We all know that a dog's intelligence can sometimes be astonishing, easily outshining that of certain humans. That said, a dog's intelligence, just like a person's, needs to be constantly nurtured in order to open up its receptive senses, develop its imagination and strengthen its decision-making ability. Puzzle toys for dogs are widely available, but sometimes all it takes is a little creativity to make them yourself without spending a penny. Let's look at some examples of DIY puzzle toys for dogs.
What are puzzle toys for dogs?
Puzzle toys for dogs are usually small interactive objects designed with a specific logic, so that the dog must perform a particular action in order to reach a reward it enjoys. There is generally a treat, a small toy or some food to make the game appealing. The market is full of models in beautiful designs and bright colours that are very tempting to buy. Unfortunately, they are not always affordable — which is why we have come up with some ideas made from everyday materials found in any home, all very easy to put together.
The first and most important thing when making a dog toy is to ensure the object is sturdy, free from sharp or cutting edges, and that no piece can be accidentally swallowed with potentially serious consequences for your dog. With that in mind, we have chosen toys that pose no risk to dogs — simple in design but highly effective at helping your companion understand the concept of cause and effect.
DIY puzzle toys for dogs using bottles and rolls
The first toy we suggest is the most popular of all DIY puzzle toys for dogs: the bottle toy. It couldn't be easier to make — simply take a plastic bottle and remove the cap, which could be a hazard. Using a craft knife, cut holes roughly the size of a kibble piece or a dog biscuit. Place the kibble or biscuit inside the bottle and let it roll along the floor; your dog will be drawn in by the smell of the food and will work out the right solution to get to it.
It will naturally learn to roll the bottle with its nose so that the kibble or biscuit falls out. If you use small pieces of kibble, your dog will discover that rolling the bottle faster sends them shooting out through the bottle opening too. The cost of this toy is zero, yet the benefit for your companion is enormous. One very important point: a DIY dog toy should never be too difficult to solve. If it is, your dog may develop low self-esteem, which can seriously undermine its confidence and cause significant stress.
A great alternative to the bottle is the cardboard tube found inside a roll of kitchen paper. Simply place a few pieces of kibble inside and close both ends with masking tape. Let it roll around so the sound of the kibble attracts your dog — instinct will then guide it to chew through the wrapping and reach what's inside. As you can see, these are wonderfully simple toys, yet the results they produce are truly significant.
DIY puzzle toys for dogs — ideas and tips
Here is another alternative — even easier to make but a little trickier to solve. Lay a towel flat on the floor, scatter kibble all over it, then roll it up, leaving one end a few centimetres unrolled with some kibble on top. Your dog will easily eat the exposed pieces, but will then have to work slowly at unrolling the towel with its nose to uncover the rest. Your job here is to make sure your dog doesn't lose patience and grab the towel greedily. This game helps your dog find lasting solutions without getting carried away by excitement.
The three cups
You can also take three empty containers and place them upside down on the floor. Hide a dog biscuit under just one of them, letting your dog see where you are putting it the first time. Your dog will then need to turn over all the containers to find the hidden treat, drawing on its natural instincts — which should always be encouraged. Again, this is a DIY puzzle toy for dogs that costs absolutely nothing.
The three boards
One last idea, well suited to slightly older dogs. Take three lightweight wooden boards. Glue a small container to each end of every board, so that you end up with three boards and six containers in total. Drill a hole through the centre of all three boards and insert a bolt with nuts, allowing you to stack the three boards neatly on top of one another, kept apart by the nuts. Place kibble in each container, so your dog starts by eating the ones on the top board. To reach the other two boards, it will need to rotate the top board with its nose. This toy is excellent for developing your dog's problem-solving skills.
As promised, we have shared some DIY puzzle toys for dogs that are extremely easy to make, very budget-friendly and — most importantly — genuinely beneficial for your dog's psychomotor development. Keep in mind that your dog needs toys it can solve on its own. The difficulty level can be gradually increased as your dog grows, but there is no need to constantly push for something harder. Our role is to stimulate our dogs and support them in their development — not to make things unnecessarily difficult, risking frustration, agitation and, not least, a loss of confidence.
