In ancient times, wild dogs used to hunt and search for their food. They spent hours every day hunting and searching for meat, grass, and berries. The dogs are direct descendants of the gray wolf-Canis Lupus. As hunters thousands of years ago, early man domesticated wolf pups and used them as great assets for their keen sense of sight and smell for their small hunting parties. These traits have not disappeared from our now highly domesticated dogs. Those inner senses are still there. Providing a comfortable home for your dog with all the plush toys, dog chews, and a lavish lifestyle doesn’t give your dog the mental stimulation he craves. Many animal behavior specialists have investigated what a dog’s mind needs to be stimulated. A pioneer in dog puzzle toys is Nina Ottosson. Nina Ottosson has worked on the development and design of toys/games that stimulate the dog’s mind, that is, they exercise the brain in a fun and creative way. The toys are also easy to take out and use indoors and are specially developed to accommodate the dog’s natural movements and instincts.
Nina Ottosson’s puzzle toys for dogs are designed for the dog to work on problem solving in different ways, finding hidden dog snacks, ie to pick up blocks, push pieces, turn discs, push blocks, put blocks inside of something etc. All dogs need to use their heads at times to stay healthy. Some dogs need more brain activity than others. If dogs are not provided an outlet for their energy in the form of different types of activity or other stimulation, they can sometimes find their own activity that we as dog owners often don’t appreciate, such as chewing on things to pieces, becoming aggressive or just hyper in general. Their toys are classified according to your dog’s ability, from basic to expert. Dog Magic and Dog Spinny are considered entry-level or entry-level dog puzzle toys, Dog Brick and Dog Tornado are mid-level, Dog Casino and Dog Twister are expert-level. The dog pyramid is a plastic treat-dispensing toy that has a weight at the bottom. Place treats in the one-inch hole and watch your dog push the pyramid. No matter what, the pyramid will straighten out at the vertical right angle. All toys are dishwasher safe, so don’t worry about slimy parts. Kyjen dog games are quite new to the dog puzzle game market. Kyjen Dog Toys are known for their very well made dog toys and their new Paw Hide, Star Spinner and Treat Wheel are no exception. Paw Hide has 7 treat or food chambers that challenge your dog to lift each cup to reveal her treat. Perfect for teaching the basics of obedience and problem solving.
The Star Spinner has 10 treat or food chambers that challenge your dog to spin the tiers in any direction to reveal the opening. With a nudge from the dog’s nose, each level will reveal 5 hidden compartments. The treat wheel has 8 chambers of treats or food that combine the difficulties of the Star Spinner and Paw Hide. The dog must use its mouth to lift each cup, then twist the top to reveal more treats. Zoos have been running animal enrichment programs for years, trying to keep their animals engaged, busy, and mentally stimulated. The pet industry has followed suit and manufacturers are coming up with new and exciting ways to challenge your pet. Some other great interactive toys and treat dispensers are the Kibble Nibble, Tug-A-Jug, and the Premier Funkitty Egg-Cersizer. All of these toys distribute kibble and sweets at random. The Egg-cersizer is a perfect way to say “goodbye” to free eating and hello to fun and interesting meals. The innovative design allows for a variety of game levels, from easy to challenging. This toy treat is a fun and easy way to keep your cat or small dog stimulated and active. JW Pet Amaze-A-Ball and Our Pet’s Atomic Treat Ball are excellent hard rubber treat dispensing toys. Canine Genius Leo and Mike dog toys are super-hard rubber treat dispensers that connect to form multiple puzzle versions. These toys are also made in the United States.
Anytime you can get your pet to work a little for treats is better for his mind.