The 8 Best Toys for Puppies That Will Keep Your Pooch Entertained

Nina Ottosman puzzle toys are wildly popular amongst dog owners for providing mental and physical stimulation for pets, and her Level 1 puzzles serves as a good introduction to problem solving for your puppy.

The simple action required to play—in this case, removing the bones from the center tray to uncover treats—makes for a fun and rewarding game that will keep them stimulated and prepare them for more advanced toys in the future.

Reviewers love how this keeps their puppies engaged and say it’s a durable starter toy. The tops to the treats do come off, so be sure to watch puppies carefully while they play so they don’t swallow any pieces.

This hide-and-seek plush toy lets your puppy search for furry chew toys in a soft tree trunk, providing both mental and physical stimulation.

Stuff the squirrels in the trunk and let your puppy figure out how to get them out; for added incentive, you can put their favorite treat at the bottom of the stump. Once they manage to pull them out, your dog will love chewing and tossing the squirrels, each of which comes with a rubber squeaker inside, around.

Reviewers say this simple puzzle toy keeps their dogs busy for hours and is like having two toys in one. Amazon sells a small trunk that includes three squirrels and a larger trunk that includes six, making it a great choice for both large and small breeds. They also sell replacement squirrels if one gets too roughed up during playtime.

Puppies love chewing anything and everything during teething so a good rope toy is a must, but you don’t want to get one that’s thinly woven and will be torn up in a few days. Chyrle Bonk, DVM, a veterinarian who works with Hepper.com, recommends this rope toy because it’s “simple and durable, so there’s little chance of a puppy chewing it up and swallowing [pieces]."

It’s 36 inches long, has five large knots, and is made from a natural, washable cotton. Dr. Bonk says, “a braided rope is a great texture for teething puppies,” although she does suggest trimming the fringes at the end to ensure your pup doesn’t ingest any. A lot of the reviews on Amazon are from repeat customers who agree this rope toy is the most durable one they’ve purchased.

Puppies love a good game of tug-of-war, and this Monkey Rope toy is durable enough to withstand hours of activity. ZippyPaws' rope toy has 2/3-inch thick nylon at each end for puppies to pull on and the plush middle has a squeaker toy inside. Reviewers say the cute design provides a cuddle buddy for pets and is great for most puppies, although it may not stand up to more aggressive chewing.

Jacquelyn Kennedy, a professional dog trainer and founder of PetDT, says she's had this toy recommended to her by several vets and agrees it checks all the boxes for a good puppy toy: safe, interactive, and stimulating.

Kong is known for making durable playthings and the brand's classic red rubber toy is a favorite amongst dog lovers. The toy is made from hefty rubber that bounces when your puppy throws it around, providing your pup hours of chase time that should tire them out. You can also stuff these with your pooch's favorite treats, giving them some mental stimulation as your puppy tries to figure out how to get the snacks out.

The Kong Classic comes in sizes XS to XXL to fit any breed size and the toys are easily cleaned. A lot of reviewers say this is the top choice for their dog, that it stops them from chewing things they shouldn’t, and it keeps them busy for a long time.

These stuffing-free toys will keep your dog engaged, with two squeakers inside and furry fabric on the outside. They also have a pocket at the bottom in which you can stuff an empty plastic bottle for your puppy to chew and crunch on.

Customers say these toys are durable and well-made but probably not the best for heavy chewers. They come in small to large sizes, and there are a variety of animal styles to choose from—from the duck pictured here to moose to lions—so you’re sure to find a favorite for your puppy.

This popular TV puppet has earned itself a huge new fanbase: dogs! This is a simple plush squeaky toy that dogs seem to love and reviewers can’t stop raving about, either. Use it to play fetch with your dog, let them chew on it for hours, or entice them to come to you with the squeaker inside.

It’s good for cuddling when playtime is over, and many reviews mentioned how their dogs even carry Lamb Chop to bed. The regular size is 10 inches tall and good for small to medium breeds.

Dogs love a bully stick to chew on but when one gets whittled down to a nub by your pup, it can quickly become a choking hazard. This starter pack from Safety Chew eliminates that worry with their bully stick holder, which covers that smaller end and keeps your dog from ingesting it.

Most bully stick holders lack a locking mechanism, meaning dogs can easily pull them out, but this one has a pin-locking system to keep the stick in place and prevent your puppy from swallowing it.

Reviewers agree the pin does a good job locking the stick into place, but say the plastic holder itself isn't the most durable and recommend that buyers keep an eye on their pup as the stick gets shorter, as the holder itself isn't meant to be chewed.