In recent weeks, we’ve mentioned in passing that the Dude is not very food motivated. It’s been a big challenge for us because food puzzles and exercise are our deadly 1-2 combo in combatting anxiety, and with the Dude’s intensive heartworm treatment, the exercise is entirely out. With no visible food motivation, the food puzzles have been out too.
Until Monday.
On Monday, the Dude decided to turn a very sharp corner and become not just willing to work, but a complete food maniac.
We have seen a lot of dogs go from nervous and disinterested of food to gung-ho piggies, but never in the blink of an eye. The sun set on Sunday and the Dude nonchalantly walked away after sniffing his dinner, and the sun rose on Monday and he was an expert wobbler-holic, a brilliant kong-extractor, and a voracious devourer of bully sticks. Is this guy playing tricks on us?
We’re glad the boy has found his appetite — he has gained about 8 pounds since he came into our care, but is still a skinny little kid.
And with the doctor’s “Keep calm. Very, very calm” orders, food-driven training, puzzles, and games will –hopefully– keep us all sane until his 10 weeks of treatment are over!
By the way– did you notice the Dude’s new collar? Are you wondering what he did to deserve it? Tune in tomorrow to find out!
NEW POST today at our other blog — about nine new dogs traveling cross-country to join Love-A-Bull’s foster program! Click here.
Love and a Six-Foot Leash 
Oh, the kibble-in-a-bottle is genius!!! And, you get your floors cleaned too. Thanks, once again, for sharing great ideas.
YAY for the Dude! And you gave us a good idea for making our own treat puzzle with a bottle. Cool!
Mom puts peanut butter in our old bones too. It’s fun
Benny & Lily
Doodlebug is so precious, I am smitten! I hope his Forever People don’t change his name! Doodlebug is sooooooo cute, beyond cute, you just wanna scoop him up and cuddle cuddle 🙂 Love to Doodlebug 🙂
He is so cute and i´m glad, he looks good!
I have a “Snack Ball” for my Lilu! It´s funny to see her play.
Hope to see more about Snickerdoodle. 🙂
Greetings from Germany
ani 😀
nice collar…perfect for spring… XOXOX Vanilla Bean
luv that toy with yummies- Princess
Any chance that the heart worm treatment might have kicked in his appetite? One of my cats gets steoid (sp?) shots regularly which turbo-charges hers.
Glad to hear he is finally coming around to the puzzles! I love that new Nantucket collar – he and Turk are collar twinsies!
He’s just so cute, I can’t get over it. I love his new collar! It fits him well!
That’s great! I wonder if Chick gave him a talking to overnight…
I LOVE your videos! We took the gatorade bottle idea from you, lifechanger! So amazing that he is food motivated now!
this is great news! i could watch him play with that all day.
and that’s a stylish new outfit! 😀
I’m gonna go with his heartworm treatment is doing the trick and his increased appetite is a result of him being successful at starting to kick those heartworms to the curb! Either that or he feels so dandy in his new collar that he’s got a new, hungry outlook on life. 🙂
That last picture is a typical Kong emptying stance in our household!
Sweet boy! I’m glad he’s eating!
Peanut butter in a kong seems to be the only thing that keeps my piggie from freaking out when I’m not home. It’s a miracle treat!
I’m glad to hear this! It’ll be much easier on everyone if this focus on food keeps up! Stay calm and enjoy your puzzles, SnickerDood!
great news! When my dog growing up was anxious about being crated, a little liverwurst smeared on the inside of a toy was enough to get him over the hump of us leaving. If you can handle the smell, maybe the Dude would like some?
This must be a sign that he’s growing more comfortable and maybe even feeling much better now that he’s getting treatment. Love to see how a dog flourishes in a new, safe environment after a period of uncertainty. 🙂
Great news about The Dude! We had a cat named The Dude – he was a survivor too…Thanks for all you’re doing for these little angels. You guys rock!
What a relief! I’d be lost if the two pitties in my house weren’t treat-motivated. Seriously. Doodle is such a cute little kid. So sorry about the heartworm but I must say he hit the jackpot by ending up with you guys.
Things haven’t improved between Tommy & Louise, so I’ve decided I need to get back to finding Louise a home. You’re my guiding light and ray of hope; you make me believe it’s possible. Thank you for your wonderful work.
Yay! I’m so happy for the 4 of you!
Maybe I should try this with my high-energy kitten?
Great job, Dude! Food puzzles are fun!
We have an 8 month old beagle pup who is totally food motivated, and because of you, I have learned about food in the kong, we thought it was just for treats…silly us! Now we feed her with it when we leave, needless to say, it works!