I Have a beautiful miniature Doxie.

The problem he only plays with one specific toy, a HARTZ latex rubber hamburger.
The hartz co discontinued this toy about 3yrs ago. I bought as many as I could find. I have since tried to introduce other such toys. He snubs all of them.
We are on the last one and it is in bad condition. If anyone can help me find this toy or help me with procedures to introduce a different toy I would appreciate it.
Thank you

Dawn, you haven't mentioned your dog's age. The older he is, the harder it will be to get him to accept something new as a replacement to his obsession over this one toy.

I did a search on eBay which would be the most likely place to find something discontinued. Unfortunately, it looks like the sale is about to end, so I hope you get this post asap Lot of (2) Hartz Mad Maddogs Latex Deluxe Hamburger - eBay (item 220190843265 end time Jan-13-08 18:26:16 PST) (http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-of-2-Hartz-Mad-Maddogs-Latex-Deluxe-Hamburger_W0QQitemZ220190843265QQihZ012QQcategoryZ 146246QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Here are some links for latex hamburger toys for dogs. Although these aren't made by Hartz, they may be close enough to the look of the original that he just might accept it.
Tiny Tails Latex Hamburger - Vo-Toys Inc (http://thepuppyshop.com/tinytailslatex1.html)
LATEX HAMBURGER - 75726005356 (http://www.fishtankshop.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=4622)
Vinyl Hamburger- Dog Toy 4 in. Supplies for Dogs (http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-18188-f3db167ec81ca73d241b6fb03b3cf028&ps_session=ace175d7b6bc917309679d5588bc765a)
Product Catalog > Pet > Dog Toys > Chews - Latex Hamburger Dog Toy - Agway (http://www.agwaycatalog.com/catalog/product/20005)
Scroll down to the hamburger on this one: Untitled Document (http://www.bestamigosusasupersales.com/latex_toys_1.html)


Some dogs do show an obsession with just one toy and no matter what we do they refuse to accept anything else. Some dogs aren't interested in toys at all. It is just one of those things that we have to accept if we have tried everything we can think of to get them interested. Have you tempted him with a chew toy and then taken it away after just a few moments, putting it out of reach but in a place where he can see it? Sometimes, continuing to limit their interaction with a toy and reintroducing it again later, repeating this procedures a couple of times a day, over a few weeks period, can create a "must have" kind of effect in a dog. If you haven't done this, try it and see if it works. Another idea is: have you tried a kong toy made for small breed dogs? They have a little hole in them in which you can place your dog's favorite treat. If your dog likes peanut butter, you can rub a small amount inside of the kong. The favorite treat will encourage your dog to interact with the kong immediately and possibly allow you some relief in having to find that ONE toy that he responds to.

Dawn... I can feel your pain my gizmo had a rubber hamburger. We could not find them for awhile but finally found them a grocery store called BIGGS. In the meantime we bought toys made by the same company and the same texture, they also have a certain smell... he did not like them as much but made do. Now he is such a big boy that even though he is not happy when one toy is gone he has gotten better at accepting it.

*edit* when I buy him a new toy I get to the door and call his name and let him see it or squeak it... he likes the squeaky... I don't give it to him right away but let his excitement build up and then throw it... he loves to chase. Sometimes he willl run pick it up and then put it down and refuse to play with it again. I wait and a while later I just get the toy sit down with it and squeak it, not offer it to him.. normally that is enough to get him interested in it again.