Ingredients for a Happy Dog

Taking my dog, Ebony, in the car with me makes her happy. (especially when she gets to bring a friend!)

What makes your dog happy?

Here are three ingredients for a happy dog:

1. Play more often. When you tire your dog out they will have less energy to burn in less desirable ways. It sounds simple, but if your schedule does not include daily playtime for your dog, try adding it in.

2. Find a game your dog loves. Dogs are like humans: they have their own favorites, likes, and dislikes. Not all dogs like the same games and toys. Try experimenting to see what gets them excited and playing

3. Challenge them with a toy. If regular balls and bones are not enough to keep your dog out of trouble, consider giving them a puzzle toy. While many toys are great for keeping dogs busy, sometimes your dog needs a little more stimulation or challenge. These can include toys that work like puzzles, float, or randomly dispense treats.

No Squeak

When it comes to toys that dogs really enjoy, squeaky toys are right up there at the top of the list. That's great for the dog... but not so great if you are the one who has to listen to all the noise.

Well, here is the perfect solution.

If your dog loves squeaky toys and you want him to be happy - but you do not want to listen to all the noise - check out the new line of Hear Doggy!™ toys. Their new ultrasonic squeaker technology transmits the sound at a frequency only your dog can hear. So he can still enjoy the squeaking, while you enjoy the silence.

If your dog enjoys "flat" toys with no stuffing, he will love the Hear Doggy! Flat Deer toy. Their Large Blowfish toy is perfect for larger breeds while smaller dogs and puppies will love the Hear Doggy! Blue Whale.

This new ultrasonic squeaker technology will give you a welcome reprieve from the noise of regular squeaky toys, while your dog enjoys all the squeaky fun his heart desires. It really is a win-win situation.

How Smart Are Dogs?

Recently on PBS NOVA science NOW asked the question,
“How smart are dogs?”



We all know that dogs are smart. They learn to follow commands, perform tasks, and work at jobs.

Research tells us that the average dog can understand about 150 words. Their intelligence level is estimated at around the same level as a three-year-old child. Some breeds are considered generally smarter than others, and Border collies are thought to be among the smartest. We know that some of these dogs understand hundreds of words. But the dog on this show - a Border collie named Chaser - showed us that dogs could be even more intelligent than we believed. Chaser has about a thousand toys, and her owner claims that she can identify each one by name. Chaser knows more than a thousand words!

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson is the well-known scientist and astrophysicist who hosts this PBS show. He decided to put that theory to the test with an experiment of his own. He asked Chaser to find several of her toys by name, and she got it right every time. Then he decided to see if Chaser could take it one step further. He wanted to see if she could identify a toy that she had never seen before, with a name that she had never heard before, by using the process of elimination.

Dr. Tyson had brought a new toy with him that he named "Darwin". He put Darwin among some of Chaser's toys to see if the dog could pick out. At first, Chaser seemed confused when he asked her to "find Darwin". She had never seen the toy before and did not know the name, but finally she picked out the right toy!

Experiments like this make us realize that dogs are indeed very smart. Just like humans, dogs need to use their brains to keep them sharp. It is not enough to keep their bodies healthy - they need to exercise their minds as well. A challenging situation that tests your dog's problem solving skills is both interesting and fun, and it is also a good way to help keep them mentally engaged. Without these satisfying tests of intellect, boredom will soon set in. A bored dog can soon lose interest in play or even become destructive or lethargic.

Keep your dog mentally stimulated with games and interactive toys.

Beyond Squeak

Dogs go crazy for toys that have noisemakers and the distinctive "squeak" that they provide. Eventually, even a favored squeaker can get boring after a while.

Providing your dog with a wide variety of toys is really important. Dogs rely on us for their entertainment and they cannot go buy new toys when they are bored with their old ones. Often you do not know that they are bored until they find a way to let you know...usually by channeling their energy in inappropriate ways like chewing or destroying household items.

Some creative soul came up with an alternative to the squeaky toy for dogs. Deedle Dudes are adorable toys that sing, babble, talk, and chirp their way into your dog's heart. The stuffed toy is made extra-soft for those dogs who love to snuggle. Inside each Deedle Dude is a novel noisemaker that will provide your dog with the mental stimulation necessary for good health.

Deedle Dudes Singing Monkey and Singing Shark have a lot of personality.
















Beware, you might get their silly songs stuck in your head!

Dogs and Snowballs

Kids and dogs know how to take advantage of a good snow fall.


Here in Olympia, Washington, we recently experienced well over a foot of snow. It overwhelmed our city which does not have the necessary amount of equipment to handle snow. Many people were without power for days and crews from all over came to help.

Here is a toy for dogs who cannot get enough snowball play. It is a snowball that lasts through the seasons. Dogs can chase it through the snowdrifts and never have it disintegrate in its mouth!

The Orbee Snowball has a fresh minty taste and smell. I wonder if it gets rid of "doggie breath"?

This chew toy is one of the most popular products from Planet Dog. (They donate 2% of every sale to worthy charities.) It is recyclable and durable.

Ebony Toy Test

Yes, Christmas time and time to spoil my dog.

Ebony loves soft, squeaky toys. But she destroys them. The last toy had "Chew Guard™" technology which claimed to be tougher, but Ebony had the stuffing out the next day. She still likes to play with the remains of the toy. In fact, I have seen at pet stores dog toys without stuffing.

The Kyjen Invincibles Snake claims to be a long-lasting toy and has no synthetic stuffing inside. It is filled with squeakers. The huge rectangular squeakers inside this toy make up its entire body. So if your dog bites through the toy, there is no stuffing to swallow. Unlike other squeaker toys, your dog can bite right through the Kyjen Invincibles Snake and the squeakers will still work.

These guys will show you......



I will let you know if it passes the Ebony Toy Test

A Dog Toy That Talks Back

Are you still looking for that entertaining dog toy?

This one is entertaining for both you and your dog. Especially if you have a "ball loving dog", it could prove to keep him busy for a long time.

My dog, Ebony, had one of these when she was a puppy. I must admit that I got tired of the noise long before she got tired of playing with it.

Here is a funny video of a Border Collie and the Babble Ball.

Is Your Dog a Cuddler?

Some dogs are sort of aloof, and others are lap dogs or real "cuddlers". What is it in their personality that makes them different? This is somewhat of a mystery.

What makes one dog standoffish and another dog extremely affectionate? It probably has a lot to do with their genetic make-up as well as their socialization skills. From an early age, your dog's breed and socialization skills (both pet-to-pet and pet-to-human) have an impact on his behavior.

This makes sense when you think about people - no two are alike. Some families and cultures are more "touchy-feely" than others. Some people like to cuddle and others don't.

The reason a dog likes to cuddle with you or with his toys probably has a lot to do with both bonding and comfort. Puppies cuddled with their mothers and littermates for warmth, and undoubtedly this gave them comfort. Dogs that are submissive are often more apt to cuddle and be near their gentle leader.

Make sure any cuddle toy that you give to your dog is also durable and safe. Supervise your dog's play and make sure that he does not ingest any parts of the toy that can cause a life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction.

Tug-Of-War

Does your dog love to play tug-of-war?

Why do dogs like to pull and tug on their toys?

Some behaviorists think that tug-of-war is a way for dogs to practice behaviors such as pulling meat from bones that were once useful to wild canines. Others have suggested tug-of-war games allow dogs to play without the normal pack rules; it is the canine version of "goofing off." Still others think that tug-of-war is simply a way for dogs to release energy and get exercise.

Dogs can play tug-of-war with almost anything. You can be creative and make a toy for your dog or find many tug-of-war toys to choose from at a pet store.

Anise Seed Works Like Catnip

Do you know that dogs react to anise seed in the same way cats react to catnip?

YES! Anise seed adds an intoxicating scent and when added to a homemade dog toy, instant addiction.

Try this:

Take an orphaned sock and stuff it with a plastic water bottle that makes great popping and crackling sounds when your dog plays with it. Add one or two ounces of anise seeds and knot or stitch up the end.

For the ultimate earth-friendly dog toy, sew a face on it.

Another thing this toy has going for it is that it is easy to refresh. If the bottle starts to break down from too much play, just untie the sock, pop in a fresh bottle, and add more anise seeds. If your dog chews the sock, find another sock without a mate. It is an irresistible and long lasting dog toy.

I bought something similar for Ebony made out of cloth but without the anise seeds. Now to try a homemade one with anise seeds.....

Ready For Easter?

Skip the chocolates, but check out the bunny!

Knotties Bunny

The Knotties Bunny made by Hugglehouds Toys is a fun interactive toy that comes in 2 sizes - regular and mini.

This cute pink bunny is made of snuggly soft corduroy - but it is really durable because it is made with Tuffut Technology and can withstand 100 pounds of pulling and tugging!

Inside, there are five squeakers, and those long bunny ears are filled with a special "crinkle" fabric. Best of all there is a knot in each leg for your dog to gnaw on.

I think I will put a Knotties Bunny in Ebony's Easter Basket.

Ready For A Laugh?

How about a huge tongue protruding from a dog's mouth?

For those ball loving dogs,
this toy would definitely crack people up!


It is a ball and tongue in one called Humunga Tongue™.

The toy is made from durable non-toxic natural rubber and comes in three sizes to fit any dog.

A toy that is as much fun for you as it is for your dog!

A New Toy For My Dog

This new dog toy I found looks like it will last a long time and provide hours of play for Ebony.

Meet WILEY.....


His long legs are made of super tough nylon seat belt material and each leg has a small textured rubber ball that slides back and forth on the leg. Wiley can withstand chewing, tossing, tugging and endless bouncing. Kibble can even be added to Wiley's treat-ready head. Wiley is available in 3 sizes. It is made by Hugglehounds which is known for their durable toys.

One Tough Dog Toy

If you can put up with squeaking, which dogs love, here is a great dog toy.



It is called Kyjen Invincible Snake - The snake's body is FILLED with big squeakers (no stuffing) that keep on squeaking even after they have been punctured.

Toys that make noises are very interactive, encouraging your dog to play. There are 6 squeakers inside the large snake (and 3 inside the small snake) – plus, the snake has a rattle inside its tail.

How about a Valentine gift?

So Far Still In One Piece

Ebony's Christmas present.....



Usually I choose the most durable toys for Ebony, but I could not resist this silly looking creature. It is rather funny watching Ebony play with this toy. So far it still has its stuffing and is in one piece.

I found the creature at this website, but looks like they do not sell it anymore.

Dog's Mental Health

Are you giving your dog the gift of mental health?

It is important that your dog's mind stays in shape.

Domestic dogs are descended from gray wolves, and you can still sometimes see your dog exercising some of their wild instincts. The desire to chew on bones, dig to bury food or find a cool spot to rest, tug or roughhouse these behaviors likely served your dog's ancestors well. Today's dogs live differently with most of their needs provided for, but these instincts have not disappeared.

A dog that no longer has to worry about hunting food, running from predators, and defending its territory from intruders has a longer life expectancy - but fewer things to keep him busy. Without a way to exercise his natural instincts, a dog is likely to express frustration and boredom or he may decide to make his own "entertainment". This can lead to unwanted behaviors.

When it comes to improving your dog's mental health, a few changes can make a huge difference. Gift your dog with toys that challenges his mental abilities. There are several toys that challenge your dog's problem solving skills, toys that make crunching sounds or squeak, and super tough chewing toys.



Give your dog the gift of mental health.

Smart Toys

Researchers have been testing dog intelligence for some time now, and they rate these breeds among the most intelligent:

1. Border Collies
2. Poodles
3. German Shepherds
4. Golden Retrievers
5. Dobermans
6. Shetland Sheepdogs
7. Labrador Retrievers

How smart is your dog?

Even if he is not among these top-ranked breeds, your dog could be smarter than you think.

Research shows that most dogs understand more than 150 words and can count up to four or five. Your dog is as smart as a two or three year-old child. He can learn basic commands, he knows how to express himself, and he picks up on the emotions of the people around him.

Yes, dogs are smart. Which is why they like smart toys that challenge their intellectual problem-solving skills. These "puzzle" toys make your dog think, and in general they will hold his interest much longer than many other types of toys.

Some of the best puzzle toys release treats to reward your dog for his ingenuity. These interactive toys will keep a dog busy and happily entertained for hours, trying to figure out how to release the treats.

I recently came upon a new treat-dispensing smart toy for medium to large size dogs. It's called Linkables™.

The great thing about this toy is that it is adaptable. As your dog learns how to solve the puzzle, you can continue to increase the difficulty of the challenge by adding more "links" to the toy. This helps keep your dog interested because you can give him increasingly difficult puzzles to solve. This is a durable, heavy-duty toy, and the thick rubber material massages your dog's gums as he chews.

Yes, dogs are smart. That's the good news. The bad news is that they often use that intelligence to "trick" their humans into giving them what they want - whether it's an extra treat, attention, extra playtime or some tasty table scraps. Dogs learn how to get what they want from their humans, just like young kids do with their parents. In some cases, giving in to your dog's manipulation may not always be the best choice, so take a moment to stop and use your best judgment.

Why Water Bottles?

Why do dogs love to chew on empty water bottles? It's the crunching sound. It can give people goose bumps but dogs just love it!

Whether they are given the empty bottle as a toy or they fish it out of the recycling bin, puppies and adult dogs alike seem to love these crinkly, crunchy "toys". Filled with water or kibble, pre-crunched or just as they are, plastic bottles are a big hit.

Here's the good news. Water bottles are readily available, inexpensive, and easy to replace (no trips to the pet store required!), making them a necessity for many dog owners. I've known several dogs whose owners tried giving their dogs bones, stuffed toys and balls only to have their pets come back time and time again to play with the water bottle.

Now, here's the bad news. Water bottles aren't always safe for dogs to play with - but they can be. All you have to do is take a few precautions.

Before giving a water bottle to your dog, always remove the cap and label as well as the small plastic ring which secures the cap. A pair of small scissors can be used to snip off the latter if you cannot easily remove it on your own. As with any dog toy, it is important to supervise play and regularly inspect water bottles for damage to avoid the ingestion of plastic or damage from sharp edges. When the plastic breaks down, the sharp edges can cut your dog's mouth.

Several dog toy companies have taken note of the growing water bottle craze and incorporated water bottles into their products.

Check out the Crunchy Monkey.


Ebony likes these Bottle Crunchers.

On Second Thought

Do you remember this previous post?



4 squeakers — 1 in each foot
Cawing mechanism in his tummy
Soft & cuddly but STRONG
Made to withstand chewing


He’s made with Chew Guard™ Technology, for extra tough protection against your dog’s teeth. Heavy-duty thread, double seaming and a super-tough liner will keep even tough chewers from tearing this toy apart. (It can withstand extremely high bite pressure and a pulling strength of up to 30 kg.)

This cute little lamb makes fun, engaging noises that will make your dog eager to play with him. He has a cawing sound mechanism in his tummy and 4 fun squeakers — one in each foot.

His baby-soft fleece feels soft and cuddly ... but inside, this little lamb is as tough as they get!

This is one TOUGH little lamb!


YES, this little lamb was a favorite of Ebony's

BUT, she out chewed the Chew Guard™ Technology!

The poor lamb is flat as a pancake!

How to Save Money on Dog Toys

Dogs love to play, but after a while they often become bored with a toy. So how do you keep your dog interested in his toys?

Many behaviorists and veterinarians recommend that you have several toys for your dog that you regularly "rotate" to keep the fun "fresh" for your dog. When your dog gets "bored" with one toy, hide it away and replace it with another toy that your dog has not seen in a while. Let him play with the "new' toy like crazy until he becomes bored with it. Then, hide that toy and reintroduce another one that you've kept hidden away.

Keep the toys rotating and it will keep the toys "new" and interesting.

How does your dog like to play? Some dogs like to cuddle, some like to chew, and some like to fetch. Many dogs enjoy mixing it up a little for variety. Figure out how your dog prefers to play and buy toys that are made for that type of play activity.

What's most important is that you choose toys that are safe - toys that your dog won't tear apart and swallow. If your dog is a hard-core destructive chewer, there is probably no safe toy that will withstand his teeth. But for most dogs, good quality durable toys do the trick.

I think it's important to stimulate your dog with several different types of toys, including toys that encourage your dog to "think". (They call these toys "intellectual toys".)

Giving your dog different types of toys for all the different ways he plays will keep him stimulated. That's important because the dog will be happier and have less behavioral problems.