The Best Nina Ottosson Dog Puzzles: Reviewed

When it comes to being an expert in dog puzzles, Nina Ottosson can claim the crown. She’s been making dog games, toys, and puzzles for nearly three decades! Recently, she’s even started making cat puzzles! 

There are so many great options available to help improve your dog’s mental and physical health. Some of the puzzles she’s made can even help increase your dog’s hunting skills! 

Whether you’re looking for something to tire your pup out, teach them a new trick, or just sharpen some skills they already have, Nina Ottosson has a puzzle for you. Because there are a plethora of options available, we’ve narrowed it down to the top four! 

It doesn’t matter if you’ve just adopted a new husky puppy or if you’re getting a present for your pit bull’s 12th birthday, these puzzles are for dogs of all ages and breeds. Let’s take a look at which items made the cut! 

Top Picks: The Best Nina Ottosson Dog Puzzles Today

#1 Overall Best: Brick Puzzle Game

Outward Hound’s Nina Ottosson Brick Puzzle Game takes the top place as our best overall choice. This puzzle is fantastic for a variety of reasons, one of which is that it teaches man’s best friend three distinct foraging abilities. 

This is an intermediate dog puzzle that is BPA-free and will provide a challenge to canines of all sizes. Because it is an intermediate dog puzzle, it will take a dog with some energy to learn their way around this option. 

It’s relatively compact, measuring 13 by 9 inches. This puzzle hides rewards in a variety of places, and your pet must figure out how to retrieve a treat. For example, one of the techniques involves raising and removing one of the dog bone-shaped blocks. 

Another task requires your dog to open a lid, while another asks them to move blocks onto predetermined rails. The puzzle does not use PVC or phthalates and it is simple to clean — everything can be hand-washed with mild soap and warm water! 

While there is no truly “indestructible” dog toy, this puzzle game is pretty hardy. Its design makes it difficult for dogs to get a grip on it for chewing. However, some customers reported that the lids and covers can pop off (making it easy to clean), and if a dog gets a hold of one they can damage it quickly.

Pros and Cons of the Nina Ottosson Brick Puzzle Game

Overall Best

Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Brick Puzzle Game Dog Toy

• Teaches your dog three distinct foraging abilities
• Intermediate dog puzzle
• Your pet must figure out how to retrieve a treat
• Can be hand-washed with mild soap and warm water

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2. Best Treat Dispensing Nina Ottosson Dog Puzzle: Dog Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle

If you’re looking for something to sharpen your pup’s problem-solving skills, the Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle is a great option. We all know the real reason why dogs want to play with these puzzles: they dispense treats!

With the Nina Ottosson Dog Twister, your dog will have to work for their treats. This is an advanced puzzle option, so it is a great choice if your dog has experience working with puzzles. Whether you have a busy day working at home or you just don’t have time to take your pooch on a walk, the Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle can help.

It keeps your dog entertained, all while wearing them out! Your dog will have to work with the sliding triangular slots where treats lie underneath. Position treats beneath the triangular block compartments, then push the white plastic handles in for a secure lock. Your pup will have to sequentially lift the handles and move the blocks to uncover their treats!

This puzzle does not have any removable parts, making it easy to clean and hard for your dog to chew or damage. It is also made without any phthalates, PVC, or BPA, so it is safe for your dog and easy to clean with mild soap and warm water. Of course, it is not 100% chew proof, but it is pretty durable. However, some customers reported that dogs left unattended with the puzzle were able to chew and pop some of the panels off.

Pros and Cons of the Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle

Best Treat Dispensing

Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle

• Sharpen your pup’s problem-solving skills
• Great choice if your dog has experience working with puzzles
• Combines mental stimulation with independent play
• Very easy to clean

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3. Best Nina Ottosson Dog Puzzle for Puppies: Wobble Bowl Dog Game Interactive Slow Feeder

Puppies may be inherently cute, but they’ll look even cuter when playing with the Wobble Bowl Dog Game Interactive Slow Feeder. This is one of Nina Ottosson’s beginner options and is perfect for a pup that has a ton of energy! 

Like the other puzzles on this list, this is a treat-dispensing toy. However, this one has a clear lid, so your puppy can see the treats inside. It wobbles around on all sides, keeping your pup entertained for hours! Because of the way it’s designed, this Nina Ottosson dog puzzle is also a great feeder for dogs that tend to eat too quickly.

Pet owners put up to one cup of treats or food inside and it will slowly dispense as your dog plays with it. It can help with boredom, weight management, and getting out all of that extra puppy energy! 

This puzzle is safe for your puppy and is made with materials that are PVC, BPA, and phthalate free. Since it does not have hidden compartments, lids, or flaps, it is much easier and safer for puppies to play with. However, customers reported that some dogs (especially older ones) can pop the clear lid off and access the treats or food all at once. In addition, unlike many of Nina Ottosson’s other puzzles, you cannot adjust the difficulty of this toy.

Pros and Cons of the Nina Ottosson Wobble Bowl Dog Game Interactive Slow Feeder

Best for Puppies

Outward Hound Wobble Bowl Dog Game Interactive Slow Feeder

• One of the beginner options
• Perfect for a pup that has a ton of energy
• A great feeder for dogs that tend to eat too quickly
• Has a clear lid, so dog can see the treats

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4. Best Budget Nina Ottosson Dog Puzzle: The Tornado in Blue

Last but not least, who says you have to spend a ton of money to buy your dog a fun puzzle? The Nina Ottosson Tornado is great for both your budget and for dogs of all ages. Because it is an intermediate level two puzzle game, it challenges your pup to keep trying until they get rewarded. 

This is a unique and interactive option that has four layers of rotating discs and 12 hidden compartments. Once your dog rotates the right layers in the proper direction, they’ll have access to the treats you’ve hidden in the compartments!

Pet owners can make it even more of a challenge for their furry friends by leaving some of the compartments empty. You can practically see the gears moving in your dog’s eyes as they play with this puzzle trying to earn treats! 

This puzzle does not have any phthalates, PVC, or BPA, so it is safe for your pup. It is also easy to clean with warm water and mild soap. The pieces do not come apart, however, and some customers said that this can make it a bit tricky to clean.

Pros and Cons of the Nina Ottosson Tornado in Blue

Best Budget

Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Interactive Treat Puzzle Dog Toy

• Level two game that challenges your pup
• Has four layers of rotating discs
• Your dog needs to complete multiple steps to earn a treat
• Very easy to clean

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Criteria: What to Look For

While we love all of the dog puzzles Nina Ottosson creates, there are certain features you may want to look for when you’re trying to find the best one for your canine. In our experience, we’ve found the following categories to be worth using when comparing one dog puzzle to another:

• Washable
• Price
• Durability
• Level of expertise
• Skills taught
• Safety

Let’s look at each of these in detail.

Washable

As a pet owner, you’re already busy with a million other things on your to-do list. You don’t have to spend too much time cleaning up your dog’s toys. All of the products listed earlier can be easily and quickly hand-washed with mild dish soap. It’s always a good idea to check the manual, as you may be able to put some of the puzzles in the dishwasher. 

Price

No one wants to spend more than they have to on anything. The majority of Nina’s puzzles she creates are affordable. There are plenty of options under $50 that will entertain, challenge, and reward your dog. They can sharpen a number of cognitive abilities and will last for years if taken care of properly. 

Durability

Man’s best friend can tear apart just about anything with their teeth and claws, including these puzzles. Knowing what the puzzle is made out of will help you know how durable it is. Be sure to get something that can handle their claws and teeth. 

Level of Expertise

We wanted to provide some excellent choices in puzzle games for dogs at different levels. The Wobble Bowl Dog Game Interactive Slow Feeder is excellent for puppies, as it requires a lot of energy to move the toy about so that treats are dispensed. Puppies’ brains still developing, so a puzzle that requires less thought but more physical activity is a great choice.

Our overall best pick, the Brick Puzzle Game, is an intermediate dog puzzle, which is suitable for adult dogs. It also is a treat-retrieving puzzle, but it requires more thought from your dog, and at the same time teaches your dog foraging skills. The Dog Twister Interactive Treat Puzzle is an advanced puzzle for those dogs that really need more of a mental challenge. Your dog’s dexterity comes into play as it works to open the magic doors, which reveal rewarding treats. This puzzle will also consume some of your dog’s pent-up energy — a win-win for sure! Another intermediate puzzle we included is the Tornado in Blue. But what really stands out about this one is the oh-so-affordable price.

Skills Taught

Problem-solving in sequential steps, overcoming obstacles, and learning special skills like foraging are just a few of the skills your dogs will learn with these particular Nina Ottosson Outward Hound puzzle games. Beyond that, your dogs will benefit by channeling energy that might have been used for destructive behaviors towards something that is totally constructive, as well as entertaining. Not only that, but your dog will get some exercise in the bargain!

Safety

The great thing about the toys on our top list, as well as any of this brand, is that they are constructed of safe plastic that is BPA, PVC & Phthalate free. The toys are also hand-washable. Keep in mind that some of the puzzles have removable parts, so if your dog is a puppy or prone to swallow objects, you should take caution and monitor it while it plays.

The Different Types of Dog Puzzles

Some of the greatest dog puzzles on the market are designed by Nina Ottosson. Luckily for us, she makes a few different types. Here are the top three types of dog puzzles and the advantages and disadvantages of each:

• Treat-Dispensing Puzzles: Just about every puzzle Nina Ottosson designs is a treat-dispensing puzzle. This option allows your pooch to get a tasty morsel after using their noggin’ to figure out how to solve the puzzle. Your dog will feel like they earned the treat they found. One downfall, however, is that these tend to get more slobbery and need to be washed after each use. 
• Puzzle Boards: Puzzle boards are fantastic since they generally include a variety of techniques for your dog to learn. They tend to be a bit bulkier than other options, however, and they might be more expensive than other alternatives as well. This style of puzzle is usually fairly sturdy, and dogs can’t seem to get enough of it. 
• Puzzle Mats: Puzzle mats can help your furry friend with their cognition and teach hunting skills. They’re great for dogs of all ages and capabilities. 

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