Dogs are intelligent, unique, and need a good challenge every now and then just like you and me. According to Fetch by WebMD and the Animal Humane Society, stimulating a dogs cognitive reasoning is beneficial for their health in many ways. Brain games refocus attention, ease anxiety and help prevent destructive behavior.
In order to buy my dogs more enrichment toys, this article contains affiliate links that I may make a small commission on.
Keep in mind many dogs were bred to hunt, point, retrieve, herd, or guard, yet in this modern day and fast paced world, many spend hours a day alone and not doing the jobs they were meant to do. This leaves them underchallenged and overstimulated; therefore, we are responsible for providing them with products that meet their needs.
This is where enrichment can benefit your pup giving them a job or task, challenging them while entertaining and rewarding all at the same time. Dog experts say that a 15 minute brain game is like taking them for a 30 minute walk! Of course actual physical exercise is also important to their health, but there are tons of brain games to help keep them busy, stimulated and entertained!
In addition, your dog can smell 10,000 times more than us and because dogs experiences are so scent based, one of the best ways to nurture them is to simply ‘let them sniff’ by giving them new challenges and activities.
Let’s take a look at some of the best interactive dog puzzle toys. Anything from snuffle mats to kongs and lick-pads to puzzles and IQ treat balls. These are all excellent ways to stimulate your dogs reasoning abilities and they will LOVE the reward!
AWOOF Snuffle Mat for Dogs ($16)
About this Item:
- ★ Dog Training Toys: It is a unique dog training mat that allows your dog to find snacks or small toys hidden in the mat. It helps to train your dog’s smell, consume your dog’s energy and lose weight. Keep your dog occupied and avoid your dog being bored and engaged in destructive behavior.
- ★ Non-slip & Large & Portable: The bottom is a non-slip cloth that effectively holds the mat and prevents the dog from moving the mat. The design is small and can be shrunk into a small storage bag. It can also be hung or set aside when not in use. Suitable for traveling.
- ★ Dual-use Design: The feeding mat can be folded into a bowl. Stick to the good habits of your dog or use it as an olfactory pad.
- ★ Easy to clean: The main fabric of the scent pad is felt cloth, environmentally friendly and easy to clean. It is suggested that washed by hand.
Outward Hound IQ Treat Ball ($11)
About this Item:
- BEGINNER’S PUZZLE CHALLENGE: Start your pup’s off with a level 1 Treat Tumble dog toy from Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound This brightly-colored blue and yellow small treat-dispensing ball is a fun way to introduce puzzle games to your pup.
- INTERACTIVE & SOLO PLAY: Fill this ball in through the holes with your dog’s favorite treats and watch them go as they paw and nudge the ball around to get the tasty rewards Play together or supervise your dog while they play solo.
- INDOOR & OUTDOOR FUN: The wipeable surface of the Treat Tumble dog puzzle makes it a go-to treat-dispensing toy for indoor and outdoor playtime
- BPA, PVC & PHTHALATE-FREE: Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound interactive treat dog puzzles are designed with your pet’s health in mind from food safe materials that you can trust with your dog. Easy to clean with warm water and soap between uses.
- PLAY IT SAFE: No toy is indestructible. Do not leave toys with unsupervised pets. Remove and replace toy if damaged.
Outward Hound Brick Puzzle Game ($11)
About this Item:
About this Item:
- 【77 Super Suctions】: The back of this licking mat is equipped with 77 high-strength suction cups, which can be well fixed on various walls or glass, refrigerators. It is a good distraction toy for pet bathing grooming and dog nail trimming.
- 【Slow Feeder Mat for Dogs & Cats】: Four different textured surfaces design is prefect for spreadable treats, such as cream cheese, yoghurt, peanut butter and so on. It is a peanut butter mat for dogs to extend the feeding time and aid digestion. This feeding mat is an ideal size for cats, puppies, small meduim and large dogs.
- 【Reduces anxiety, boredom and destructive behavior】: The lick pads help calm pets. It is a boredom buster for dog to suppress destructive behavio and relieves anxiety at home alone. This dog treat mat is great for stressful times such vet visits, bath time, nail clipping, injury recovery as well as thunderstorms and fireworks.
- 【Food grade silicone】 Premium food grade silicone material, very durable and tough, safe for your pets.
- 【Dish-Washer & Freezer safe 】: It is dish-washer safe, and can be hand-washed in warm soapy water; and it is also freezer safe.
- Instinctual Needs: The KONG Classic red rubber toy helps satisfy dogs’ instinctual needs while providing mental stimulation. Healthy play is important for dogs’ physical and mental development, emotions and behavior. By encouraging healthy play and satisfying instinctual needs, this treat dispensing puzzle toy helps solve chewing, separation anxiety, teething, boredom, weight management, crate training, digging and barking
- Fetch Toy: The KONG Classic’s unpredictable bounce makes for exciting games of fetch and other interactive play with your pet. This is a fun way for average chewers to get the exercise they need
- Great For Stuffing: The stuffable KONG Classic is even more enticing when treat filled with bits of kibble, peanut butter, KONG Easy Treat, Snacks or Ziggies. Dishwasher safe for easy clean up. Bonus: For an added challenge, freeze stuffed KONG for 4-6 hours before giving to your dog
- Vet Recommended: Veterinarians and trainers worldwide recommend the KONG Classic as one of the best durable dog toys available
- Made in the USA. Globally Sourced Materials