A dog is a man’s best friend, but unfortunately, most people don’t know how to train them correctly. Most of the time, they buy a pack of dog puzzle toys and then give it to their dog to play with. This is not a good idea because many of those puzzle toys are made up of small pieces, and your dog will get distracted from his training. You must find out the Best Dog Puzzle Toys in this situation because these toys are a great way to keep your dog’s mind and focus sharp. They are also an inexpensive way to do it.
There are many types of puzzle toys on the market. Some are designed to be thrown and retrieved. Others have moving parts that need to be put together. Still, others are mental challenges for your dog. Whatever the case, most puzzle toys are designed to keep your dog mentally and physically active. This is especially important for senior dogs. Keeping your dog mentally and physically active as he ages will help him avoid developing dementia and other age-related conditions.
For example, if your dog is a search-and-rescue dog, then the most appropriate puzzle toy for him would be one that involves finding a hidden object. However, if your goal is to keep your dog occupied and happy for an hour or two, perhaps a puzzle toy that requires no mental effort is more appropriate. The choice is up to you. Here is the list of the 7 best puzzle toys for dogs.
Top 7 Best Dog Puzzle Toys Reviews 2022
Product | Name | Description | Price |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound, Puzzle Game Dog Toys | 14.7 x 14.7 x 1.9 inches; 1.5 Pounds | Check Price |
![]() | Dog Puzzle Toys, Dogs Food Puzzle Feeder | 10.28 x 9.84 x 1.46 inches; 12.63 Ounces | Check Price |
![]() | Interactive Dog Puzzles Great for Mental Stimulation | 9 x 9 x 1 inches; 0.02 Ounces | Check Price |
![]() | StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy | 4.5 x 4.5 x 11 inches; 1.15 Pounds | Check Price |
![]() | Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Squeaky Puzzle | 15 x 7 x 6.5 inches; 4.94 Ounces | Check Price |
![]() | Dog Puzzle Toys, Dogs Food Puzzle Feeder | 11.81 x 7.87 x 1.77 inches; 13.6 Ounces | Check Price |
![]() | Interactive Hide Squirrel Type Puzzle Toy for Dogs | 8 x 5 x 5 inches; 4.66 Ounces | Check Price |
Break the list into bullets points for your ease
- Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound
- Dogs Food Puzzle Feeder
- Great for Mental Stimulation
- StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive
- Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel
- Dog Puzzle Toys
- Interactive Hide Squirrel Type Puzzle Toy
Are your dog’s puzzle toys giving him a mental workout, or are they just a toy? If you’re wondering if your dog is getting enough exercise, these are the best dog puzzle toys and dog puzzle feeder for your pup.
Many pet owners worry their dogs get too much or too little exercise. Regular exercise is essential for your dog’s health, but not all exercise is good for your dog. Puzzles are excellent for keeping your dog mentally and physically fit.
1. Nina Ottosson Puzzle Game
Nina Ottosson is a puzzle game for dogs with various exciting and interactive challenges for you and your pet. Nina Ottosson toys are safe, durable, and non-toxic materials, such as nylon, rubber, plastic, wood, and cloth.
The games are designed with your dog’s natural behaviors, senses, and safety in mind. Play together and supervise your dog closely. Suppose your dog wants to chew on the game, correct & redirect their behavior. Start over as quickly as possible and get their attention back on the treats.
Benefits:
- Longer treats to stay in your pet’s mouth
- Exercise your dog’s mind
- Fights boredom & reduces destructive behavior
- No removable parts for safer play
2. Puzzle Feeder Toys for Dog’s IQ Training
Fuzzy and soft, these puzzle toys for dogs are great for dog training, games, fetching, chewing, and so on. Made from natural materials, these puzzle toys are designed for your dog’s instincts and are easy to chew and swallow. These puzzle toys are 100% natural material and can be washed easily.
It can be used to increase the interaction time, keep the dog entertained and Best Dog Puzzle Toys, and stimulate the dog’s appetite. The puzzle feeder is easy to assemble, clean, and easy to use.
Benefits:
- Increase IQ and cognitive ability
- Reduce pet anxiety
- Prevent pet from destructive behavior
- Suitable for dogs and cats who need more challenges
- Durable material helps to play for a long time
3. TRIXIE Dog Activity Dog Puzzle Toy
Trixie is an interactive puzzle toy that combines a strategy-based game with a puzzle to engage dogs’ fun. Trixie is a puzzle-strategy game that will keep your dog busy for hours. A clever dog-sized puzzle toy, Trixie is a unique puzzle game that will entertain dogs of all ages.
This interactive puzzle game contains three separate puzzles: a maze, hide-and-seek, and a flap-pull. The labyrinth is designed to be played by the dog, using its nose and paws to guide the way.
Benefits:
- Fun hide-and-seek challenge that requires your pup to learn
- Reduces boredom and destructive behavior
- Built to last for hours of fun
- Remove after the treats have been eaten
4. StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive
Starmark interactive toys are for dogs who love to play. These are great for people who want to introduce their dog to interactive play and for people who don’t have the time to spend hours on end with their dog.
Starmark interactive toys are pocket puppy toys that are specially designed to make it easy for you and your dog to bond through play. Starmark interactive toys allow you to play with your dog for an hour or more, all while fostering natural behaviors and teaching your dog valuable skills.
Benefits:
- Great for large dogs or cats
- It can be used for medium and large dogs
- Easy to clean
- Adjustable treat dispensing toy
- Large chamber fits whole meals
5. Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel
As your dog plays with this toy, he will be challenged to remove the hidden birds from the house and then retrieve them for a game of fetch! Once your dog has mastered the first two levels, he’ll love trying to figure out the tricky, hidden third level!
The squirrel plush is both cuddly soft and an interactive game! Stuff the trunk with birds, then let your dog sniff and hunt for the Squeakin’ Birds hiding inside. The birdhouse is also compatible with a fun variety of refill animals.
Benefits:
- Easy way to get your furry friends engaged for hours of fun!
- Just fill the tree trunk with 6 stuffed squeaky squirrels
- Toss it and let his natural hunting instincts kick in!
- The squirrel-filled trunk placed on the ground
6. Dog Treat Puzzle
This puzzle is made from a non-toxic, durable plastic that is safe for pets to chew on. It is an easy-to-clean toy that is ideal for travel. The puzzle pieces snap together quickly and can be separated for washing or storage.
Each puzzle comes with a full-color printed instruction booklet. You have to follow the simple instructions and put the puzzle together. This interactive puzzle is a perfect way to keep your pet mentally and physically challenged. It has five different difficulty levels, and each one progressively becomes more challenging.
Benefits:
- It’s easy to clean
- Non-toxic, durable plastic that is safe for pets to chew on
- It’s an easy-to-clean toy
- Ideal for travel
7. Squeaky Plush Dog Toy
The squeaker inside this plush toy makes it very attractive to dogs. They’ll chase it up and down, tug at it and play with it for hours. This toy is made of 100% polyester, which is soft, durable, and safe for your dog. It has a smooth and plush material which is good for your dog’s mouth and teeth. You don’t need to worry about safety as it doesn’t contain any hazardous material.
Benefits:
- Great for dogs that like to play with squeaky toys
- They have bright colors, and you will always find them on the ground.
- Plush, soft, and cuddly. This is an ideal first or second toy for puppies and small to medium-sized dogs.
- It provides hours of enjoyment for your dog, and you can rest assured this is one squeaker he won’t be able to destroy.
Buying Guide Best Dog Puzzle Toys:
One of the most common questions we get from our readers is – “How do I choose the best puzzle toys for my dog?” And the answer is simple the same way you would choose the best puzzle toy for yourself. You see, your dog is just like you. He has the exact needs, desires, and wants. So, if you’re going to get the very best out of your relationship with your pup, you have to think about what he needs and what will make him happy. And, the first step in doing this is by paying attention to his cues.
Are you aware of what your dog is trying to tell you?
Well, he’s trying to say to you through his behavior, his body language, and his actions. And, what he’s trying to tell you is – He’s Trying To Tell You That He’s Happy When You Give Him Challenging Puzzles! But, how do you know if a puzzle is too easy or too hard for your dog? This is where his level of cognitive ability comes into play.
What I mean is that some dogs are naturally more intelligent than others. Some dogs can figure out a puzzle in seconds, while others may need hours or even days to complete the same task. Therefore, the first thing you have to consider when choosing a puzzle for your dog is its complexity. The complexity of a Puzzle Can Vary Dramatically! For example, some puzzles are straightforward and have only one step.
Take three wooden pegs and put them into the holes in the top row of this wooden puzzle board.
Then take three more pegs and put them into the holes in the second row.
And finally, take three more pegs and put them into the holes in the bottom row. That’s it – a straightforward but highly effective puzzle. This does because it challenges your dog’s spatial reasoning. After all, he has to place all the pegs in the correct holes. However, there’s a big difference between this type of puzzle and one that is too difficult for your dog.
You see, this type of puzzle will keep him occupied for only a matter of seconds. But what happens if you give him a much more complex puzzle? Well, that will take him much longer to figure out, which in turn will make him uncomfortable and agitated. This will result in destructive behavior such as pacing back and forth, whining, barking, digging, etc. So, how do you know if a puzzle is too complicated or too easy for your dog? The answer is simple – by paying attention to his body language.
Does he have any difficulty figuring out the puzzle?
If not, then it’s probably too simple for him. On the other hand, if he struggles and becomes frustrated with the puzzle, it’s probably too hard for him. What puzzles are too challenging or too easy for your dog? This will vary from one individual to another. But, there is one thing I can tell you with 100% certainty. And that is… No Dog Will Ever Be Fully Satisfied With A Simple Puzzle! They want more challenges. They want more mental stimulation. So, how do you give your dog more? Well, the easiest way is by giving him a more complex puzzle. However, it would help to use common sense when giving your dog more difficult puzzles.
While purchasing the best puzzle toys for dogs you may consider the following points.
1. Type: Choose the type of dog puzzle that you want. Choose the most durable one that is easy to clean.
2. Shape: Usually, dog puzzle toys are available in various shapes and sizes. So choose the one according to your dog’s size and shape. You can even go for the ones with multiple pieces to keep them interested for longer.
3. Size: Choose the correct size for your dog. It should be big enough to hold onto and not too small to break.
4. Durability: Try to find a durable puzzle toy that does not break easily.
5. Number of pieces: If you have a large family, you might have more than one dog. So you might need to purchase extra parts for the toy.
6. Texture: Check the texture of the puzzle toy. It should be rough enough to stimulate their mouth and teeth.
Conclusion:
There are many different types of dog toys on the market. Some are designed for only chewing. Others are intended for tug-of-war. Still, others are intended for fetch. But, if you want to give your dog the very best possible mental and physical workout, you need to buy him a puzzle toy.
The reason is simple: Puzzles engage your dog’s mind and body in a way no other type of toy can. A puzzle toy will exercise his brain by forcing him to think about the object, where it has been, and how it got there. This will help to keep his mind sharp as he ages. It will also help keep his mind from deteriorating due to Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
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