It's no secret that dogs can get themselves into trouble when left to their own devices. Chasing the cat, digging holes in the garden, or playing keep-away with the remote control- dogs are very smart animals, and if they don't get enough stimulation every day, chances are they're going to make their own fun (which usually means something in your house gets ruined, or worse, eaten) So, it's up to us to keep them busy and out of trouble, which can be more than a little challenging at times, especially if you have a young, high-energy dog.
Puzzle toys are a great way to give your dog (or cat!) a little stimulation, but you don't have to spend a lot of money on them. After all, dogs don't seem to care whether a toy is homemade or bought at the store- they only care if its fun. Here's a homemade puzzle toy I use quite often for my dogs- its safe, its easy, and best of all its practically free!
This project is super easy- all you will need are:
- Cardboard egg carton (foam ones may be dangerous if swallowed, so it's best not to use them)
- scissors
- pet treats (cereal, diced carrots or apples, pieces of meat, cheese, etc.)
I buy the larger squares of eggs at the super market, so the cardboard tray is pretty big, but the smaller one-dozen type works just as well. If you're using a standard dozen egg carton, just cut the top off with a pair of scissors.
Fill the tray with treats, call your dog, stand back, and watch them struggle to eat the treats as quickly as they can! My dogs love to run off with the cardboard after the treats are gone and shred it, so if you want to avoid a mess, toss some treats to the side when they're done and remove the carton before they can take it.
Jack loves his puzzle toy!
This also is a perfect way to feed a dog that bolts his food too quickly- and if you want to make it more of a challenge, you can cover some of the treats with tennis balls or small paper cups. I've also seen people use muffin tins in place of the egg cartons. Be inventive, try different things, use this puzzle toy as a reward during a short training session, etc. (Kitties love this too- just fill the carton with crunchy cat treats!)
Want some more DIY pet puzzle toy ideas? Check out the following videos:
YouTube: Homemade Dog Toy Puzzle (muffin tins)
YouTube: Homemade Treat Dispensing Toy
YouTube: How to make an interactive dog toy
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