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Separation anxiety almost always occurs within the first 20 minutes after you leave a dog alone. Give a stuffed dog KONG to your dog about five minutes before you leave. Having a stuffed KONG to explore is an effective way of redirecting your dog’s attention away from your leaving and will absorb your pet during this crucial time. Remember, the most anxious time for a dog is the 20-minute period after you leave — and keeping his attention focused on a KONG can really ease his anxiety. The more you can do to mentally and physically stimulate your dog, the better he or she will behave when you’re away. Also, remember to give your dog a stuffed KONG during the day when you do not intend to leave the house — as this will prevent your pet from associating it solely with your leaving. KONG rubber chew toys can be used as easy and effective training tools.  With just one KONG, you have a reward, retrieval, and food-dispensing toy. KONG can be used as a training tool for almost any type of training — quiet times, crate training, recall, and retrieving all work better with KONG. Also, use it to reward and stimulate your dog and increase the bond between the two of you. KONG can be used as a reward all by itself or lightly stuffed with treats when you’re teaching your dog basic commands. A tightly stuffed KONG can be used as the ultimate reward at the end of a training session Dogs Need to Play For dogs, play is an important part of that process. Interactive play can strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Dogs have been around for millions of years, and for the vast majority of that time they lived in the wild. Like all wild animals, they had to fend for themselves. “The Pack” was their key to survival. Wild dogs hunted together in packs to overpower prey and protect each other from larger predators. Eventually, humans realized dogs could be trained to work at such tasks as herding and protecting livestock. Only recently have humans fully appreciated the many ways dogs add value to their lives — from protection to recreation to companionship. Today many dogs have moved inside the home. Their owners think of them as family members. And to the dog, the human family has become their pack. In spite of recent domestication, the dog’s basic instincts have not changed. Dogs are predators, scavengers, and opportunists. They are genetically programmed to hunt for their food. Counter surfing, trashcan scouring, dinner begging, garden digging, and furniture chewing are all outgrowths of an opportunistic scavenger taking advantage of its environment. Often these are considered behavioral problems when, in fact, they are just evidence that a dog is being a dog. Nearly all common behaviors can be traced back to instinct. Barking, digging, marking, and chewing all served distinct purposes in the wild. When dogs attack and try to tear something apart, or violently shake a lifeless item, they are acting on their instincts to subdue prey in order to eat and survive. When a ball is thrown to a dog, what appears to be play is actually the natural instinct to chase. Dogs become frustrated if their natural instincts are constantly suppressed. Rather than fighting these instincts or punishing the dog for doing what comes naturally, it’s far more productive to find acceptable ways to satisfy these instincts. Healthy play can influence our dogs in so many ways. Physical and mental development, emotions, and behavior can all be influenced by how your dog plays. Games like fetch, tug, and chase satisfy a dog’s instinctual needs, as well as strengthen the bond between dog and owner. Play helps the dog expend excess energy, which is extremely important for appropriate behavior. In order to be well adjusted and happy, dogs need to play. Play is imperative, because a bored dog will find something to do — and too often this means destructive chewing. This problem can be addressed easily by providing the dog with satisfying chew toys. For more than 35 years, dog owners have used KONGs to minimize inappropriate behaviors and keep their dogs occupied. KONGs are durable chew toys with an erratic bounce that appeals to a dog’s natural chase instincts. Once the dog captures the KONG, the natural rubber can be chewed on for hours, satisfying the needs to chase as well as chew. But not all dogs will automatically chew on a KONG. Many experts suggest stuffing it with food. Dogs are quickly drawn to what’s inside and challenged as they figure out how to get the treats out. Treat-stuffed toys are a great way to get a dog’s initial attention, and as they chew the toy, good habits are reinforced. The KONG-shaped Wobbler is an action-packed treat and food dispensing toy. It sits upright until pushed by a dog’s paw or nose and then periodically dispenses tasty rewards as it wobbles, spins and rolls. The unpredictable movement keeps the toy challenging, even for seasoned Wobbler users. The Wobbler can also be used as an alternative to a dog bowl to help slow and extend mealtime while providing exercise for your dog. Unscrews for easy filling and cleaning. The KONG Biscuit Ball is a patented rubber ball with a hollow center and four bone-shaped ports to hold KONG Stuff’N Snacks and Easy Treat paste. This durable toy has all the fun of a ball, plus it keeps dogs busy removing the tasty morsels inside. How to use a Kong Toy... Most dogs need to learn to use a KONG Classic rubber chew toy. We recommend a phased approach to ensure that your dog knows how to enjoy all of the benefits of this popular toy. Phase 1: Toy introduction: Begin by filling the hollow section of the KONG toy with treats that are easily dispensed. Try smaller kibble or treats that fall out easily. KONG Stuff’N Easy Treats or peanut butter applied near the large opening of the KONG toy also work great and will ensure your dog’s understanding and success. Phase 2: Maintain enrichment: After a week or two of easily emptied KONG toys, gradually increase the challenge by using larger treats or a combination of treats that are increasingly difficult to dislodge. Use your imagination or browse our Recipe Section for recommendations. Phase 3: Advanced enrichment. Once your dog has mastered the phases above, try to add liquid, such as chicken broth, to your stuffed KONG and freeze for an even greater and longer-lasting challenge. The Kong toy is designed to be filled with your dogs favourite treats and food. It is important for dogs to succeed at their "work". To start with, make it easy to remove the kong stuffing. As they become more experienced, you can start to make it more challenging by: • Pack stuffing tighter. • Wedge biscuits inside the cavity using the inside rim of the opening to secure them. • FREEZE IT! Very Popular! Try various combinations of canned food, gravy, noodles, rice and mashed potatoes mixed with food nuggets and freeze. You're your dog cool with KONGSICLES. Put a dab of peanut butter in the small end of the Kong to plug it. Turn it upside down in a cup. Fill it full of water, chicken broth or fruit juice and freeze. • CHEESE IT! Mix cheese pieces or cheese spread with food nuggets and microwave until cheese melts. Let it cool to a safe temperature. NOTE - Use a cup to ro hold the kong upright when freezing or microwaving. • Hide stuffed Kongs indoors and/or out. The hunt is great fun and rewarding. IMPORTANT POINTS WHEN USING KONGS: • Provide stuffed Kongs randomly so they won't always be associated with you leaving. • If your dog is unstuffing several Kongs per day, you should appropriately reduce the amount of bowl feeding. • CLEAN KONGS THOROUGHLY AFTER USE! Dishwasher is recommended. Your dog's job will last until the Kongs are unstuffed. You can keep your dog "working" all day if you provide enough stuffed Kongs!