In-depth review
Outward Hound Dog Brick Review (2027)
The Outward Hound Dog Brick pairs sliding covers with flip lids across 20 compartments. Our research-based verdict on the classic puzzle.
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Brick Puzzle, Level 2
The classic sliding puzzle: flip lids and slide covers over 20 treat compartments, at a Level 2 challenge dogs can learn fast.
Our verdict
The Dog Brick is the puzzle most dogs should start with at Level 2: twenty compartments, two actions to learn, and a 1.5 cup capacity that replaces a meal bowl. It is plastic, not chew-proof, clever dogs solve it fast, and it needs hand washing. For owners who want a real brain workout without an expert-level board, it is the best puzzle in this guide.
What we like
- Twenty hidden treat compartments under sliding covers and flip lids give a long game from one filling
- Level 2 intermediate rating suits dogs that have outgrown beginner puzzles but are not ready for expert boards
- Holds up to 1.5 cups of food, so it can replace a meal bowl for slower, more engaged feeding
- Removable bone covers add a second action, teaching dogs to lift as well as slide
What to watch out for
- Plastic construction is not chew-proof, and determined chewers can crack covers if left unsupervised
- Clever dogs solve the pattern fast, after which the game shortens unless treats are hidden more carefully
- Hand washing only, and kibble dust collects in the sliding tracks if the board is not cleaned often
What owners report: Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Brick Puzzle, Level 2
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- Learning curve is praised, with owners saying most dogs grasp sliding within a few sessions and then play independently.
- Slower feeding is reported as a genuine benefit for dogs that inhale meals from a bowl.
- Removable bones are described as the detail that keeps clever dogs working after the sliders are mastered.
Common complaints
- Plastic covers crack under heavy paws or chewing, especially when the game is left out unsupervised.
- Fast learners finish the board in minutes, leaving owners to invent harder hiding patterns.
- Sliding tracks trap crumbs and need a brush to clean properly between uses.
Who it is for
Dogs new to puzzles, fast eaters and owners who want to turn meals into enrichment without buying an expert board.
Two actions, one long game
Sliding covers and flip lids sound simple, and that is the point: most dogs learn sliding within a few sessions, then discover the bone covers lift as well, which extends the game. Twenty compartments mean one filling lasts a full meal, and hiding treats unevenly keeps even clever dogs searching. Start with treats visible in open compartments, then close covers gradually as the dog learns.
Meals become enrichment
The 1.5 cup capacity is the practical win: pour a meal into the Brick instead of a bowl, and a dog that inhaled dinner in seconds now works for several minutes. Slower eating suits fast eaters and bored dogs alike, and owners report calmer evenings after a puzzle meal. It is not a substitute for walks, but it converts feeding time into brain work for free.
Plastic limits and cleaning
Plastic covers crack under heavy paws or chewing, so the Brick is a supervised game, not a toy left out all day. Kibble dust collects in sliding tracks, which need a brush between uses, and the board needs hand washing rather than a dishwasher cycle. Owners who supervise and clean it get a long-lived puzzle; owners who leave it out get a broken one.
Key specifications
- Material
- Plastic, per retailer listing
- Difficulty
- Level 2 intermediate, per maker
- Compartments
- 20 hidden treat compartments, per retailer listing
- Capacity
- Holds 1.5 cups of food, per retailer listing
- Size
- 12.8 inch board, per retailer listing
- Actions
- Slide covers, flip lids, lift bone covers
Also consider
Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Treat Tumble Ball, Large
The rolling treat ball: a Level 1 puzzle ball that drops treats as it rolls, for beginners and dogs that eat too fast.
Why consider it: The easier Level 1 rolling puzzle for dogs not ready for sliding covers
- Material: Plastic, per retailer listing
- Difficulty: Level 1 beginner, per maker
Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle, Large
The hide-and-seek plush: a soft tree trunk stuffed with squeaky squirrels that dogs hunt out, carry and squeak.
Why consider it: The softer hide-and-seek game for dogs that prefer plush to plastic boards
- Material: Plush, per maker
- Included: Tree trunk plus 3 squeaky squirrels, large size, per retailer listing
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Is the Dog Brick good for beginners?
Yes, at Level 2 it suits dogs that have outgrown a simple rolling ball but are not ready for expert puzzles. Start with treats visible and covers open, then close them gradually. Dogs that have never puzzled before may need a Level 1 ball first, while dogs that solve the Brick in minutes are ready for a harder board.
Can the Dog Brick replace a food bowl?
Yes, for one meal a day: its 1.5 cup capacity holds a full meal for many medium dogs, and the puzzle slows eating while tiring the brain. Check the capacity against your dog's meal size, and keep one normal bowl meal for days when puzzle play is impractical.
How do I clean the Dog Brick?
Hand wash with warm soapy water and brush the sliding tracks to remove kibble dust, then dry fully before refilling. Avoid the dishwasher, which can warp plastic covers, and clean after sticky treats to prevent residue building up in the tracks.
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