You’re looking for intelligence toys for dogs, then you’ve come to the right place.
In over 15 hours I compared numerous products for you and selected the best intelligence toys for dogs.
Among them is my personal test winner, the Trixie 32040 Dog Activity Memory Trainer 3.0.
The intelligence toy trains the dog’s memory by remembering which button to press for the reward.
However, my winner from the test does not necessarily have to be suitable for your dog, because you may want to train other skills.
That’s why you’ll find four more intelligence toys for dogs with their advantages and disadvantages.
My favorite dog intelligence toys
product test
The test winner: Trixie Dog Activity Memory Trainer 3.0
The Trixie 32040 Dog Activity Memory Trainer 3.0 is a challenging toy for dogs because it challenges memory. Only by pressing a trigger on the side will the reward be released. This rewards the dog for correctly remembering a process.
The challenge for dogs is that the push button does not necessarily have to be on the donor. This allows you to gradually increase the level and constantly offer your dog new challenges.
The dispenser consists of a rotating reservoir. This allows you to vary the type of treat. You also have the option of varying the amount of treats, which allows you to reward the dog differently for different difficulties.
The plain one: KONG Classic Medium dog toy
The KONG Classic Medium dog toy is ideal for training dogs to retrieve. To do this, put a treat in the dog toy. In this way, the dog associates a positive experience and will be happy to bring it back to you.
The intelligence toy for large dogs is on a flexible plastic. This makes it particularly chew-friendly and gentle on the teeth.
The material is very robust and can withstand constant stress from teeth. A special side effect of the toy is that it also bounces before it comes to rest on the ground. This increases the attraction for the dog.
What I really liked about this intelligence toy is that it is not big and you can easily clean it. You can train with your dog on the go and then the toy is cleaned in the dishwasher.
The challenger: Nina Ottosson from Outward Hound Dog Brick
If you’re looking for a dog activity toy that they’ll enjoy for a long time, then you won’t be disappointed with Nina Ottosson from Outward Hound Dog Brick.
The level is very high with this toy, because you can deposit the treats in up to three different hiding places.
In order to get the treats, the dog has to use different mechanisms, which increases the difficulty and fun of the game.
With intelligence toys for dogs, the fields first have to be moved appropriately. By lifting or unfolding, your dog can then get the treat.
Although the intelligence toy is difficult for the dog, it is also suitable for animals that are, for example, anxious or show destructive behavior.
By combining several mechanisms, you can steer the negative behavior in a positive direction.
The price-performance winner: Trixie 32025 Dog Activity Move2Win
An activity toy should always offer new challenges for dogs and that is exactly what Trixie 32025 Dog Activity Move2Win does. The toy offers numerous possibilities to deposit the treats and challenges your dog in different ways.
The intelligence toy is set up like a board game with skittles and indentations. This means your dog not only has to find the right indentation, but also has to move the cone to the appropriate place.
You can level up the intelligence toy for dogs by using the cones as stoppers. This means that your dog does not necessarily have to open the last compartment, but the reward can also be in the first compartment.
There are non-slip rubber feet on the bottom. As a result, even larger dogs cannot simply move the toy around.
The varied one: play station feeder for pets
The play station pet feeder not only requires a lot of dexterity, it also stimulates your dog’s senses. The different surfaces provide different stimuli and the toy remains challenging.
Not only do you have different indentations to challenge your dog, but there are also multiple compartments to hide treats in. This allows you to set your dog a task again and again to train its intelligence.
What I really like about this toy is not only the ability to develop intelligence, but dogs that like to wolf down their food are forced to eat slowly here. This will also slow down the absorption of food from the bowl over time.
Buyer’s Guide – Dog Intelligence Toys
What is a dog intelligence toy?
Intelligence toys for dogs are toys that not only promote the urge to play, but also put intelligence to the test. There are usually different treats hidden in the toys that the dog has to find.
In order to get the reward, he has to solve different tasks. This can be, for example, various turning or lifting movements. Operating folding mechanisms and various slides can also lead to the goal.
In order to get the reward, the dog has to solve the tasks that lead to the goal. An intelligence toy for the dog can become difficult when different mechanisms have to be combined.
An advantage of these toys is that you can keep your dog busy regardless of the weather or location.
Especially on the go, these toys offer the dog a way to distract the dog from the stress that, for example, a new environment can bring with it when travelling.
For which dogs are intelligence toys suitable?
In principle, an activity toy that also requires intelligence is suitable for all dogs. When choosing, however, you should always make sure that the toy fits your dog.
There are not only differences in difficulty, but also in duration. You should choose simple intelligence toys, especially for puppies, so as not to overwhelm them, but also to challenge or encourage them to the appropriate extent.
With older dogs it is important to use a toy that is less demanding on the teeth. Older animals in particular often have problems with their teeth, which can be aggravated by the wrong toy.
How to properly use a dog intelligence toy?
How a toy is used always depends on the model in question. However, there are some basic rules in using any toy, regardless of the type.
When using an intelligence toy for the first time, you should always supervise your dog. The reasons for this vary.
In the beginning it is important to always adjust the level of difficulty. If a dog is overwhelmed with the level, you have to reduce the level of difficulty.
The same applies if your dog solves a problem very quickly. In this case, you need to increase the level so that the toy doesn’t get boring too quickly.
It’s important to get a feel for how good your dog is at a game. Neither boredom nor frustration should arise when the level is too difficult. Of course, you can also give your dog a little help at first.
What material can intelligence toys be made of?
Most intelligence toys for dogs are made out of plastic. In the case of chewable toys, this can also be a soft plastic.
There are few intelligence toys for the dog made of wood. This is because the wood can splinter more easily when the dog chews on it. Therefore, a wood that is hard should be used for an intelligence toy for the dog.
Another downside to wooden toys is that they aren’t as easy to clean. Especially if greasy treats are hidden in it, this can become unhygienic over time and odors can form.
Plastic, on the other hand, is easier to clean, which keeps it hygienic. With plastic, it is important for chewable dog activity toys that it is a rather soft material. This means that nothing can splinter off the toy and your dog’s teeth are protected.
What should be considered when choosing a dog intelligence toy?
The test winner is also suitable for large dogs, but not every intelligence toy is ideal for all sizes. Smaller dogs also have smaller paws and tongues, making it more difficult for them to use mechanisms. Large dogs, on the other hand, need more space for their paws and tongue.
Therefore, always make sure that the toy is the right size for your dog.
Robustness is a big issue with dog toys, because once the play instinct has been awakened, dogs can be quite rude towards the toy. Especially animals with a fiery temperament and a pronounced urge to chew can not be given every toy.
You should also consider what ingredients the toy is made of when you buy it. In principle, no harmful ingredients such as plasticizers may be included. You are always on the safe side if the toy is food safe.
If the toy smells unpleasant even after the first basic cleaning, this can be an indication that problematic plastics are contained in it.
The level of difficulty also plays a role in the selection of a dog toy. Toys that allow you to vary the level of difficulty are ideal. You don’t have to keep the level constant…