6 Modern dog toys to enrich your dog’s life
Originally published at Gadget Flow on July 23, 2018.
- How good is a dog’s sense of smell? Turns out, pretty darn good. In fact, it’s 10,000 to 100,000 times better than that of a human’s.
- How much sleep should a dog get? While we aim for 8 hours, our furry companions should be getting 12–14 hours of sleep per day. For puppies, it’s closer to 18 hours a day.
- In what weather should my dog stay inside? Depending on the breed and health conditions, you should keep your dog indoors if it’s below 25°F or above 85°F.
How do you keep your dog entertained? Long walks? Maybe a run? It turns out, there’s more to dog stimulation than exercise. Just like humans, our best friends need to relax their muscles and use their brains.
While your dog might love a tennis ball or a stick, there are so many more options for modern dog toys. In fact, these toys offer total enrichment so your dog can engage his brain. Games come in a variety of skill levels and are easy to use anywhere in the house.
We’ve teamed up with Chewy to bring you some of the best enrichment games you can find. I even tried some out personally with my dog, Oskar.
West Paw Qwizl Treat Dispenser
Combine entertainment and rewards with this engaging dog toy. It slowly dispenses treats as your dog plays, engaging his brain each step of the way. Your dog will get a sniff of the treats inside thanks to the center cutouts and this toy is great for prolonging the life of treats.
(Price: $16–20)
A bored dog, no matter what their age, can get into trouble. Providing them with stimulating toys will keep them busy and entertained. Once they’ve used their senses to sniff out the fun, they will most likely feel fulfilled for a bit — and be more likely to rest instead of gnawing on your furniture or scavenge in the garbage. — Caitlin Ultimo, resident pet expert at Chewy
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Puzzle
This plush set features multiple squirrels and a puzzling tree where you can hide them. Your dog will love sniffing them out and hearing their squeaks. When your pup finds them all, the fun starts all over again when you put them back inside.
(Price: $7–20)
Trixie Interactive Chess Set
As a level 3 game, this chess set challenges your dog’s intellect. The cleverly designed cones require lifting while the draws have to slide open. With a little guidance from you, your dog can become a chess champion.
Price: ($17)
Editor’s review: It was truly incredible watching Oskar learn this game. His heavy paws had to learn to be gentle for a better chance of success. Even as a level 3, he learned very quickly. Now he gets excited just when he sees the box!
Trixie Activity Poker Box
This level 2 puzzle is great for curious dogs. Challenging yet fun, there are four different boxes to hold treats for your dog to find. But, the tough part is figuring out how to get inside as there are lids, flaps, knobs, ropes, and drawers.
(Price: $16)
Stimulating toys provide variety in your dog’s day. They can problem solve and play in a constructive way that doesn’t always require your help — so you can skip today’s arm workout or fetch session. *But remember, there is no substitute for your love and attention, so be sure to spend some bonding time with your pet, whether on a walk or just snuggling on the couch, so they don’t try to grab your attention in other ways. — Caitlin Ultimo, resident pet expert at Chewy
Trixie Mad Scientist Turn Around
Tapping into your dog’s playful side, this set forces your pup to get creative. This level 2 game uses beakers filled with treats to challenge your dog. Whether it’s their nose or paw, your dog has to figure out how to flip the beakers over.
(Price: $15)
Editor’s review: Oskar absolutely loved the Mad Scientist game. Although a level 2, it took him some time to master. For us, it was important to start with no caps on the test tubes and work Oskar’s way up.
Outward Hound Egg Babies
Like a game of hide and seek, the Egg Babies can pack into a reinforced plush belly. It’s your dog’s job retrieve each one. The Egg Babies tap into your dog’s natural hunting and digging instincts without compromising your yard!
(Price: $3)
Do you have any tried and true enrichment activities for your dog or use any modern dog toys? Along with all the food and supplies you could need for your pets, Chewy also has an entire category devoted to interactive toys for your dog.
