Working from home often means balancing professional obligations with the frequent demands of a restless dog. The scenario is familiar to many remote workers: muting microphones mid-call, apologizing for unexpected barks, or bribing a dog with another chew in hopes of buying ten more minutes of peace.
One product has emerged as a work-saving solution: the Puffin Game by Fable Pets. At $79, it sits well above the price point of most dog toys, but its design and engineering have earned it a reputation as a genuine WFH lifesaver.
Fable Pets The Puffin Game
How It Works
Fable describes the Puffin Game as an “interactive enrichment toy,” though that undersells its impact. The weighted, silicone device holds up to a cup and a half of kibble or treats, which dogs must work to extract through a system of apertures. Instead of dispensing food in a predictable way, it shifts and rolls with each nudge, requiring dogs to chase, paw, and strategize. The toy’s movement is designed to mimic natural hunting and foraging behaviors. Rather than inhaling a meal in seconds, dogs must problem-solve to extract the food, keeping them engaged for extended stretches—often as long as a standard Zoom meeting.
Animal behaviorists note that this type of stimulation is more effective than one might think. Research published in Veterinary Record (Heys et al., 2024) found that puzzle feeders used for just 20 minutes per day significantly reduced stress behaviors in kenneled dogs. And according to veterinary guidance from PetMD, “mental exercises can actually make dogs even more tired than physical exercise.”
What sets the Puffin Game apart from standard puzzle feeders is its adaptability. The toy features multiple difficulty settings, adjusted by rotating an inner aperture to change the size of the dispensing hole. Owners can spread peanut butter on the silicone fins on top of the toy to increase motivation for beginners. The result is a toy that scales with a dog’s ability. Where most puzzle feeders are either too simple (solved in minutes) or too complex (abandoned quickly), the Puffin Game manages to stay engaging across repeated use.
Equally important, the silicone build dampens noise. Instead of the clatter of a plastic puzzle skittering across hardwood floors, the Puffin produces only a soft rolling sound—quiet enough to go unnoticed during a video call.
Real-World Impact
For remote professionals, the payoff is clear. Instead of constant interruptions during meetings, the Puffin Game provides dogs with a structured outlet for energy and attention. Owners report uninterrupted stretches of 30 to 40 minutes—enough to cover the length of a typical Zoomcall or client check-in.
Beyond office life, the Puffin Game is also suited to reshaping everyday mealtime. Fast eaters are slowed down, with a 30-second inhale becoming a 20-minute engagement. This not only reduces digestive upset but also leaves dogs calmer and more satisfied afterward.
Durability and design add to the Puffin Game’s appeal. At roughly three pounds, it resists being shoved under furniture or flipped over too easily. The FDA-approved silicone is dishwasher-safe, making cleanup easy. Visually, it blends into a modern home. Available in neutral colors with clean lines, it looks less like a dog toy and more like a piece of minimalist homeware—a small but welcome detail for those whose office is also their living room.
The Price Question
At first glance, $79 for a dog toy seems steep. But the Puffin Game belongs in a different category altogether. It’s a productivity tool for you as much as it is an enrichment tool for your dog. For many, the alternative costs are higher: a morning at doggy daycare to free up meeting time, the expense of a dog walker, or the professional consequences of repeated call interruptions.
When reframed as work-from-home infrastructure rather than a simple pet accessory, the value becomes clearer. And the Puffin Game’s adaptive design promises to keep dogs engaged over the long term.
Who It’s Best For
The Puffin Game is ideal for food-motivated dogs that enjoy challenges and need help managing energy during the day. It’s particularly effective for breeds with strong prey drives or working-dog temperaments, which often demand more stimulation than physical exercise alone can provide.
It may be less effective for destructive chewers or dogs that guard resources, though supervised play can mitigate risks. For most households, it serves as a daily enrichment tool and a reliable buffer during critical work hours.
The Bottom Line
The Puffin Game isn’t just another dog toy. It’s a thoughtfully engineered enrichment tool that bridges the gap between canine needs and human schedules. For remote workers balancing conference calls, deadlines, and the demands of a dog underfoot, it offers something rare: peace, productivity, and a calmer household.
At $79, it may feel like a splurge, but for those whose careers play out from the living room, it could easily be the best investment they make all year.
