Keep your four-legged friend engaged and stimulated with dog puzzle toys. Our canine pals are clever cookies, and if they’re left on their own for too long, they can easily become bored and even destructive. If you’ve seen a few too many chewed slippers around the house when you come home, it might be time to introduce a few stimulating dog toys into the mix.
There are plenty of tell-tale signs that your dog needs a little more mental stimulation. If your furry friend is particularly mischievous or prone to nibbling on your household objects, they could be a prime candidate for a dog puzzle toy.
Dog puzzles can help to fulfil their curiosity and those instinctive needs to play and chew, so your chair legs and shoes don’t become their next victim. But before we get into more of that, why don't we explore exactly why brain training for your dog is so necessary.
What is Brain Training for Your Dog?
Brain training for dogs is incredibly important for developing and maintaining healthy cognitive function.
They may not seem like it at times, but your dog is very intelligent. However, if that brain power isn't put to good use, it can manifest in bad behaviour. Just like us, when we're bored we can get ourselves into trouble - it's the same with your pup.
No matter the breed of your furry best friend, they still require some level of mental stimulation. But what does that mean? And do some pooches need more than others?
Why is Mental Stimulation in Dogs Important?
We know the benefits of physical exercise in dogs, but getting their mind's working is just as important for your pup's mental well being.
Dog brain training and other mental stimulation activities can have several positive effects like reducing negative feelings such as stress, anxiety and boredom, while improving behaviour.
This need for mental stimulation is especially important for super clever breeds like:
On that note, check out these boredom-busting dog puzzles and help your pooch stay stimulated until you come home.
Food-related Dog Brain Training
Ever heard the phrase "The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach"? Well, it's a similar scenario with your pooch.
The simplest way to mentally stimulate your dog is to give them a challenge which ends in a tasty reward. Give your treat-seeking missile some real fun with these classic food-related toys and games.
Slow Feed Bowls
Not only does this provide your doggo with a brain stimulating challenge, it can help tackle bloating for quick eaters. The maze-like pattern within the bowls creates a challenge for the dogs to work on while they eat their food. This dog puzzle feeder is a great way to keep your canine occupied while you’re out and about, or to slow down a greedy eater.
Activity Snack Games
Dogs love snacks and nothing holds their attention like the promise of a treat. From snack-filled rollers to challenging chess-style boards, these dog puzzle games will really put their intelligence to the test and keep them busy for hours. Let them flex those mental muscles and enjoy a treat at the same time.
Scatter Feeding
This one's less about their dog problem solving skills and more about engaging their foraging instincts. Plus, it's probably the simplest of all the activities we'll mention.
All you need to do is hide their treats or food in a certain area on the floor in your house or garden. Your pooch can then snuffle their way around the house catching a whiff of the tasty morsels as they go. Not only is this an awesome brain training game for dogs, it's also a super-fun alternative to dinner time.
Dog Puzzle Feeders
If you really want to pull out all the stops, you can invest in a dog puzzle feeder. These cool creations train your dog to perform certain actions and in reward, they get a helping of delicious kibble. With futuristic lever-activated designs through to tower-shaped strategy games, they really make your crafty canine use their head.
Simply put some treats inside before you leave and your four-legged friend will be puzzling out how to get their paws on those snacks for ages after you’re gone.
The Humble Chew Treat
If your pal’s a chewer, why not get him something he can chew on, with a delicious treat tucked inside. Hollowed out chew toys are hugely popular with pets and owners alike. Your dog will say goodbye to slippers and furniture and hello to their new favourite chewable treat, and with a tasty snack inside, it’ll feed those natural instincts and hold their attention while you’re away.
Top Brain Training Games for Dogs
Treats are great and everything. But brain training toys and fun games for dogs are other good ways to get your pup's gray matter working.
"Ball", "Tugger", "Toy"
This is a super fun brain training game for dogs. Just choose three of their favourite items and give them a short simple name that your dog can recognise (like "Ball", "Tugger", "Toy", for example). You do this by placing one of the objects on the floor, when your dog engages with it (by either pawing or sniffing it) take it away and give them a treat.
Then place the object back on the floor and tell them what it is. After a few test runs, you will have taught your pet the name of that toy. You can now ask them to fetch it on command.
Next, you simply repeat the process for a couple more items.
Three Cups
It's the classic street hustle, turned dog brain game. Get three cups and hide a tasty treat hidden under one. Show your pup which one the treat is hidden under then shuffle them around. They can choose which cup they think the treat is under by using their head or nose to knock it over.
If they get it right, they get the treato. But if they don't get it, show them where the treat is and play another round. The important bit is to not let them take the treat when they guess wrong.
Learning Tricks
You might think training your pup to do tricks like fetch, roll over or "shake hands" is just a bit of fun - and you might be right. But it's also incredibly mentally stimulating for your furry best friend.
Not only will these trick sessions make your pooch look super happy and obedient, but they will also help enhance their memory and attention span, while simultaneously improving your bond. It's a win-win-win!
Can You Do Dog Brain Training with Older Dogs?
The great thing about brain training for dogs is that pups of all ages can get involved. Forget what they say about old dogs and new tricks, engaging in mental stimulation like brain games can help keep your pooch's gray matter sharp well into their golden years.
Because these games don't require a much physical exertion, your experienced pup can also have a go at activities like the three cups. Alternatively, something as simple as introducing a dog puzzle feeder can help.
Everypaw Dog Insurance
Everypaw's Dog Insurance comes with 24/7 unlimited access to vets and vet nurses that can help with your pet's health, care, nutrition and behaviour. So you can rest assured your pup will be well looked after.