Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado

The verdict

Novelty is half of what makes a puzzle work, so the useful second puzzle is one that asks for a different action than the first. The Dog Tornado stacks three layers on a central post, with twelve treat compartments between them: the dog spins a layer with nose or paw to uncover the pockets underneath, and lifts out the bone-shaped covers that sit in some of them. Outward Hound rates it Level 2, intermediate, on its own Nina Ottosson scale, and its Amazon listing says it holds about half a cup of kibble or treats — enough for a training-treat session or part of a meal, not a whole dinner for a big dog. Spinning is a nudge rather than a press, which is kinder to an older dog than a board that needs a firm paw. It is hard plastic with loose pieces, so treat it as a supervised game: fill it, watch, then put it away before it becomes a chew toy.

Drawbacks

• Holds about half a cup — a session, not a big dog's meal
• Loose lift-out pieces; not for a dog who chews puzzles

Researched from the manufacturer’s listing, its published specifications and what owners report. We do not test products on dogs.

What the listing says

• Spinning layers ask for a different action than a lift-the-lid board
• Twelve compartments across three layers
• A nudge works it, so it suits dogs who will not paw hard

Specifications

Specs come from the manufacturer listing and Amazon’s public product data. A field that reads “Not stated” is one we have not verified — not one the product lacks. We research and analyse; we do not test products on dogs.