Review of Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound - Dog Casino
The dog casino is the second treat dispensing toy we got, after trying out the Dog Brick, and wanted to see if we could up the ante on the challenge for Toto.
Nina Ottosson is a Swedish designer who has been making unique and challenging puzzle toys for dogs, that provide both mental and physical stimulation. The toys are made only from wood or recyclable plastic, with a focus on being environmentally sustainable.
The set-up of the toy itself is quite simple: when the white bones are aligned in their holders, the drawers slide out, and you can put treats inside. Then once you close the drawers, then lift up on the bone slightly and rotate is out of it's socket - I usually do 90 degrees or so. The objective is for your dog to rotate the bones back into their socket and open the drawers.
Nina Ottosson is a Swedish designer who has been making unique and challenging puzzle toys for dogs, that provide both mental and physical stimulation. The toys are made only from wood or recyclable plastic, with a focus on being environmentally sustainable.
The set-up of the toy itself is quite simple: when the white bones are aligned in their holders, the drawers slide out, and you can put treats inside. Then once you close the drawers, then lift up on the bone slightly and rotate is out of it's socket - I usually do 90 degrees or so. The objective is for your dog to rotate the bones back into their socket and open the drawers.
This puzzle definitely took some time for Toto to figure out, and he was quite involved until he got every last single piece of kibble. It took about 15 minutes for him to get it all, however i found that over time, as we used it more, he got more used it and would more often try to use the brute force approach; pulling on the drawers until one would eventually pop out. After some use, some of the drawers have gotten mangled, and while it's possibly to pop the drawer back into place, it weakens the hold, and they pop out easier with force.
Durability: 3 out of 5
The main base of the toy itself is durable, however the drawers get mangled over time, especially if you have a bigger dog, or one that likes to chew on them. Also, after popping out several times, they are more prone to coming out
Difficulty: 2 out of 5
This toy is a Level 3 Difficulty, out of 3, according to the manufacturer's website. The rating I would give would be more on the Easy-Medium side, as it still didnt take Toto a long while to solve it
Interest: 5 out of 5
This kept his interest until he got every kibble, although after he started chewing on the drawers
Environmental: 1 out of 5
The toy is 100% plastic. The manufacturer claims it is recyclable
Cost: 2 out of 5
Like the Dog Brick, I found the price point to be high, since for me it's only available online
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
While this was an exciting toy in the beginning, once Toto figured out how to spin the bones, and that some of the drawers can come out with force, he could get it quicker. I would say it's not as durable as the Dog Brick, and overall higher cost than other treat toys
Pro Tip: Mix dog food with water to make a wet food, pour it into the compartments, and freeze it, before giving it to your dog!
Durability: 3 out of 5
The main base of the toy itself is durable, however the drawers get mangled over time, especially if you have a bigger dog, or one that likes to chew on them. Also, after popping out several times, they are more prone to coming out
Difficulty: 2 out of 5
This toy is a Level 3 Difficulty, out of 3, according to the manufacturer's website. The rating I would give would be more on the Easy-Medium side, as it still didnt take Toto a long while to solve it
Interest: 5 out of 5
This kept his interest until he got every kibble, although after he started chewing on the drawers
Environmental: 1 out of 5
The toy is 100% plastic. The manufacturer claims it is recyclable
Cost: 2 out of 5
Like the Dog Brick, I found the price point to be high, since for me it's only available online
Overall Rating: 3 out of 5
While this was an exciting toy in the beginning, once Toto figured out how to spin the bones, and that some of the drawers can come out with force, he could get it quicker. I would say it's not as durable as the Dog Brick, and overall higher cost than other treat toys
Pro Tip: Mix dog food with water to make a wet food, pour it into the compartments, and freeze it, before giving it to your dog!
