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Enrichment puzzles are excellent tools to keep dogs mentally stimulated and physically engaged. However, many dogs are so smart and determined that they breeze through these challenges in minutes. If you’ve invested in a variety of dog puzzles and dog toys but find they’re not keeping your pup entertained for long, don’t worry! With a little creativity, you can extend the playtime and challenge even the most puzzle-savvy pooch. Here are some creative ways to make your dog’s enrichment puzzles last longer.
A simple way to extend the life of any dog puzzle or food-dispensing dog toy is by freezing it. Whether you’re using a Kong, a treat ball, or a puzzle feeder, fill it with wet dog food, peanut butter (xylitol-free), or yogurt, and freeze it for a few hours. The frozen contents will take longer to lick or chew out, keeping your dog entertained for a much longer period. This is one of our favorite methods to optimize play time - it takes 2 ingredients and 1 minute for a longer lasting puzzle.
Instead of just stuffing a puzzle toy with one type of treat, make it more interesting by layering different types of snacks. Start with a soft filling like peanut butter or canned dog food, add some kibble or small dog biscuits, and finish with something sticky, like cheese or yogurt. This creates varying levels of difficulty as your dog works through each layer.
Dogs love variety, and mixing textures in their enrichment puzzles can keep them engaged longer. Combine soft and hard treats to make the puzzle more interesting and to extend the time it takes to get all the treats out. The harder the treat is to dislodge, the longer your dog will work on the puzzle.
You can make puzzles harder by adding obstacles. If you’re using a Kong or similar puzzle toy, plug the small opening with a large treat or piece of carrot to make it harder for your dog to get the food out. For puzzle feeders with sliding or lifting parts, hide treats under small pieces of fabric or under larger chunks of food.
Just like humans, dogs can get bored if they see the same toys every day. By rotating the dog puzzles and dog toys you give your dog, each toy will feel like a fresh challenge when it reappears. Try introducing one puzzle toy for a few days and then switch it with another, keeping the toys exciting and novel.
Many dog puzzle toys have accessories or ways to make them more challenging. For example, some treat balls can have their openings made smaller, or puzzle boards can have additional compartments or pieces to block access. Check your puzzle toys for settings or add-ons that can increase difficulty.
Instead of simply feeding your dog from a bowl, make their mealtime an enriching activity. Use a puzzle feeder to serve their kibble or wet food, and if needed, freeze it to add an extra challenge. Not only will this stretch out mealtime, but it will also provide mental stimulation, helping prevent boredom and providing your dog with a fulfilling activity.
Dogs have an incredibly strong sense of smell, so incorporating different scents into your dog puzzles can make them more intriguing and last longer. Hide a small amount of aromatic treats, like cheese or jerky, inside the puzzle, or rub a bit of the scent onto the toy itself. The smell will capture your dog’s attention and keep them engaged.
By using these creative strategies, you can extend the playtime your dog spends with their enrichment puzzles, keeping them entertained and challenged. From freezing the contents to layering treats and rotating toys, these tips will ensure that your dog puzzle and dog toys offer hours of fun and mental stimulation. The result? A happier, more content pup who gets to use their brain and energy in healthy ways.
Happy puzzling!
- Th Mind Game of the Month Team
