Dog Gift Goldilocks

After I rescinded my top dog toy pick for the 2009 holiday season because the plastic was too hard and noisy, I went with the Busy Buddy Twist ‘n Treat from Premier instead, as Lilly’s main gift. It came last week, and I’m sad to say it is WAY too easy, even at the hardest setting. The kibble literally pours out. Help?!

{photos missing due to massive blog glitch. sorry}

I suppose I could smear cheese or get bigger kibble (ours is kind of small), but I’m so disappointed. If there are any tricks to making it hard enough for a dog like Lilly, please let me know.

When the toy is entirely screwed together, the opening looks a bit like the plant (Audrey) from Little Shop of Horrors (above). I may try tightening it even more so that the opening is offset some … to make it harder, but I fear that the kibble won’t come out at all, which makes the whole thing an exercise in utter frustration.

I feel like the Goldilocks of dog gifts. Too hard. Too easy. Too this. Too that.

I actually interviewed the toy designer at Premier for that history of dog toys article. I may dig out her email or phone number and ask, “What the heck?”

Still, I love that the two-piece toy comes completely apart for cleaning. I’m way overdue to soak and scrub the other food-delivery toys. Sure, I’ve been off-the-charts consumed with other things, but it’s also a major pain.

Do you guys put your toys in the dishwasher (dog-only loads)? Do you use a baby bottle brush? Just wondering.