We may be on the other side of The Lockdown™, but that doesn't change the fact that a lot of people became full-time remote workers during that time. Many of them also adopted "pandemic puppies" after learning that they'd be at home for the foreseeable future.
If you're one of those people, you've probably experienced a lot of ups and downs as a new pet parent with a WFH gig. Cuddles while you're checking emails are great! Whines for attention while you're trying to get a word in during a Zoom call, not so much. It's a process. And if you're living in an apartment without an outside space for your dog to run around in, this can create even more of a challenge.
Whether you're raising a puppy or a canine companion that's a little longer in the tooth, you'll absolutely benefit from having a few dog puzzles at the ready while you tackle the daily duties of your job.
What is a dog puzzle?
Sometimes referred to as enrichment toys, dog puzzles are pretty much what they sound like: Puzzles for dogs. Not all dog puzzles are made the same, though. There are many different kinds that employ diverse mechanics, have different goals, teach unique lessons, and feature difficulty levels that run the gamut of cognitive ability. But more often than not, you can bet that most dog puzzles will act as a fun little brain teaser that holds a reward for your pet once they solve it.
What's the purpose of a dog puzzle?
Dog puzzles have a lot of uses, but the two biggest ones are distraction and mental stimulation. Instead of giving your dog a simple chew toy to keep them busy while you work, you can present them with a dog puzzle to keep them occupied much longer without having to divert their attention over and over. (We know, we hate turning our dogs' playtime offers down, too, but sometimes you have to focus.)
But aside from keeping your dog entranced while you handle business, dog puzzles can offer other benefits for your pup (and consequently, you). Dog puzzles provide more mental stimulation in comparison to the run-of-the-mill toys that many of us have at our disposal, because they actually require your dog to solve a problem to get to what they want. They'll find success by doing things that dogs instinctually love doing: Sniffing, burrowing, licking, chewing, etcetera.
Not only do they get rewarded for their work, but they also get the serotonin boost that comes with fulfilling their life's purpose. Some claim that enrichment toys like dog puzzles can also help remedy behavioral issues, although that's still up for debate.
How do I choose a dog puzzle?
The good thing about dog puzzles is that it's pretty hard to make a catastrophic choice when buying one. All dogs love new toys, and chances are they'll probably be down to test out whatever you put in front of them. The one thing we'd advise against, though, is starting your pup off on a puzzle that's too difficult — it can be discouraging, and may end in your dog staring up at you with beady eyes that say "why can't I do this?" Devastating.
If you want to find the perfect one on the first try, there are a few things to consider that can make your decision easier:
Temperament: What is your dog's personality like? What are their tendencies? Are they curious? Impatient? The former will pair better with a puzzle that takes more time to figure out, while the latter calls for simpler mechanics that yield faster rewards. You know your dog best.
Age: Depending on your dog's age, they'll be at different cognitive ability levels from others, which will help inform your decision on which difficulty level to begin with. Puppies should obviously start with the most beginner-friendly puzzles, but older, more experienced dogs might be able to get away with skipping right to the intermediate level.
Puzzle rewards: Dog puzzles usually employ one of two rewards: a toy, or a treat. If your dog is mainly motivated by treats, go with a puzzle that dispenses an edible reward. If you worry about over-feeding your dog, maybe get one that uses a squeaky toy as a prize. Better yet, get one of each.
And with that, we're ready to get into our picks. Below, the best dog puzzles we tried.
