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Australian Dog Lover
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Most dogs will happily sleep 12-14 hours per day (a lot more for puppies and seniors) but if you don't provide adequate physical and mental stimulation on a daily basis, be prepared for them to create their own fun!
Common signs of doggy boredom include:
- Digging
- Chewing or other destructive behaviours
- Excessive Barking / Whining
- Following you around when you are at home
Modern professional dog behaviourists and trainers recommend not to leave our dogs alone for more than 4-5 hours but when you work full-time, this is sadly not an option...
There are many ways of enriching your dogs' environment including offering a selection of tough & soft toys, treat dispensers and puzzle games but remember to rotate them often.
When it comes to keeping bored dogs busy, Starmark’s Bento Ball gets top marks from the Habitat crew!
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| @lentiltheshihtzu loves his Bento Ball! |
Your dog can taste the treat, but getting it out of the Bento Ball will take time and determination. Not to mention a lot of chewing and chasing!
The Bento Ball is available in three sizes, and treat refills are available separately, so you’ll always have one on standby.
The Bento Ball is available in three sizes, and treat refills are available separately, so you’ll always have one on standby.
RRP: from $12.99. Available from Habitat Pet Supplies
New to the world of enrichment? Not sure where to start?
All enrichment boxes are tailored to your dog’s age, weight, breed and special requirements and supported by in-house produced video tutorials and an inspiration page to help you get the most out of your toys and tools.
After all, it’s not just our dogs that can learn new tricks!
RRP: $55 (Puppy Starter Box); $59-$79 (Adult Enrichment Starter Box) from www.crazycritterztoybox.com.au
The Crunch and Cuddle is a multi functional toy designed for use as a:
✔️ Fetch Toy – Insert a used bottle and watch your dog interact with the crinkly sounds
Plus, this amazing dog toy is made from recycled plastic which means your dog is making a difference to protect their planet!
RRP: $15.95 at www.doggyeco.com
Scatter and hide dry treats or your pooch’s kibble meal among the thick layers of material, then watch them use their nose and instincts to find their rewards.
Snuffle Mats are a fantastic way to occupy your pet and slow down their eating. They’re suitable for active pets and those with limited mobility or recovering from surgery. Snuffling for treats is a great stress reliever for anxious dogs and provides calm enrichment.
Available in 2 sizes (Regular: 30 x 30cm, Large: 60 x 40cm) and a huge range of colours.
Pricing depends on size and design of material used.
Badger and Me also offer a range of themed boxes creating the perfect gift for any special occasion, tough boxes for those active chewers and many more.
Even your pets can do puzzles! With four levels - from easy to expert - Nina Ottosson’s slow feed game boards have something for every pooch. Just add treats and let the fun begin!
See the new range of tricker puzzles (Challenge Slider and Multipuzzle) for experienced pets looking for a challenge.
New to puzzles? Levels 1 and 2 are the perfect way to engage your pets’ mind or bust their boredom on a rainy day. Animal Enrichment Australia are a big fan of these puzzles, due to their quality and clever designs, allowing gradual increase in difficulty.
Bust your dog's boredom with these PetPat Pet Toys!
Why not take advantage of their special "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" offer and give your little fellas some variety?
RRP: $12.95 (each) or Buy 2 Get 1 Free with free shipping from petpat.com.au
The PetSafe® Kibble Chase™ Roaming Treat Dispenser is an interactive dog toy that will get your puppy excited about playtime and meal time.
Chewing is a healthy and natural activity for a dog and it is also a natural stress reliever. Deer antler chews are a fantastic boredom buster with nutritional benefits.
They are packed full of nutrition, providing a healthy source of calcium and essential minerals.
They are long lasting (providing you get the right cut for your dog), odourless and mess free, making them the perfect chew treat/toy for indoors.
They are also low in fat, making them suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The best thing about deer antlers is they do not splinter!
RRP: $10.00-$35.00 at antlerandhide.myshopify.com
Providing enrichment through play, chewing and interactive toys helps to reduce boredom and can be a powerful tool in addressing behavioural problems such as separation anxiety.
The Scream Tip & Roll Treat Dispenser has various levels of difficulty depending on how the platforms are aligned – making it the perfect Boredom Buster for your pooch!
Move the platforms around or remove them all together to increase and decrease the difficulty of treats puzzling their way through as your pet knocks this toy around receiving the ultimate treat reward.
Available in Loud Blue & Orange or Loud Green & Pink!
RRP: $19.99 from www.budgetpetproducts.com.au
LickiMats were designed to help calm and relax your pet as they enjoy their favourite treat. Repetitive licking is soothing as it releases a calming hormone into the body, it also promotes oral health by stimulating saliva production.
RRP: $55 (Puppy Starter Box); $59-$79 (Adult Enrichment Starter Box) from www.crazycritterztoybox.com.au
Our dogs absolutely loved the work from home routine while it lasted but with dog mums and dads going back into work, without question one of the best things you can do to break up the boredom at home all day is to get your dog a Snuffle Mat!
But once you've selected your quality snuffle mat, you'll need to load it up with the right kinds of treats!
That's why Bugsy's has assembled the Snuffle Pack Lite, an easy and good for your dog grab pack. Bugsy's Snuffle Pack Lite includes:
✔️ 1 x Lamb Puffs (150g) which are light, airy, really tasty and break apart easily
✔️ 1 x Beef Paddywack Tendon Chews (200g) for some all-natural long lasting chewing satisfaction
✔️ 1 x Moo Moo Beef & Gojiberry Functional Treats (70g) which are delicious and super nutritious
But once you've selected your quality snuffle mat, you'll need to load it up with the right kinds of treats!
✔️ 1 x Lamb Puffs (150g) which are light, airy, really tasty and break apart easily
✔️ 1 x Beef Paddywack Tendon Chews (200g) for some all-natural long lasting chewing satisfaction
✔️ 1 x Moo Moo Beef & Gojiberry Functional Treats (70g) which are delicious and super nutritious
Or upgrade to a Snuffle Pack Deluxe - the absolute ultimate boredom buster for your buddy with satisfying snacks and nose work galore - for only $89.90, normal RRP $142.60).
✔️ Fetch Toy – Insert a used bottle and watch your dog interact with the crinkly sounds
✔️ Play Toy – The stitched handle allows for hours of fun playing tug-of-war with your dog
✔️ Cuddle Toy – Insert your own clothing to leave your pup feeling comforted that you are always with them
Plus, this amazing dog toy is made from recycled plastic which means your dog is making a difference to protect their planet!
RRP: $15.95 at www.doggyeco.com
Sniff, search and Snuffle! Handmade with love by an Australian veterinary nurse and business owner, these high-quality Snuffle Mats make great boredom busters.
Snuffle Mats are a fantastic way to occupy your pet and slow down their eating. They’re suitable for active pets and those with limited mobility or recovering from surgery. Snuffling for treats is a great stress reliever for anxious dogs and provides calm enrichment.
Available in 2 sizes (Regular: 30 x 30cm, Large: 60 x 40cm) and a huge range of colours.
Pricing depends on size and design of material used.
RRP: from $47 (Small); from $83 (Large) at www.animalenrichmentaustralia.com
For dogs, The Stimulation Box ($70) is the perfect fit if you’re looking for a box to enhance your dog's physical and mental stimulation, featuring a diverse range of brands such as Lickimat, Tasty Bone, Rogz, Bell & Bone and All Barks.
Toys within their boxes come in a number of different sizes to accommodate for all shapes & breeds whilst being durable and a value for money.
Badger and Me also offer a range of themed boxes creating the perfect gift for any special occasion, tough boxes for those active chewers and many more.
Can’t find the right mix? Badger and Me’s “Build your own box” option allows for dog owners to create their own box catered to their dogs’ specific needs whilst also fitting your desired budget. View their full range at badgerandme.com.au
Even your pets can do puzzles! With four levels - from easy to expert - Nina Ottosson’s slow feed game boards have something for every pooch. Just add treats and let the fun begin!
New to puzzles? Levels 1 and 2 are the perfect way to engage your pets’ mind or bust their boredom on a rainy day. Animal Enrichment Australia are a big fan of these puzzles, due to their quality and clever designs, allowing gradual increase in difficulty.
These new, advanced games pictured are currently on sale with $10 off; Challenge Slider (level 3) at $54.80 and Multipuzzle (level 4) at $65.60.
Starting from $26.70, the range of Nina Ottosson puzzles can be found at www.animalenrichmentaustralia.com
The PetPat range includes 17 different plush toys for all sorts of puppies and dogs delivering hours and hours of fun for your little ones.
There are flat toys for the ones that love throwing things around, fluffy toys for those that love cuddling and they all come with either a squeaker or plastic crinkle.
Why not take advantage of their special "Buy 2, Get 1 Free" offer and give your little fellas some variety?
RRP: $12.95 (each) or Buy 2 Get 1 Free with free shipping from petpat.com.au
The amazing treat chase is on!
Simply load it with kibble or their favourite treats, turn it on and watch the battery-powered toy roll around the floor in a random pattern, dispensing treats as it goes.
This treat puzzle is a great way of feeding slowly and can hold up to half a cup (118 ml) of kibble. Tough rubber wheels roll quietly and easily on most indoor floor surfaces encouraging active play. This innovative automatic toy keep dogs of all sizes busy with a game of chase and treat.
RRP: $54.99 from the PetSafe Australia website
Choosing the best boredom buster for your dog can be challenging, luckily West Paw have a range of treat dispensing toys for your dog.
Made from West Paw’s own Zogoflex (BPA & phthalate-free, non-toxic, FDA-compliant) West Paw dog toys are designed to go the distance, and they are made in the USA!
Tux being one of the toughest toys West Paw make can withstand some serious chewing, it can be stuffed and even frozen to extend treat time. Stuff with broth, yogurt or raw food - your dogs will love it!
Looking for a multi-purpose toy? The Toppl can be stuffed and used as a slow feeder or can combine the large and small to create a treat dispensing toy for your dog to roll around.
Qwizl is perfect for slowing down your dog’s treat time, stuff with a bully stick, cheese sticks, biscuits etc to extend the life of treats.
Save 10% on your first order when you sign up to their newsletter.
RRP: from $34.99 at www.woofnwag.com.au
Choosing the best boredom buster for your dog can be challenging, luckily West Paw have a range of treat dispensing toys for your dog.
Tux being one of the toughest toys West Paw make can withstand some serious chewing, it can be stuffed and even frozen to extend treat time. Stuff with broth, yogurt or raw food - your dogs will love it!
Looking for a multi-purpose toy? The Toppl can be stuffed and used as a slow feeder or can combine the large and small to create a treat dispensing toy for your dog to roll around.
Qwizl is perfect for slowing down your dog’s treat time, stuff with a bully stick, cheese sticks, biscuits etc to extend the life of treats.
Save 10% on your first order when you sign up to their newsletter.
RRP: from $34.99 at www.woofnwag.com.au
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| Jack Russell x Fox Terrier Bill loves chilling out with his antler! |
Deer antlers are a renewable and sustainable product, as well as biodegradable. They are 100% Australian, natural, and chemical free! Dogs love them and find them irresistible!
They are packed full of nutrition, providing a healthy source of calcium and essential minerals.
They are long lasting (providing you get the right cut for your dog), odourless and mess free, making them the perfect chew treat/toy for indoors.
They are also low in fat, making them suitable for dogs with sensitive stomachs. The best thing about deer antlers is they do not splinter!
RRP: $10.00-$35.00 at antlerandhide.myshopify.com
This toy provides a treasure trove of chewing! This unique bone shape and durable KONG® Extreme Rubber satisfies and rewards natural chewing instincts, while providing a long-lasting solution to keep your dog engaged and happy.
Stuff the KONG® Extreme Goodie Ribbon’s four spaces with treats and the Goodie Gripper™ ridges inside will make getting the nibbles out a mentally challenging puzzle for dogs. Ideal for stuffing with KONG Easy Treat, KONG Snacks or your dog’s favourite kibble to lengthen meal time.
Available in Medium and Large.
RRP: $22.99 - $31.99 from all good pet stores and online.
Move the platforms around or remove them all together to increase and decrease the difficulty of treats puzzling their way through as your pet knocks this toy around receiving the ultimate treat reward.
Available in Loud Blue & Orange or Loud Green & Pink!
RRP: $19.99 from www.budgetpetproducts.com.au
Puppy in a new environment, moving to a new house or just being left alone too long are just some of the reasons why dogs, - just like humans - experience stress.
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| Photo Credit - Industripet LickiMat Wobble |
The LickiMat Wobble is a fun wobble feeder suitable for both dogs and cats. Spread on a tasty treat for many minutes of fun.
For dogs who try to escape each time you try to bathe, groom, or clip their nails, distract them with the Lickimat Splash. Designed with a suction cup base, it sticks to any hard flat smooth surface so simply spread on their favourite treat to make grooming fun!
Our readers can use code ADL10 and save 10% at checkout.
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