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  • 1.  Feeding dog strictly from Kong and other puzzle feeders in shelter

    Posted 10-01-2022 09:14 AM
    We are looking to improve our shelter food enrichment program. Currently, we feed our dogs 2x/dy. In the morning they get a bowl and in the afternoon some of them they puzzle feeders. Given the number of reactive and young dogs we have we would like to feed these dogs using only Kongs and puzzle feeders. Does anyone have a system of organization for keeping each dog's food logged, portioned or prepared? We would like to get as many of these dogs on this system as possible. We think it would really help with redirecting their energy so they are not so squirrelly come outdoor times.   All suggestions are appreciated. Comments about how to help animal care staff would also be greatly appreciated.
    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment

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    JANINE KINCAID
    Behaviour Volunteer
    Calgary Humane Society
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  • 2.  RE: Feeding dog strictly from Kong and other puzzle feeders in shelter

    Posted 10-01-2022 09:21 AM
    I have no answers for you, but I am interested in what you find out. I would LOVE to do this, at least partially in our shelter. But I need to figure out how to make it feasible. 

    Michelle Harmon | Foster and Behavior Programs Manager
    LifeLine Animal Project | Fulton County Animal Services
    860 Marietta Blvd NW | Atlanta, GA 30318
    404.613.9135 FultonAnimalServices.com
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    On Sat, Oct 1, 2022 at 12:16 PM JANINE KINCAID via Maddie's Pet Forum <Mail@maddiesfund.org> wrote:
    We are looking to improve our shelter food enrichment program. Currently, we feed our dogs 2x/dy. In the morning they get a bowl and in the... -posted to the "Animal Welfare Professionals" community/group
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    JANINE KINCAID
    Oct 1, 2022 9:14 AM
    JANINE KINCAID
    We are looking to improve our shelter food enrichment program. Currently, we feed our dogs 2x/dy. In the morning they get a bowl and in the afternoon some of them they puzzle feeders. Given the number of reactive and young dogs we have we would like to feed these dogs using only Kongs and puzzle feeders. Does anyone have a system of organization for keeping each dog's food logged, portioned or prepared? We would like to get as many of these dogs on this system as possible. We think it would really help with redirecting their energy so they are not so squirrelly come outdoor times.   All suggestions are appreciated. Comments about how to help animal care staff would also be greatly appreciated.
    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment

    ------------------------------
    JANINE KINCAID
    Behaviour Volunteer
    Calgary Humane Society
    ------------------------------
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  • 3.  RE: Feeding dog strictly from Kong and other puzzle feeders in shelter

    Posted 11-02-2022 11:45 AM
    Hi Janice,

    I like to do this with treat buckets.  Hang a treat bucket outside every dogs cage. Put their daily ration into the bucket. Encourage people to toss kibble into kennels as they walk by the kennel.   If the dog is getting a kong or puzzle feeder, take as much food as you need out of the bucket and put it in the kong or puzzle feeder.   At evening meal time or in the afternoon if there isn't an evening meal time,  pour any remaining kibble into a bowl (or puzzle feeder) and feed the dog.  If you want to add canned food to the kong,  you should ask your vets or techs to calculate how much to decrease the amount of kibble you add to the treat bucket to account for the calories in the amount of canned food you're feeding. Does that make sense?   The Open Paw Program is where i first learned about this technique, about 20 years ago. And it works :)

    Sheila

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    Sheila Segurson, DVM
    Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
    Director of Outreach and Research
    Maddie's Fund
    9258608284
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