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out, that your pet associates this game with a positive result: when your pet
succeeds in pressing the button, he or she receives a reward. In fact, when
starting out, it can be a good idea to give your pet a reward just for trying the
device. Above all, be patient! Once your pet fully realizes that this is a “food
game,” he or she will begin to understand and enjoy the puzzle.
6. If your pet doesn’t accomplish a task, make sure to motivate him or her with
praise and petting (or belly rubs). If your pet struggles with reaching the next
target (for example: moving the remote somewhere new), it is better to take a
break or take a step back in the training process. Don’t scold or punish your
pet when he or she reaches these tough spots in training. This is designed to
be a fun and enjoyable activity—for both of you!
7. To arouse your pet’s interest, you should fill the food container up with treats
or food in the presence of the pet. To increase the difficulty of this game later,
you can fill it while your pet is not present.
8. Choose an ideal starting time for good results. After regular feedings, it’s best
to wait around an hour and a half (90 minutes) before starting to play, so your
pet has time to digest and feel excited about food again. You can also feed
your pet while playing by substituting regular food in place of treats in the
food container. Please do not use this toy in place of regular feeding.
9. It’s best to try the toy yourself at first, without your pet around, to test the
amount of treats being dispensed and adjust the window until you’re satisfied
with how many treats it releases.
10. As the food container runs low on treats or your pet’s regular food, you may
need to open the adjustable treat window a little wider, or it may take several
rotations to dispense the remaining treats. If you notice that the container is
struggling to dispense treats, you may need to refill it or open the dispensing
window a little further.
11. Always let your pet know that playtime with this toy has started with a verbal
signal (e.g., “Let’s play!”) and finish with a break-off signal (e.g., “Playtime’s
over!”) immediately after your pet has retrieved all of the treats, or when you
are ending your play session. When your pet obeys these verbal signals,
it’s a good idea to reward him with a treat or belly rub to ensure a calm and
positive ending to your training sessions.
12. Training sessions with this toy should always be finished with a feeling of
success for both you and your pet.
Note:
Neither “right” nor “wrong” exists in this game. Each pet, like each person,
is an individual who is fully capable of finding solutions in his or her own way. Let
your pet make the choice of whether to press the button with his or her snout or
paws. Your pet may not respond to some of the tips and guidelines in this manual,
and that’s okay! They’re just recommendations for some possible ways to work
