• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Our website uses cookies. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. To see what cookies we serve and set your own preferences, please review our Cookie Policy. Learn More.

The Dog People by Rover.com

Powered By Rover.com

Tips, stories, and reviews for people who love dogs, powered by Rover.com, the world's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

  • The Dog People by Rover.com
  • Dog Breeds
    • Golden Retriever
    • Australian Shepherd
    • German Shepherd
    • Pomeranian
    • Shih Tzu
    • Border Collie
    • Labrador Retriever
    • Boxer
    • Beagle
    • Dachshund
    • Chihuahua
    • Poodle
    • Yorkshire Terrier
  • Dog Love
    • Cute
    • Funny
    • Heartwarming
    • Quizzes
    • Trending
    • True Stories
  • Dog Names
    • Best Girl Dog Names
    • Top Boy Dog Names
    • Unique Dog Names
    • Cute Dog Names
    • Best Puppy Names
    • Dog Name Generator
    • Tough Dog Names
    • Food Dog Names
    • Romantic Dog Names
    • Literary Dog Names
    • Country Dog Names
  • Dog Videos
  • Life with Dogs
    • Dog Safety
    • Dog Behavior
    • Dog Psychology
    • Dog Nutrition
    • Dog Training
    • Health and Wellness
    • Recipes
    • Can My Dog Eat…?
  • PuppyHQ
    • Dog Adoption
    • Puppy Essentials
    • Puppy Names
    • Puppy Training
  • Shopping
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • All Dog Product Guides
    • Dog Gift Guides
    • Safety and Training
    • Toys and Chews
  • Cats!
    • Cat Breeds
    • Cat Names
    • Cat Psychology
  • Grooming
  • Get Rover
    • Dog Boarding
    • Pet Sitting
    • Dog Walking
    • Doggy Day Care
    • House Sitting
    • Search Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers
    • Shop Rover Goods
    • Sitter Resources
  • Languages
    • en-CA
    • en-GB
    • fr-FR
    • es-ES
    • de-DE
    • it-IT
    • nl-NL
    • nb-NO
    • sv-SE
    • fr-CA

The Best Puppy Puzzle Toys to Keep Them Busy

Share526Pin It260
Young dog playing with puzzle toy
Lenti Hill via iStock

The Best Puppy Puzzle Toys to Keep Them Busy

Bonding with Your Dog
By Nia Martin
Updated by Liz Coleman

Share526Tweet0Pin It260
  • This post contains affiliate links. Read more here.

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).

Advertisement

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)

puppy with Kong puzzle toy

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.

Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on Petco Shop on Walmart

2. SunGrow Treat Dispenser Toy for Puppies

puppy with SunGrow treat dispensing puzzle toy ball

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 Amazon

3.  Trixie Gambling Tower

puppy Trixie Gambling Tower puzzle

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.

Shop on Amazon Shop on Chewy Shop on Petco Shop on Walmart

4. Kong Puppy Activity Ball

red and blue Kong puppy puzzle toy balls

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.

Shop on Amazon Shop on Chewy Shop on Petco

5. Pet Zone IQ Treat Dispensing Ball

Petzone IQ 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.

Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on Walmart

6. PAW5 Wooly Snuffle Foraging Mat

PAW5 wooly 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.

Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon

7. JW Pet Hol-ee Roller Toy

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.

Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on Petco Shop on Walmart

8. Outward Hound Puppy Smart Dog ToyOutward Hound puzzle puppy 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.

Shop on Chewy Shop on Amazon Shop on Petco

9. Outward Hound Hide-a-Squirrel Squeaky Plush Toy (Verified Review)

outward hound squirrel hide and seek toy

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 Petco

10. Frisco Baseball Stadium Hide and Seek Puzzle Plush Squeaky Toy

Frisco baseball dog 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 Chewy

Further 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
Share526Tweet0Pin It260

Nia Martin

Nia Martin grew up with cats, dogs, horses, and a goldfish that lived for eight years. Based in Seattle, her writing and photography have appeared in Seattle magazine, The Seattle Times, The Fold, Cascadia Magazine, and Bitterroot Magazine, among others. When not working, you can find her petting dogs and visiting her family's charismatic tabby, William of Orange.


Updated by Liz Coleman

sidebar

By Nia Martin

Updated by Liz Coleman

Share This Article

Share526Tweet0Pin It260

Popular Posts

  • How Do Dogs Choose Their Favorite Person?
  • 3 Frozen Dog Treats You Can Make in Less Than an Hour [Recipe]
  • 14 Muddiest Dogs on the Entire Internet
  • 15 Dog-Safe Plants You Can Add to Your Garden Right Now
  • TLC From B.C. Rescue Turns Fierce Feral Cats Into Calm Kitties
  • 19 Best Pug Gifts for People Who Love ‘Em
  • Most Unusual, Unique Dog Names
  • Ice Licks Keep Your Dog Cool and Happy All Summer Long [Recipe]
  • What to Do if Your Dog Is Stung by a Bee
  • What You Need to Know to Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs
More from The Dog People
dog with rope chew toy

11 Tough Plush Dog Toys That Will Survive Playtime

puppies waiting for treats

The Best Puppy Treats, Period

dog with toy

The 12 Best Dog Toys of the Year

Learn More

  • About Rover.com
  • Download the App
  • Rover Store
  • Sitter Resources
  • In The Press
  • Terms of Service
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • User Terms
  • Privacy Statement
  • Cookie Policy

Need Help?

  • Help Center
  • Join the Team
Advertisement
© 2022 Rover.com. All Rights Reserved.