Puzzles are a great way for humans to challenge ourselves mentally and physically! But if you were under the impression that puzzle toys are only meant for humans, then your dog is likely missing out on tons of fun! For those dogs that are too smart for their own good, giving them interactive dog puzzles is a great way to challenge and strengthen their mental capabilities.
Here's why you should get your dog a puzzle toy
Posted by PetDirect on 16th Jan 2022
What are dog puzzle toys?
Similar to human puzzles, dog puzzles are meant to stimulate your pup’s intellect and incorporate problem-solving into their daily routine. These dog toys and games come in various forms, ranging from simple hide-and-seek, to interacting with everyday objects, such as lifting blocks, turning discs, sliding bricks or retrieving food from interactive dog bowls—all of which are meant to challenge your dog mentally and cater to their love for play (and tasty treats).
How do puzzle toys benefit dogs?
Many owners underestimate the importance of mental activation for dogs, either because they don’t have time for it or find it difficult to come up with ideas of how they can challenge their pup on a day-to-day basis. Understanding the value behind dog puzzles and games can help your furry friend lead a happier, healthier lifestyle.
1. Correcting behavioral issues. The biggest benefit behind dog puzzle toys is their ability to successfully cure boredom, which in turn helps tame dogs with abundant sources of energy and avoids the development of behavioral issues in your pup later on. By incorporating dog puzzles and dog games into your dog’s daily routine, you can efficiently train your pup to behave, instead of letting them create their own fun. When a dog is bored, they becomes hyperactive and distracted, which tend to turn into bad behavior such as not listening, running around, chewing, barking, digging, etc.. Keep your pup entertained with interactive dog puzzles or try hide-and-seek with the Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Dog Toy.
2. Bonding with the owner. Some dog puzzle games can be used for solo play, but others also allow your dog to interact withyou in an easy and fun way at home. This helps you to build a stronger bond and relationship that can help with successful training and obedience.
3. Training. The benefit of using dog puzzle games to train dogs may seem obvious, but the fact is that it is much easier to train a “tired dog” than it is to train a “bored dog.” This means that a dog who has had a decent amount of mental activation from puzzles/games is more susceptible to learning how to behave than a dog who can’t focus on anything.
How can you incorporate puzzle toys into your dog’s routine?
Every dog has different needs for mental stimulation, and we recommend that your pup plays for at least 15-30 minutes a day with puzzle toys. An easy way to add this to your routine is to let your dog work for their food by hiding the treats in different puzzle toys and games like the Nina Ottosson Dog Smart Composite Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy.
The beauty of dog puzzle games is that they can be introduced to any dog no matter their age, physical activity level or health situation! For puppies, it is important to start with games that are simple, short, and that require lots of interaction with the owner as well as positive feedback and praise. Try the Nina Ottosson Puzzle Twister Interactive Dog Toy or the West Paw Zogoflex Toppl Dog Toy.
For senior or injured dogs, you can reduce the strain of games by letting them work with their nose as opposed to having to move around their paws like the KONG Genius Leo Dog Toy. Though it can be challenging to keep an injured dog still for several weeks, these games are a great activity that provides an outlet of energy for your dog.
Dog puzzle games can also help underweight dogs with curbed appetites, since they are more likely to eat food from a puzzle feeder instead of a simple bowl. The Nina Ottosson MultiPuzzle Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Game requires your pup to think about how to move the sliders to get to the treats or kibble, which keeps them engaged and mentally stimulated.
Finding the best fit for both your and your dog takes time, but it’s a worthwhile effort to keep your dog engaged and happy. If you need guidance on choosing the best fit puzzle toy for you dog, feel free to reach out to the Pet Direct team on 0800 200 240.