Are dog puzzle toys actually worth it?

Reviewers across r/Dogtraining, r/puppy101, and mainstream pet press generally agree that food-based puzzle toys provide real mental stimulation and can slow down fast eaters, but several Reddit threads note that not every dog 'gets' them — some need to be shown how the toy works before they engage. Expect a 15–30 minute distraction from most mid-difficulty puzzles, not all-day enrichment.