DIY Enrichment games

[StrawberryFizz26]

Hi All,

I'm looking for new ways to engage dpup with food. He's a fussy eater and I'm moving him from raw onto wet/dry, he's 7 months and not put hardly any weight on the past 2 months.

The vet isn't worried but I want him to grow as strong as he can during his puppy phase, he went from 1.8kg to 5.5kg from 10 weeks - 5.5 months, he's 7 months now and is still around 5.5-5.6kg
He's only small anyway so I know he's not getting to get much bigger but I want to make sure I'm giving him everything he needs.

I've had a snuffle mat, a slow feeder bowl, muffin tin & ball, boxes etc but these were messy with the raw food so I need some new games for him, that are hygienic and washable.

Any recommendations?

Anyone?

I am a bit confused are you moving off raw food?

If you are moving to dry food then you can use your snuffle mat and slow feeder. Licky mats are great for wet food as you can mush the food into them

Hide food under flowerpots or plastic cups, If you want washable then muffin tins as you said can be used. Egg boxes can also be used and put old rubbish like clean safe bottle etc on top of it to make it harder to get the food out.

If it is raw food you can buy treat balls and toys which you can fill with raw food and the dog can lick out -then wash the toys and use again

If you're dry feeding, try:

• scattering kibble in the grass for him to sniff out.
• put him outside a room, hide biscuits (You can start easy and slowly make it harder) and get him to "find it"
• a lick-e-mat for wet food. Just spread the food over it. They can be frozen too if you want to make it last longer.
• you can buy treat balls with slots in them for biscuits. You can add things like yoghurt/peanut butter/mashed banana too and freeze them.
• a good old frozen kong is always a popular idea.
• you can buy cows/calves feet or antlers that are hollow inside - stuff them with his food. Again, you can freeze if you want. The hooves are smelly though, so be warned!

Have you also tried natural treats as well as normal food?

Also you do not want a fat puppy so do watch and give the correct amount of food for your dog. Plump puppies are not strong puppies just the opposite

I've just bought that bloody Sexier than a Squirrel thing that's been advertising directly into my brain and one of the activities is to ditch the bowl with dry food. If you're switching to kibble can you play games with the food to get your puppy engaging, with you dispensing it rather than a toy or mat? I just practise throwing it and she jumps to catch it, or I get her to chase me then reward her catching me with a few bits and a fuss. My Lab is also 7 months and has gone through fussy phases, now unless I'm using her kibble for training games or it's in the Kong wobbler she just either ignores the food totally, or else wolfs it in the blink of an eye. There's no in between at the mo! I don't do it for her main breakfast as she's too hungry and there's no time to faff about, but I save a bit for afternoon training and do it again at her tea time.

I'm moving him from raw to wet with hopefully kibble, when I find one he likes.
He's defo not over weight, or anywhere near being but I do monitor what he eats which is why I think he's not eating enough!

I tried the sexier than a squirrel thing and ended up getting my money back, I've got pupford & puppr apps so will carry on with them!

Some good ideas here, I've done quite a few and still try those I've not.

Thanks all