Interactive dog toy too easy for NKs....

edited July 2011 in General
I got this game today at Petco, just to try it out and see how the dogs would like it: interactive dog game

I let Bel try it first. It took her about 30 secs to figure out how to move the little green covers and get the treats. Toby took about a minute. Oskar was by far the slowest of the three, as I figured, but he figured it out too--he watched Bel do it first, though, and he's good at imitating. There are three variations on the game, so I tried another one, and Bel was a little slower with that one, but still, under a minute and she had the treats.

I guess this game isn't made for smart dogs! Luckily it was cheap (which is why I got it) and they still had fun with it, but I guess if I really wanted a good game for them, I'd have to invest in one of the more expensive dog games.

Comments

  • You can also try changing up where you put the treats. For example, only put a treat under one of them, so they have to search to find the treat. You could also put a few of them side by side with only one or two treats to further increase the complexity. I don't think these games are supposed to be like a frozen kong which can keep your dog busy for 30 minutes or more. Just something stimulating to change up how you deliver treats.

    Either way, you should post a video of your little Einsteins figuring it out. :-)
  • Dave, I did try that already :) Only put treats under some. Toby was funniest because he just decided, well, I'm going to whip this thing around with my paw, which he figured out quite quickly. I'm going to take a video of it (we got a new camera that takes short videos) if I can, because it's funny watching him.

    I'm not unhappy with it--it was under $20 bucks, after all, but I'd hoped it would be a little more challenging. I think some of those other puzzle games can be adjusted for more complexity.

    There's still one more option where they have to pick up covers over the treats, so I have that to try with them tonight. Mostly, actually, I was looking for something to distract Bel with (from her fears and crazed predatory pacing when she sees Toby outside). It did work...just not as long as I thought!

    (poor girl....I think it's partial guilt at knowing I can't fix her, and partially wanting to have a little bit more of good times with her, but I'm trying to focus some energy on playing with her and trying to enjoy her company while I have her with me still).
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