Nina Ottosson started Zoo Active Products AB in 1993, with development and design of dog activity toys and games for dogs and owners. The purpose is to mentally activate the dog in a positive and educational manner.

The activity toys are increasingly popular and are used by dogs and other animals and their owners all over the world. The dog activity toys are recommended by dog psychologists, veterinarians, dog-trainers and many dog-owners.

Today, the company works with product development, design, manufacturing, sales and distribution to wholesalers and retailers in many countries. Nina Ottosson and Hans Molin run the company together with their employees.

Brain Exercises for Dogs
I, Nina Ottosson, have worked with and been interested in dog almost all my life. When I had children, I did not have the same amount of time to train and activate my dogs, the way both I and they were used to. My bad conscience made me start thinking about what I could do to activate my dogs in a simple and fun way indoors. Since 1990 I have worked with the development and design of dog-activating toys/games that will mentally stimulate the dog, i.e. “brain exercises” in a fun and creative way. The toys are easy to use indoors or outdoors, and are developed to match the dog’s natural movements and instincts.

Activating – Problem Solving
The dog activity toys are designed for the dog to work with problem solving in different ways, by finding hidden dog treats, e.g. to lift blocks, turn discs, push blocks, put blocks inside something etc.
All dogs need to use their brain in order to keep healthy. Some dogs need more brain activity than others. If dogs are not provided with an outlet for their energy in the form of different types of activity or other stimulation, they can sometimes find their own “activity” which we as dog-owners often do not appreciate, like chewing things to pieces, becoming aggressive or just generally hyperactive.
The activity toys are also very good to use when the dog for various reasons cannot move about freely, e.g. when injured or limping.

Activating a dog can be anything from letting the dog do tracking in the woods, teaching it different tricks, obedience training or hiding treats in a room and letting the dog find it. In the summer when the weather is good and it is not raining, the dogs normally get more stimulation, it is easier and more fun to be outside and play and come up with activities for your dog.
In the fall and winter it can be boring when it is raining or snowing, or cold and windy. At the same time it is often hard to vary the activities indoors and think of fun activities that are entertaining, simple and stimulating. This has inspired me to continue developing dog-activating toys or “party games”, as I sometimes call them, for dog and dog-owner.

Learning, Contact
My activity toys/games are easy to get out and fun to use both for the dog and the owner. While the games are being used, the dog and the owner will get a chance to have more contact with each other. At the same time, there is a learning process of common everyday obedience during fun and positive moments, like for instance: sit, lie down, stay and wait, while you are hiding the treats in the games. Search, when the dog can start looking. Stop, stay, or back up when the dog is too rough or is doing things the wrong way. Fetch, for lifting the blocks. Finished, when you think the dog or the exercise is finished and it is time for the dog to stop and relax.

Inactivity is just as important as activity, i.e. the dog has to learn to lie still and be able to relax when you tell it to do so.
Brain exercises with these activity toys/games are suitable for all dogs, young or old, big or small. The activity time that fits most dogs is approximately 15 minutes at a time, shorter for puppies. The dog-activating toys are also recommended by veterinarians when the dog for various reasons is not allowed, or cannot move freely due to illness etc. Dog psychologists and instructors also use these games in their courses and training sessions.

All products are patent, pattern or EU design protected.

I wish all dogs and their owners much pleasure with our dog activity toys. Have fun!