gyspy has a monkey on her back

[UKTWA]

i bought the girls a KONG toy that you put the stuffing into and they have to lick it out of the holes... well gypsy has become like a little drug addict. she will go to the cubbard where i keep it and just bark and bark non stop till i give it to her... then as i am filling it up she will start shaking all over and bouncing then run to her doggie bed. When i start to give it to her she almost hyperventilates in the process... then when i give it to her she attacks it like there is no tomorrow... it is almost scary... then when she is done she will come give me the toy and then go back to the cubbard and start barking again.  I only give it to them twice a day... but its almost like she is addicted.... at first it was funny but now i am almost a little afraid...  she doesnt want any of her other treats she wants the KONG STUFFING..... she isnt eating her food very much she wants KONG STUFFING....
Should I stop giving it to her?

[Geno]

Wow, what fillings are you using?

Make her do tricks to get it. And only give it if she has calmed down, even if only a couple seconds at first.

Geno

[UKTWA]

peanut butter flavor or there is one that just says puppy.....

[Kathy]

I would cut waaaaay back on the Kong stuffing.  Of course she prefers it to her dog food--it's like offering a child a choice between a cookie or an apple. The stuffing has all kinds of yummy ingredients that make it taste good, ingredients that are NOT in her healthy dog food!

First, I'd never give her anything if she barks for it.  This is teaching her that barking is the way to get things. As Geno said, make her do something and give the Kong as a reward.

Second, I'd hold off on the Kong brand stuffing.  There are a million things you can stuff a Kong with that are much healthier while still being tasty. Check out the Kong website for some ideas http://www.kongcompany.com/tips-and-expert-advice/recipes  One of my favorite things is to use the water from a can of tuna to soften some of their kibble and then stuff the Kong with that. Or use plain yogurt mixed with kibble. You can use a different brand of kibble than what she eats for mealtimes so it seems like a treat.

Third, try freezing the Kong so it takes her longer to empty it.

Fourth, only give her one a day.

Plus what Geno said--make sure she's calm before you give it to her.

[UKTWA]

great ideas..... i am going to try some of them........