Are Puzzle Toys Useful or the Sign of a Lazy Dog Owner?

I have seen a lot of talk online criticizing the use of puzzle toys as necessary/fulfilling as a long walk or alternatively as puzzle toys being a sign of lazy/uneducated dog ownership. The phrasing in both of these messages gatekeeps good dog ownership under a specific routine and leaves no room for the nuance of everyday life. 

I think that puzzle toys have a purpose all on their own, not comparable to other types of enrichment. They may or may not be valuable for your household. I know they are a very useful tool for my dogs in a variety of situations.

My dogs both have weather conditions that are intolerable for them in the area we live. While we can do a variety of indoor activities like fitness training, nosework, obedience training, treadmill, fetch and tug, it is at times helpful to have puzzle toys to further help them meet their needs on these days. 

My dogs both have health conditions that require them to not exercise intensely everyday and to regularly have rest/recovery days. Intense exercise on a daily basis makes their behavior worse, because then they are in pain. Puzzle toys are a good low intensity way for them to get some enrichment when it is a rest/recovery day. 

I get sick sometimes, work gets hectic sometimes, and emergencies happen. I am far from lazy with my dogs, but life is also not perfect. When I am in a pinch and need to give my dog a low effort activity a puzzle toy is a great option. 

In 2023 I virtually attended the Canine Aggression Conference and was fascinated by the lectures on feral and stray dogs that make up 80 % of the dog population. These dogs are more likely to engage in foraging behavior through human trash than hunting behavior. Their foraging behavior looks just like a lot of puzzle toy usage and was compared to puzzle toys in the lecture. Our dog’s interactions with puzzle toys are far from unnatural and they do meet a prevalent need. 

The important thing to remember is that there is always nuance when it comes to “what is best for the dog.” There are dogs out there that can’t use puzzle toys or who don’t want to, and it does not mean their quality of life is lower. Puzzle toys are not a requirement for a good dog owner and using them does not make you a bad dog owner. They have their time and place. You can love and fulfill your dog whether you use them or not.