Stuffed Kongs are a staple in dog training and enrichment — but most people use them simply as treats. The truth? They’re powerful tools for building motivation, regulating arousal, and shaping meaningful engagement.
In this video, I walk through how to use stuffed Kongs intentionally — not just as rewards, but as learning tools that help dogs feel safe, succeed more reliably, and connect behavior to context in a way that feels good for both dog and human.
Yummy Stuffed Kongs (How to Use Them the Right Way)
Stuffed Kongs show up in almost every dog training toolkit — but not always for the right reasons.
People often think:
“I’ll just stuff it full of treats and that’ll keep my dog happy.”
That’s not wrong.
It’s just incomplete.
Stuffed Kongs aren’t merely tasty — they’re information.
They tell a dog:
What works here
When effort leads to a good outcome
How to engage in a way that feels safe and successful
Used well, they become far more than enrichment. They become lessons in:
motivation
emotional regulation
engagement
problem-solving
delayed reinforcement
Why Most Kong Use Is Reactive, Not Intentional
Think about how people use stuffed Kongs:
calm the dog
distract them
keep them busy
Those all sound fine…
But they aren’t teaching anything.
They’re just managing behavior.
That’s fine once in a while.
But it doesn’t build confidence or motivation in a way that carries forward.
The difference is:
Distraction vs. Directed engagement.
A Kong can occupy attention — or it can shape a learning moment.
Only one of those builds a motivated learner.
What Kongs Actually Teach
When used with intention, stuffed Kongs teach dogs:
1. Cause and Effect
When I work this way, something good happens.
2. Patience & Regulation
Success isn’t instant — but it is predictable.
3. Engagement Over Avoidance
Boredom and escape trigger anxiety. Problem-solving triggers confidence.
How to Use Stuffed Kongs the Right Way
DO:
Introduce the Kong in a calm context
Pair it with clear cues (e.g., “work,” “find it”)
Use it to reinforce focus and intentional effort
Use rotation — not repetition — to keep novelty
DON’T:
Use Kongs only as distractors
Expect them to solve training gaps
Treat them as treats alone
In other words:
Stuffed Kongs support learning when they’re part of an intentional engagement strategy.
A Word About Emotional State
If a dog is dysregulated — overstimulated, stressed, or overwhelmed — a Kong may calm them temporarily…
But it won’t build learning in that state.
True learning happens when:
the dog is regulated enough to pay attention
engagement is visible
choices are clear
outcomes are predictable
In that state, a Kong isn’t just a treat — it’s a lesson.
The Takeaway
Stuffed Kongs are more than snacks.
They can be tools for shaping regulation, confidence, and motivation — but only when used intentionally, in context, and with awareness of the dog’s internal state.
That’s the difference between management and learning.
We give you real life achievable puppy training and dog training solutions at Go Anywhere Dog. Join us at our puppy training classes and dog training classes in Minneapolis, MN. We got you!
