Review: The Chuckle

Bass Pro Shops is among the few stores in our area that are not pet stores, but still allow people to bring their dogs shopping with them, as long as the dogs are friendly, well-behaved, and leashed. Since the store has been nice to us and my girls love going there, we always make it a point to visit the hunting dog equipment aisle, which is located between air rifles and turkey calls.

This time around, I happened to notice a display for these at the end of the aisle, and since Ronja had been a good girl all day, I picked one up for her.



Product Name
Busy Buddy "The Chuckle"

Manufacturer
Premier Pet

Price
$9.95 at Bass Pro Shops


What it Promises

From the manufacturer's website: "The Chuckle is a funky noise-maker that's sure to perk up playtime! Either end of the Chuckle has inner-facing, soft, adjustable rubber prongs that move aside to allow the toy to be stuffed with kibble or treats. The prongs of the Treat Meter™ allow food and treats to randomly dispense, rewarding your dog as he plays.

Made of natural rubber. Recommended for strong chewers. Available in 1 size only."


Features

The Chuckle is a dumbbell shaped toy made from a hard rubber material that is similar in consistency and durability to the red Kong. The center portion contains a "chuckler", which is a squeaker that is activated by shaking the toy, rather than squeezing it. The chuckler sounds very similar to many bird calls on the market.

Each end of the Chuckle is ridged, which is great for gnawing. Each end also features a large circular opening into which treats can be inserted. A set of rubber "prongs" on the inside the the opening prevent small treats from easily falling out, requiring the dog to put his mind to good use in figuring out how to get at the yummy things inside. To help dogs smell the treats and to prevent them from getting their tongues stuck inside the Chuckle, smaller holes are placed along the outside of the treat-filled ends.


Flaws & Problems

So far, I have not been able to find any obvious flaws with the Chuckle I purchased, except for the fact that they come in only one size. It would be nice if these were available in a size that is slightly larger as the "one size" they are offering.


The Verdict

I can say that I absolutely, hands down, love this product.

Unlike many products that claim they are for "heavy chewers", this one actually delivers. Like the Kong line of products, this one holds up real well to true heavy chewers such as my Malinois girl who tends to be quite hard on her toys. Just ask the poor footless Cuz, the deflated soccer balls, and the hole-y Jolly ball! She's spent a good amount of time gnawing on the Chuckle and it's still intact.

This toy also delivers the best of several worlds. Not only is it fun to gnaw on, it also makes a great training toy. I can use the chuckling sound to get her attention and use the toy as a reward, by throwing it, having her jump for it, having her grab it, or playing tug with it. It's also a great toy for those times I want to keep her busy for a little while when I can't pay attention to her - I can simply fill it with treats and let her go to work trying to get them out.

Even Abby, who has little interest in toys, likes this one, as long as it's filled with treats.