy. We put some peanut butter in it and she loves it. It does not keep her attention for "hours" but it does keep her
occupied for a while.
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Salty Dogs |
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Posts: 4838 07/21/08 8:57 PM Dog Sports Trainer/Moderator |
Well, I would use it supervised to see how things go. Is it a red one or a black one?
In my experience, the black ones are more durable. The big dogs here tend to saw the red ones up, but is has not happened with the black ones. The little dogs have not destroyed the red or the black ones. So, I'd experiment with how you're going to use it, putting food in it, etc. and see what your dog is about. Some dogs are aggressive chewers, some more casual. It can make a difference what you can leave lying around. Patty |
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klwit307 |
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Posts: 1628 07/21/08 9:40 PM |
Black Kongs are definitely stronger than red ones.
I agree with Patty. Try different stuffings and see how it goes, then you'll have an idea of what you feel lasts longest and if you're comfy with leaving it or not. Gracie has an assortment, mostly red ones, and I have no problem leaving her with one in her crate. Keep an eye on it and make sure it isn't being split or chunked up or anything. Those have to be replaced right away! You may consider freezing the kong too. Grace loves frozen peanut butter and kibble! I use a bottle brush to wash 'em afterward. |
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 Isis2x |
#4 | |||
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Posts: 2277 07/21/08 9:44 PM |
Yeah, my guys (small) don't destroy Kongs either. They're more interested in licking stuff out of Kongs than they are chewing on them, though.
They're the one thing that *I* will leave in a kennel - but like Patty said, it will depend on your dog. If they show any propensity to chewing pieces off
(even little teeny pieces), I wouldn't leave them unsupervised.
I stuff mine with whatever (peanut butter, etc) and freeze them so the boys are licking away longer.
~Thia
Tai, Russ, Dezi, & the Kitties   
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JaneMicky |
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Posts: 78 07/21/08 10:37 PM |
Thanks for the input. I only got him on Saturday, and I work from home, so I don't plan on leaving him at all this week. Figured I'd wait until he was
really used to the environment before I add that kind of stress.
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klwit307 |
#6 | |||
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Posts: 1628 07/21/08 10:49 PM |
Orca toys are also pretty good at holding up to chewie dogs. Grace has a ball and jack that hardly show a mark even though she's chomped on them to beat
the band!
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SW845 |
#7 | |||
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Posts: 16299 07/22/08 8:05 AM Professional Trainer/Owns Board |
And that falls under the heading of corporate CYA - like Q-tips saying "Do not insert in ears" - really??? Can we have a show of hands of all people
who have NOT put a qtip inside their ear please? Like Flexi-leads claim: Not to be used with untrained dogs. Total CYA.
People leave dogs alone with stuffed Kongs constantly, one of their best uses for Kongs really. Find the one that is safe for your dogs - mine don't plow through the red ones but I certainly have seen dogs who can and do.
Sarah Wilson
Your dog can change but you have to change first. |
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cdturner |
#8 | |||
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Posts: 5335 07/22/08 9:09 AM Moderator/Rescue |
If you have a really, really dedicated chewer, they now have blue Kongs, which are also stronger than the red ones. They're also radiopaque, so that if a
dog does manage to eat it, it shows up on x-rays. I have only seen them in my vet's office, but a number of web sites have them.
http://www.vetamerica.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1070
Carolyn
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JaneMicky |
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Posts: 78 07/22/08 9:41 AM |
Thanks to all who responded... Micky's Kong is pink... one for puppies who are teething, so I expect it's appropriate for him (he's 4 months old).
Sarah... as soon as I saw the warning on the packaging I expected it was a CYA thing, and expected that people do leave there pups alone with Kongs. Figured I
should ask on this board to be sure.
Jane |
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klwit307 |
#10 | |||
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Posts: 1628 07/22/08 9:56 AM |
Good call, Sarah! Kongs are very durable under normal chew-cumstances. Thus the advent of the Kong Time gizmo.
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talbin |
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Posts: 491 07/22/08 1:38 PM |
Keep an eye on the puppy Kongs - they're not nearly as durable as the red or black Kongs. I'm not sure how big your pup is, but I know when we got our
Brix at 6 months old he was able to pick off pieces of a puppy Kong pretty easily so we threw it away. Your Micky might not do that, but I just wanted to let
you know.
I also see from your profile that you're from Minneapolis - Hello from Bloomington!
Tracy
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kchriste |
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Posts: 4879 07/22/08 2:16 PM Trainer/Senior Member |
And do make sure it is the right size for your pup. A too-small Kong can be chewed up more easily than the right size.
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JaneMicky |
#13 | |||
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Posts: 78 07/22/08 8:51 PM |
If anything, the Kong I got for Mickey may be too big. The woman at the pet store looked at them and handed me one, telling me it's the one I should give
him. It is a teething one for puppies. It's a medium, for pups about 15 lbs. Micky is 10 lbs. I'll watch him closely when I give it to him...
haven't done so yet... introducing his toys slowly to him.
I'm from San Antonio Texas. Just checked my profile thinking I might have made a mistake when I created it, but no... when I look at my profile it says SA. If you're seeing Minneapolis then there's a tech snafu! |
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kchriste |
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Posts: 4879 07/23/08 3:54 PM Trainer/Senior Member |
Th eone up to 15 pounds is just right. Do check it often though, and replace if it starts tearing.
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bevin |
#15 | |||
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Posts: 1830 07/23/08 6:11 PM |
Cara had her blue puppy kongs and they lasted well with her puppy teeth but as soon as those adult chompers came in it was game over and we bought some black
ones. Even the black ones are having a really rough time now. It looks like we're gonna have to fork out for the biggest ones they make soon. If she's
like this at 9 months I'm not looking forward to buying her chews in a years time!!!
"A dog wags its tail with its heart" - Martin Buxbaum |
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SW845 |
#16 | |||
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Posts: 16299 07/23/08 6:14 PM Professional Trainer/Owns Board |
Wow... we never get these ripped up, any of them... now stuffed toys are a waste of money but the kongs around here last and last... just goes to show you how
different dogs are and that we have to assume the toughest chewer...
Sarah Wilson
Your dog can change but you have to change first. |
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bevin |
#17 | |||
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Posts: 1830 07/23/08 6:22 PM |
It's definitely something to consider when choosing a baby killer lock jaw breed
 (just joking, for lurkers, she's lovely!)
Toys don't last long round here. Though those empty stuffie toys are a good idea. Scratchy is still alive albeit he has no stuffing and no squeeker and no one will touch him but Cara 
"A dog wags its tail with its heart" - Martin Buxbaum |
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SW845 |
#18 | |||
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Posts: 16299 07/23/08 6:27 PM Professional Trainer/Owns Board |
Well, I got me a half of one of those and she's a bird-house-ripping, gutter-removing dog I nicknamed "The Jaws Of Life" so I thought I had me a
chewer but I was wrong.
Happens. 
Sarah Wilson
Your dog can change but you have to change first. |
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BeaAndGus |
#19 | |||
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Posts: 237 07/23/08 8:40 PM |
I also have a super chewer (I think Gus is part Pitt) but he has never torn a single Kong. We still have his puppy Kong as well as a few red ones.
Rachel
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