Does your dog pick things from around your house to chew and destroy? Or has he surprised you with a big mess when trusted and left home alone?
Well! These telltale signs indicate that your dog lives a boring life…so bored that he invents his own toys and games.
I am not guilt-tripping you, but this means he craves enrichment toys and activities to perk up his dog instincts. If your dog ignores his old toys and/or you don’t want to invest in pet toys, you have come to the right place.
Here Are 10 Simple DIY Puzzle Hunt Ideas That Will Keep Your Dog Engaged:
1. Homemade Snuffle Mat
2. Bury The Treat
3. Plastic Bottle Treat Dispenser
4. Frozen Ball Challenge
5. Find the Treasure
6. Paper Roll Maze Hunt
7. The Cup Enrichment Game
8. Braided Dog Toy
9. Roll The Towel
10. Crumbled Paper Ball
Making these toys is a no-brainer.
These quick, zero-cost puzzle hunt ideas will keep your pet occupied, engaged, and stimulated, making him one happy dog!
Awaken the most potent sense of your dog, his sniffing ability. Enliven your dog’s hunting instincts with ingenious game ideas, and reward him with lip-smacking treats at the end of each game.
So, let’s dive right into the puzzle games for your dog, so you can show him the fun side of dog life.
1. What Are The Benefits Of Puzzle Hunt Games For Dogs?
Benefits of Puzzle Hunt Games:
1. Mental and physical stimulation.
2. Ward off boredom.
3. Canine enrichment.
4. Develop problem-solving skills.
5. Instill confidence.
6. Increase emotional bonding.
7. Slow feeding.
8. Sniffing calms and alleviates stress and anxiety.
9. Contribute to general well-being.
10. Provide exercise.
2. What Are The 10 DIY Puzzle Hunt Game Ideas You Can Try At Home?
1. Homemade Snuffle Mat:
Here’s a perfect way to upcycle your old clothes and towels and construct a hide-and-seek toy.
THINGS NEEDED:
Old clothes
Towels
Rubber mat
DIY METHOD:
- Cut old clothes or towels into long strips.
- Use a rubber floor mat with holes for the base. Or utilize a thick cloth or a piece of towel instead. If using a towel, cut slits in them uniformly all over.
- Insert each cloth strip into two holes of the rubber mat or two slits in the towel and secure it with a knot.
- Repeat and fill all the holes/slits.
- Conceal tasty treats in your DIY snuffle mat, and let the game begin!
2. Bury The Treat:
Assemble a super easy homemade dog game using a small carton box and paper sheets.
THINGS NEEDED:
A small carton box
Sheets of used paper
DIY METHOD:
- Pick a small carton box with a lid.
- Scatter your canine’s favorite snacks.
- Cover it with a sheet of paper.
- Again, scatter some more snacks.
- Repeat till you exhaust the snack portion.
- Finally, place a paper sheet on the top and close the lid.
- Hand it over to your pup.
- Discover the super-smart side of your dog.
3. Plastic Bottle Treat Dispenser:
This DIY dog treat dispenser requires an empty water or soda bottle. A milk jug would work as well.
THINGS NEEDED:
Any plastic bottle or container
A hole-punching device
DIY METHOD:
- Punch many holes in a plastic bottle.
- Fill it with yummy treats for your dog.
Level 1: Leave the bottle mouth open and give it to your pet.
Level 2: Once your dog has learned to retrieve the treats easily through the mouth of the can/bottle, replace the cap and give it to your dog.
Level 3: Once he is adept with the game, reduce the number of holes, making retrieving the treats difficult.
However, there is no guarantee that your dog will spare the bottle for a second time. A can, however, may survive.
4. Frozen Ball Challenge:
It’s a go-to puzzle toy for a hot summer day. Build this ice-cold toy with a kitchen or bath towel and a few tasty treats.
THINGS NEEDED:
Towel
Freezer
DIY METHOD:
- Wet the towel thoroughly.
- Fold it lengthwise, placing treats at different spots at each fold.
- Now start folding horizontally, putting the treats along the way.
- Store the towel ball in the freezer.
- Once frozen, remove the icy treat and give it to your dog to enjoy.
- Watch the fun as he unwraps his treats.
5. Find the Treasure:
This pet engagement game requires zero resources.
THINGS NEEDED:
None
DIY METHOD:
- Leash your dog or keep him outside – away from the game scene.
- Set up a treasure hunt for him in your home.
- Place treat bites around the house – exposed, partially hidden, and hidden.
- Bring your dog in or unleash him.
- Tip him off by showing a few treats. Encourage him to find the others.
6. Paper Roll Maze Hunt:
THINGS NEEDED:
Toilet/kitchen paper rolls
A carton box
DIY METHOD:
Level 1:
- Stack the paper rolls upright tightly in a cardboard box.
- Drop treats inside each roll.
- Present it to your dog to fish out the treats.
Level 2:
Once your dog has achieved expertise in this, fold and close one side of the paper roll and then both sides of the paper roll to make the retrieving game more challenging.
7. The Cup Enrichment Game:
THINGS NEEDED:
Paper cups or bowls
DIY METHOD:
- Use paper cups or bowls for this dog puzzle idea.
- Keep treats concealed under the cups.
- Let your dog’s olfactory senses guide him to the treasure.
Is your dog too successful?
The next time, keep a few cups empty to surprise your pet.
8. Braided Dog Toy:
This easy-to-make canine boredom buster makes a fantastic toy.
THINGS NEEDED:
Old clothes/ties/any long, thick fabric
DIY METHOD:
- Use old clothes to cut out long strips. Or you could use a few ready-to-discard ties.
- Fasten the three strips together using a fabric strip on one end.
- Start braiding.
- At the end of the braid, fasten and secure the braid with another fabric strip.
- Hide treats between the braids and give the braid to your dog for a nosy game.
9. Roll The Towel:
THINGS NEEDED:
Towel
DIY METHOD:
- Spread a towel.
- Sprinkle treats over it.
- Roll and tie it to secure the treats from spilling over.
- Hand it over to your dog.
10. Crumbled Paper Ball:
Sniffing to find their treats is a great way to stimulate dogs mentally.
THINGS NEEDED:
Old paper
DIY METHOD:
- Place a few treats on a paper sheet.
- Crumble it into a ball.
- Cover the ball with more paper layers, making the treat recovery challenging.
- Make many more.
- Toss one after the other, calling out ‘fetch.’
- Watch him unravel the mystery puzzle.
Precautions To Follow While Engaging The Dog With DIY Puzzle Hunt Games
- Never leave your dog alone with the DIY puzzle hunt games.
- Your dog can potentially choke or ingest small pieces of cardboard and paper while involved in reckless play. So, keep a watchful eye on your pet while the game is on and intervene when needed.
- Avoid any harmful materials.
- Blunt any sharp edges so it doesn’t hurt your dog.
Each puzzle hunt game is a thrilling adventure. His eagerness to participate and overwhelming response show how much he enjoyed the puzzle hunt games and your company.
Happy pet parenting!
