Starmark Everlasting Treat Wheeler

Next up in Dodger's test lab, the Starmark Everlasting Treat Wheeler.  I picked this product up at my local PetSmart for 24.99.  For that kind of money, I hoped it would be a valuable purchase and worthy of Dodger's future playtime and ongoing interest.  According to the package, it "provides hours of interactive chewing challenge, virtually indestructible, great for dental hygiene and dishwasher safe."  It also claims to help "prevent destructive boredom behaviors," which is a good thing, given that Dodger is prone to less-than-ideal behaviors in my backyard when he is bored.

The product itself is basically a large black rubber ring that looks like a monster truck tire. There are ridges and indentations on the outside, where  you can presumably tuck cookies or kibble in to enhance the interactivity.  There is also a large "treat" that is inserted in the center of the wheel.  My purchase came with a treat already inserted, but there are inserts you can buy once your dog has devoured that one.  The treat insert itself is comprised of rice flour, glycerin, corn starch, powdered cellulose, natural chicken flavor, mono-diglycerides, calcium carbonate, sorbic acid and garlic powder.  The packaging then claims "wheat free and soy free," which sounds healthy, but I'm not sure based on some of the other ingredients.

So onto the results...

I gave the toy to Dodger.  He inspected it, and seemed perplexed by the rubber ring (maybe it tastes or smells funny to him?).  I rolled it on the floor to him, which made him promptly run away.  It didn't take him long to pick the toy up with his mouth and retreat to the front room.

Dodger wasn't particularly interested in the rubber surrounding the treat insert, but sure did like the challenge of eating the treat.  Given our last toy challenge lasted him all of 48 minutes, the goal was to make this toy surpass that time.  We were in luck this time around.

Mmmm, yummy.

I was almost certain Dodger would have figured out a way to tear through the surrounding rubber, but he didn't (note: it's been 10 days since I purchased this toy, and the rubber tire is still intact!).  Dodger sure was intrigued by the treat though.  He worked solidly for an hour and 20 minutes before he had devoured the entire treat.

I haven't yet purchased another insert for Dodger, nor have I tried sticking treats in the crevices of the wheel. He will occasionally pick the toy up and play with it further, but it's not his go-to toy.  I'm sure if I bought another insert, he would be just as captivated by it as the day I gave it to him originally

Dodger is tired after his toy challenge

So all in all, I'd say the toy worked as promised.  The only caveat is that it didn't provide "hours" of challenge (in our case, 1.5 hours) but I'm sure if I purchased more inserts, then the claim would hold up.

So on the Dodger Destruct-o-Meter (one being very easy to destroy and 10 being impossible to destroy), the Starmark Everlasting Treat Wheeler earns:

8 DODGERS  

       

My recommendation: This toy proved to be interesting and challenging for Dodger, so I would recommend it for dogs who are into puzzle toys.  I spent $24.99 on this toy (size large) at PetSmart.

Where to purchase:
PetSmart
Amazon.com

Kyjen Hard Core Firehose Dog Toy

Yesterday, I went to my local Petco with my 10% off entire purchase coupon to buy Dodger his favorite dog food and also to see what kind of dog toys might be available for him.  Dodger is already a big fan of both Nylabone and Kong products (which I will review in later posts), but I thought I'd try to find something new and different for him.  I ended up selecting the Kyjen Hard Core Firehose Dog Toy in size large.  I was dubious of its claim that it's an "exceptionally strong and durable dog toy."  I know my dog, and anything with seams, he will figure out almost immediately. "Tough toys [that] are perfect for hard core chewers!"  We shall see, Kyjen, we shall see.

Instinctively, I know to cut off any tags or strings attached to these toys, because that will be the first place Dodger will focus.  So I cut off the attached product tag, the white safety tab attached to back, and the string loop where the product was hung on the shelf.  I gave Dodger the toy around 6:10 pm on April 5.

Since it was a new toy to Dodger, he spent some time inspecting it, sniffing it, pushing it around on the floor to see what it would do. And then he settled down on the floor to begin chewing.  Normally Dodger likes to go into my office, away from me, to focus on his toys, but for this exercise, I made him stay in the front living room with me.  And now, the results of this little exercise...

6:20 pm.  Dodger has already focused on the end-seams, and you can begin to see some destruction in the hard red canvas on one end.

6:26 pm.  We already have a larger tear from Dodger's incessant and unrelenting chewing.

6:37 pm.  We already have a major breach on the end of the toy.  Dodger waits patiently while I take the photo so he can finish with his destruction.

Part of the end tab that has been left on the floor during Dodger's chewing exercise.

6:58 pm, and we are DONE.  Once stuffing and plastic squeakers appear, I take the toy away to keep Dodger from ingesting any harmful products.  

So from start to finish, this took Dodger all of 48 minutes to destroy.  Not even hardcore. 

So on the Dodger Destruct-o-Meter (one being very easy to destroy and 10 being impossible to destroy), the Kyjen Hard Core Firehose Dog Toy earns:

3 DODGERS  

  

My recommendation: For tough chewers, this isn't the best toy for your dog. The product description says it's great for water-fetching, and that may be true.  I spent $11.99 on this toy at Petco.

Where to purchase:

Amazon.com

Petco

Welcome!

Welcome to Dodger's Dog Product Review Blog!  My name is Dana, and I'm starting this blog for a variety of reasons.  First and foremost, my pup Dodger.  Dodger is a 2.5 year old cattle dog mix that I adopted from a shelter last year.  Dodger has had some issues in his past, which we're addressing with training, but one of the key things that sticks out-- he's a very smart dog.  As you folks who own smart dogs already know, a smart dog can get into mischief if left alone or bored for too long.  We try and stem those bad behaviors by going on lots of long walks and hikes, playing with puzzle toys, and in general, keeping him engaged in all kinds of exercise. Thankfully, Dodger reserves his mischief to my backyard (lots of dug up holes and chewed-on sticks) and hasn't yet destroyed anything of real value in my home.  That's a miracle in itself, as we all know with raising puppies and young dogs, you never know quite how behaviors will manifest themselves when it comes to your favorite shoes, tv remotes or even the toilet paper roll.  I had two dogs (raised from puppyhood) prior to Dodger, so I know firsthand what puppy destruction looks like.

Secondly, I live in Oregon.  In case you haven't heard, we get a lot of rain here.  And while I would like to say that I'm the best dog mama on the planet, there are definitely days when Dodger doesn't get his long walk or hike.  On those days, it's especially tough, because I know he's bored and frustrated by the fact that he can't work out his energy outside.  Because of that, I try to keep a variety of toys around the house for him.

Thirdly and probably the biggest reason I'm starting this blog: dog toy durability.  Dodger is a tough chewer.  A REALLY TOUGH CHEWER.  I can't give him plush squeaky toys to play with because they will literally be destroyed in a matter of minutes. Not an hour, MINUTES.  So I have to be selective about the dog toys I purchase for him.  Like many of you, my budget doesn't allow for multiple $20+ pricepoint toy purchases during a given month.  I like to spend my money on quality products that I know will last and I know Dodger will find challenging and fun.  I also recognize that you get what you pay for, so if I'm going for low hanging fruit by buying a $5 rope toy, I know that's essentially $5 that I will watch Dodger tear apart before my eyes.  My hope with this blog is that if you're like me, and you have a very smart and tenacious chewer for a pet, you can learn from my experiences and also share your own.

Thanks for checking out the blog.  Dodger says "WOOF!" (that's "welcome" in canine language)