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Help your pets live their happiest, healthiest, fullest lives at home, at the vet, at the groomer, and everywhere in between.

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You are the secret to your pet's happiness. How interactions with you (and other people) can affect your dog's welfare.
How to make the world better for dogs. I asked dog experts - including Marc Bekoff, Jean Donaldson, Alexandra Horowitz, Ilana Reisner, Kathy Sdao and Pete Wedderburn - weigh in on the one thing that would make the world better for dogs.

How to pet dogs (and cats). Tips on the best way to pet dogs, including where they prefer to be petted, the body language to look out for, and how to do a consent test to check if they are enjoying it.

If your dog is afraid, avoid these two mistakes. These common mistakes will get in the way of you helping your dog. Find out what you should do instead.

Most pet dogs are fearful or anxious, study shows. Research from Finland finds that 72.5% of dogs have at least one form of canine anxiety, and better breeding practices would help.

Dogs don't have to be afraid of fireworks. Research shows that preventive training (of puppies or dogs that aren't yet afraid) or training for dogs who already have fireworks fears really does make a difference.

Fear of loud noises - a common problem in domestic dogs? looks at the prevalence of fears of thunder and fireworks.

Training classes and dogs' fear of fireworks. Dogs that attended training class are less likely to be afraid of fireworks.

Dangerous dogs - time for a rethink? Aggression in one situation does not necessarily carry over to other contexts.

Testing an automated and humane way to resolve barking. A scientific study tests the use of an automatic treat dispenser.

Small dogs are less likely to be house trained than big dogs. But they also get less training from their owners.

Body Language

How can I tell if my dog is afraid? A guide to spotting the signs of fear, anxiety and stress in dogs, and some photos for a dog body language practice quiz.

Understanding dogs with iSpeakDog - Although most people think they know dogs, research shows most of us are not very good at recognizing fear and anxiety. Why it matters that we learn to understand canine body language, and a fabulous new resource to help.

Canine Science

We need canine science because common sense can lead us astray. Canine science is better than common sense.

Science - and science blogging - can help animal welfare in important ways. Why science matters to our dogs and cats

6 reasons to love canine science. Some of the cool things science has taught us about dogs.

How many dogs is enough for canine science? "If we want to be able to say something about dogs in general, then all kinds of dogs need to take part in research."

Do you ever wonder how dogs are rewarded for taking part in canine research? Will work for hot dog

What can dog owners learn from the way scientists give animals choices in research? The right to walk away.

Dogs' Abilities and Cognition

Rivalry and decision making in dogs. The relationship between two household dogs affects their decisions.

fMRI research on dog's brains shows their people are of special importance to them. How does a dog's brain respond to the smell of a familiar human?

Can dogs smell quantity of food? We all know dogs have amazing noses, but can they smell the difference between a plate with just a little hot dog and another plate with more?

Most people think their dog is about as clever as a 3 - 5 year old human child. How clever do you think your dog is?

Would your dog prefer a piece of cheese, or a piece of cheese and a piece of carrot? The answer may surprise you. Sub-optimal choice in dogs

Do dogs try to hide theft of food? Two studies investigate whether dogs can take a human's perspective when deciding whether or not to steal food.

Diabetes alert dogs can make a big difference to their owners. Dogs can alert their owners with 'brittle' type 1 diabetes to let them know when they are about to have an attack of low blood sugar. This article looks at research on the amazing success of the program.

Dogs at the Vet

Overweight dogs don't live as long (and scientists have calculated how much less). For some breeds, the difference in lifespan is as much as 2.5 years compared to if they were a normal weight.

30% of dogs are highly stressed in the waiting room, but many owners don't know if their dog is stressed or not. Canine stress in the vet's waiting room.

Dogs don't have to be stressed at the veterinarian. Essential tips for better vet visits. Lots of tips to help you prepare your dog for trips to the vet (and some nice tips for cats too, if you're a cat owner as well).

Treats at the vet mean fewer bites and a less fearful pet. Should vets give treats to pets?

The surprising history of veterinary medicine for dogs and cats.

Vets sometimes miss opportunities to discuss canine behaviour, even when they notice problems. Discussion of dogs' behavioural problems at the vet.

Dog Training

Can dog training books be trusted? Study tests whether five best-selling dog training books give evidence-based advice.

Reward-based training isn't just for sunny days. When dogs have behaviour issues, it's all the more important to use positive reinforcement in training.

To promote positive reinforcement dog training, teach, engage, and amplify. Plenty of tips to help bring about changes in dog training.

"Dominance" training deprives dogs of positive experiences. Dominance is an out-dated approach to dog training - and it also means dogs miss out on fun. Find out why, here.

Seven reasons to use reward-based dog training summarizes the advantages to using modern, scientific methods in dog training, including links to position statements from welfare organizations. If you're more interested in the research itself, see a new literature review recommends reward-based training and my guest blog over at The Academy for Dog Trainers, the double advantage of reward-based training.

Positive reinforcement is more effective at training dogs than an electronic collar, study shows. Even when the electronic collars are used by trainers recommended by the Electronic Collar Manufacturers' Association.

Dogs like to work for rewards. Make your dog happy: Train force free.

Research shows positive reinforcement is good for animal welfare and the human-canine bond. Dog-training, animal welfare and the human-canine relationship.

Confidence and emotions affect people's use of positive reinforcement to train reactive dogs. On the human side of dog training and the support that people need.

Where do people get information about dog training?

In dog training, balance is off. It's not a good thing when dog trainers describe themselves as 'balanced'. This article explains why.

The importance of food in dog training. What science tells us about the effectiveness of food as a motivator for dogs.

Research shows electronic collars can have a negative impact on welfare. Is it the end for shock collars?

Positive reinforcement and dog training. A user-friendly guide to everything you need to know about using positive reinforcement to train your dog.

Positive reinforcement and dog training for dogs with behaviour problems.

Dog training is unlicensed, and some trainers are not clear in how they explain what they do. Describing dog training: weasel words or clear descriptions?

Playtime after training improves a dog's memory. Research into whether a play session after training helps to improve dogs' learning.

Timing and attention matter in dog training. Analysis of videos of training sessions show that being able to get the dog's attention, and getting the timing of rewards right, make a difference to success.

Escaping dogs: Some fences are better than others. A physical fence is more secure than an electronic fence, according to a study with important implications for dog owners.

I also maintain a list of dog training science resources.

Enrichment and Entertainment for Your Dog

Using the nose to smell is important to dogs. Now, s cientists have shown that finding hidden food in nosework increases dogs' optimism.

Why do dogs play? The evolutionary reasons for puppy play, the links between dog play and animal welfare - and what it means to you as a dog owner.

You know that feeling when you successfully solve a problem? Dogs get that Eureka feeling too

Is scent enriching for shelter dogs? Research tested the effects of four different scents on shelter dogs, and found promising reductions in stress.

Lots of ideas for fun activities with your dog in Make your dog happy: enrichment.

When walks are limited, six ways to entertain your dog indoors

If you lead a Lab to water, should you let them swim? Labrador Retrievers and what their choices reveal about love of water.

Why do people take part in dog sports? It's a combination of different types of motivation.

People and Pets

Animal lovers on the books that changed their lives.

Dogs' personality traits vary with age (and dogs tend to be like their owners). Ever wondered if people's personality matches up with their dog's? There's some evidence that's the case.

Why do people choose certain dogs? The reasons people give for the dogs they pick.

Why don't more people use positive reinforcement to train dogs? looks at the reasons many people continue to use punishment at least some of the time, despite the risks to animal welfare.

There are four different ethical orientations to how we think about animals. It's all explained in new study identifies our different ethical beliefs about animals.

Positive Stories About Dogs

Pets help build communities one friend at a time.

Do dogs prefer petting or praise? It turns out they can't get enough of petting, but praise is pretty meaningless.

Listening to audiobooks can help dogs waiting for adoption.

Great photos are important to dog adoption, but dogs seen in videos are rated more positively than if seen in photos. Useful information for shelters and rescues to help promote their dogs.

A survey of Labrador Retriever owners tells us what they eat, how often they exercise, and where they sleep. The Labrador lifestyle.

Why are some breeds of dog more popular than others?

Preventing dog bites

The danger hidden in plain sight in photos of dogs and children. Three things to look for in cute photos of dogs and kids - and to carry over into action when supervising small children around dogs. Essential reading for parents.

Most serious dog bites happen at home, and no breed group can be blamed. Research in Calgary shows that children and older adults are most at risk of bites, but no particular breed group is responsible.

Breed Specific Legislation had no effect on dog bites in Odense, Denmark. Another study adds to the evidence that BSL does not work.

People mistakenly think anxious dogs are relaxed around baby. Dog owners are even worse than non-dog owners at interpreting canine body language in interactions with children, research shows.

Education on dog bites needs to get past the belief that 'it won't happen to me'. A new approach to dog bite prevention and an interview with Dr. Carri Westgarth.

Preventing dog bites in children.

Can fatal dog attacks be prevented? Although such attacks are very rare, a sobering report shows they typically have multiple - potentially preventable - factors.

Preventing dog bites in children - an evaluation of the Blue Dog Project 's influence on parents.

Puppies

Are you getting a new family member? How to choose the right puppy in 4 easy steps.

Which dog breeds are the best alternatives to French bulldogs? has suggestions for the types of dog suitable for first time dog owners, and tips on getting a French bulldog too.

Extra early socialization for puppies makes a big difference to behaviour as an adult dog. The additional socialization program (on top of an existing one) for Guide Dog puppies aged 0-6 weeks led to fewer problems with separation-related behaviours, body sensitivity, anxiety and distraction.

Going to puppy class could be the best investment you make in your dog. Make your dog happy: Puppy Class! tells you what to look out for.

Dogs who attended puppy class are more trainable will also help persuade you to go to puppy class.

Behaviour problems in puppies from pet stores. Did you know that puppies from pet stores are more likely to be aggressive to their owner than puppies obtained from a responsible breeder?

Socialization is so important, but what's the science behind it? Why you need to socialize your puppy.

It seems that different dog breeds may have a slightly different sensitive period for socialization.

Some dog breeds have welfare problems, but when choosing a puppy, people don't always take this account. In fact, some breeds seem almost irresistible and emotions get in the way.

Senior Dogs and Geriatric Dogs

What is canine cognitive dysfunction? In this post, veterinarian Dr. Chahal Gurpal explains what the signs and symptoms of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome are, and how you can help your dog.

How long do pet dogs live? The average lifespan of dogs in the United States.

Walking, Exercise, and Weight

Why do some people not walk their dogs? and what encourages people to walk their dog?

Should you take your dog to the dog park?

Neutering and "hygge" treats: risk factors for obesity in dogs. Results of a Danish study tell us what factors are linked to dogs being overweight. Training treats aren't - but treats given as part of relaxation are correlated with obesity.

Working Dogs

How can we improve working dog programs? and an interview with Mia Cobb.

Other Canine Topics

What kind of dog lives the longest? Smaller dogs have longer lives looks at the effects of body size, being mixed breed versus purebred, spay/neuter status, and dental cleanings on the lifespan of pet dogs in the US.

Are deaf dogs and blind dogs just like other dogs?

Learning more about the canine victims of animal abuse.

What are the Five Freedoms and what do they mean to you? Learn about your dog's welfare needs.

The Five Domains model aims to help animals thrive. An updated model of animal welfare includes positive experiences for our pets.

Zazie Todd, PhD, is the author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy

. She is the founder of the popular blog Companion Animal Psychology, where she writes about everything from training methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today and has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article in 2017. Todd lives in Maple Ridge, BC, with her husband and two cats.

Useful links:
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Photos: Cryber (dog sniffing) (Shutterstock.com)

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You are the secret to your pet's happiness. How interactions with you (and other people) can affect your dog's welfare. How to make the world better for dogs. I asked dog experts - including Marc Bekoff, Jean Donaldson, Alexandra Horowitz, Ilana Reisner, Kathy Sdao and Pete Wedderburn - weigh in on the one thing that would make the world better for dogs.

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Preventive Vet | Behavior & Training Resources List

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Here's a list of our favorite dog training and behavior resources based on the latest behavioral research.

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https://indoorpet.osu.edu/dogs

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Dr. Sophia Yin knew what it's like to have a problem pet and nowhere to turn for professional help. And she witnessed countless fractured relationships between misunderstood pets and their frustrated humans companions.

As a result, her mission in life was to improve our understanding of animals and their behavior so that we can care for, appreciate and enjoy our time with them better.

Sophia learned that every pet needs a human who can lead. Not like a boss, but like a partner in a dance--someone who gives clear signals, rewards desirable behavior as it occurs, removes rewards for inappropriate behavior immediately, and sticks to the plan consistently until the new, good behavior is a habit.

Sophia's dedication to helping people communicate with pets in a positive, scientifically sound way led her to create a variety of exceptional books and products for pet owners and pet-care professionals who also aspire to bond with their pets on a whole new level.

She lectured and taught workshops internationally on animal behavior and low stress handling and has served as a behavior expert for shows such as Dogs 101 on Animal Planet. She was also on the executive board for the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) Handling Guidelines Committee, and the American Humane Association (AHA) Animal Behavior and Training Advisory Committee.

Dr. Yin passed away in September of 2014, but her legacy lives on with the company she created, CattleDog Publishing. They work on keeping her products available to pet owners everywhere as well publishing her treasure trove of articles and videos she created before her death and managing her innovative online learning platform at LowStressHandling.com for veterinary professionals, rescue workers, trainers and agility enthusiasts.

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How to Behave So Your Dog Behaves: Yin, Sophia: 9780793806447: Books - Amazon.ca

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The Other End of the Leash shares a revolutionary, new perspective on our relationship with dogs, focusing on our behavior in comparison with that of dogs. An applied animal behaviorist and dog trainer with more than twenty years experience, Dr. Patricia McConnell looks at humans as just another interesting species, and muses about why we behave the way we do around our dogs, how dogs might interpret our behavior, and how to interact with our dogs in ways that bring out the best in our four-legged friends. After all, although humans and dogs share a remarkable relationship that is unique in the animal world, we are still two entirely different species, each shaped by our individual evolutionary heritage. Quite simply, humans are primates and dogs are canids (like wolves, coyotes, and foxes). Since we each speak a different native tongue, a lot gets lost in the translation.The Other End of the Leash demonstrates how even the slightest changes in your voice and the way you stand can help your dog understand what you want. Once you start to think about your own behavior from the perspective of your dog, you'll understand why much of what appears to be doggy-disobedience is simply a case of miscommunication. Inside you will learnFrom the Hardcover edition.

* How to use your voice so that your dog is more likely to do what you ask.
* Why "getting dominance" over your dog is a bad idea.
* Why "rough and tumble primate play" can lead to trouble-and how to play with your dog in ways that are fun and keep him out of trouble.
* How dogs and humans share personality types-and why most dogs want to live with benevolent leaders rather than "alphawannabees!"

In her own insightful, compelling style, Patricia McConnell combines wonderful true stories about people and dogs with a new, accessible scientific perspective on how they should behave around each other. This is a book that strives to help you make the most of life with your dog, and to prevent problems that might arise in that most rewarding of relationships.

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The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs

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The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs: McConnell Ph.D., Patricia: 9780345446787: Books - Amazon.ca

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Doggie Language | dog body language gift book by Lili Chin

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A small but mighty illustrated gift book and guide to understanding dog body language to improve human and dog relationships, and dog welfare. By artist Lili Chin of DoggieDrawings.net

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*The Culture Clash is special. Written in Jean's inimitably informal yet precise lecture style, the book races along on par with a good thriller. *The Culture Clash depicts dogs as they really are - stripped of their Hollywood fluff, with their loveable 'can I eat it, chew it, urinate on it, what's in it for me' philosophy. Jean's tremendous affection for dogs shines through at all times, as does her keen insight into the dog's mind. Relentlessly she champions the dog's point of view, always showing concern for their education and well being. Without a doubt, Jean's book is the hottest doggy item on the market. Best Training Book Of The Year! (Maxwell Award)

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The Culture Clash is special. Written in Jean's inimitably informal yet precise lecture style, the book races along on par with a good thriller. *The Culture Clash depicts dogs as they really are - stripped of their Hollywood fluff, with their loveable 'can I eat it, chew it, urinate on it, what...

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Profesor Daniel Mills is a practising veterinary surgeon and academic at the University of the University of Lincoln who specialises in the management of problem behaviour and the human-animal bond. He is ranked in the top 1% of cited scientists in all disciplines worldwide. In 2004 he was the first individual to be recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as a specialist in veterinary behavioural medicine, and in 2016 was further recognised by them as the first individual to be granted Fellowship status for his contributions to this field. He was also Europe's first professor of his discipline and has pioneered a scientific transformation of our understanding of companion animal problem behaviour, through the development of what has become known as "the Psychobiological Approach" to clinical animal behaviour. This involves a synthesis of psychology, neuroscience and evolutionary biology to provide a systematic scientific framework for the evaluation of the underlying motivational an emotional state of an animal. He has led the development of a number of instruments to assess personality dimensions in animals which are validated through both behavioural and physiological studies.

He has published around 200 original scientific articles and more than 50 books and chapters.

He is particularly interested in individual differences in behavioura, how we can understand the emotional world of other animals and how it guides their behaviour and relationships with others as well as the impact of animals on society and human health. He frequently advises both specialist and general media on companion animal issues. He runs an audio and YouTube podcast series "What makes you click?", which features chats with inspirational friends in the field of animal behaviour he has had the benefit of getting to know over the course of his career (https://www.facebook.com/dsmpod). He shares his home with his human family, a rescue cat for rescue tortoises and a lot of fish.

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Life Skills for Puppies: Laying the foundation for a loving, lasting relationship

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Life Skills for Puppies: Laying the foundation for a loving, lasting relationship: Zulch, Helen, Mills, Daniel, Baumber, Peter: 9781845844462: Books - Amazon.ca

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Puppy Start Right: Foundation Training for the Companion Dog

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Puppy Start Right: Foundation Training for the Companion Dog: Martin, Kenneth M., Martin, Debbie: 9781890948443: Books - Amazon.ca

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Putting our best book forward

Each Great on Kindle book offers a great reading experience, at a better value than print to keep your wallet happy.

Explore your book, then jump right back to where you left off with Page Flip.

View high quality images that let you zoom in to take a closer look.

Enjoy features only possible in digital - start reading right away, carry your library with you, adjust the font, create shareable notes and highlights, and more.

Discover additional details about the events, people, and places in your book, with Wikipedia integration.

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Decoding Your Dog: Explaining Common Dog Behaviors and How to Prevent or Change Unwanted Ones

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Decoding Your Dog: Explaining Common Dog Behaviors and How to Prevent or Change Unwanted Ones: Amer. Coll. of Veterinary Behaviorists, Horwitz, Debra F.: 9780544334601: Books - Amazon.ca

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Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy

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Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy

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A wonderful first book by one of my favourite bloggers, Zazie Todd, on one of my favourite topics: the human-animal (dog) bond and how to make it the best that it can be. It's a well researched, well written, easy to read, comprehensive book on how we can strive to make the world a happier place for our dogs. From the benefits of "sniffaris", to how dogs learn, to training methods and techniques, the importance of canine enrichment, how to spot a happy dog (and a not so happy dog), common behaviorial issues, special needs dogs and to end of life planning (something we never want to think about but need to). Interspersed with the research are personal anecdotes from Todd's own experiences with her dogs (and who, like a lot of us from that era, fell in love with Diefenbaker from the show "Due South.") At the end of each chapter is a wonderfully practical synopsis on how to apply the science at home. A must read for dog owners, RVTs/Veterinary Nurses, Animal Care Attendants, Veterinarians, Dog Groomers, Dog Trainers.... basically everyone who works with, knows and loves a dog. As Todd states in her book "The impact dogs have on our lives is tremendous. We owe it to them to do what we can to make them happy."

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Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy

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Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy: Todd, Zazie, Becker, Marty: 9781771643795: Books - Amazon.ca

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Bark: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog

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Bark: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog

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The must-have guide to addressing anxious, fearful, or reactive behaviors in your dog through positive reinforcement, from certified dog trainer and animal behaviorist Zazie Todd. , Zazie Todd provides solutions for these behaviors. Decoding the latest canine science, she shows readers how to address the root cause of your dog's fears, with expert advice and practical tips on: helps dog owners understand the many factors that might be causing fear within your dog, and how you can help them lead a safe and happy life., STARRED Review

Is your dog showing signs of fear, anxiety, or reactivity, such as biting, food guarding, shyness, or aggressive barking? You're not alone. Close to 75% of dogs struggle with fear-based behaviors, and require our support and understanding to feel safe and secure.

In Bark!

How to tackle common canine fears , such as loud noises, the vet, separation anxiety, and other dogs.

How to manage a dog's natural fear responses through positive reinforcement.

How to keep your dog, yourself, and others safe when they are fearful or reactive.

How to create safe havens for your dog , and make yourself a secure base for them no matter where they are.

Compassionate, practical, and rooted in science, Bark!

Praise for WAG by Zazie Todd Modern Dog Magazine
"A must-have guide to improving your dog's life."- Library Journal

"The author's evidence-based analysis simplifies the science and reduces essential elements into practical, replicable activities geared toward enriching a dog's life."- Publishers Weekly

"Dog owners and those considering becoming one should appreciate Todd's substantial insight into how dogs and humans relate to one another."-

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Bark!: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog

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Bark!: The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Dog: Todd, Zazie, Warren, Cat: 9781778401367: Books - Amazon.ca

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For learning new tricks

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A Guide to Using Food Puzzle Toys with Your Dog

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The benefits of using food puzzle toys, how to choose them, and how to introduce them to your dog.
By Zazie Todd, PhD
Food puzzle toys are a great way to provide enrichment for your dog. If you want to get started-or add some different food toys to your dog's repertoire-this guide will help.
This page contains affiliate links which means I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
The benefits of food puzzle toys for dogs

Enrichment is important because a dog's life can sometimes be a bit, well, boring. Dogs spend a lot of time lounging around waiting for us to have time to do something with them. Food puzzle toys are a great way to give your dog something to do and to make mealtime fun.

They can also slow down the speed at which your dog eats, which is useful if your dog is one of those who seems to inhale their food.

From an animal welfare perspective food puzzle toys are great because they give dogs positive experiences in the acquisition of food. Sometimes people are concerned that dogs might find food toys frustrating, but the challenge is fun for dogs.

You can compare it to if you are learning to play the piano or a new video game; there can be challenges but all the successes along the way keep you playing, just like the treats falling out of the toy will keep your dog engaged.

Feeding pet dogs via toys rather than bowls can lead to an increase in activity levels (Su et al 2019). It may also be helpful to feed overweight or obese pets this way as part of a weight loss program (though of course you still have to monitor the amount you are feeding; ask your vet for advice).

One study found that dogs like to work for their food or other rewards, rather than receive them 'for free', and the scientists dubbed it the "Eureka!" effect (McGowan et al 2014).

Another study found that when laboratory dogs who live in kennels are given food toys, they bark less, are more active, and spend more time engaged in eating compared to dogs who do not get the toys (Schipper et al 2008).

When military working dogs (all German Shepherds) were given a daily food toy in their kennel, they always emptied it, and once it was empty they were no longer particularly interested in it (Gaines et al 2008). This suggests that food puzzle toys are all about the food and are not toys in their own right. This study found that-contrary to a common view at the time-the use of food puzzle toys did not affect a dog's ability to work.

While we need more research on food puzzle toys for pet dogs, we know more broadly that exercise and enrichment are good for dogs. Many people also enjoy watching their dog get the food out of food puzzle toys, so it's fun for the person as well as the dog.

Choosing food puzzle toys

When choosing food puzzle toys, take into account the kinds of things your dog likes to do. Do you think they would prefer a ball to roll around with their nose, something to paw at, or something to sniff at to find the food?

The good news is that most dogs are going to like all food puzzle toys for the simple reason that they contain food. The trick is to get the level right for your dog.

Always supervise your dog with the food toys, and make sure you get toys that are the correct size for your dog so that there isn't a choking risk. Many toys come in different sizes and some are designed for puppies while others are designed for those dogs who are extreme chewers.

How to introduce food puzzle toys to your dog

When introducing a food puzzle toy for the first time, make it very easy for your dog. If the toy has different levels, set it to the easiest level. As well, use tasty treats to help the toy get your dog's attention and to reward them nicely for the first few times they use it. Fill it up so that the treats fall out easily.

If they don't seem interested in the toy, manipulate it a bit yourself to get their attention and to show them that treats are going to fall out.

If you ultimately want to use the food puzzle toy to feed meals, you can gradually transition from treats to a combo of treats and kibble, and then to all kibble.

How to use food puzzle toys when you have more than one pet

If you have more than one pet, make sure that each pet can enjoy their food puzzle toy on their own without worrying about the other pet trying to interfere or take food. You can use pet gates or barriers to keep them apart, or give the toys in the dog's crate, for example.

The best food puzzle toys for your dog

There are lots of great food puzzle toys for dogs on the market. These are some of my favourites.

A Kong is a classic food puzzle toy. It comes in different sizes as well as in a puppy version, a seniors version, and an Extreme version for heavy duty chewers, so there's one for every dog. You can also make them harder by changing what you put inside and/or by freezing it. You can even prepare a batch in advance and put them in the freezer so you've always got one prepared.

Treats, peanut butter*, cream cheese, canned pumpkin, canned tuna, yoghurt, cottage cheese, and canned dog food, are all great options to go in a Kong.

You can find some easy Kong stuffing ideas in this video from Janice Z Dog Training LLC.
The KONG Wobbler
You put treats or kibble inside and your dog has to make the toy wobble so that they fall out of the holes. This is another classic food puzzle toy and can keep your dog entertained for a while.
The Nina Ottosson Brick
I love the Nina Ottosson range of food puzzle toys. The Brick has various parts that your dog can remove or move in order to get the food hidden underneath. You can use just some of the bricks to make it easier, or all of them to make it more of a challenge for your dog.
The Nina Ottosson Hide N'Slide
If your dog has mastered the Brick, this is another intermediate level dog puzzle. There are flippers to swivel and blocks to slide in order to gain access to treats hidden underneath.
The IQ treat ball
Put treats or kibble in and your dog has to roll the ball around to make them fall out of the hole. The hole is adjustable so you can change the difficulty setting.

There are other treat balls too and my Shih Tzu Pepper is currently using a Catit treat ball that I commandeered from the cats!
Woolly snuffle mat
A snuffle mat is a mat with long loops of fabric. You hide the treats or food in amongst the loops and your dog has to snuffle them out.
Slow feeder dog bowls
Slow feeder dog bowls have lots of ridges to make it harder for your pet to get the food out. They are a good way to make your dog eat more slowly.
LickiMat Slow Feeder
The lickimat is another way of slowing down the speed at which your dog eats. You can spread yoghurt, peanut butter, or wet dog food over the lickimat and then your dog licks it up. Lickimats are also useful in training or for management when you want to deliver a long-duration treat, such as when grooming your pet.

You can find more suggestions for food puzzle toys in my Amazon store.

DIY food puzzle toys

The great thing is that you can also DIY some if you like, for example by hiding treats in cardboard box, or making a few holes in the side of a water bottle and putting treats in so that your dog has to manipulate the bottle to make the treats fall out. (Be sure not to have any sharp edges).

You can also make your own woolly snuffle mat if you are the crafty type. Sassafras Lowrey's delightful book, Chew This Journal: An Activity Book for You and Your Dog, has instructions for making one.

Summary

Food puzzle toys are a great way to provide enrichment for your dog as they make him or her work for their food. They are fun and also slow down the rate at which your dog eats. Always introduce them slowly and with treats, and only gradually build up the difficulty level.

For expert dogs, you can give different food puzzle toys on different days of the week.

For more on why enrichment is good for your dog, see chapter 10 of my book Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy. Modern Dog calls it "The must-have guide to improving your dog's life."

I would love to know what food puzzle toys your dog enjoys.

P.S. Subscribe to Companion Animal Psychology to get my free guide, Seven Secrets to a Happy Dog, and never miss a post.

See also: Your cat would like food puzzle toys.

*Always check that peanut butter does not contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs.
References
Gaines, S. A., Rooney, N. J., & Bradshaw, J. W. (2008). The effect of feeding enrichment upon reported working ability and behavior of kenneled working dogs. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 53(6), 1400-1404.

McGowan RT, Rehn T, Norling Y, & Keeling LJ (2014). Positive affect and learning: exploring the "Eureka Effect" in dogs. Animal cognition, 17 (3), 577-87 PMID: 24096703

Schipper, L. L., Vinke, C. M., Schilder, M. B., & Spruijt, B. M. (2008). The effect of feeding enrichment toys on the behaviour of kennelled dogs (Canis familiaris). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 114(1-2), 182-195.

Su, D. K., Murphy, M., Hand, A., Zhu, X., & Witzel‐Rollins, A. (2019). Impact of feeding method on overall activity of indoor, client‐owned dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 60(7), 438-443.
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A Guide to Using Food Puzzle Toys with Your Dog

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The benefits of using food puzzle toys, how to choose them, and how to introduce them to your dog.

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Teach your dog to settle on a mat

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Muzzle advocacy, education, and training

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Muzzled dogs aren't bad dogs.

Muzzles are a fantastic tool to help keep dogs and people safe.

The Muzzle Up! Project is here to help teach you all about muzzles and their proper use.

Did you know that dogs wear muzzles for all sorts of reasons?

Dogs might wear muzzles because:

He eats rocks, socks, or other non-food items that can be toxic or cause expensive and life-threatening surgeries.

She is nervous of other dogs, and the muzzle helps keep everyone safe during off-leash hiking or on-leash walks.

The muzzle works as a cue to tell other owners to give the dog some space.

The owner wants to teach their dog to be comfortable wearing a muzzle in case the dog must wear one someday at the vet's office.

A properly-fitted basket muzzle can do all of this, and more! Best of all, if you take the time to train your dog to wear the muzzle, it should be comfortable for your dog.

A well-fitted basket muzzle allows your dog to take treats, drink, and pant comfortably - but not bite.

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The Muzzle Up! Project | Muzzle advocacy, Education, and Training

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Muzzles are a fantastic tool to help keep dogs and people safe. The Muzzle Up! Project is here to help teach you all about muzzles and their proper use. Did you know that dogs wear muzzles for all sorts of reasons?

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