If Your Dog Spends A Lot Of Time Indoors, Trainers Say You Need These 25 Genius Things

Shannon Riley-Coyner, Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT) of Truly Force Free Animal Training, recommends the Outward Hound interactive puzzle toy for bored pups in need of mental stimulation. The toy is equipped with 20 treat compartments that encourage your dog to search and sniff. “This fun and rewarding puzzle is great for reducing anxious dog behavior and redirecting destructive behavior,” says Riley-Coyner.

For food-motivated dogs, Riley-Coyner recommends the Kruuse Buster Food Cube as a way to stay busy for hours on end. The cube-shaped feeder can be filled with kibble or treats, providing mental challenges for dogs as they try to access the food within. Interactive and engaging, the cube provides long stretches of entertainment for your pup.

• Available sizes: 2
• Available colors: 4

For over 40 years, this oddly shaped rubber toy has made a name for itself among dog owners everywhere, and Riley-Coyner agrees that the KONG Classic is a fantastic way to entertain your pooch. “A stuffed Kong can keep your dog occupied when crated or when you have visitors,” Riley-Coyner says. “It can provide mental stimulation and provide an outlet for your dog’s energy.” You can stuff the toy with peanut butter, plain yogurt, treats, wet dog food, and more.

Looking for an even more challenging toy than the KONG Classic? Riley-Coyner recommends the KONG Wobbler, which requires your dog to use her nose and paws to knock over the toy and retrieve the treats inside. “The unpredictable movement keeps the toy challenging, even for seasoned Wobbler users,” Riley-Coyner explains. In addition, the KONG Wobbler can also be used as a food bowl alternative to “help slow and extend mealtime while providing exercise for your dog.”

With space for up to 2 cups of kibble, the Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble Ball is a food-dispensing toy that Riley-Coyner highly recommends. Great for fast eaters, the heavy-duty rubber ball requires your dog to work for his meal. “Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble is a great way to keep your dog busy and fed at the same time,” says Riley-Coyner. The patented treat meter randomly dispenses pieces of kibble, keeping your dog fully engaged.

• Available sizes: 2
• Available colors: Purple, Orange

Shonyae Johnson, CPDT-KA and animal behavior manager at Operation Kindness, a leading lifesaving shelter in Texas, recommends the JW Mega Egg for dogs who could benefit from indoor exercise. “They roll around and are hard to catch, which makes them puzzling and a challenge for any pup,” she says. Made from a durable plastic material, the egg-shaped toy rolls and slips from under your dog’s paws, encouraging her to chase it for hours.

• Available sizes: 2

If your dog loves to chew, Johnson recommends Jolly Pets’ Bounce-n-Play dog toy. Made from Jolly Pets’ signature JollyFlex material, the bouncy ball won’t deflate, even after being punctured. It even floats, making it perfect for water-based play. “Best ball for heavy chewers!” Johnson says. “They love to chase it and it’s stood up against our roughest players in the shelter, for hours of play throughout the week.”

• Available sizes: 3
• Available colors: 3

For dogs who love to chase, Johnson suggests investing in the Squishy Face Studio flirt pole. Available in multiple colors, the durable polyester lure is affixed to a long, stretchy bungee cord at the end of a sturdy, easy-grip rod. “The lure on the end and its movement makes for great fun to expel energy after a training session,” Johnson says.

• Available sizes: Regular, Junior
• Available colors: 6

Dogs often need various forms of stimulation, and babaZone’s Enrichment & Fun puzzle pack comes with Johnson’s approval. “Variety packs such as this make a great opportunity to try new things for your pups,” she explains. You get a lick mat for a frozen treat, a chew bone that cleans your dog’s teeth, a snuffle mat that encourages natural foraging behaviors, and a wobbler toy that dispenses treats. Who could ask for anything more?

Julie Burgess, CPDT-KA at SeniorTailWaggers.com, highly recommends the Joansen Dog Puzzle Toy for puppy owners. Simply fill the 14 compartments with treats or kibble, and watch as your pint-sized pup figures out how to access them. “This dog puzzle toy is geared explicitly to puppies and is fantastic,” says Burgess. “Get this toy ready before a meeting, and you’ll have at least a few minutes where your puppy doesn’t require your full attention!”

Repetitive licking increases endorphins in dogs, helping them calm down from a stressed state. Burgess recommends this set of two Hyper Pet IQ treat mats. “Use the Hyper Pet IQ treat mat and spread xylitol-free peanut butter, canned pumpkin, yogurt, applesauce, canned dog food, or mashed bananas on them,” she says. Or, for an added challenge, freeze the mat slightly so it’s harder to lick the spreadable goodies off.

Owners of aggressive chewers need look no further than the Doggiemon indestructible chew toy, which Burgess recommends for its great versatility. “Three toys are combined in one with this toy because it can: be used as a toy, clean your dog's teeth, be used as a slow feeder for dogs that inhale their food,” she explains. Made of premium rubber, the multifunctional dog toy won’t come apart no matter how much Fido chews.

With a USB-rechargeable battery, the PETGEEK Interactive Dog Bone Toy is one of Burgess’ top picks for dogs who love an active game of chase. “This toy moves in unexpected ways to keep your dog’s interest,” says Burgess. Just charge it up, fill it with some treats or kibble, and tap the toy to begin the play session. Your dog will have a blast trying to catch the toy, which can even flip over and move in the other direction.

According to CPDT-KA-certified dog trainer Hannah Richter of Andrea Arden Dog Training and Dog Spotted — an online source for expert-guided dog advice — the Ethical Pets Sensory teething ball “is a great choice for dogs who love to play fetch and who like a variety of textures.” The ball has a tantalizing beef scent and flavor, as well as a squeaker, so all five senses are engaged. Richter also says that the soft rubber makes this a good choice for teething puppies.

When it comes to plush toys, Richter specifically recommends the goDog dragon squeaker toy because it’s suitable for dogs of all sizes and ages. “The toy is very well made and is a dog parent favorite!” says Richter. Not to mention, the cartoon dragon design allows you to get some seriously adorable photos of your pup with their new plush buddy.

• Available sizes: 2
• Available colors: 11

Richter also recommends the EASTBLUE squeaky dog toy because it can withstand heavy, aggressive chewing. The aerodynamic shape makes the ball easy to throw long distances, and an added squeaker keeps your dog’s attention. Richter says this durable toy is “made for dogs who have a tendency to destroy their toys,” and that it’s “great for pups who love to play indoors and outdoors.”

• Available colors: 4

Super Chewer by Bark Box is a monthly subscription box that Richter recommends specifically for heavy-chewing dogs. You get two meaty chews, two tough toys, and two bags of treats, all ov which give your dog something to get excited about every single month. “Novelty is always exciting for pups and a subscription is a great way to ensure new toys each month,” says Richter.

Dog trainer Jesse Sternberg of Peaceful Alpha recommends the Chuckit! Ultra Duo dog tug toy because it’s “great for the two kinds of games your dog wants to play: wrestling and chasing.” With two durable rubber balls linked by a heavy-duty nylon cord, the tug toy can be used for a rousing game of fetch or tug-of-war. The dual-sided design even allows two dogs to play with each other.

• Available sizes: 2

Sternberg suggests using Instinct Raw Boost Mixers as a way to enhance your dog’s training sessions. “Instinct Raw is a great multipurpose item,” he says. “It can be used as a high-value reward or an extremely healthy kibble topper (if your dog is a picky eater).” Made with all-natural beef, vegetables, and fruit, the grain-free, freeze-dried pieces make excellent treats that also support proper digestion.

A safer alternative to rawhide, Sternberg recommends Jack&Pup’s bully sticks “for when you want to Netflix and chill, and your dog doesn’t.” The chew sticks are made from a single ingredient: grass-fed beef. Plus, they’re fully digestible —so your dog is free to devour the whole thing. They also work to clean your pup’s teeth, reduce tartar buildup, and strengthen gums.

When puppies’ teeth are still growing, they need gentle toys to chew on. Sternberg recommends the KONG Puppy teething toy, which is made with soft rubber. Like the KONG Classic, this toy can be stuffed with delicious fillings like peanut butter, mashed banana, and puppy kibble. It’s great for curbing excess energy, as well as easing boredom during crate-training.

• Available sizes: 3

Self-described as a book for “conscious dog lovers,” Sternberg’s Enlightened Dog Training is a comprehensive guide to reading dogs’ signals and communicating with them more effectively. “It helps us find our inner peace while healing our dog’s neuroses and anxiety,” says Sternberg. The book contains training exercises and meditative practices that help ease tension and strengthen your bond with your pet.

Snuffle mats allow your dog to indulge in their natural sniffing and foraging behaviors. Dog trainer and owner of K9 of Mine Meg Marrs recommends the AWOOF snuffle mat, which has multiple layers of polar fleece folds for concealing kibble and treats. “Sniffing is a great enrichment activity for dogs and burns tons of energy, so it's a great activity for when it's chilly outside!” says Marrs.

If you’re looking to entertain your dog for long periods of time, Marrs recommends the StarMark Bob-A-Lot interactive dog toy. Your pooch has to knock and roll the toy around to dislodge the kibble inside. The rocking puzzle feeder fits up to 3 cups of food, so it can even replace your pet’s food bowl at mealtime. “Not only is it incredibly fun and challenging for your dog, the difficulty can be adjusted so that you can make it harder as your dog masters the puzzle!”

• Available sizes: 2

If you’re looking for a puzzle toy that doesn’t require food or treats, Marrs recommends Pet Craft Supply Hide and Seek toys. The gym bag-shaped toy is filled with two squeaky plush socks and a plush squeaky underwear toy, so your dog can have fun sniffing and pulling the various objects out. “My dog goes nuts for puzzle toys like this that feature toys within another toy — and many other dogs seem to adore them too!” says Marrs.