HI.Q. Frequently Asked Questions

That’s one of the beauties of this toy! HI.Q. is a wonderful way to curb separation anxiety, and we always leave a few for our pups before heading out. As with any toy, please observe your dog with HI.Q. before leaving him or her alone with it.

Of course! We recommend that you hand-wash the toys and rinse thoroughly, although owners have reported that the toys are top-rack dishwasher safe.

HI.Q. treat-dispensing puzzle toys are made of a flexible, non-toxic rubber-like material. Pthalates are not used for HI.Q. The materials are made and manufactured in the USA. Our Premium Liver Biscuits are also made in the USA, using a blend of organic and natural ingredients.

Every dog is different, regardless of size or breed. HI.Q. was field-tested among many different breeds - ranging in size from a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel to and Irish Wolfhound! - and achieved an 81% success rate (no damage).

Despite what many manufacturers claim, no dog toy is indestructible. HI.Q. was developed to be a challenging and entertaining puzzle toy and is made of non-toxic materials similar to other dog toys in the market. The El is ideal for dogs weighing 15 lbs. or more. Link several together and HI.Q. will keep most any dog challenged for a long time! HI.Q. is not recommend for heavy or destructive chewers.

Training is the only remedy to stop destructive chewing, please consult a professional dog trainer.

If you choose to use your own, we recommend a variety of dry treat sizes—from large crumbs to nickel-size. Small treats fall out easily, encouraging play, while larger treats pose more of a challenge to remove. We’ve had so many questions about this, we now offer HI.Q. Beef Liver Biscuits and Wheat-Free Chicken Liver Biscuits, both made with natural organic ingredients. Wet treats are not recommended inside HI.Q, although we’ve successfully used peanut butter on the ends!

For best results, follow these three easy steps!

Step 1) Insert small treats (your dog's kibble or other dry treats) that will easily fall out of HI.Q.

Step 2) Introduce HI.Q. to your dog by sitting with him/her for a few minutes and bouncing the toy around. The small treats should fall out very quickly allowing your dog to see that bouncing or nudging the toy will produce treats!

Step 3) Observe your dog using HI.Q. with small treats for a few times. When you are confident he/she "gets it", you can increase the challenge by adding larger treats. Over time, you can really increase the challenge - and create a whole new toy - by adding more HI.Q. links!

Special Training Note: If you see your dog tearing at HI.Q., say "No" and remove from play immediately. After a few seconds, bounce or nudge a treat-filled HI.Q. again for your dog and allow him/her to try again. When empty, remove HI.Q. from play. Doing this several times will help teach your dog that HI.Q. is not a chew toy, but a fun, treat-filled puzzle toy!