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Toys are one of the many essentials that you’ll need when welcoming a new puppy. Playing with toys is a healthy part of your pup’s development, just like it is for growing humans. If you’re looking to up your puppy’s toy game, puzzle toys are a great option beyond the basics. Puppy puzzle toys stimulate their curiosity and keep them occupied and out of mischief.
Why Are Puzzle Toys Good for Puppies?
Aside from being entertaining for us to watch, puzzle toys for puppies offer some serious benefits. By engaging your dog’s senses, they’re designed to develop fundamental canine skills like foraging and sniffing. Puzzle toys can also help develop your pup’s budding problem-solving abilities. And they offer an easy way to banish puppy boredom (and the destructive tendencies that come with it).
If your high-strung pup needs to release some energy, puzzle toys can help. They’re great for relieving anxiety, and they’ll tucker out active dogs, contributing to better sleep. Plus, as you play and praise your pooch for his good work, you’ll strengthen your bond. All that exciting playtime really pays off!
What To Look for In a Good Puppy Puzzle Toy
What kind of puzzle toy would your puppy like? As you’ll see, puzzle toys come as varied as our pets. You’ll find toys that work on different doggy skills like nose-tracking, manual dexterity, and problem-solving. What’s best for you will depend on your dog’s personality, chewing habits, and play preferences.
A good puppy puzzle toy will be challenging enough to stimulate your pup but simple enough for her to figure out. After all, a puzzle that’s too hard for your puppy to master will only frustrate her. Look for beginner-level toys that introduce puppies to new skills while working their mental muscles.
As we all know, puppies are notorious chewers, so durability is also a must. If you own a breed that is especially chew-tastic (not that we’re naming names), go with a toy that’s virtually indestructible like a Kong over a cute plushie.
For speed eaters, there are puzzle toys that require your dog to root out his kibble. Reinforcing this natural canine behavior not only calms unsettled stomachs but also gives your puppy a boost of confidence.
The Best Puppy Puzzle Toys
We’ve rounded up the best puzzle toys for puppies that’ll get their brains working and their paws moving.
1. Kong Puppy Toy (Verified Review)
A classic! The puppy version of the Kong is great for safely introducing food-based enrichment and can also come in handy when crate training. It’s made to accommodate growing chompers, using the gentlest natural rubber in the Kong line. Stuff it with soaked kibble, peanut butter, treats, or Kong’s own Easy Treat to provide your pup with a delicious challenge. It will keep your new friend busy while also teaching good chewing and playing habits.
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2. SunGrow Treat Dispenser Toy for Puppies
Challenge your puppy’s motor skill with this treat dispenser. Made for puppies and small dogs, this hard, textured plastic puzzle ball makes noises and dispenses small treats as your dog rolls it around. The texture can be helpful for teeth cleaning and teething pups too—but it’s not recommended for aggressive chewers.
Shop on Amazon3. Trixie Gambling Tower
Trixie’s Gambling Tower comes in three levels, making it a versatile brain game for pups in all lifestages. Level one is a fun first step for puppies learning to play with puzzle toys. Your furry friend simply pulls the little ropes attached to the tower’s disks to release the treats to the bottom. Two cone compartments lift to reveal more treats. Once your dog masters this one, check out level two and the brand’s other puzzle toys.
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4. Kong Puppy Activity Ball
Looking for something more than just a regular slow-feeder dog bowl or the traditional Kong? Kick things up a notch with this puzzle ball made from soft rubber for puppy teeth and gums. The ridges make this Kong unique, perfect for smearing peanut butter, cream cheese, or homemade paste into the crevices to give your pup an extra mental challenge. Or simply stuff the ball with treats to get your puppy moving.
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5. Pet Zone IQ Treat Dispensing Ball
If you have a “show me the money” pup, this might just be the puzzle toy for you. The clear design of this kibble-dispensing ball gives your pup a preview of what’s to come—and encourages her to give this toy a whirl. As your dog rolls her IQ ball around trying to release treats, she’ll be getting both a mental AND physical workout. We love that you can adjust the difficulty level of this toy to match your pet’s progressing ability. When playtime’s over, the ball comes apart for easy washing.
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6. PAW5 Wooly Snuffle Foraging Mat
This one is all about the nose! Foraging mats make a unique addition to mealtime. Just sprinkle some of your pet’s favorite kibble across this wooly snuffle mat, and let the hunting commence. While sniffing out her dinner, your pup will experience the satisfaction of finding her own foraged rewards.
An added bonus—this mat is machine-washable, ultra-durable, and suitable for breeds of all sizes.
7. JW Pet Hol-ee Roller Toy
Roll on, puppy! Made in several different sizes for pups of all shapes, this ball works as-is or stuffed with treats. The rubber is both malleable and sturdy, so it’s great for constant chewers and teethers. The open design means you can get creative with the treats you put in, and it cleans up easily—it’s dishwasher-safe.
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8. Outward Hound Puppy Smart Dog Toy
This beginner-level toy is a good way to introduce your puppy to the concept of puzzles—it’s simple but stimulating. Made with tough, food-safe plastic, you can conceal your dog’s favorite treats underneath nine hidden compartments. For safe play, this toy is BPA, PVC, and phthalate-free.
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9. Outward Hound Hide-a-Squirrel Squeaky Plush Toy (Verified Review)
If your dog is more into squeaky plushies, she’ll go nuts over this super fun (and absolutely adorable) puzzle toy. The junior version includes three soft squeaky squirrels which can be hidden inside the plush trunk for your curious pup to happily burrow into and dig out. For extra mileage, hide treats or chews in the trunk and let your pup sniff them out.
Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on Petco10. Frisco Baseball Stadium Hide and Seek Puzzle Plush Squeaky Toy
Batter up! This Chewy-exclusive is an energy burner and great for pups who love to burrow and play fetch. It includes three squeaky baseballs for your pup to hunt out and chase. The plush is soft on tiny pupper teeth, so your dog can play for as long as he pleases.
Shop on ChewyFurther Reading
For more info on puppy essentials and other puzzle toys, check out our articles below.
- 5 Essential Training Tips for Every New Puppy
- The Best Dog Chews and Toys According to an Overenthusiastic Doberman Puppy
- Our Best Puppy Harness Picks
- The Best Puzzle Toys That Actually Help Bored Dogs
- The 6 Best Puppy Collars for Quality, Fit, and Training
- The Essential New Puppy Checklist
