Looking for creative puzzle toys for dogs to get your pup’s energy out?
“I want to adopt a really smart dog.” Yeah, I’ve heard that a few times. Prospective pup parents revel in the thought of teaching their family members cool tricks to show their friends at dinner parties, but not everyone really thinks about what it means to have a dog with an active mind. Sure, you can teach them to play dead looking down the barrel of your finger-gun, but smart dogs require lots of mental stimulation to avoid growing bored.
With boredom comes… less fun things. An occupied mind makes a happy dog, and there’s nothing more we want for our best friends. Here are 10 of the best toys to exercise those mental muscles.
14 Puzzle Toys For Dogs Who Get Bored Easily
BRICK PUZZLE DOG TOY
Does your dog even lift? I hope so because there’s no other way to get the reward from this stimulating puzzle. Pups have to lift the bones off the board and flip open the lids on the bordering compartments, and viola!: TREATS!
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– Difficulty level: INTERMEDIATE
– Different puzzle components keep pups interested
– Perfect for any size/type of treat
BUY HERE, $17.99
SPINNING WOBBLE BALL
Spinning, bouncing, twirling, rolling- this toy does it all! This fun interactive treat-dispensing toy combines playtime with mental stimulation to make sure your pupper is occupied of hours on end. Its clear rubber top makes the wobble ball perfect for your pup to watch and listen as his favorite treats spin around inside.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– Difficulty level: INTERMEDIATE
– 100% Dishwasher safe (for easy cleaning)
– A great slow feeder!
BUY HERE, $17.99
ANDI’S FAMOUS PLUSH DUMPLINGS
This adorable packed dumpling box doesn’t require you to book it all the way to china town. If you stuff the crinkly box with a few treats and pop the smiling dumplings inside (then seal shut), it gives your dog a chance to work his mental muscles and figure out how to get the goods. Plus, it’s ridiculously adorable. Each of the smiling soft, fuzzy dumplings is stuffed with a sturdy squeaker. Delivered in a tough, crazy-crinkly plush carry-out carton, this toy will never make it to the fridge.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– Perfect for plush-lovers
– Multi-part toy
– Incorporate treats into playtime
BUY HERE, $12-14
BUSTER ACTIVITY MAT WITH 3 ACTIVITIES
The Buster Activity Mat is more of an experience than a toy. The starter kit comes with the mat itself—it’s covered in button snaps to attach different “activities.” This one includes three: The Envelope, The Water Lily, and The Cone Cloth. Your dog must unwrap, unravel, or otherwise solve these puzzles using those big brains of theirs (and, of course, reach the treats you’ve hidden inside).
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– Comes with 3 activities (and you can purchase many more!)
– Your dog won’t get bored with the same toy
– Packs up easily for clean-up or travel
BUY HERE, $54.99
TREAT LOCK TREAD BALL
Textured design and all-natural rubber make this Super Chewer original perfect for gnawing. Attachable Treat Lock Treats keep pups interested and provide a super chewing challenge. Totally rubber makes this ball bounce like nobody’s business.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– Difficulty level: EASY
– No mess, easy to clean!
– Great treat dispenser
BUY HERE, $14
DOG SMART PUZZLE
Enticed by the smell of their favorite snacks, dogs have to nudge and lift the bones to free their treats from the compartments beneath. They’ll have to use their noses for some serious detective work, and with 9 separate sections, the task should keep them busy for at least a little while. “12/10 would recommend,” that’s what this one dog said to me. I’m just the messenger.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– Difficulty level: EASY
– Endlessly entertaining with your dog’s favorite treats
– Easy to take apart and clean
BUY HERE, $11.99
STARMARK BOB-A-LOT
I can always appreciate versatility with a puzzle toy. The Bob-A-Lot’s treat-dispensing openings are adjustable to make it a little harder or a little easier to get them out. This toy gets bonus points for being big enough to fit an entire meal inside. Especially if your dog tends to inhale his food without chewing, feeding him this way slows him down AND keeps him busy for a while.
BUY HERE, $11.52-23.52
DOG TORNADO PUZZLE
This toy ups the ante by creating levels your dog must move through to get every reward. After lifting the bones and devouring the treats underneath, the larger bone-shaped platforms need to spin and reveal the next set of hidden compartments. Thus, “tornado.” It’s a little harder to solve, and that much more satisfying.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– Difficulty level: INTERMEDIATE
– More than one challenge involved to solve the puzzle
– Great way to feed a meal!
BUY HERE, $20
LADY LIBERTY BALL
Add a dash of patriotism to your pups play with this Lady Liberty squeaker ball. This innovative new dog toy offers two toys in one, making the Lady Liberty Ball Plush Dog Toy close to the top of the list for the Best Dog Toys of 2019. With a soft plush outside and a spiky squeaker ball interior, this toy is custom-made to withstand the perils of both dachshunds and democracy. This two-part toy is perfect for the pup who bores easily and is looking for twice the fun.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– Difficulty level: EASY
– Multiple layers for extended play
– Two toys in one!
BUY HERE, $10
TREAT MAZE
The treat maze has been a staple in my home for years, and it’s because my too-smart terrier never gets bored of the challenge. The best part is that no matter how many times they play with it, dogs can’t learn to solve it more quickly—it requires patience and determination every time. Just drop small treats into the center opening and watch as your pup rolls, nudges, & pushes the disc-shaped toy to jostle them free.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– More challenging than an ordinary treat-dispensing ball
– Great for dogs who may not be interested in traditional puzzles
– Best filled with small treats or dog food pieces
BUY HERE, $14
DOG PUZZLE TOWER
This 2 tower puzzle game features a variety of puzzles your dog has to nudge/push/poke and lift to free their treats from the compartments beneath. They’ll have to use their noses for some serious detective work, and with up to 33 different variations the task should keep them busy for at least a little while. “12/10 would recommend,” that’s what this one dog said to me. I’m just the messenger.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– Difficulty level: HARD
– Trains your dog’s concentration and boost curiosity
– Easy to take apart and clean
BUY HERE, $72
BUSY BUDDY TUG-A-JUG
Swinging, pulling, thrashing, chewing… this toy takes it all in stride. Fill the bottle portion with food or a few treats and watch your genius doge shake loose the goods. Even without the added reward, the Tug-A-Jug is just plain fun to play with. Plus, it can help keep teeth clean and provide a nice gum massage with the knotted rope and nubby rubber ball.
BUY HERE, $6.95-14.95
DOG CASINO PUZZLE
In this casino game, everyone wins. Assuming they master the puzzle, that is. The small bones on the top twist to lock and unlock the red drawers along the edges. You lock them in place (filled with some delicious delicacies) and encourage your dog to twist them back and then paw or pull the drawers open.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
– Difficulty level: ADVANCED
– Best for dogs who need a real challenge
– Perfect for treats of any size
BUY HERE, $20
PLANET DOG ORBEE-TUFF SNOOP TOY
Very much a treat toy AND a traditional toy, you can either stuff the Snoop with treats or insert one of Planet Dog’s rubber balls for a different sort of fun. The unique concave design means dogs need to push, roll, and drop their way to yummy goodness.
BUY HERE, $20.95
I’m a strong believer that variety is the spice of life, especially when it comes to my dogs. A little fun goes a long way for minds that never stop working, and your rugs and fine home furnishings will thank you for occupying a chronically bored canine.
Interested in more content like this? Sniff this related article: 16 Beautiful Dog Toys You’ll Want To Keep For Yourself
Looking for a gift to blow your pup’s mind? Spoil them with a BarkBox! Every month, receive two original toys, designed in-house, two full-size bags of all-natural treats, and a savory chew. Sign up here and get a free extra toy every month. <– This deal is worth up to $120 in value if you sign up for a 12-month subscription!
For more, check out these articles!
33 Dog Toys You Can Make From Things Around the House
What Are Games I Can Play With My Dog?
Where Do I Buy Dog Toys Online?
12 Solutions For Curbing The Craziness Of Your High Energy Dog
11 of the Best-Rated Dog Treats to Ever Come in a BarkBox
