Ice Cubes — The Greatest Dog Toy EVER!
Little did I know that the greatest dog toy ever would be in the form of chunks of frozen water. After all the money I’ve spent on rope toys, Nylabones, Kongs, plush and squeeky balls, multi-armed colorful octopus-looking things, tennis ball toys, pieces of carpet, bannisters (just kidding, no really, she only chewed the bannister one time and there wasn’t even any noticeable teeth marks!).
After all that money spent at the pet store, she likes ice cubes the best. They slide across the marble floor so she chases them, they’re cold and wet, she can crunch them — what could possibly be better in a dog toy, or dog treat for that matter.
Alexis usually gives them to her. I watch as Alexis goes to the freezer, talking to Lacey. Lacey runs over and plops her butt on the ground, waiting for “good sit” and the prized ice cube, which entertains her for many minutes. Of course, it melts or she eats it, but there’s a little slice of ecstacy in those few minutes while the ice is alive.
This is really a handy thing to know actually. If I want to get her attention, if her energy is totally out of control (which happens more often than I want to recount), if she’s totally being a turkey, just go for the ice. I have her undivided attention, she immediately gives a sit, and she’s entertained for a few minutes (hopefully forgetting about whatever undesireable — to me — thing she was doing before).
Is this overt manipulation? I think so, and I”m happy to partake if it gets me what I want. Which is always a dog that behaves.
I love this dog.
Anna