When it comes to taking care of pups, dog owners primarily focus on their diet, exercise routines, and periodic vet checkups. However, there is another essential aspect that most of them tend to overlook, mental stimulation. Like humans, it is equally important to keep the mental health fit. Humans have various ways to do so, but for dogs to keep their minds sharp and happy, brain games play a crucial role.
Regardless of whether you have a playful pup or an intelligent and older dog, these 10-brain games will prove helpful for your four-legged friend. Undoubtedly, these will not only help to stimulate their minds, but will also help them to overcome boredom, and strengthen the bond with their respective owners.
Find the treat
You can hide a small treat under one of three or four cups and then shuffle them around. Let your dog guess under which cup the treats await it. This game is time-tested and proven to improve the problem-solving and scent-tracking skills of the pups. Moreover, it is simple, and fun, and you have the option of making it more challenging by adding more cups or switching treats. When initiating this brain game, remember to start slow. If you shuffle too quickly at first the pups will not be ready to catch it properly.
Snuffle mat
In this game, you can sprinkle kibble or treats into a snuffle mat. For those who aren’t aware of what a snuffle mat is, it is a rug made with fleece strips. It can let the pup sniff out its food. This is considered good mental stimulation for pups since it enhances the natural dog skills of sniffing and locating items. Furthermore, it also improves their patience, focus, and curiosity. The game can also prove handy for the pups that tend to finish their meals too quickly. It will help them to slow down and make mealtime healthier.
Name that toy
You can start by naming a particular toy in front of your pup consistently. For example, a ball, and then test your dog by keeping two different toys in front of it and asking it to fetch the one you taught it so long. For the unversed, dogs can be great learners of names quite similar to those of human toddlers. Thus, this brain game enhances their memory and verbal recognition skills. For better results, you can increase the number of toys and also mix up your commands.
Towel treat roll
The name defines it all. You can lay out a towel, and place small treats inside it. Then roll it up and let the pup identify a way to unroll it. The game helps in stimulating their logical thinking and problem-solving skills. Feel free to try different textures of fabric, to increase the level of difficulty and keep the game interesting for the pups.
Muffin tin puzzle
For this game, you can place treats in a muffin tin and cover each hole with a ball. Now it is up to the pup to figure out ways to remove the balls and to fetch the reward in store for them. Again, this game is renowned for encouraging the persistence and problem-solving skills of the pup. Smaller breeds and pups would find this game very interesting and it will also help them in developing their skills.
DIY cardboard box game
This is yet another simple game, but very effective in stimulating the minds of dogs. Toss a few treats into a cardboard box fill it with wrinkled newspaper or even scrap paper, and let the pup sniff it out. The game is good for stimulating curiosity levels and encourages them to improve their ability to track down items.
Obstacle course challenge
You can make use of common household items like chairs, cushions, and even broomsticks to build a mini obstacle course for the pups. Then train them by saying commands like jump, crawl, and wait. These games are great as they combine both physical and mental aspects. It helps the pups to improve their coordination, focus, and impulse control.
Guess the hand
This one is easy, and you do not need any props to play it. Simply hide a treat in one of your hands, close both fists and let the pup decide which hand awaits the treat for it. The game can improve their scent detection and decision-making abilities. You can also add a verbal cue like left or right gradually, and that should also help them in learning words while getting a clear hint.
Puzzle feeders and interactive toys
When you have a pup, it is worth investing in interactive feeders, wobble toys, or treat-dispensing balls. These tools would require the pup to nudge or spin the toys to get their desired food. Each of these toys can challenge the pup to think and build a strategy for discovering their treats. It can be one of the best ways to keep them busy. Remember to start with easier toys and gradually move on to more complex ones as your dog learns to identify them.
Hide and seek
Sounds like a game that kids play isn’t it? Yes, this one is the same game we are talking about. Hide somewhere in the house and call out your dog. Now, let them use their instincts to locate you. This game can be extremely beneficial to build trust, increasing the likelihood of responses when you call them, and it gives them mental and emotional agility.
Reasons that Make Brain Games Indispensable
Enhancing the mental stimulation of pups can be considered a significant aspect of their overall wellness. Without it, dogs can become bored, which in turn can lead to behavioral issues like chewing, barking, anxiety, and unusual acts. As you can see, each of these games is destined to build their confidence, strengthen focus, and also offer physical exercises. You can play these games for 15/20 minutes daily for the best results.
