score:
1

What are the best mental toys?

Are there any mental toys (that you either purchase or DIY) that can change or adapt to last over the long term? I'm worried I'll buy a $30 toy and our puppy will figure it out and get bored with it.

6 Answers

Sort by ยป oldest newest most voted
score:
2

I really like the puzzles where you hide the treats under the containers. You can change location of the treats, and what kind of treats, each time you play. My lab gets a puzzle each time he is left home alone. He's had it for about a year and still really enjoys it. When I want him to expend some energy, I use the Mazee ball. It's a puzzle ball that he has to hit the right way to get the treat to fall out. I like this for rainy days when we can't get much outside time.

There's a link to the Mazee ball in this article:

http://iheartdogs.com/5-excellent-dog...

score:
1

If you want to find out if your dog likes puzzle toys, try a muffin tin. Hide yummy treats in it and cover treats with a tennis ball. This is something you can do for not much money. I like Kong, the regular and Wobbler. My dog likes when I put peanut butter in the Kong for him. We also have a Westpaw toy that has a large opening. I will often freeze kibble, yogurt, peanut butter, banana *(whatever your dog enjoys) in it and cleaning it out is also rewarding and keeps mine busy for a while. I have tried a Kong ball from Amazon that you stuff treats in little grooves, but I was not super impressed with that one because it is tough finding treats that will stay in the grooves without making a mess.

score:
1

I have a beagle and sometimes, just for fun, instead of giving her dinner in a bowl I hurl her kibble out into the yard so it scatters everywhere. It takes her about 45 minutes, but she won't quit hunting with that incredible nose until she has found every single bite.

Comments

I do the same thing for my corgi in our apartment. He loves doing his little easter egg hunts for food.

score:
1

My dogs are big fans of the the Toppl and the Kong Wobbler, there's a good write up on toys and ideas to keep pups mentally stimulated while you're away from home here. I also have this Peek and Seek shuffle bored which I pull out occasionally and use with my pups. They have a fun time figuring it out, but obviously it is something that needs to be done with supervision and can't be left out.

score:
0

My dog has never gotten sick of seeing a Kong Classic when I'm headed out the door. I fill with treats and peanut butter, and I've heard that freezing it helps, too. I think it was suggested above, but it's a good value in my opinion.

I have also been planning to make a puzzle toy by cutting holes in a plastic container and filling it with kibbles or small treats. Here are some other suggestions:

http://www.babble.com/pets/10-brain-games-to-challenge-and-entertain-your-pet/ (10 Brain Games to Challenge and Entertain your Pet)

http://livewellnetwork.com/Deals/episodes/Make-Your-Own-DIY-Dog-Toys-and-Puzzles/9498449 (DIY dog toys and puzzles)

score:
0

There are soo many options for mental stimulation toys! Any that allow the dog to use their nose to locate food are often the ones that tire them out in the shortest amount of time. Use their regular dog food instead of feeding from a bowl.

Rotating through (non mental) toys every 3-5 days can definitely help to prevent boredom. So for example: keep half of the toys put away in a closet for 5 days and leave the other half out for the pup to play with independently (if safe)- switch.

The most easily adaptable mental stimulation is this: https://www.dog-games.co.uk/sprinkles-tm/ (Sprinkles for Dogs)

Absolutely check these informative & reputable blogs out : http://www.themoderndogtrainer.net/mental-stimulation-ideas-for-dogs/ (The Modern Dog Trainer Blog)

https://thesciencedog.wordpress.com/2013/10/16/smell-this/ (The Science Dog Blog)