Kong stuffing time!

Do you ever give your dogs Kongs, stuffed with goodies? I do... nearly every day, when I leave for work, and Koenig goes into his crate. I have to make it once every week or two, and I usually make enough to fill  all our stuffable crate toys, and then some extra. Each batch is different, just to keep it interesting.

This go round Koenig got some hamburger that was a few days past what I felt comfortable eating... so that was his extra treat.

Ingredients:
1 lb Hamburger
1 C Peanut Butter
2 C Plain Lowfat yogurt (Nancy's, or Cascade has the highest nutritional value!)
1/2 C Coconut Oil, microwaved so it's liquid.
2+ (ish) C Chicken Broth (LOW SODIUM is KEY... they don't need all that salt, just like we don't!)
4 C kibble (We used Orijen)
All the stuffable toys that you can scrounge up, that you are comfortable leaving in a crate with your dog. (Depends on the type of chewer you have! )

Honestly, I've never measured any of this, it's all a guess. Really, your dog is not going to care if it's exact or not. I promise.

Brown Hamburger, melt coconut oil. Toss everything but the chicken broth into a big bowl, and mix!

Add broth, till the 'stuff' is a consistency you feel comfortable smashing into all your Kongs, Orbees, and Everlasting Treat Balls.

(Now take a look at the super pathetic, starving dog, that is pushing into the off limits kitchen, because he's  S T A R V I N G.)

Now, you'll eventually find the simplest way to for you to stuff your own toys- but I put the toy I'm using on a plate, wrap the bottom in cling wrap, and then start stuffing! When you're done, make sure to open up the bottom hole... you want to avoid having the bottom hole pugged, as you don't want to create suction when your dog gets his yummy snack! I use a bully stick, to push all the way through. Leave it in there, or take it out... your choice. ;)

Once your toys are all stuffed, and your hands are covered in peanut buttery, oily gook.... you're ready to freeze! (I could only find 8 toys, so had lots of leftovers! 

Other ideas to stuff in are cubes of cheese, smashed overripe banana, canned pumpkin, cream cheese, green beans, slices or chucks of apples, there are TONS of options! :D 

Torturing the dog, by making him 'watch' (make eye contact) while the empty bowl is in front of him is always a good training opportunity. 

...wait...

Yes!