Overview

The Nina Ottosson Dog Brick occupies an interesting middle ground in the puzzle toy world: hard enough to actually challenge most dogs, accessible enough that it does not require a PhD in canine behavioral training to introduce. The Level 2 difficulty rating means your dog needs to figure out two distinct mechanics — sliding compartments sideways and lifting removable bone-shaped covers — before reaching the hidden treats underneath. That dual-mechanism design is what separates this from the flood of single-trick puzzle toys that dogs crack in thirty seconds.

In practice, most dogs get 15 to 30 minutes of focused engagement per session, which is roughly the enrichment equivalent of a moderate walk. The entire unit is made from BPA-free, PVC-free, phthalate-free composite that is certified food-safe, so you can stuff it with wet treats without worrying about chemical leaching. And when your dog inevitably smears peanut butter into every crevice, the whole thing goes on the top rack of your dishwasher. At $19.99, this is one of the more thoughtfully designed puzzle toys you can buy without crossing into premium pricing territory.

Features Deep-Dive

Dual-Mechanism Puzzle Design

The Dog Brick requires two separate problem-solving strategies working in sequence. Dogs must first slide the horizontal compartment covers to reveal some treat wells, then figure out that the bone-shaped pieces lift vertically to expose additional hidden compartments beneath. This layered approach matters because single-mechanism puzzles — where every compartment opens the same way — teach dogs one trick and then become trivially easy forever. The Dog Brick forces your dog to switch between lateral sliding and vertical lifting, which engages different cognitive pathways. Nina Ottosson rates this as Level 2 (Intermediate), and that feels accurate: it stumps most dogs on their first few sessions but becomes manageable once they learn the mechanics.

Food-Safe Material Construction

The composite material passes three separate safety certifications — no BPA, no PVC, no phthalates. This matters more than most people realize. Puzzle toys spend extended time in contact with wet food, saliva, and warm mouths. Cheap plastic puzzle toys can leach harmful compounds under exactly these conditions. The Ottosson composite is dense enough to resist scratching from nails and teeth during normal puzzle use, though it will show wear marks over time. The material has a slight texture that helps it grip smooth floors rather than sliding around while your dog works on it, which is a small detail that makes a real difference in daily use.

Dishwasher-Safe Cleanup

Top-rack dishwasher compatibility sounds like a minor feature until you have spent fifteen minutes scrubbing peanut butter out of tiny compartments with a bottle brush. The Dog Brick's compartments are wide enough that water jets reach every surface during a dishwasher cycle, and the composite material handles repeated wash cycles without warping or degrading. You can also hand-wash with warm soapy water, but the dishwasher option makes it realistic to use this toy daily — which is how you get the most enrichment value from it. Toys that are annoying to clean end up sitting in a closet.

Pricing Analysis

At $19.99, the Dog Brick sits comfortably in the mid-range for interactive puzzle toys. Basic treat-dispensing balls run $8 to $12 but offer nowhere near the cognitive complexity. The premium Nina Ottosson Challenge Slider costs $32.99 for Level 3 difficulty, making the Dog Brick roughly 40% cheaper for one difficulty step down. Compared to generic puzzle toys from lesser-known brands in the $10 to $15 range, the Ottosson build quality and food-safe certification justify the modest premium. The real value calculation is in reusability: unlike treat chews that get consumed or plush toys that get destroyed, a well-maintained Dog Brick lasts years. Even at one session per day, the per-use cost drops below a penny within a few months.

Who Is This For?

• Owners of moderately smart breeds (Beagles, Bulldogs, Spaniels): These dogs get a genuine challenge without the frustration that Level 3 puzzles can cause. The dual-mechanism design holds their attention for the full 15-30 minute window.
• First-time puzzle toy buyers: If you have never used enrichment toys before, the Dog Brick is the ideal starting point. It is complex enough to actually work but straightforward enough that you do not need to teach your dog how to use it — most figure out the sliding covers within the first session.
• Dog owners dealing with boredom-related behavior problems: Destructive chewing, excessive barking, and restlessness often stem from mental under-stimulation. A daily Dog Brick session before you leave for work can meaningfully reduce these behaviors.
• Multi-dog households looking for supervised enrichment: The puzzle holds enough treats for one dog at a time, creating a structured activity during training or mealtime separation.

Who Should NOT Use This

• Owners of Border Collies, Poodles, or Australian Shepherds: Highly intelligent breeds often solve this puzzle within two or three sessions and lose interest entirely. You will spend $20 on a toy that provides maybe a week of challenge before your dog is bored. Start with the Level 3 Challenge Slider instead.
• Giant breed owners (Great Danes, Mastiffs): The Dog Brick comes in a single size that works well for medium dogs but is physically small for breeds over 80 pounds. Large paws can flip the entire puzzle rather than manipulating individual compartments, which defeats the purpose.
• People looking for an unsupervised chew toy: The composite material is durable under normal puzzle use but is not designed to withstand sustained chewing. If your dog's instinct is to gnaw on things rather than manipulate them, this toy will get damaged and potentially create small pieces.

Bottom Line

The Nina Ottosson Dog Brick is the puzzle toy to buy if your dog has outgrown basic treat-dispensing toys but is not ready for expert-level puzzles. The dual-mechanism design creates genuine cognitive challenge, the food-safe construction handles daily use without concern, and the dishwasher compatibility means you will actually keep using it. Smart dogs will outgrow it — that is a feature, not a flaw, because it tells you when to move up to Level 3.

FAQ

How do I teach my dog to use the Dog Brick for the first time?

Start with the bone covers removed and treats visible in the sliding compartments. Let your dog figure out the slide mechanism first. Once that clicks — usually within one or two sessions — add the bone covers back with treats underneath. Most dogs make the connection between lifting the bones and finding hidden treats within three to five sessions.

Can I use wet food or peanut butter instead of dry treats?

Yes, and it actually increases engagement time significantly. Smearing a thin layer of peanut butter or wet food into the compartments forces your dog to lick and work harder than with dry kibble that falls out easily. Just make sure to run the puzzle through the dishwasher afterward.

How long will my dog stay interested in this toy?

It depends entirely on the dog. Average-intelligence breeds typically stay engaged for weeks to months, finding the puzzle rewarding each session. Highly intelligent breeds (Border Collies, Poodles, Australian Shepherds) may solve it reliably within a week. You can extend the challenge by using stickier foods or combining the bone covers with the sliding compartments in more complex arrangements.

Is the Dog Brick safe for puppies?

Nina Ottosson recommends the Dog Brick for dogs of all ages, but puppies under six months should be closely supervised. Young puppies are more likely to chew on the puzzle rather than solve it, and their developing teeth can damage the composite material. Wait until your puppy has learned the difference between chew toys and puzzle toys before introducing this.