GREAT IDEAS!! i LOVED the idea of using the kong as a "LicketySTick" to reward tricks! brilliant!!!
ONE MORE THING to do with a kong:
HIde it.
Show it to dog, but don't give it to him.
bring dog into another room, put him in a stay.
Leave him there.
(grrrreat training for stay, since dog KNOWS you do have a kong)
go hide the kong, indoors or outdoors.
(for beginner dogs, make it easy to find)
Now call your dog to you, or go get your dog, bring dog to area you have hidden the kong,
and tell him
"Find it"
and wow, sit back and enjoy the show!!
Dog looks like a total sleuth at work there!!!!
Looks like a "search and rescue" dog at work!!
btw, peanut butter items are wayyyyyyyy too easy for my dog to find, as is tuna, so i usually use treats or less smelly items, to add to the challenge.