15 Best Interactive Dog Toys for Smarty Pants Pups
From automatic ball launchers to complex puzzle feeders, these games make for hours of fun.
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We know if you could, you'd play with your pet all day long. But of course, many of us have other responsibilities, which means that sometimes, Fido has to keep himself occupied. Fortunately, there are lots of incredible interactive dog toys that can help him do just that — and experts say they're some of the best toys on the market for both physical and mental exercise.
"As a trainer, many of the hyperactivity and destruction problems my clients struggle with can be resolved by adding mental exercise to their dog’s daily routine," says Nicole Ellis, certified professional dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert with Rover.com. "But ‘mentally-stimulating’ activities aren’t things like chess and crossword puzzles. For a dog, it’s mostly just simple, fun games with their owner, like puzzle toys."
To help you find the best interactive dog toys to keep your pup entertained and engaged, we asked expert trainers for their favorite picks. These fun games — from treat balls to automatic ball launchers — will keep dogs busy while boosting their mental and physical skills. Some even reward them with the best kind of prize: treats. And for even more toys your best friend will love, check out the best dog toys for all types of pups.
There's a reason Kong toys are a favorite among dog trainers and owners alike. Not only do they last for years, but you can also stuff them with treats or peanut butter to keep game time going for hours.
Even the most energetic pet owner gets tired of playing catch around the clock. Enter iFetch: It's pricey, but this gadget will throw your pup a ball until they physically can't run anymore. And don't worry about having to retrieve the balls yourself — most dogs will figure out how to bring them back and drop them into the launcher on their own.
If your pup perks up every time she hears another animal on TV, she'll get a kick out of this toy. The motion activated ball chirps, grrs, and croaks at her while she barks and chases it around.
RELATED: 30 Indestructible Dog Toys for the Pet That Loves to Chew
This toy is the perfect indoor solution for dogs who love to dig. Nicole Ellis says it's one of her pup's favorites. "I stuff it with his food, his toys, and his blankets," she says. "Even when he’s got it all out, he keeps on digging until he falls asleep."
The Aïkiou feeder requires pups to think hard in order to open its compartments for treats and kibble. Certified professional dog trainer Russell Hartstein, founder of Fun Paw Care Dog Training in Los Angeles, says that's a good thing. "[Most] healthy animals would rather work for their food than simply be given it in a bowl," he says.
This rubber toy works double duty: You can fill it with kibble to create a puzzle your dog can solve by himself, or use it to play a traditional game of fetch.
The Ballistic relies on Velcro to keep its treats inside. "While this isn’t a super difficult treat toy, the pups love it," says Ellis. "I wouldn’t give it to a strong chewer, but for the small-to-medium crew and puppies, it’s a huge hit."
Stuff this plush toy with tiny squirrels for your dog to sniff out. Once he masters the game, the little stuffed animals are perfect for fetch.
Both Ellis and Hartstein recommend Nina Ottosson's puzzle toys and games. This interactive one is great for independent play, although you can also toss it to your dog to make it a game for two. Reviewers on Chewy said the toy entertained their pups for anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
For the anxious dog, this toy is important for two reasons. It challenges her by slowly releasing kibble as she rolls it around and soothes her at the same time with a calming chamomile scent.
Okay, so it's not exactly chemistry, but your dog will have to figure out how to flip these treat-filled beakers for his experiment to be a success.
The GameChanger will keep your dog occupied while he's alone, but you can also play it with him by helping him toss it around. The toy dispenses treats as your pup flips, rolls, and digs at it. "Pro tip," says Ellis, "be sure to use treats or kibble small enough to fit through the holes or you will have a very frustrated pup."
This toy requires some supervision because of its smaller pieces, but it'll get your pup thinking hard. The scent holes and removable bones allow him to sniff out and retrieve his reward — a yummy treat!
The Kong Wobbler is similar to the Kong Classic, except that — you guessed it — it wobbles. Hartstein says it's one of his favorite toys for the pups in his care. And don't worry, the Wobbler unscrews for easy cleaning and filling.
Fill this wobbling toy with treats or kibble, then set the opening as big (easy) or small (challenging). Hand it over to your pup and watch her push it around to make the treats fall out.
Juliana is a writer, editor and SEO strategist with over six years' of experience on the editorial staffs of publications including Reader's Digest, Best Life and Good Housekeeping. She covers everything from holiday and home to travel and food, and lives in New York City, where she can often be found at hot yoga or raiding the candy aisle at CVS.
Lindsey works with the Good Housekeeping Institute to test and review products including appliances, bedding, baby items, pet products and more.
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