One of Big Brother’s latest care packages contained a toy for Little Bear. I keep meaning to see if there’s a website with ideas for how to get the best use out of it.
I drop a few of his favorite treats inside and see how long it takes him to get them out. The first time LB was completely flummoxed until he’d rolled the thing inconveniently under the woodstove. Then he grabbed it with his teeth by the small end to bring it back to his bed. The open end naturally rolled downward, the piñata spilled out its goodies, and I figured that was the end of that entertainment. From now on he’d know how to win the game.
Except the next time he was completely flummoxed until he happened to accidentally roll the open side down. The third time, he was completely flummoxed until…This dog does not seem to acknowledge the concept of a learning curve.
In other things, he’s as good or better than other dogs. He’s got an excellent nose, and is not afraid to use it. You wouldn’t believe how easily he can catch a rabbit. He’s aware of the list of things he should be afraid of. He’s aware that coyotes are not on the list, but that bulls are.
He did eventually learn that with the short leash he needs to always stop at the top of the porch until I’m outside with him, but that with the long leash he needn’t. It took him a couple of years to learn it, but he did learn it. He’ll be on the leash or the cable all his life, because he’ll never in life learn not to chase calves. And if I let him catch one, he wouldn’t stop at that. As a predator, there’s none better.
But as a puzzle solver…well, that’s why he keeps me around. A human is to a dog as a swiss army knife is to a human.
Fill it with peanut butter and if possible freeze it. Hilarity will ensue.
I just recently re-found treat balls and Kongs (which I’d stopped using several years ago when Robbie started developing some pudge) and got them out for Ava.
Although Ava isn’t as smart as she ought to be given her genius breed mix, she’s Einstein compared with LB. Took her zero time to figure out how to get magical food out of those things.
While I know you’re a bit limited in the freezing-things department, I’m with Jay. That’ll keep a pooch occupied for a loooooooog time. Unfortunately the peanut butter trick was also what contributed to the late and sorely missed Robbie’s pudge. And I know you have to watch LB’s waistline.
But boy … you have one GOOD big brother!
If pudge is a concern, stuff it with part of his daily ration of kibble, add water, or broth, or yogurt, or peanut butter, or wet canned food, or liquid of your choice, and freeze (peanut butter and yogurt actually don’t require freezing, but it makes the thing last longer) and then give it to him. Make him work for his food! I know folks who feed all their dog’s meals in things like this.