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7 Must-Have Enrichment Dog Puzzles That Will Actually Help Bored Dogs

Updated: Oct 16

Dog puzzles are an excellent way to keep your dog engaged, mentally stimulated, and entertained. Our 7 must-have enrichment dog puzzles, such as the Tornado toy by Outward Hound, are designed to challenge your dog's cognitive abilities, improve problem-solving skills, and prevent boredom, which can lead to destructive behavior. At Houston Bark Park and Daycare we enjoy incorporating a number of different puzzles at different difficulties levels to help stimulate our pups that are in our enrichment academy.


If you're looking for professional dog enrichment training in Houston, register your dog with Houston Bark Park and Daycare!


Incorporating puzzles into your dog's enrichment routine will have numerous benefits such as stimulating your dog's mind, increasing their problem solving skills, enhancing their memory, and developing spatial awareness. Dog puzzles helps to prevent boredom and destructive behavior. When dogs become bored, they tend to get into mischief, such as chewing on furniture or digging holes in the yard. Dog puzzles provide a fun and interactive way to keep your pup entertained.


Incorporating any of our 7 mentioned dog puzzles will guarantee to help strengthen the bond between you and your dog. When you engage in activities with your dog, such as playing with the chess activity strategy game, you create a sense of trust and companionship that strengthens your relationship.




1. Puppy Tornado Dog Toy


The Outward Hound Tornado is a challenging puzzle game for dogs, designed to make feeding fun and reduce destructive behaviors by encouraging their natural hunting instincts. This spinning puzzle toy has three levels of spinning compartments that can be filled with snacks, providing hours of mental and physical stimulation. The toy is made from tough, BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free plastic, ensuring durability and safety for dogs of all sizes. This Outward Hound Tornado dog toy is suitable for small, medium, and large breeds and is ideal for outdoor training and exercise.




2. Windmill Activity Strategy Dog Toy


The TRIXIE Windmill Activity Strategy Game is a fun and interactive toy that dispenses treats or dog food when your pup spins it. It comes with two different lid patterns that allow you to adjust how easily the food comes out, making it perfect for challenging your dog or making them work for their food. The beakers can hold a good portion of dog food, making it great for slowing down fast eaters. The windmill toy has non-slip rubber feet and a flat base to keep it in place during enrichment training or feeding. The activity strategy game is suitable for medium-sized breeds and will ensure to keep entertained for hours.





3. Brick Puzzle Game Dog Toy


The Brick Puzzle Game by Outward Hound is an interactive toy designed to provide mental stimulation for dogs and enhance their problem-solving skills. This toy has a level of difficulty ranging from 2 to 3, making it suitable for more advanced treat hunters. By hiding treats in the nooks under sliding discs, dogs use their paws or noses to reveal their prize. The toy's difficulty level can be changed by using white plastic blocks placed over the treats or just sliding the brown discs. The brick puzzle game is made of polypropylene and plastic and is suitable for small to medium sized breeds.




4. Slide and Feed Activity Strategy Game


The Slide & Feed Activity Strategy Game Dog Toy by TRIXIE is a puzzle game that provides mental stimulation and uses treats as rewards. It has two levels of difficulty, with an easier maze portion and a harder sliding cups challenge. The toy works well as a slow feeder for overly enthusiastic eaters, promoting healthier habits to help avoid bloating, indigestion, and obesity. The rubber non-skid feet assists with keeping the game in place, making it suitable for both puppies and adult dogs. Customers who have purchased this toy have found it to be effective in slowing down their dog's eating, with many stating that it has helped with mentally stimulating their dogs by keeping them busy throughout the day.





5. Chess Activity Strategy Game


The TRIXIE Chess Activity Strategy Game Dog Toy is a stimulating puzzle toy that rewards your dog for correctly opening various treat-hiding compartments. It is ideal for dogs that are experienced with more advanced puzzle toys. It provides an outlet for their energy and curiosity. The unique design of the toy ensures that the cones cannot be knocked over and must be lifted straight up to be removed for an added challenge. You can vary the number and placement of treats to increase the level of difficulty. The non-slip rubber feet keep the game in place during playtime and it is dishwasher safe for easy cleaning.





6. Hide-n-Slide Dog Toy:


The Hide-n-Slide Dog by Nina Ottoson Toy is an interactive dog puzzle designed to keep dogs active and entertained. The puzzle is constructed out of wood and durable food-safe plastic that's free from harmful chemicals. The Hide-n-Slide puzzle toy encourages natural hunting instincts, helps reduce destructive behavior, and provides physical and mental stimulation for your dog. Simply place treats in the compartments and watch as your dog paws and nudges the pieces around to find its treats. For added safety, the hide-n-slide is easy to stabilize and there are no removable pieces.




7. Flip Board Activity Strategy Game


The TRIXIE Activity Flip Board Activity Strategy Game Dog Toy is an interactive puzzle toy that provides a stimulating outlet for energetic and curious dogs. This toy rewards pets for correctly opening various compartments where their favorite treats are hidden and is designed for dogs that are experienced with puzzles. The unique design of the toy challenges dogs to lift cones straight up to remove them and access the treats. The non-slip rubber rim keeps the game in place during playtime.




Dog puzzles are an excellent way to keep your furry friend engaged, mentally stimulated, and entertained. They provide numerous benefits for your dog, including improved cognitive function, prevention of boredom and destructive behavior, and strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend. The 7 must-have enrichment dog puzzles are just a few of the many options available to keep your dog engaged and happy. With these puzzles, you can provide your furry friend with a fun and interactive way to stay mentally sharp and entertained.



If you're looking for professional dog enrichment training in Houston, register your dog with Houston Bark Park and Daycare!


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