There is one toy above all that has been Gretel’s favorite and a lifesaver for my hubby and I. This toy is the Busy Buddy Waggle by PetSafe.
It was a lifesaver for us because Gretel had some anxiety issues when she came to live with us. I was told she was fine in a crate when I adopted her but that clearly was not the case when I brought her home. To protect her, and our home, it was important to place her in a crate when we were not home.
To recount what we went through during those first few weeks in regards to the crate is a looooong story. The short story is that once we started giving her a Busy Buddy Waggle treat toy to obsess over when we left, all of the problems disappeared.
Gretel LOVES that toy. She often carries it around with her…even to go out to go potty.
When I visited the PetSafe headquarters in October, the generously gave Gretel and I a bunch of products to review and give away. Today I am giving away TWO Busy Buddy treat toy prizes.
Each prize package includes:
1. Busy Buddy Barnacle treat toy – The multi-chambered Barnacle features three patented Treat Meters® (plastic prongs that make it harder for the treats to fall out – these can be trimmed with scissors to make it easier if needed) to randomly dispense treats while your dog plays. The shape of this toy causes it to bounce around when your dog plays with it, adding to the mental stimulation and exercise.
2. indigo Smokehouse Strips – Smokehouse Strips are a natural jerky-like treat you can cut up and stuff inside of treat toys. These treats are made in the U.S.A. Real fresh chicken or pork is the main ingredient, with only premium cuts of USDA-inspected meat. Because they are preservative free, they come with a sealable bag for storing them in the fridge after opening.
3. Busy Buddy Waggle – This one is Gretel’s favorite toy. The Waggle has a flexible middle that wags back and forth during play. The balls on either end of the toy are compressible to encourage chewing and feature the patented Treat Meter® prongs.
I am giving away TWO prize packs – one for small/medium dogs and one for large dogs. The value of these packs is between $28 and $38, depending on which prize pack that you win.
To enter, you must be 18 years old or older and live in the US. If that is you, just answer the question in the Rafflecopter widget below. Once you answer that first question, you will be given more opportunities to enter.
The winner will be selected on Saturday, November 29th at midnight PST. I will notify the winner via email. The winner will have 48 hours to claim their prize (after which another winner will be chosen).
Caroline says
November 25, 2014 at 11:24 AMi have a 23 pound dachshund so probably small
J W says
November 25, 2014 at 11:47 AMHi Caroline. Yes, the small/medium would be good. Please be sure to answer the first question in the Rafflecopter widget with that info if you haven’t already. With so many entries, that’s the only way I can keep track of who has entered or not.
Rebecca says
November 25, 2014 at 11:28 AMI have been looking for a good treat dispensing toy for Tucker. He does pretty good in his crate but I can tell he gets bored pretty easy so want to find something safe to play with while we aren’t home. That has been the biggest hurdle is what to trust and what not to. I’ll be checking into this toy and entering the give-away!
THANKS!!!
KimT says
November 25, 2014 at 9:48 PMWe’ve had some challenges with CindyLu when we’re not home – and although she needs to be crated, she goes bonkers. This is a fabulous idea, I bet it would really make a difference if she had something like this to focus her attention on. Gotta try it!
J W says
November 25, 2014 at 10:33 PMSo this is my totally uneducated theory…
I give food-motivated Gretel the treat toy and she starts going to town. She doesn’t notice me leaving. By the time she is done getting the treats out she a) has missed the leaving/anxiety-inducing part and b) tired herself out so it’s time for a nap.
🙂
Oz the Terrier says
November 26, 2014 at 5:59 AMThe Busy Buddy toys really are great toys! I brought one back from PetSafe for Oz and he will not put it down! Gretel is too cute with the toy in her mouth…she looks like a little weightlifter. Oh and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Diana Lee says
November 26, 2014 at 10:57 AMI found the same success while training my dog to love her crate. Toys were a must, toys with treats inside worked even better!
Even now that she has no problem being in her crate she still gets treats in there, mostly because I don’t ever want her to feel as though it’s a punishment. Plus she still gets bored very easily! So would love to have a good fun distraction for her 🙂
Emma says
November 27, 2014 at 6:23 AMWe love PetSafe treats and products.
Jenna,Mark “HuskyCrazed” Drady says
November 27, 2014 at 8:37 AMFabulous giveaway!!!
Good luck to all who enters!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Sadie says
November 29, 2014 at 7:34 AMWow, that is a neat group of goodies! I like to cause havoc in my house when the humans are gone, so maybe this would distract me nicely! 🙂
Daniel Scott says
November 29, 2014 at 3:37 PMArtie is 76 lbs. He is a golden retriever/Alaskan malamute mix. We would need a large prize.
Amber says
December 3, 2014 at 12:48 PMMine have just arrived and my dachshunds went to town. Question – is Gretel a power chewer? I could leave anything with one of my dogs without worry, but the other is pretty aggressive and I worry about him shredding this toy and swallowing chunks as it seems resilient, but on the softer side.
Jessica Rhae says
December 3, 2014 at 1:34 PMI would describe Gretel as more of a licker than chewer. Her main objective is to get the treats out with her tongue. She has figured out that, in most cases, if she bites on the balls the treats will crunch and fall out though 🙂 Chester is a power chewer but if it doesn’t squeak he is not much interested. I don’t blame you for being concerned and I do expect that a dog on a mission could chew it up. Maybe you could leave it out all day for a few days and see what happens? I feel comfortable leaving it in Gretel’s crate while I am gone but I know she is not going to chew the thing up.