Skip to content

Head to head

Outward Hound Dog Brick vs Hide A Squirrel (2027)

Two Outward Hound enrichment toys compared: the Dog Brick puzzle board against the Hide A Squirrel plush game, for 2027 buyers.

TGBy TrueGear Research TeamIndependent editorial teamLast updated How we researchResearch-based assessment · Dog Toys
Specs verified against manufacturer docs
No paid placements
Independently funded by readers
Updated 2026-10-31
Outward Hound Dog Brick vs Hide A Squirrel (2027) featured graphic

What owners report

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.

What owners report

Most praised
  • Squirrel hunting is praised as pure joy, with owners saying dogs learn the game in one session and beg for repeats.
  • Squeakers inside each squirrel are reported to keep dogs engaged long after the trunk is emptied.
  • Restuffable design is described as the reason this toy lasts in homes where single plush toys die in a day.
Common complaints
  • Plush shredding happens fast with strong chewers, who tear the trunk open to reach the squirrels.
  • Squeaker removal worries owners, who check each squirrel before handing the game back.
  • Trunk size confuses buyers, since the large trunk suits medium dogs better than giant breeds.

Our recommendation

Choose by dog temperament, not by brand loyalty. The Dog Brick suits dogs that like solving: sliding, lifting and working for kibble across twenty compartments. Hide A Squirrel suits dogs that like hunting and carrying: soft, squeaky and instantly understood. Many owners end up with both, using the Brick for meals and the Squirrel for play, which is the honest answer for dogs that need both brain work and gentle fun.

Brain work against hunting play

The Brick is a puzzle: dogs must learn actions and remember patterns, which tires the brain and slows meals. Hide A Squirrel is a game: dogs hunt by instinct, with no learning curve and no frustration. A dog that gives up on puzzles will love the Squirrel, while a dog that solves the Squirrel in minutes will need the Brick's longer challenge.

Durability and supervision

Plastic Brick covers crack under heavy paws, while plush Squirrel trunks shred under strong jaws, so both need supervision but for different reasons. The Brick survives gentle puzzlers for a long time; the Squirrel survives gentle players for a long time. Neither survives a power chewer left alone with it, and that shared limit should set expectations for both.

Feeding value and cost per game

The Brick holds 1.5 cups and can replace a meal, giving it daily feeding value no plush game matches. Hide A Squirrel costs less per game in time, since restuffing takes seconds, but it adds no feeding value beyond treats hidden inside. For fast eaters the Brick wins; for playtime joy the Squirrel wins.

Choose Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Brick Puzzle, Level 2 if…

  • Your dog enjoys puzzles and problem solving
  • You want to slow down fast eating at mealtimes
  • Your dog is gentle with plastic and not a plush destroyer
  • You want one toy that replaces a meal bowl

Choose Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Puzzle, Large if…

  • Your dog loves plush toys and squeakers
  • You want a game with zero learning curve
  • Your dog is a puppy or a gentle player
  • You want restuffable play you join in with

Questions, answered

Can I use both toys for the same dog?

Yes, and many owners do: the Brick for a puzzle meal once a day, and Hide A Squirrel for a play session afterwards. Rotation also keeps both games novel, since a toy put away for a few days returns as a fresh game. Just supervise both, and store them between sessions.

Which is better for a fast eater?

The Dog Brick, clearly: its twenty compartments and 1.5 cup capacity slow a meal far more than a plush trunk with treats inside. Hide A Squirrel adds fun after meals, but it does not slow eating in the same way.

Which lasts longer?

For gentle dogs, the Brick usually lasts longer, since plastic covers outlast plush under careful paws. For strong chewers, neither lasts unsupervised, and the Brick's replaceable play value depends on supervision just as much as the Squirrel's plush does.

Every guide on Dog Toys15 pages