The Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Brick is an interactive treat puzzle toy for dogs, used to hold small treats that a dog works to uncover during play.
It is a plastic puzzle with three separate treat compartments: two are reached through flip-open lids that also slide sideways, and the third sits beneath removable white brick-shaped bone pieces that lift out. The parts are removable, and the toy is made from BPA-free, PVC-free and phthalate-free materials. It is hand washed with warm water and soap.
Rated at intermediate, level 2, it suits dogs that have already worked through a level 1 puzzle from the Nina Ottosson range. Reach for it when a dog needs something to occupy them indoors, under supervision, since no toy is indestructible and damaged pieces should be replaced.
To get started, load each compartment with small, dry treats or kibble before presenting the toy to the dog. Letting the dog watch you hide the treats can help build initial interest, but if the dog seems frustrated, guiding a paw or nose toward a lid can demonstrate how the toy opens without simply handing over the reward. Because the lids slide as well as flip, some dogs will figure out one motion before the other, so varying which compartments you load keeps the challenge from becoming too predictable over repeated sessions.
When comparing puzzles at this level, look at how many distinct actions are required to access each compartment, since more steps generally means a longer and more engaged session. The brick format sits flat and stable on hard floors, though a mat underneath can prevent it sliding during enthusiastic play. Storage is straightforward given the flat profile: the removable pieces nest back into place, so the toy stacks tidily on a shelf without needing a separate bag or box. This puzzle suits dogs that are food motivated and physically capable of gentle manipulation with a paw or snout, making it less appropriate for very young puppies or dogs with mobility limitations in their front legs.
