Of course, you want your dog to live his best life. Adding puzzle toys to your puppy’s daily activities can really improve their health. They can also be useful in times when he cannot go outside because of inclement weather or if he cannot participate in rigorous activities because of health problems or because he is a senior.
How do you use the dog puzzle?
Dog puzzles come in a variety of sizes, difficulties, materials, and activities, but the ultimate goal of dogs is to solve a challenge and win a reward. Many dog toys are interactive and your dog must learn to turn or move a lever away or press a button to claim his prize. After your dog figures out how to get the food, there are usually options to increase the difficulty level.
In addition to providing a fun activity for your dog, puzzle toys:
- Improve problem solving skills
- Stimulating the mind
- Keep the dog busy
- Help provide assignments
- Help a tired dog
- Prevent boredom
- Helps with brain development in puppies
- Help seniors’ minds stay sharp
- Helps relieve anxiety or stress, if the dog puzzle is not too difficult
- Don’t know
- Can be used as a type slow bowl to slow dogs down on their food, at risk of gas or intestinal upset
Enrichment activities are important for a dog to lead a well-rounded life. Note: Include the calorie count of junk food or toy junk food into your dog’s daily food intake.
How to choose a jigsaw puzzle
It is important to choose the right toy for your dog because each dog has his or her own preferences. Some like to chew, while others like to chase things.
Dog toys vary in their difficulty level as well as in their materials. Some are easy to control but others are more difficult. If your dog is new to jigsaw puzzles or is a puppy, start with a toy that is easy to visualize. You don’t want your dog to get frustrated or give up. Engaging with toys must be a fun and rewarding experience! When choosing puzzle toys for dogs, keep the following in mind:
- Difficulty Level
- Your dog’s play and toy preferences
- The durability and strength of the toy
- Easy to clean
- Size of the toy
Remember to always supervise your dog when using the puzzle. And you need to rotate the toys so that your puppy does not get bored with them.
Recommended jigsaw puzzle for dogs
- Original Kong, priced from $7.99 to $25.99 on Chewy.com. This is a tried-and-true toy that all dogs should have. It’s great as a stress-reducing chew toy, but it also keeps you from getting bored. Kong can also be used to help a dog enjoy his cage and take up their time. It comes in different strengths from puppy, senior, classic and extreme, depending on your dog’s chewing level. To be on the safe side, so that toys don’t get stuck in your dog’s mouth and potentially clog their airways, Kong also comes in a variety of sizes:
- X-Small for dogs up to 5 pounds
- Small for dogs up to 25 pounds
- Medium for dogs between 15 and 35 pounds
- Large for dogs 30 to 65 pounds
- X-Large for dogs from 60 to 90 pounds
- XX-Large for dogs 85 pounds and up
Kong’s interior is relatively easy to clean with warm soapy water and a clean toothbrush, rinsing afterwards. You can fill it with a variety of safe fillings, such as canned pate, and freeze it to take some time to remove. This toy in easy level.
- Pet Zone IQ Treat Dispenser Ball Dog Toy Smarter Toy, priced at $9.49 and $14.95 on ruminant.com. It comes in both small and large versions, is removable for cleaning, and can be filled with kibbles and even a few small items. To show your dog how it rolls — right away — roll it and have a few pebbles fall out. Rolling and chasing the ball is fun, rewarding and exercise for your pet dog. This is a relatively easy toy to make, although it can take a while to empty because the inside is like a maze. Note this is not a chew toy.
- The KONG Wobbler comes in small and large versions and looks like a doggie bowling pin. It costs $14.99 and $19.99 on ruminant.com. A dog grabs it with its nose or paw and a piece of food or junk food falls out. The toy then returns to the upright position. This is a relatively easy toy for a dog to figure out. Wobbler can help dogs build confidence in new experiences as well as with physical and mental exercise.
- RundA Snuffle Mat for Dogs for $29.99 on Amazon.com. This washable mat is made of soft fabric with vertical pieces of material with nooks and crannies so junk and junk food can be hidden. As long as a dog doesn’t chew on the pad, that’s great because it encourages its natural foraging instinct to hunt for food. After all, dogs have “noses brains”. You can spread a few pebbles on top of the mat at first, eventually placing them deeper as your dog understands what to expect.
- Outward Hound’s Nina Ottosson Tornado Quiz is $14.44 on Amazon.com. It’s a mid-level puzzle in which the dog needs to rotate the pieces apart to achieve tasty treats or prized treats. It’s a great toy to solve problems and build confidence with new experiences. For extra excitement and difficulty, you can place the bone-shaped pieces provided on the small piece of food that your dog also has to remove. Not a chew toy, the plastic can be washed.
- Nina Ottosson MultiPuzzle, Expert Level, on sale for $32.99 on Amazon.com. This is one of the more challenging puzzles where your dog needs to spin, slide and unlock different pieces to achieve the desired snack or treat. Figuring out how to solve this tricky puzzle can build your canine companion’s confidence and improve its problem-solving skills. As long as this jigsaw puzzle isn’t too hard for him, your puppy can also learn to deal with mild frustration and be rewarded for success. MultiPuzzle can be washed and is not a chew toy.
There are many reasons to give your beloved puppy puzzle toys. They help train the mind and body and prevent boredom. Providing nutritious activities is important for our dogs to lead well-rounded lives. After all, who doesn’t want their dog to enjoy life to the fullest and happily?
