Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Brick Puzzle Game Dog Toy, Blue & Red vs Outward Hound XL Hide-A-Squirrel Plush Puzzle Toy

Puzzle Toys + Interactive Toys 10 Features Compared

Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Brick Puzzle Game Dog Toy, Blue & Red

by Nina Ottosson / Outward Hound

Price $14-$21
Rating ★★★★ 4.4/5 (2,300 reviews)
Category Puzzle Toys
Best For Best for dogs moving up from simple puzzles who enjoy multi-step problem solving with paws and nose.

The Brick puzzle combines sliding compartments, flip lids, and removable bone blocks so dogs must perform multiple actions to get to hidden treats. This layered interaction makes it more challenging than simpler treat boards and gives dogs several problem-solving steps in one toy. It is made from BPA-free hard plastic and is widely used as a next-step puzzle for developing canine enrichment skills.

Outward Hound XL Hide-A-Squirrel Plush Puzzle Toy

by Outward Hound

Price $21.99-$25.99
Rating ★★★★ 4.17/5 (50 reviews)
Category Interactive Toys
Best For Best for dogs that love plush toys, squeakers, and simple hide-and-seek style play.

The Outward Hound XL Hide-A-Squirrel is a soft plush puzzle toy featuring a tree trunk stuffed with squeaky plush squirrels that dogs pull out one by one. It offers a gentle, approachable puzzle format without hard parts, making it especially good for dogs that enjoy plush toys and squeakers. The toy provides light mental stimulation and can also serve as a comfort toy for cuddling. It is intended for indoor supervised play and is not designed to withstand rough chewing.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureNina Ottosson by Outward Hound Brick Puzzle Game Dog Toy, Blue & RedOutward Hound XL Hide-A-Squirrel Plush Puzzle Toy
Build Quality
DurabilityMediumLow
MaterialPlasticFabric
Chew ResistantMediumLow
Usability
Difficulty LevelMediumEasy
Size OptionsOne SizeMultiple sizes
Indoor / OutdoorIndoorIndoor
Functionality
Treat DispensingYesNo
InteractiveYesYes
Maintenance
Dishwasher SafeNoNo
NoiselessMinimalNo

Strengths & Weaknesses

Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Brick Puzzle Game Dog Toy, Blue & Red

Strengths

  • Multi-step actions help extend engagement and mental challenge
  • Strong value for the level of complexity
  • Large review base suggests broad popularity and dependable performance

Weaknesses

  • Some dogs get frustrated or try to flip the whole toy
  • Bone blocks can be lost or broken
  • Sticky or wet treats can make cleaning more difficult

Outward Hound XL Hide-A-Squirrel Plush Puzzle Toy

Strengths

  • Soft construction is gentle on teeth and good for beginners
  • Can double as a comforting plush toy
  • Squeakers provide extra motivation and reward

Weaknesses

  • Easily damaged by heavy chewers
  • Plush material gets dirty and wet easily
  • Low difficulty may not hold interest for long

Frequently Asked Questions

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