If you are struggling with crate training your puppy, with puppy boredom or with an overactive puppy or dog, this blog post is for you! All dogs and puppies are happier, healthier and easier to train when they are mentally stimulated. One easy way to challenge your puppy is to have them work for their food. Every time we set down a bowl of food, we are missing a great opportunity to entertain and stimulate our puppy. These are also great for fast eaters, dogs that suffer from separation anxiety (offer when leaving) and for in crate entertainment. Oh, and in case you have lacked any "intimate time" since purchasing your puppy, these are also great for escaping to your room in peace for long enough . . . 

Not sure how to make your puppy work for their food? Here are some examples: 

LEVEL ONE - SNUFFLE MATS AND SLOW FEEDERS
Many breeders use snuffle mats with puppies as a part of the weaning and play process. Start by hiding a few high value treats in this mat and work up to feeding an entire meal. Placing a high quality kibble in the mat will slow your dogs eating, entertain them in a crate or pen and allow your dog or puppy to learn to work to find their food. Most LierChonPoo puppies and dogs will have been exposed to one of these options: 

Small Snuffle Mat - This mat is inexpensive and travels easily. It's suitable for both puppies and adults. 

Medium Snuffle & Play Mat - We love this medium mat with multiple places to hide treats and food for entire litters, households with more than one small dog or larger breeds. We also love that it's easy to wash and we recommend doing so weekly. 

Slow feeders are similar but are simply a mechanism to slow a fast eater and are not as stimulating as a snuffle mat. You can increase the entertainment value of a slow feeder by mixing your kibble with a quality wet food which takes significantly longer to eat when spread on the walls of the feeder. 

LEVEL TWO - SNOOPS
Snoops are advertised as being an interactive treat dispenser but we regularly use them as a bowl to feed and entertain puppies by placing a mixture of kibble and other food inside and using it as a bowl. We start these before feeding in Kongs because they are easier for the puppy to manipulate. To make it tougher, you can purchase the smiley face insert; however, we've found it easier to simply put a mixture of food and larger components in the Snoop to make it more challenging. For example, we will introduce these with a small amount of kibble mixed with a few high value treats. Once the dog has acclimated we will replace the treats with some larger pieces of cooked chicken or jerky that make getting to the food more difficult. Plugging the whole in the bottom with a treat or kibble or adding something like peanut butter (never with artificial sweetener) or plain yogurt can also increase the challenge. Snoops can be placed in the dishwasher (top rack) and we love that they are coated with a mint oil to help keep breath fresh. Our young dogs will work on these for 20-30 minutes which is great entertainment while we clean their space, sneak out the door for errands, etc. 

LEVEL THREE - KONGS 
The Kong is perhaps the most popular "work for food" toy on the market. For puppies, you want to begin with the small binkie Kong and get the multi-pack as you will need multiple kongs in order to keep them cleaned and stuffed. As your puppy progresses and grows (or to feed entire meals), move up to the medium. We have done an entire blog post HERE on how to stuff a kong from simple to more complex. What we will repeat here is that the Kong is a great way to make a puppy work for food and a great way to reward and entertain a puppy in the crate. 

LEVEL FOUR - PUZZLES & INTERACTIVE TOYS
​It is rare that we use a puzzle or toy to feed an entire meal but it can be done. If you are feeding a high calorie dense kibble such as PawTree, you can actually fit an entire meal in one of these toys. 

Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy and Tug-A-Jug are very popular with our puppies but we don't use them as often as they can be difficult to clean and are really only suitable for kibble or treats (no option of mixing in wet or raw ingredients). They can also be a little loud depending on how the dog learns to dispense the treats. Again, if using these frequently, please make sure you are only using high quality single ingredient treats and are factoring in these calories so your puppy or dog doesn't end up overweight. 

Puzzle Toys are also fun but with a few warnings. You MUST supervise both dogs and puppies with these type toys as most of them have pieces that can be chewed and even swallowed if care is not taken. They can also be a hassle to clean. 

Lick Mats - These popular lick mats are also a hit with our puppies and dogs. We generally pull these out only for special occasions where we want to both reward and entertain the dogs for a while (think furniture being delivered, neighbor stopping by, etc.). In order to successfully use these mats you must find a combination to spread on the mat that is both healthy and irresistible to your pooch. Several of the suggestions we've discussed in Kong stuffing can also work here. For our dogs, we take it up a notch and keep these in the freezer already prepared with one of the following: natural peanut butter mixed with plain greek yogurt, puree pumpkin mixed with peanut butter or yogurt, Ollie dog food spread and re-frozen or Ollie mixed with yogurt.

We hope this post has been helpful and that you'll let us know what works and what doesn't, Please remember that any toy or bowl which doesn't entertain your pet can be donated to your local shelter for a dog in need so it's never a waste to experiment. 

Occupying your puppy is a key element to training success. It makes crate training easier, it helps to reduce destructive behaviors like chewing shoes and furniture, it reduces teething pain and it allows for distraction when nipping or barking. In order to effectively train a puppy, it's best to have a full arsenal of tools on hand and to rotate them to prevent boredom. While this may seem like a long list, it will take trial and error to really figure out what will work for your puppy. And remember, any items your puppy doesn't use or enjoy can be dropped off at your local animal shelter for less fortunate dogs who would LOVE something new! Below is our list of items we have on hand and what we use them for: 

CRATE TRAINING - One key to crate training is to make the crate or pen somewhere your puppy wants to go, Not only should it be a safe place, but it should also have some stimulation to reduce boredom, barking and whining. One easy way to make that happen is to feed your puppy in the crate and to also provide stimulating rewards. For crate training, look for items that last a while and don't require supervision. Items that could cause choking should be avoided - and never use rawhide. Here are our top picks (click on each to go directly to Amazon): 

• STUFFED KONG - Our favorite crate entertainment is a Kong. Although occasionally messy, we prefer to stuff them with various edible items in an effort to force the puppy to both work for his/her food as well as entertain themselves in the crate. The size Kong you choose will be based on the size puppy but for Cavaliers, Cavachons & Cavapoos, you should always start with the puppy size small and only move up in size once your puppy has mastered them. Our favorite puppy Kongs are the Kong Basic Puppy, Kong Puppy Tire, and the Kong Puppy Binkie. Again, all of these can be stuffed. We will post some of our favorite Kong stuffing recipes in a future post. 
• WEST PAW TOYS - Two of our favorite toys are from West Paw. The first, which we love for crates, is Qwizl. For crate, stuff it with a carrot stick, kibble, apple slices or even a bully stick. While we normally wouldn't suggest a bully stick in the crate when unsupervised, the Qwizl reduces the chances of a small portion of the bully stick causing a choking hazard and extends the life of the bully stick. The other, Toppl, is described below. 
• NYLABONE - There are a variety of Nylabone products. For small breed puppies it's important to purchase the softer puppy version. We like this puppy variety pack because it allows you to figure out what style and flavor your puppy prefers. Please note that one of these is edible and we only use that bone in supervised situations. 
• LICK MATS - A recently new toy, a lick mat is designed to sooth dogs who like to lick and to act as a puzzle for dogs to get the food. Some of our dogs LOVE these and others are barely interested. For crate training we've found it best to freeze them and to look for healthier foods to spread on them as a tummy full of sugary peanut butter is not a great choice for a puppy in a crate as tummy issues could result. We will offer some lick mat recipes in the Kong stuffing post. We do not leave these in the crate when we aren't home as we have heard that some dogs attempt to tear up or eat the actual toy (although our dogs have never tried that). 

GENERAL CHEWING - Dogs chew for multiple reasons including boredom and teething. Getting to the bottom of why your dog is chewing might help you choose the correct toy or product. Also, if your dog is simply bored, the best solution is always increasing exercise and mental stimulation through training.  Below are some of our favorite solutions for teething and mental stimulation: ​

• YAK CHEWS - These natural chews (actually a hard cheese) are relatively new to the dog chew world. If you are lucky enough to have a puppy who enjoys these a single chew can often keep them busy for days and days. They are fully digestible, don't stink and won't stain carpet. You do, however, need to supervise your puppy with them and remove them when they become too small. But don't worry, once the chew is small and presents a choking hazard, you can actually soak them in water for a few hours, microwave them for a minute or until it puffs up. After it cools completely you can give it to the dog as it becomes an edible biscuit. 
• BULLY STICKS - Our dogs and puppies love bully sticks. You should always supervise your puppy when providing bully sticks but this brand is guaranteed to be a favorite. Our dogs often ignore other sticks but these usually generate a fight so have one available for every dog in the house. In order to extend the life of bully sticks and reduce choking hazard, some people use stick holders. We've not found them necessary as we simply remove the small pieces once enjoyed. 
• TUG-A-JUG - While this won't help with teething, it will help with stimulation and boredom. Once the puppies are about 4 months old and have watched an older dog get food from the jug, they will entertain themselves for hours to get a few treats. If you don't have another dog, simply help your puppy get a few treats out. I recommend using small kibble or treats to begin as it's easier to get out for beginners. 
• ​TOPPL - This is the 2nd product from West Paw toys that we love. We enjoy using it as a food treat and later as a puzzle. Purchase the small for a puppy and then if your puppy enjoys it, you can purchase a large and create a treat puzzle for an older dog. Their Amazon page has some great examples of how to use this toy!
• EARTH ANIMAL NO HIDES - We discovered this healthy digestible rawhide alternative in our local pet store and our dogs LOVE them. We use two sizes - the single stick for a quick treat or the 4" size for longer chewing. Unfortunately, these are pretty expensive locally so we searched Amazon and now buy in bulk. Buy in bulk when you can get the single sticks for less than $1 per stick and the 4" chews for less than $5 each. This post will always be updated with the best priced bulk option for our two favorite flavors (salmon and chicken). The other flavors, peanut butter, beef and venison are also great but we use peanut butter for so many other treats (such as Kong stuffing and lick mats) and we've found the beef has the possibility to stain carpet and fur. Here are the links: 
  • ​Best bulk for single sticks (chicken)
  • Best bulk for single stick (salmon) (not currently a great price)
  • Best bulk for 4" chews (chicken)
  • Best bulk for 4" chews (salmon) (best bulk price)

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TRAINING TREATS - Training your puppy is great because it's not only mental stimulation that reduces bad behaviors but it also helps the puppy bond with you. The key to training is high value treats that the dog really wants to earn. That being said you also want to make sure it's okay for their tummies. A lot of dog treats are loaded with bad ingredients and things that can be harmful for your puppy. Try a few of these treats to find one that your puppy really enjoys and when shopping always look for single ingredients, natural ingredients and treats that can be broken in to small pieces for training sessions. Here are a few of our favorites but don't be afraid to also try home cooked treats or pieces of deli meat, ground beef, etc. 

• Sojo's Freeze Dried Meat Treats - Single ingredient treats that are easily broken for smaller puppies. Try a sample pack to decide your dog's favorite. These are our preferred training treat due to size and simplicity of ingredients (and they don't get stale if left open). That being said, we need variety too so the others below are also recommended. 
• Zuke's Mini Natural Dog Treats - A great size, healthy ingredients and they won't break in your pocket or pouch while training. The only negative is they are a little stinky but perhaps that's why our dogs love them so much! We recommend the sample pack of multiple flavors to figure out your puppies favorite. 
• ​Stella & Chewy Treats - This reputable company has several single ingredient treats for you to test on your puppy for training purposes. Our older dogs love the Carnivore Crunch but they may be more difficult to use for training due to their size. 
• Little Jacks Small Dog Training Treats -  Of the treats we offer, these are the least healthy but still better than many commercial treats. That being said, these are perfect to hide pills, offer for potty training, etc. We do not use these when we plan to offer multiple treats. 

​While this blog has focused on puppies, we use every item here for our grown dogs, we simply size up on some of the Kong type toys and don't break the treats in half! Best wishes in occupying your pup . . . 

Another common question we hear is, "Help, I'm picking up my new puppy tomorrow. What do I need?" Here are our top picks, all of which can be accessed on Amazon.com by clicking on the item. Please see the end of this post on affiliate links and using Amazon Smile to donate to our SPCA!

THE BASICS: 

1. CRATE - We love the 24" crate from Midwest for puppies. It's just small enough to teach them not to use the potty in their crate but large enough to allow them to move around, eat and play with toys. When we've gone larger, we have always ended up with accidents. By the time they have outgrown this, they are really only using it for sleep and seem perfectly happy with its compact size. 
2. SLEEPING MAT - We want to be brutally honest, this mat doesn't last long. Once your adorable pup starts chewing it will be destroyed but for providing a soft place to land the first few weeks, this is a favorite. You may also consider the coordinating cover. And if your puppy is a little older and already prone to pulling stuffing from plush objects, you can start with a simply 24" memory foam bath mat that's still better than a blanket but hared to destroy!
3. BOWLS (IN CRATE) - Most trainers recommend feeding your puppy in the crate to increase their association of the crate with something positive. If nothing else, you need to make sure you puppy has access to water when crate training. A rambunctious puppy can easily knock off the traditional "hanging" bowls that use a simple hook. I prefer this type of bowl that lock in to place but have a removable stainless steel bowl for food and water. We use smaller bowls to control overfeeding and ability to make a mess but if your pet will be alone for extended periods you may want to choose the larger size. Always feed your pet from stainless steel to reduce tear stains and other health issues. 
4. KONGS - In order to effectively house train your puppy, you have to make time in the crate something they enjoy. We find stuffed Kongs to be essential to this task. There are all sorts of Kong recipes you can create but this puppy sized teether is the perfect start to appropriate chewing. We'd have at least 2-3 on hand for a new puppy.
5. BULLY STICKS - You should always supervise your puppy when providing bully sticks but this brand is guaranteed to be a favorite. Our dogs often ignore other sticks but these usually generate a fight so have one available for every dog in the house. A little costly but so worth it to keep your puppy entertained. 
6. YAK CHEWS - These natural chews are relatively new to the dog chew world. I suggest starting with just one as some dogs just don't care for them while other dogs love them. If you are lucky enough to have a puppy who enjoys these a single chew can keep them busy for days and days.
7. HARNESS - You should not use a collar on your puppy for walking purposes. For leash training and walks, we suggest a starter harness and a 4 or 6 foot standard leash (not adjustable / retractable). Some puppies will outgrow their harness rather quickly so we like this one as it's stylish (many colors), easy to adjust and inexpensive. Most Cavalier, Cavachon and Cavapoo puppies will require the extra small but confirm puppies weight with your breeder. XS fits 5-10 pounds. Once puppies learn to walk on a leash, you can consider using a collar or upgrading to a no-pull / front tab harness to avoid pulling. 
8. SHAMPOO - No need to wash your puppy right away but accidents happen and sometimes your baby will need a bath. We suggest the Earthbath line of products and also find their grooming wipes to come in handy in between bathing. 
9. BRUSH - Introduce your puppy to proper grooming with a small slicker brush. Most puppies don't need anything more than an occasional bath and a slicker brush for the first several months. After that your grooming needs will be dependent on your dogs specific coat. 
10. TRAINING TREATS - Training requires treats and lots of them. A lot of dog treats are loaded with bad ingredients and things that can be harmful for your puppy. We suggest these treats (or similar brands) that are one ingredient. For small puppies consider breaking or cutting them in to smaller pieces. Try a sample pack to decide your dog's favorite. We like this bundle b/c it includes a small traveling bowl (which we use for water on walks and trips, not treats). 
11. TRAINING BOOK - This is an inexpensive training book that covers the basics. Having a solid training plan prior to getting your pup is the key to having a great companion and a great relationship. Don't wait until a problem develops to start training!
12. CLEAN UP - While shopping, make sure to pick up some carpet cleaner (accidents happen), a pet safe household cleaner that you can also use on the crate and hard surfaces and some poop bags!

A FEW EXTRAS: 

1. TRAINING BELL - Using bells to house train pups is currently very popular. We begin ringing the bell (ourselves) to indicate poppy trips very young so the puppies associate the sound with using the potty. We find this door side bell works best for our home b/c it doesn't alert when we are using the door for other purposes and is very easy to install. We install so the bottom of the bell is about 12" from the floor. 
2. CAR SEAT - Even a fender bender can be deadly for an unrestrained animal so our pets travel in car seats. These can be expensive so search for less costly alternatives that attach to seat belts if needed. We prefer these b/c they elevate the small dog to see out of the window (which often helps with motion sickness as well) and have solid safety ratings. Should only be used with a harness (never a collar). 
3. TUG-A-JUG - We can't figure out why this toy doesn't get better ratings as all of our dogs enjoy it. Once the puppies are about 4 months old and have watched an older dog get food from the jug, they will entertain themselves for hours to get a few treats. If you don't have another dog, simply help your puppy get a few treats out. I recommend using small kibble as it's easier to get out for beginners. 
4. TRAINING / TREAT POUCH - To effectively train your pup you need positive reinforcement on your side (literally). When I'm training one of our dogs, I have a training pouch with healthy kibble or cut dried liver treats on my side. This is definitely an extra as you can use Ziploc bags but I find they get messy, dogs try to rip them and you can't get to the treat as quickly. 

As we've mentioned, we are huge supporters of our local SPCA. If you have benefited from this list, please consider using the Amazon Smile program and adding "Dorchester Paws" to your list of organizations to receive donations from your shopping. Please also note that we may receive credit from Amazon for affiliate links provided in this list. All affiliate earnings are donated to the SPCA. 

Have something to add to the list, please share your ideas with future puppy owners by commenting on this post with your suggestions! Thank you!