15 Best Dog Puzzle Toys That Will Keep Your Pup Entertained for Hours
Even the smartest furry Einsteins will be challenged by these mentally stimulating balls, plushies, and games.
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Whether you've had a dog for a day or a decade, you know the following to be true: first comes a bored dog, then comes trouble. Fortunately, toys can help. And toys that require your dog to think will be effective for longer.
"You’ve probably heard the saying 'a tired dog is a happy dog,'" says Nicole Ellis, certified professional dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert with Rover.com. "I agree. But that statement doesn’t quite represent the full picture. Physical exercise is great and necessary for a dog, but it’s only half of the equation. Your dog, an intelligent creature, also needs mental exercise."
To that end, we've found the most mentally stimulating puzzles for dogs. Most of these toys use food to entice pups to flip, push, and roll them around in order to unlock a treat. Need even more ways to keep Fido entertained? Try adding one of the best interactive dog toys to their toy collection too.
Hide some treats in this toy's tiny pods and your dog won't put it down until she digs them out. Bonus: It can also be used for tug-of-war, so it's great for interactive play too.
Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Outward Hound Dog Brick Toy
This puzzle is perfect for all levels. "It’s a Level 2 in terms of difficulty, but I recommend starting with this one rather than an easier Level 1 puzzle," says Ellis. "This puzzle is very versatile and adjustable in complexity so it will occupy the mind and paws of a beginner as well as a canine puzzle-master."
Your pup has to scratch and nudge to get these nobs out of their notches. Luckily, the entire toy is made of chew-resistant bamboo, so it'll stand up to Fido's attempts to tear it to pieces.
RELATED: 30 Indestructible Dog Toys for the Pet That Loves to Chew
Pop some treats underneath a few of the bone compartments and challenge your pet to dislodge the bones and get his reward. The smell of Bacon Bites wafting through the air is enough motivation for any dog.
For more of a challenge, upgrade to this board with multiple games. She'll have to decide whether to push, slide, or flip to get her kibble.
It's his favorite thing to hunt ... squirrels! Once he's figured out the game, these plush toys are perfect for fetch.
Outward Hound Hide N' Slide Treat Dispensing Dog Toy
Here's one you can play together: Choose one of the holes to hide a treat, then watch as he learns to slide the piece around to find it.
Once Fido is ready for the next challenge, get him this flip board. The concept is similar to other puzzle games, but the added knobs and disks make getting to the treats a little more difficult.
If your dog loves toys that roll, get him this treat dispensing ball. It's perfect for fetch and independent playtime.
This puzzle toy allows you to adjust the difficulty level by locking some of the compartments and leaving others open. Use it for treats or fill the compartments with kibble for a more mentally stimulating meal time.
Your dog will have to twist and gnaw their way to a treat with this chew toy that's also a puzzle. Plus, the toy is dishwasher safe, which means you can wash it easily.
Unlike other puzzles that reward your dog for random behavior, this one challenges her to actually think about what she is doing. Once she slides over the wooden piece, she'll find treats underneath!
This soft cube can be transformed into a range of different shapes. When your pup gets it into the perfect position, it'll dispense treats for her to enjoy.
Instead of food, this plush toy uses squeaky dinosaurs to entice your dog to pull them out one by one. Got a dog who loves to chew? You can also purchase dino refill packs in case one of the toys bites the dust.
Available in small, medium, and large sizes, this toy is great for pups of all kinds. The "puzzle" here isn't too difficult (all your dog needs to do is roll the toy), but you can tighten or loosen the twist to up the ante. Either way, your dog will love receiving treats as she plays.
Lindsey works with the Good Housekeeping Institute to test and review products including appliances, bedding, baby items, pet products and more.
Juliana is a writer, editor and SEO strategist with over six years' of experience on the editorial staffs of publications including Reader's Digest, Best Life and Good Housekeeping. She covers everything from holiday and home to travel and food, and lives in New York City, where she can often be found at hot yoga or raiding the candy aisle at CVS.
