Lavenders_Blue Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Does anyone have any great ideas for keeping a dog occupied whilst home alone? Tango, our rescue terrier crossbreed is left home alone for a few hours most days - usually up to 3.5 hours but occasionally a wee bit longer. She is a very good girl, and is not destructive whilst we are out, nor does she seem hyper and stressed when we get home, so I'm assuming she doesn't get upset when we go out and leave her. However, I'm conscious that she is a young (1 year-ish), active dog who enjoys a mental challenge as much as she enjoys going for a walk so I don't want her to be bored whilst home alone. When we go out, we always leave her a small stuffed kong (frozen, or else it would be gone in seconds) and a treat ball with some biscuits in which she looooooves, but I would be surprised if these last her more than 45 minutes in total, which means that she could have 3 hours in which to occupy herself. So, what other good toys are there out there that would occupy her whilst we are out or...... am I just being a worry wart and actually she will be quite happy snoozing away for 3 hours?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasperaliceuk Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Have you tried a Tug a Jug? These are brilliant and I usually my dog's evening meal in one. Bit annoying when watching TV as we have a hard floor! Basically, fill with dry kibble - you need to check it is small enough to get out. Dog learns to upend with nose and paws and pull on rope to dispense food. I'm on my second. The original model had a rubber 'rope' which was great but they don't seem to make them like that any more. Left in the garden, fox chewed the 'rope'. The bottle is indestructable but the next time the fox nicked the whole thing. You can buy them at Pets at Home too. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Busy-Buddy-Dog-Medium-Large/dp/B000KV7ZGQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1318348287&sr=8-1 You'll probably be surprised and find that your dog sleeps most of the time. A half hour session on a Kong or other dispensing toy can be quite tiring. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bramble Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I agree, a happy, contented, settled dog will eat their treats very quickly and then snuggle down for a kip, three hours is really not that long, I'm sure she'll be fine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I love Kong toys for my lot, I fill them with mince and freeze it. It keeps them occupied for hours! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loumabel Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I leave the TV or Radio on when I leave my two and I find it distracts them from the silence and outside noises. I always find them asleep when I get home. You could try scattering treats in various places in the house for her to find and this keeps them occupied for ages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 I like the look of the Tug a Jug - looks like lots of fun! The frozen kong lasts Tango about 1/2 hour (I've given her one a couple of times when I've been at home to keep her amused) as it's only a little one, and the treat ball not long at all, as she's a total whizz at getting the biscuits out Maybe I'll stop worrying for now and see if Santa brings the Tug a Jug.......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I wouldn't worry too much. Most dogs do a quick check for things that they can steal and then sleep while owners are out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloss-Hen Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 our puppy has a boiled bone whitch is great keeps her entertained for hours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I leave Riley chores to do while I'm at work. Rearranging the cushions on the sofas and making the beds . Sadly, he's not mastered the ironing yet . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 I leave Riley chores to do while I'm at work. Rearranging the cushions on the sofas and making the beds . Sadly, he's not mastered the ironing yet . Okay folks, I will stop worrying. She's obviously just fine being at home by herself for a few hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasperaliceuk Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 our puppy has a boiled bone whitch is great keeps her entertained for hours I am going to be a worrywort here - do you mean one of those stuffed jobbies from the pet shop - not one you've cooked yourself? Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 our puppy has a boiled bone whitch is great keeps her entertained for hours I am going to be a worrywort here - do you mean one of those stuffed jobbies from the pet shop - not one you've cooked yourself? Sue I'd echo the concern re feeding cooked bones. I have seen far too many dogs rear ends torn to shreds trying to pass pieces of bone - not pleasant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I wouldn't give cooked bones either I only ever feed raw and never leave a dog with any sort of bone or chew in case they choke. Mine get plenty of exercise and are then comatose while I am at work; in fact they are in almost exactly the same position when I return I wouldn't worry unduly if she's obviously not fretting when you're gone, they like a bit of down time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 I worry about Dylan when i take Dawn to trials as he is on his own all day in the kennel, I tire him out the day before and he gets a Kong extreme with frozen mince in. TBH i think it makes me feel better as he doesn't seem to give a chunky monkey, as i rush back worrying about him he crawls out his box yawning. We are having security cameras put up soon so i will be able to see what my mad lot get up to! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Bless him - if he's missing Dawn, you can always bring him over to take his chances with my two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
