The Ultimate Training Toy
The legendary KONG toy has been enjoyed by millions of dogs and praised by owners and trainers alike for unsurpassed quality and durability, as well as its versatility as a behavioral tool. The world’s top trainers and behaviorists have recommended the original KONG toy for over 25 years as an effective training tool to assist in addressing numerous behavioral challenges. These include: chewing, separation anxiety, assistance in crate training, and alleviation of general boredom. Besides, dogs have known for 25 plus years that KONG is just plain FUN.

Relieves Stress and Boredom
One of the most important benefits a KONG toy can offer is stress/boredom relief for your dog (and peace of mind for you). KONG toys are fun and keep your dog occupied and interested for hours on end. Give your dog something to do when you have company over, or want to watch your favorite TV show. Think of KONG as a combination toy and fun project to keep your dog busy. A busy, involved dog is far less likely to suffer from stress or boredom. Stuff a KONG toy with your favorite KONG STUFF’N treats, so you and your dog can relax and enjoy.

Solves Chewing Problems
A classic source of dog owner frustration is chewed-up shoes, books, furniture, etc. Chewing is a natural and beneficial behavior and plays a vital role in your dog’s physical development. Since most dogs like to chew, it is important that every dog be taught what items are acceptable to chew. Teach this lesson in a positive, fun way by introducing a KONG stuffed with KONG STUFF’N treats and providing constant praise when your dog plays and chews on it. Remember to rotate a variety of KONG toys and KONG Stuff’N treats to keep them novel and interesting.

Perfect for Interactive Play
Interactive play strengthens the bond between you and your dog. Make this critical time special. Your dog will love getting out in the fresh air to play with you and everyone’s favorite training toy...KONG. Try a few of these exercises developed by top trainers or invent your own. Be creative! KONG Fetch: Use two KONG toys; ask your dog to sit before you throw the first KONG. When your dog brings the KONG toy back, show him the other KONG and ask him to “drop” the first. Then start all over again. KONG Hide and Seek: Stuff one or more KONG toys with any KONG Stuff’N treat and hide them around your house or yard.

Eases Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety, the fear of isolation, can produce undesirable behavior for some dogs. Common problem behaviors associated with separation anxiety are excessive barking or whining, destructive behavior, depression and hyperactivity. Many trainers use a very effective method for treating separation anxiety, which utilizes planned departures. This approach involves gradually adjusting your dog to being alone by planning repeated, short departures. Because the stress response occurs shortly after the owner’s departure, it’s effective to redirect your dog’s attention with an activity. A KONG toy stuffed with healthy KONG Stuff’N treats is the perfect solution. Working for food will relax your dog and will keep her occupied and stress-free.

Aids in Crate Training
Indoor crates can be a highly effective training tool. Besides being an effective housebreaking tool, they can also be used to prevent destructive behavior, reduce separation anxiety, and serve as a safe travel cabin. In fact, crates provide a secure den-like enclosure that can comfort and relieve stress. According to top trainers, the key is to teach the dog to like her crate. Start your dog’s crate training by stuffing a KONG toy with any KONG Stuff’N treat. Let your dog see and smell the stuffed KONG toy, then place the KONG toy in the back of her crate leaving the door open. Use lots of praise when your dog enters. Never try to push, pull, or force your dog into the crate. Be patient, use KONG, and make crate training a positive experience.

Basic Training With KONG
Trainers and behaviorists agree that dog owners spend too much time correcting their dogs rather than praising them. One of the most important aspects of dog training is to teach your dog what acceptable behavior is. Praise and the proper use of KONG Stuff’N TOTs will take you a long way down the path to good behavior and training success.

“Sit”, “Stay” and “Come” are among the first exercises taught in basic obedience. Teaching your dog to respond to these commands regardless of distractions can take time and be challenging. Have your TOTs handy and be patient. Remember, repetition and positive reinforcement are keys to success. Keep all training sessions short and end on a positive note. Visit your local dog training professionals or clubs to further your dog’s training.

Introducing Commands
Start all training sessions by gently shaking the KONG Stuff’N TOTs box. The “Shake, Shake, Shake” sound lets your dog know a fun and rewarding work time is about to begin. Give your dog three to five TOTs before you start training to create interest and in no time, when you shake that box, your dog will be right at your side ready for work and reward.

COME
The most important command you will ever teach a dog is “come”. Start teaching in your home or fenced area. To begin, squat down, quickly say your dog’s name three times in a happy, excited voice while gently clapping your hands. Most dogs will come to you if you call them this way. When your dog reaches you, pet, praise (say “good”) and treat with one or two TOTs. This is one repetition of “come”. After two weeks of success, start to say “come” when your dog is almost all the way to you. This will teach your dog to associate the command “come” with the act of coming to you. Using TOTs and lots of praise makes this behavior easy for your dog to learn. Consider three to five sessions per day, with five to ten repetitions per session.

SIT
1.) Once your dog has learned “good” you can start teaching “sit”. Take three to five TOTs in your hand and make a fist. Hold your fist directly in front of the dog’s nose. Let your dog sniff it.

2.) Most dogs will lift their head in an attempt to follow your hand. As the dog shifts its body to follow your hand he will automatically “sit”. Slowly bring your hand over the top of the dog’s muzzle and head, then move it slowly backwards towards the tail.

3.) The moment the dog goes into a “sit”, pet, praise (say “good”) and treat with a TOT. This is one repetition. After several weeks of success add the command “sit” as the dog moves into the sit position. This will teach the dog to associate the command “sit” with the act of sitting. Try teaching this three to five sessions per day, with five repetitions per session.

STAY
Do not train the “sit-stay” until your dog has mastered the “sit” command. To start, ask your dog to “sit”. Remember to praise (say “good”) but do not treat. While the dog is sitting, wait three seconds, then say “stay” and wait another two. At that point, softly praise and treat with a TOT. Repeat the exercise gradually building up the length of time the dog stays, in increments of five to ten seconds.

Once your dog will stay for a couple of minutes, you can add distance. To accomplish this, repeat the exercise but this time after “sit” take one step back, wait five seconds, and then step back to the dog with praise and TOTs as a reward. Slowly increase the distance and length of time. Consider three to five sessions per day with the amount of repetitions varied according to the time and distance used in the exercise.