Mind Games

The cooler weather we all enjoyed over the Forth of July holiday has left us, and in its place we have yet another heat wave. Which means 90 weather at 8am and temps too hot to exercise the dogs outside. So how do you exercise your dogs so they aren’t climbing the walls with pent up energy and driving you insane? You mentally exhaust them. Here’s a round-up of a few interactive dog toys and puzzles sure to give your pooch a great mental workout.

*Note. Most of these toys are designed to be used while under close supervision and are not recomeneded for extreme chewers.

• 1. IQube II Cagey Cube Puzzle Plush Dog Toy challenges and develops your dog's intelligence and puzzle solving skills. Helps to develop and strengthen eye-paw coordination skills as your pet discovers how to remove the squeaker toys from inside the Cagey Cube.  Get it here. 
• 2. The Dog Tornado A bit pricy, but sure to challenge even the smartest of dogs. The toy has four layers with rotating discs, with 3 layers that have compartments for hiding dog snacks. Dogs must rotate each layer's disc to find the hidden dog snacks. Vary the game by hiding a different amount of snacks per round. Get it at Hairy Winston.
• 3. Busy Buddy Linkables, treat-dispensing puzzle toys you can mix and match for challenging fun! The toys link together allowing you to create many different shapes, always keeping your pooch on their toes as to where the treat may come out at. You can add as many "links" as you wish. Get it here. 
• 4. Bobs-A-Lot Keep your dog happily occupied and help prevent potentially destructive boredom with the StarMark Bob-A-Lot. Fill it with food or treats, and watch as your pet battles the soft, durable, puncture-resistant toy to get at the goodies. Large bottom chamber holds up to 3 cups of food. Adjustable top and bottom openings accommodate most food and treats and let you change the difficulty level to keep your dog from getting bored. Weighted anti-slip bottom is uniquely designed to wobble erratically for great entertainment. Get it here. 
• 5. Grriggles Hide N’ Go Treat Balls are soft rubber ball toys for dogs with holes that can be stuffed with treats. Hide treats inside and watch dogs have tons of fun trying to shake the treats loose. Push treats through the holes in these soft rubber balls, and watch dogs work to get them out. A slot in the center of the ball can secure one treat for a bigger challenge! Get them here.
• 6. "Mike"! Named after genius Michelangelo, and truly a masterpiece of art, beauty and engineering that will entice your dog to exercise his/her hunting and foraging skills working to remove the treats you put inside. Designed to be used on it's own or connected/linked up to the Leo and Mini Leo toys. Mike can also be used to feed a dogs meal instead of a bowl - put your pup to work and inspire the art of genius-level problem-solving in your own home (no need to travel all the way to Italy!). Mike is a great way to help obese dogs lose weight too - extending the duration of a meal can help them feel more satisfied with less food. Mike can provide hours of challenge and enjoyment for your canine genius! Get Mike at Lucia's Premium Pet.
• 7. Kibble Nibble Help your dog shed some pounds and stay in shape with the Premier Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble. Place food or treats inside the toy, and watch your pet exercise mentally and physically to try to get the food our of it. The safe activity ball features customizable dual Treat Meters that randomly dispense kibble and treats as the ball tumbles around. Get it at Lucia’s Premium Pet.
• 8. Dog Tornado - Plastic This interactive dog toy lets your dog improve his investigative skills with a challenging and fun dog game. Watch as your dog builds confidence, working to unearth hidden treats with this intriguing dog puzzle game. Get it at Hairy Winston.
• 9. The Twist ‘n Treat is the first and only 2-piece adjustable rubber treat dispensing toy. The rate of treat dispersal can be adjusted to suit the interest and ability of the dog. When first introducing the toy to your dog, we suggest leaving enough space in the opening to allow treats to fall our regularly, so your dog can "win the game." Once your dog plays successfully with the Twist 'n Treat, you can screw the opening tighter to extend the length of play. The adjustable opening allows the Twist 'n Treat to be filled with a variety of hard, soft, and smear-able treats. Made of natural rubber. Get it at Hairy Winston.
• 10. Dogs need intellectual stimulation as well as physical activity. The Aïkiou (pronounced "IQ") Interactive Bowl was developed to meet that need. It gives your dog a chance to solve problems in the form of an interactive game between you and your dog. But besides using the Aïkiou as an anytime educational and fun activity, you can also use it as a food dish for meals. Because your dog will have to "forage" for his dinner, he will be eating his more slowly. This is a great way to slow down dogs that inhale their food. Get it at Hairy Winston.
• 11. The Busy Buddy Tug-a-Jug is the ultimate interactive toy, designed to stimulate all your dog's senses. Your dog can see the treats through the plastic bottle, smell the treats through the scent holes, hear the treats as they rattle inside and taste the treats when he successfully manages to dispense one through play. Perfect to entertain and challenge your dog while you're away! Get it at Lucia’s Premium Pet.
• 12. The Dog Twister Your dog is to look for treats by moving one block after another in a circle in different directions; the blocks can also be locked in position by a bone-shaped peg on the up-side of the game. There are depressions under the blocks where treats can be hidden for advanced play. Get it at Hairy Winston.
• 13. Do You Mind? Roll the paw print dice, pick a matching paw print card, get your dog to do the activity, enter your score on the score pad. Highest score WINS! You, your friends, your family and your dogs will have SO MUCH FUN!

The OBJECT of "Do You Mind?" is to score the most point by getting your dog to do the fun activities on the paw print cards in a designated amount of time. 
Get it Hairy Winston.
• 14. Intellibone has 5 separate rings around the soft plush bone for your dog to remove over and over again. Squeakers on each ring and at each end of the bone. Get it here. 
• 15. KONG Genius toys come in three sizes and two shapes, and can be interconnected to create new configurations for added challenge. Made in the USA of a durable, non-toxic, FDA food-approved TPR material, these toys are perfect for average chewers. Fill with food and use as an engaging mealtime feeder. Dishwasher safe, KONG Genius toys help combat boredom and separation anxiety, and are great for puppies and adult dogs alike. Available in three sizes: small, large and extra large. Get it at Hairy Winston.
• 16. The Amazing Treat Machine is an exciting and innovative new dog toy. It automatically rewards your dog with treats when he or she drops a tennis ball inside. By nature, dogs are hunters and workers. Using the Amazing Treat Machine will stimulate these primal instincts within your dog. Get it here. 
• 17. GoDogGo is a remote-control tennis ball launcher is designed specifically to play fetch with your dog when you’re tired or busy, or it's too hot. In automatic mode, GoDogGo will launch tennis balls every 7 or 15 seconds for your dog to fetch. In manual mode, you can launch each tennis ball to your dog using the remote-control. Get it here.
• 18. We even found something for the cat! After all, a bored cat will only torment your bored dog!  This puzzle box appeals to the natural predator instinct in cats to keep them busy and entertained for hours on end. Simply place toys or treats inside the sturdy, all-wood box for your cat to capture from the strategically placed access holes. Comes with two toys to get the fun started. Additional toys available. Get it here.
• 19. With the all NEW Rubber Talk to Me Treatball your dog will never be home alone again. Record your message and the motion activated replay will talk to your pup while you're away. The 6" ball dispenses treats while your dog plays and the recorded message entices him to play. Lots of fun for you and your pet! Get it here.  
• 20. Bacon Flavored Bubble Machine. Dogs just can't help but love colorful bubbles floating through the air - it's in their nature. Add a bubble machine that automatically blows bubbles and we're talking doggie heaven. The Gazillion Bubble Machine for dogs is a musthave for any dog who's tired of the same old squeaky toys. Just pour the bubble solution into the machine, turn it on and sit back while this interactive dog toy blows bubbles, bubbles and yes more bubbles to your anxiously awaiting pooch. Bubbles are chicken, peanut butter and bacon flavored. Get it here.