6 replies to this topic

[Heather Rae]

Alright, so I had spent a while trying to find a food puzzle that wasn't so pricey. Then it came down to a puzzle that wasn't too pricey and also created an exercise that I wanted (moving objects with the mouth). I also really did not want another toy that caused Tuesday to chase after it. She love the food ball, but my open floor plan sends her all over the place slamming into the walls in her great chase. (Thankfully I just purchased an exercise pen.)

So anyway, while surfing the web and seeing something close to what I wanted for $60, I thought, 'What the heck am I doing? Certainly I could make my own."

So I planned it and ran to the store and purchase $20 worth of wood and liquid nails. I luckily have a lot of scrap wood (in case I made mistakes) and all the basic tools to make this.

Now, I wasn't sure how well this going to go over with my dogs and so I didn't spend a great amount of time making it look pretty to have them ignore it.

Anyway this is what I came up with

It's 18"x18"x3"

I made a few mistakes that if I make it again I would avoid... such as elevated lids.

What I think is great about this, is I can continue to add little challenges fairly easy and fairly cheap: hinges, latches, etc.

Dang though, did I wish I had a table saw/band saw for this.

Here's Tuesday and Nick trying the puzzle.



Tuesday didn't have a problem. Although she did drag it around for a moment there when the lid didn't come up, and here I thought I made a stationary puzzle. I may add handles for me to pick it up as well as something to keep it from sliding.

This is actually the second video of Nick. The first time he smelled it and then walked out the room. So I added ham to a few of the compartments... he just didn't seem to get it really though. I turned of the camera but a half hour later he only got into a few more. *shrugs* I guess we'll try again tonight if he wants to eat dinner.

[waffles]

Any chance you can post a video of your dog using the puzzle? Would love to see it!

[Heather Rae]

Any chance you can post a video of your dog using the puzzle? Would love to see it!

As soon as it finishes drying, I'll double check that it's safe and I'll video it.

[gcv-border]

Very creative! I would love to see a video too.

Jovi

[Heather Rae]

alright I added the videos to the original post.

[bc4ever]

What a great idea! Might even work for my senior rescue (rough collie) who still isn't interested in doing much of anything--except eating! Been trying to think of something to stimulate his brain.

He's finally gained enough weight that he looks healthy! Lots of energy, as far as running around in the back yard, and he's coming when called 50% of the time. He's a good old guy.

[Heather Rae]

What a great idea! Might even work for my senior rescue (rough collie) who still isn't interested in doing much of anything--except eating! Been trying to think of something to stimulate his brain.

He's finally gained enough weight that he looks healthy! Lots of energy, as far as running around in the back yard, and he's coming when called 50% of the time. He's a good old guy.

I saw a great idea that's simular and much cheaper, its tennis balls in a cupcake pan. The dog has to remove the balls to get to the food underneath.