Trainers, for years, have been saying dogs need mental as well as physical stimulation. The dog toy market has exploded, in part, because society no longer has the need for dogs to work. Dogs get bored easily and need something to occupy their time or else they will turn destructive. Listed below are five highly rated toys, readily available, for a dog’s mental pleasure.
Most owners have seen this versatile chew toy. It comes in all shapes and sizes and is almost indestructible. The Kong may be stuffed with anything, Kong filling, peanut butter, cheese cubes etc… Some owners keep a filled Kong in the freezer, the dog will spend a fair amount of time licking and chewing the frozen filling out of the middle.
Remember the concept of the Weebles? They wobble but they don’t fall down? The inventors of the Bob-a-Lot used the same idea. A weighted bottom allows for the toy to be knocked and pawed without falling over. The top of the toy may be unscrewed and filled with kibble or some other hard treats. If knocked and spun correctly, the Bob-a-Lot will distribute tasty tidbits.
Created by Nina Ottoson, this unique brain teaser may be shifted into varying degrees of difficulty. It looks like an ordinary tray of plastic dog bones, but it contains secret compartments of treats. The dog searches for the hidden compartments, and pulls open the flaps. Once the dog gets the hang of the game, some of the flaps (There are eight in all) may be locked, increasing the difficulty of the game.
This one of a kind puzzle ball indulges most of a dog’s senses. The dog can not only smell the treats inside the maze ball, but he will also be able to hear and see the pieces shifting and jostling through the middle. Rolled in the correct way, a dog will be able to eat the treats that fall out of the maze. One of the drawbacks to this incredible toy is that it is not for dogs who like to chew on their toys.
Dogs and squirrels, who knew? Well, maybe the thousands of dog owners who live with dogs who love to chase squirrels and the design team at Buddy Boy Toys. The Squirrel Dude comes in five sizes, extra small to large. It holds treats, it bounces, was chew tested and approved. What more could a dog ask for?
Related: 12 Best Dog Puzzle Toys
Always keep a variety of toys on hand and swap out them every few days. If a dog plays with the same toys every day, he’ll eventually get bored. Keep the boredom at bay with a variety of different brain busting games.
