Canine Genius Leo Dog Toys

August 7, 2010 10:03 pm | By Zootoo Editor Melba B.

Think your dog's a genius? Why not challenge her with the Canine Genius Leo? This durable, treat-releasing puzzle sharpens your dog's problem solving skills. Shaped like like a rubber bowling pin, the Leo has a hollow neck and two X-shaped holes on the side and bottom to make stuffing easy for you—but retrieving a challenge for your dog. It's easy to use: Just tuck treats into the holes, then let the fun begin—watch your dog roll, tap, bounce, shake or nose Leo to get the treats out. It's a definite crowd pleaser.

Not only is the Canine Genius Leo a special training treat, but it can be effective at mealtimes, too. We've discovered that using the Leo to feed meals helps trigger my dog's natural hunting and foraging instincts. I just fill the Leo with my dog's dinner, seal the openings with peanut butter and let him go to town. His brain gets an extra workout; I get up to a half hour of me-time while he's snacking away. Using the Leo to feed is very effective at encouraging gulpers to slow down. And, it can be helpful for dogs with a little extra weight to lose; just like us, eating more slowly and deliberately can make them feel more full with a smaller portion.

Although my dog is perfectly content with a single Leo, it's possible to connect two, three or more Leos together to make things more challenging. When connected, they become a maze of puzzles, allowing the goodies to move from one Leo to the next—which makes finding the reward much more difficult. When playtime's over, just toss the Leo into the dishwasher or wash with warm soapy water.

Made in the USA, the Leo is available in Regular (for soft to medium chewers) and Extra (for aggressive chewers), and comes in two sizes: Standard and Mini (for toy breeds).

The verdict: this toy is an absolute favorite in our house. At nearly $20 ($18.95), it might seem a bit expensive for a treat-dispenser. But when you consider that the Canine Genius Leo is also great for fetch, tug-of-war and trips to the beach (it floats), we think you'll agree that this several-in-one toy is a great value.

Pros: Gives your dog's brain an extra workout. Easy to clean.

Cons: On the pricey side, but a great value for the cost.