If you happened to see the Nov/Dec 2008 issue of AKC Family Dog magazine, then maybe you read the piece I wrote on the history of dog toys. In my research, I had the chance to interview toy designers from companies like Kong, Canine Genius, and Premier. One of the trends in dog toys is the development of treat regulators that make getting food out of toys harder (or easier). Tom’s mom bought Ginko and Lilly a Busy Buddy Waggle over the holidays. So far, it’s a HUGE hit at our house.
{I’m sorry. The photo went missing in a blog meltdown.}
Inside those bulbous ends are four rubber fingers that keep the kibble or whatever inside. The instructions say to clip off as many as your dog needs to make it hard enough to keep him busy, but easy enough that food actually comes out. I tried leaving all four in place for the first week or so, but it was hard enough that Lilly got frustrated. Ginko will keep trying and trying, but I went ahead and shortened one of the fingers in each end.
It’s still crazy hard to get the food out, but much like the Canine Genius Leo Toy I bought for Lilly last year, Ginko has pretty much taken it as his own.
The only way Lilly ever gets a turn is for me to give Ginko something of higher value to play with. Maybe that’s the hallmark of a good toy. Not just that Lilly loves it, but that Ginko does too.
So, the Busy Buddy Waggle gets TWO PAWS UP from Champion of My Heart.
YES! I also shortened the rubber fingers to allow the food to come out easier. I have the Waggle and another one with noisemakers on each end – this one is a little heavier. My dogs love it too & it really does keep them busy. I have this little red Hav-A-Ball too which is the same idea (a toy filled with treats) & thats a big hit as well.