Dog Mental Stimulation — Brain Training for Your Bow-wow

Dog Mental Stimulation - A Comprehensive Guide

Are you a proud dog owner looking for top dog mental stimulation activities to enhance the cognitive capabilities of your furry friend? Your dog loves it when they get something meaningful to do because they’re an easy-to-get bored breed?

It may surprise you but your dog being moody and showing destructive behavior is also due to their boredom. So, to have a great time with your pup, it's time you start finding the best brain games for dogs. 

Why Is Mental Exercise for Dogs Important?

You might be wondering, if you’re already providing your dog with their daily walks, is it necessary to go the extra mile and provide them with additional exercise for the mind?

The answer is yes, you definitely should. 

According to research, engaging your canine in dog stimulation games results in a mentally healthier dog. Their increased cognitive learning and greater attention span lead to higher functionality in dog training and daily activities.

An increase in mental stimulation results in greater blood flow to your dog’s brain, along with nutrients and oxygen. In short, a mentally enriched dog is a much happier and healthier hound.

4 Ways to Mentally Stimulate Your Dog

Mentally active dogs are everyone's favorite, so read the below-given ways to make your dog a part of that community. 

1. Walkies Are the Way Forward

The benefits of walkies for humans and dogs are well documented. Yet, your pooch also gets to experience different sights and explore various smells. This helps them familiarize themselves with the surroundings and enhances their brain activity. 

If you walk the same route day-in day-out, switch it up, take a left at the end of the road instead of a right. New smells and sights quickly enhance the working of the dog's sensory nerve. You’ll be surprised to see your dog is tired at the end. It's because memorizing new things takes brain power, but it’s also fun and one of the best brain exercises for dogs. 

2. Encourage Your Dog to Play With Puzzle Toys

If you want to keep your dog amused, you should try puzzle toys. Puzzles are great for enhancing dog mental stimulation and keeping them focused for a long time. Additionally, these toys allow your dog to utilize their problem-solving abilities, giving them a sudden boost in confidence. However, not all pooches like this form of play. 

To check whether your dog would enjoy a puzzle toy, test the water first. Make a DIY puzzle with tennis balls and tin and guide your dog about the playing instructions. If your dog starts participating, you have a green light to buy a puzzle toy. But if it's the other way around, consider trying other ways to stimulate your dog.

3. Devise a Doggy Obstacle Course

Providing something that offers mental enrichment for dogs and makes them physically stronger sounds excellent, right? An obstacle course fits the criteria. There they can jump and use their cognitive abilities to figure out which hurdle to pass first. If you don't have any particular jumping area or obstacle course at home, you can create one. 

First, grab random toys, blankets, and other recyclables and lay them out. Teach your dog how to pass these obstacles, and once they've learned it, ask them to do it again and again until they’re tired. This doesn't let your dog's mind rest for some time, and their brain power increases. 

4. Give Your Dog Chews

Chews work as one of the best types of mental stimulation for puppies. In fact, dogs home alone and even older dogs won’t say no to a tasty treat. When dogs chew on something, they concentrate on it, which results in quick mental functioning. Furthermore, this activity helps keep your puppy calm and relieves mental stress, and it’s an awesome teether. 

If you’re short on time and can't take your furry fellow for full-on outdoor activities, you can use chews as an alternative. Get any healthy dog-friendly chew and give it to your dog to keep them busy. You’ll soon see an upgrade in your dog's mental health.

3 Best Mind Stimulating Games for Dogs

If your primary focus is to interact with your pooch through games, then below, we’ve discussed the top three that should be on your list. 

1. Search the Treat

The first up on our list of brain stimulation games for dogs is, "Search the Treat." This game enables dogs to robust their sniffing skills and gets the best out of their mental power. Here's how you can play this perfectly:

• First, ask your pooch to stay in a sit position while you place treats in different, but easy-to-spot places.

• Now instruct your dog to pick up each one. It will take a little time for your dog to understand the meaning of your commands. 

• Your furry fellow will utilize their brain strength to collect and eat the treats. 

• Once your pooch has got the hang of that, take the game to another level. Put the treats in out-of-sight places. It will increase your dog's sniffing as they tend to find the things they can't see through scent.

2. The Shell Game

Another fantastic game for your dog is this shell game. You've probably played it with your friends, but playing it with your dog is more fun. In this, you hide the treats or dog toys in ‘shells.’ The dog uses his brain skills to identify the right ‘shell’  containing the treat. Here's how you can play it:

• Grab three to four cups and a few treats. 

• Hide the treats in any cup and shuffle them in front of your dog. 

• Now, guide your dog to find the right cup with the treats.

• You may have to be patient with your pooch, some dogs will master this faster than others.  

3. Hide and Seek 

Here comes the best dog mental stimulation game. When you play hide and seek with your dog, they use their brain power to find you. Their overall mental health improves, and they feel more active. Playing hide and seek with dogs is as simple as playing it with a handful of friends.

• Ask your dog to sit. If they won’t, you can ask someone to distract them until you hide.

• Find a good spot to hide.

• Call your dog.

• Get playful with them when they find you.

Final Thoughts

As we've seen, the benefits of brain games for dogs are immense. It’s not just about providing them with an outlet for their boredom, but also increasing their physiological well-being. Being engaged in interactive activities will ensure they stay mentally happy and away from negative behavior.

And regardless of what the adage says, it's never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. Puppies, adults, dogs home alone and senior pooches can all benefit in some way from cognitive playtime.

It’s important to keep in mind, these dog stimulation games are in no way a substitute for their daily exercise. You still need to give your dog a walk for pees and poops and general health/well-being. 

Dog Stimulation FAQs

Do Brain Exercises for Dogs Work?

Yes, brain exercises work for dogs, especially those suffering from destructive behavior. 

Is Chewing Good Mental Stimulation for Dogs?

Chewing is a tremendously mentally stimulating exercise for dogs. Just like physical exercise, dogs also love engaging in mental activities. Chew toys and other healthy chew food help dogs increase their focus and concentration.

Are Dog Stimulation Games Tiring?

Yes. Believe it or not, working the mind can be more tiring than physical activity.  

How Many Hours of Mental Stimulation Does a Dog Need?

This will depend on your pooch — breed, age, activity level, etc. Gauge it on how well they behave, in that, if they’re still restless or acting up, increase the brain training and see how that works. 

How Do I Know if My Dog Needs Mental Stimulation?

If your puppy is barking more than usual, restless or going around destroying things, he may be in need of some dog stimulation.

Do Dogs Feel Bored Staying Home All Day?