Clever Dog Toys to Keep Your Dog Busy: 12 Puzzle, Chew and Fetch Toys (UK)
Bored dog chewing things? 12 clever dog toys to keep your dog busy, from treat mazes and snuffle toys to KONGs and chews, plus easy boredom-busting tips.
Nina Ottosson Dog Treat Maze
A rolling maze that releases treats as your dog plays.
- Slows down eating
- Mental exercise
- Low price
Sidney Snuffle & Seek Toy
A soft toy with hiding places for treats.
- Great for sniffing
- Calming
- Soft and cute
KONG Classic With Rope
The famous KONG, plus a rope for tugging.
- Tough rubber
- Can be stuffed with food
- Rope for play
Beco Super Stick
A rubber "stick" that's safer than the real thing.
- Safer than wooden sticks
- Natural rubber
- Great for fetch
Super Bounce Tennis Balls (3 Pack)
Bouncy balls for energetic games of fetch.
- Pack of three
- Bouncy
- Good price
KONG AirDog Squeaker Knobby Ball
A squeaky, knobbly ball dogs love.
- Very cheap
- Squeaky
- Fun texture
Beco Slinger Ball
A ball on a rope for long throws.
- Throws further
- Natural rubber
- Tug and fetch
Yakers Dog Chew
A long-lasting natural chew.
- Long-lasting
- Natural
- Very cheap
Teddy Bear Chew Dog Treat (50g)
A fun teddy-shaped chew treat.
- Cheap
- Good reward
- Fun shape
Happy Pet Herby Highland Cow Tug of War Toy
A cute toy for tug-of-war games.
- Great for tug games
- Cute design
- Good price
Happy Pet Herby Highland Cow Plush Toy
A soft plush toy for gentle players.
- Soft and cuddly
- Cute
- Good for gentle dogs
House of Paws Après Ski Fox Dog Toy
A fun winter-themed plush toy.
- Great gift
- Fun design
- Soft
A bored dog is often a naughty dog. Chewing shoes, digging and barking are often signs that your dog needs more to do. Walks are important, but mental exercise, like sniffing, chewing and solving puzzles, tires dogs out too.
Here are 12 clever toys from Lords & Labradors to keep your dog busy, plus simple ideas that cost nothing.
Free ways to beat dog boredom
- Scatter feeding. Throw some of their dry food on the grass and let them sniff it out.
- Hide and seek. Hide treats around a room and let your dog find them.
- Short training sessions. Five minutes of learning a new trick is very tiring for a dog.
- Change the walk. A new route gives your dog lots of new smells.
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The quick picks
- Best puzzle toy: Nina Ottosson Dog Treat Maze, £10.99
- Best sniffing toy: Sidney Snuffle & Seek Toy, £12.99
- Best classic: KONG Classic With Rope, £12.99
- Best natural chew: Yakers Dog Chew, £2.49
What to look for in a dog toy
- Size. Choose a toy that's too big to swallow.
- Strength. Strong chewers need tough rubber toys rather than plush toys.
- Type of play. Puzzle and snuffle toys work the brain. Fetch toys burn energy.
- Supervision. Always supervise your dog with new toys and chews, and remove damaged toys.
Common questions
How do I know if my dog is bored?
Common signs include chewing things they shouldn't, digging, barking, pacing and following you around wanting attention.
Are puzzle toys good for dogs?
Yes. They make dogs use their brains and noses, which is tiring in a good way and can reduce problem behaviour.
How can I keep my dog busy while I'm at work?
A stuffed KONG or a long-lasting chew can help, but dogs shouldn't be left alone for too long. A dog walker or daycare may help on long days.
Are chews safe for dogs?
Choose chews that suit your dog's size, and always supervise. Take away small pieces that could be swallowed.
Related guides
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Every pet is different. If you're worried about your pet's health or behaviour, speak to your vet.
- We researched popular options sold by major UK retailers.
- We compared features, specifications and verified buyer reviews.
- We checked prices across several stores so you can see where it is cheapest.
Nina Ottosson Dog Treat Maze
Fill the maze with dry food or treats, and your dog has to roll and nudge it to get them out. It's a simple way to make mealtimes last longer.
✓What We Like
- Slows down eating
- Mental exercise
- Low price
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Some dogs work it out fast
Sidney Snuffle & Seek Toy
Snuffle toys let your dog use their nose to find hidden treats, which is calming and tiring at the same time.
✓What We Like
- Great for sniffing
- Calming
- Soft and cute
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Not for strong chewers
KONG Classic With Rope
Stuff the KONG with food or treats to keep your dog busy, and use the rope for tug games and throwing.
✓What We Like
- Tough rubber
- Can be stuffed with food
- Rope for play
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Supervise rope chewing
Beco Super Stick
Real sticks can splinter and hurt dogs. The Beco Super Stick gives the same fun with natural rubber.
✓What We Like
- Safer than wooden sticks
- Natural rubber
- Great for fetch
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Not indestructible
Super Bounce Tennis Balls (3 Pack)
A pack of three bouncy tennis balls for fetch in the park or garden.
✓What We Like
- Pack of three
- Bouncy
- Good price
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Not for chewing
KONG AirDog Squeaker Knobby Ball
A fun squeaky ball with a knobbly surface for fetch and play.
✓What We Like
- Very cheap
- Squeaky
- Fun texture
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Not for strong chewers
Beco Slinger Ball
The rope helps you throw further without a ball launcher, so your dog can run more.
✓What We Like
- Throws further
- Natural rubber
- Tug and fetch
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Supervise rope chewing
Yakers Dog Chew
Yakers are hard natural chews that keep dogs busy for a long time. Choose the right size for your dog.
✓What We Like
- Long-lasting
- Natural
- Very cheap
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Supervise, and remove small end pieces
Teddy Bear Chew Dog Treat (50g)
A cute chew treat that's handy as a reward or to keep your dog busy for a few minutes.
✓What We Like
- Cheap
- Good reward
- Fun shape
✕What to Keep in Mind
- A treat, so count it in their daily food
Happy Pet Herby Highland Cow Tug of War Toy
Tug games are a great way to bond and burn energy. This Highland cow toy is designed for tugging.
✓What We Like
- Great for tug games
- Cute design
- Good price
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Not for unsupervised chewing
Happy Pet Herby Highland Cow Plush Toy
A soft, cuddly toy for dogs who like to carry toys around and settle down with them.
✓What We Like
- Soft and cuddly
- Cute
- Good for gentle dogs
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Not for strong chewers
House of Paws Après Ski Fox Dog Toy
A characterful fox toy that makes a nice gift for a dog lover this winter.
✓What We Like
- Great gift
- Fun design
- Soft
✕What to Keep in Mind
- Higher price for a plush toy
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