The boys get a part of their daily food intake in these big orange balls with a hole in. They push the balls, the food falls out of the hole - happy dogs. Happy, BUSY dogs. So I can relax or do some laundry without someone giving me the "but it's 37 degrees outside Mom...why don't we all go take a nap OUTSIDE together?" eyeballs. Or at least - that's the idea.
But Pooka has a problem. As soon as he chooses one treat ball, it means that, by default, he is not choosing the OTHER treat ball. He wants both, but there's no way he can hold both treat balls.
So he grabs one, and runs off with it. Nanook advances on the other and starts to push it with his nose. Pooka hears the noise of the treats rattling in the treat ball that Nanook is pushing, and LOSES it. He comes galloping back over to grab the other treat ball, dropping the one he is currently holding in his mad rush.
Now, ordinarily, this would be horrendously bad behavior and I'd be correcting him for it because it's not fair to Nanook, constantly having his treat ball stolen. Except that I have seen a glint in Nanook's eyeball when he pushes the treat ball he has at that moment. He KNOWS it drives Pooka crazy. He WANTS Pooka to come steal his treat ball - because in that mad rush and snatch maneuver, Pooka manages to knock a ton of cookies out of both treat balls, leaving said cookies in a pile in front of Nanook. More cookies than Nanook would ever get out of his treat ball by himself. Nanook is incredibly tricksy.
I do intervene to make sure that Pooka doesn't stand and hover over both treat balls, because that's clearly not fair. But I can't help the fact that every time he rushes over in a panic, I nearly pee my pants laughing. I'm a bad mom. And the upshot is that I don't get anything else done, because I'm outside in the 37 degree weather videotaping their little song and dance, and laughing myself sick instead.
Video starts off slow but picks up toward the end.
But Pooka has a problem. As soon as he chooses one treat ball, it means that, by default, he is not choosing the OTHER treat ball. He wants both, but there's no way he can hold both treat balls.
So he grabs one, and runs off with it. Nanook advances on the other and starts to push it with his nose. Pooka hears the noise of the treats rattling in the treat ball that Nanook is pushing, and LOSES it. He comes galloping back over to grab the other treat ball, dropping the one he is currently holding in his mad rush.
Now, ordinarily, this would be horrendously bad behavior and I'd be correcting him for it because it's not fair to Nanook, constantly having his treat ball stolen. Except that I have seen a glint in Nanook's eyeball when he pushes the treat ball he has at that moment. He KNOWS it drives Pooka crazy. He WANTS Pooka to come steal his treat ball - because in that mad rush and snatch maneuver, Pooka manages to knock a ton of cookies out of both treat balls, leaving said cookies in a pile in front of Nanook. More cookies than Nanook would ever get out of his treat ball by himself. Nanook is incredibly tricksy.
I do intervene to make sure that Pooka doesn't stand and hover over both treat balls, because that's clearly not fair. But I can't help the fact that every time he rushes over in a panic, I nearly pee my pants laughing. I'm a bad mom. And the upshot is that I don't get anything else done, because I'm outside in the 37 degree weather videotaping their little song and dance, and laughing myself sick instead.
Video starts off slow but picks up toward the end.






7 Barks Back:
Jack would just look at me and ask me to get the treats out for him so we can go watch tv! :)
lol :) This is so funny. Nanook is definitely playing the part of the older brother by driving the younger brother nuts. :)Brought a smile to my day! Thanks Ness.
This is awesome! It amazes me how smart these newfs are much less such entertaining family members. My 10 week newfie surprises me everyday with something new. Your newfies are beautiful and your blog is a joy to read. : )
We have an "egg" that makes musical sounds and gives out kibble. But it's hard to pick up, cuz it's smooth. We are going to ask our mama to see if she can find the treat balls like you have. Thanks for giving our mama a good laugh. She loved the video.
I love the way the great debate is played out in slow motion. Hehehe. Gotta love big dogs. I don't blame you for watching the whole thing. Very entertaining.
Mango Momma
Even if the video loads quite slow for me, I still let it buffer for a few minutes or so. That's how good the video is I think, and I wasn't disappointed with that assumption!
It must be hell of a fun everyday with those 2 along!
Treat balls are the best!!! Great post!
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