You don’t need to spend a lot of money to keep your dog’s brain active. Sometimes all you need is a household item to create a fun indoor enrichment game.
The muffin tin puzzle is an easy puzzle to make. All you need is a baking tin, your dog’s usual kibble and some balls in the correct size. Place some small food into the muffin tins and place the balls over the top so that your dog will have to use their nose and paws to get the food.
This simple game can be great for dogs that live in apartments. It gets your dog to smell, search and solve a small puzzle.
The great thing about this game is it can be made using a few items you probably have at home. The steps below will show you How To Make a muffin tin puzzle, introduce it to your dog and how to keep it safe and fun.
What Is A Muffin Tin Puzzle?
A muffin tin puzzle is a simple DIY game you can make for your dog to help them with their enrichment.
Take a standard muffin tin and place a few pieces of kibble or small dog treats in a few of the cups. Place some suitable balls over the top.
Your dog will have to investigate the tin and move the balls to get to the food underneath.
This encourages your dog to use their nose and paws to find the food. It also means they have to work for their food.
You can make this game easier or trickier depending on your dog’s experience and confidence.
Things You’ll Need
To make this puzzle all you will need are:
- A clean muffin tin
- Your dog’s usual dry kibble or small dog treats.
- Several suitable balls of the right size for your dog.
- A flat non slip surface.
Ensure you have a clean muffin tin that is stable with no sharp or broken edges.
Choose balls that are too big for your dog to swallow. Ensure they are intact and not broken. Avoid using small balls or any fragile toys.
This game should be played with supervision. If your dog likes to chew then choose a different enrichment game.
How To Make A Muffin Tin Puzzle
All you need to do is follow these simple steps to create this puzzle. Ensure all of your items are clean and suitable for your dog.
Step 1 – Get Your Muffin Tin Ready
Ensure your muffin tin is clean. Remove any food, oil or crumbs.
To clean the tin wash in warm water and washing up liquid. Rinse well and dry.
Check the muffin tin has no sharp or broken edges. Ensure that there are no loose or broken pieces. Check that there are no deep dents. Ensure that it is clean with no food left in.
Place on a flat non slip surface. Ensure your dog has plenty of room to investigate.
If the muffin tin is very slippery place a suitable non slip mat underneath.
Step 2 – Choose Your Balls
Choose some balls that can be placed over the muffin tins.
Choose something that is too big for your dog to swallow. Choose something that is suitable for their size and playing style.
Ensure the balls are:
- Big enough they won’t be swallowed.
- No cracks or broken areas.
- Not breaking apart.
- Easy for your dog to move without biting or chewing.
Avoid using small balls or anything fragile.
If you’re unsure whether the ball will be suitable for your dog choose a different ball or a dedicated dog puzzle.
Step 3 – Add Kibble
Place a few pieces of your dog’s dry kibble in some of the muffin cups.
You don’t need to fill them all. If you’re playing with a dog that has never had this puzzle before it makes it easier to start with a few food rewards.
Using your dog’s usual food makes it easy and avoids adding too many extra treats.
Avoid using anything sticky, large or difficult for your dog to eat.
Step 4 – Cover The Muffin Tins
Place one suitable ball over each of the muffin cups with kibble.
Leave some of the muffin cups empty to make the puzzle a bit more interesting.
To begin with just place a few balls over a few of the muffin cups.
This will make it easier for your dog to learn there is food underneath.
Step 5 – Playing With Your Dog
Place the muffin tin on the floor in front of your dog.
Let them investigate and sniff the puzzle.
If they don’t understand what they need to do gently move one of the balls to reveal the kibble. Let your dog find and eat their reward.
Don’t play for too long and always keep it positive. Never force your dog to play with it.
Some dogs will understand the puzzle quickly whilst others will need a bit of encouragement.
How To Play The Puzzle
Once your dog understands the basics you can play with them using the muffin tin puzzle.
Here are a few ideas.
1. Start With An Easy Puzzle
Place a couple of pieces of kibble in two or three of the muffin cups.
Place balls over these. Leave the rest of the cups empty.
This will make it easy for your dog to learn they need to move the balls.
2. Let Them Sniff And Nudge
Some dogs like to sniff and nudge items.
Let your dog sniff the balls to move them.
Don’t rush them and let them explore.
3. Let Them Use Their Paws
Some dogs will like to use their paws to move the balls.
If your dog can play gently with the puzzle let them gently tap or push the balls to reveal the kibble.
Avoid letting them scratch, bite or chew the balls. If they begin to use the balls as chew toys take the game away.
4. Use Part Of Their Food
Instead of adding extra treats you can use a small amount of your dog’s usual kibble.
This makes the muffin tin puzzle a great way to turn part of their meal into an enrichment activity.
Just remember to include the food in their meals.
5. Don’t Play For Too Long
You don’t need to play for long.
Let your dog find the food and enjoy the game. Once they have finished playing take the muffin tin and balls away.
Ideas To Make The Puzzle Trickier
Once your dog understands the basics you can make a few simple changes to make it more interesting.
Try:
- Adding more muffin cups. Add a few more pieces of kibble into the muffin cups.
- Cover more muffin cups. Add some suitable balls over more muffin cups. Include some empty ones.
- Change the position of the food. Move the kibble into different muffin cups.
- Use fewer treats. Only use a few food rewards so your dog has to really investigate the muffin tin.
- Move the balls around between games.
Don’t rush into making it trickier. If your dog begins to get frustrated or lose interest go back to an easier version.
The aim is to make it enjoyable and not difficult.
Tips For Keeping Your Dog Safe
This is a simple way to provide some enrichment for your dog indoors. Just ensure you are using the right items and supervise your dog.
- Always supervise your dog whilst playing. Ensure you’re close enough to stop them from chewing or damaging the balls or muffin tin.
- Never use any small balls that could be swallowed by your dog.
- Avoid using any cracked, broken, falling apart or shedding balls.
- Ensure the muffin tin doesn’t have any sharp edges, broken pieces or damage.
- Ensure it is on a flat non slip surface.
- If your dog is being rough, frustrated or too exited stop the game.
- Once finished put everything away.
This may not be suitable for dogs that like to aggressively chew their toys, swallow non food items or struggle to play gently with loose items.
Puppies and dogs that aren’t used to playing enrichment games will need to be closely supervised. Choose items that are suitable for their size and behaviour.
If your dog swallows any part of a ball or item contact your vet as soon as possible. Don’t induce vomiting unless your vet tells you to.
My Dog Doesn’t Understand The Puzzle
Not all dogs will understand the puzzle straight away. They may sniff the muffin tin and walk away or try to pick up the balls but not find any food.
This is completely fine. Give them time to investigate.
Try:
- Only using two or three muffin cups with kibble.
- Leaving some of the muffin cups open so they can see the food.
- Move one of the balls to show how the game works.
- Use a few pieces of your dog’s favourite suitable treats.
- Keep it relaxed and positive.
- Let them investigate.
If your dog gets frustrated, loses interest or begins to chew the balls stop playing.
You can try again at another time with an easier setup or choose a different indoor enrichment game.
Why Is A Muffin Tin Puzzle Useful For Dogs In Apartments?
Living in an apartment doesn’t mean your dog can’t have any fun enrichment games. A muffin tin puzzle can be a great idea because:
- It doesn’t take up much floor space.
- It uses simple items from around the house.
- It gets your dog to sniff and search for food.
- It provides a small puzzle for your dog.
- It can use part of their usual daily food.
- It is easy to prepare and tidy away.
It can be a great way to provide some enrichment whilst they are doing a calm activity indoors, on a rainy day or to add some variety to their usual routine.
It shouldn’t replace walks, physical activity, training or any other activities your dog needs. It is just a way to provide more mental stimulation.
FAQs
Can I Use Any Muffin Tin?
Ensure the muffin tin is clean, stable and has no sharp edges, broken pieces or damage. A metal or silicone muffin tin may be suitable if they are in good condition and your dog can interact with them.
What Balls Can I Use?
Choose durable balls that are safe for your dog. Choose something that is too big for them to swallow. Check the balls before every session. Avoid using anything that is broken, fragile or likely to fall apart.
Can I Use Treats Instead Of Kibble?
Yes. You can use small pieces of suitable dog treats. However using your dog’s usual dry kibble is a great idea as you can use part of their usual daily food.
Can I Use This With Puppies?
It depends on your puppy’s size, behaviour and if they like to chew items. Puppies often like to investigate with their mouths so loose balls and items from around the house may not be suitable. Choose a suitable puppy friendly enrichment toy. If you’re unsure ask your vet.
How Often Can I Play With My Dog?
You can use this as part of your dog’s indoor enrichment. Ensure you keep it short and supervised. Adjust the difficulty depending on your dog’s interest and behaviour.
What Can I Use Instead Of A Muffin Tin?
Try using a suitable snuffle mat, dedicated food puzzle or durable treat dispenser. Choose something that is suitable for your dog’s size, chewing habits and experience with enrichment games.
Final Thoughts
The muffin tin puzzle is a simple and affordable way to provide some mental stimulation for your dog.
Using a clean baking tin, a few pieces of kibble and suitable balls you can create an easy indoor enrichment game without spending a lot of money on a toy.
Your dog will have to use their nose and paws to investigate the muffin cups and move the balls to find the small food rewards. It can be a great game to use if you want to add some variety to your apartment dog’s routine.
Ensure you supervise your dog closely. Choose safe items and tidy everything away. If your dog likes to chew or destroy items choose a dedicated puzzle.
Happy Paws, Happier Homes!
