5. The Cardboard Box Foraging Piñata
Before you toss your weekly delivery boxes into the recycling bin, consider using them for a destructive play session. Dogs naturally love to tear and shred materials, and providing them with a safe, designated outlet for this behavior can prevent them from redirecting that destructive energy toward your expensive furniture or shoes.
Take a small, clean cardboard box that has no plastic tape, staples, or shipping labels attached. Fill the inside of the box with crumpled packing paper, empty toilet paper rolls, and a handful of dry dog treats or kibble. Fold the flaps of the box closed to seal the contents inside. For beginners, leave the flaps loosely tucked so your dog can easily pry them open. As your dog becomes an expert problem solver, you can fold the flaps more securely or even tape them shut using safe, non-toxic paper tape. Your dog will delight in ripping, shredding, and tearing through the cardboard layers to forage for the hidden snacks inside. Always supervise this activity to ensure your dog does not actually swallow any of the cardboard pieces.