Stimulate Your Dogs Mind With These Fun Mental Activation Games

Mental activation games for dogs. There are many ways of interacting with your dog, not just walks and cuddles. Getting your four-legged friend to let off steam with activities that engage his mind, not only through physical activity, is vital.

What are mental activation games?

Mental activation games engage and test your dog’s intelligence and are a fun and clever way to educate them. They usually consist of confronting the dog with a problem, the solution to which will earn him a reward.

They can also serve as a pastime for lonely dogs that spend many hours indoors without their owner’s company. In short, they are a guaranteed ‘boredom-getter‘, a great way to keep the dog busy in the house without it ravaging furniture, cushions, and various objects and to get it used to stimulating its mind even when it is alone.

What are games that stimulate mental activation?

There are all kinds on the market, and they differ in terms of type of activity, difficulty level and size. Some are real brain teasers! However, it is not necessary to shop at the pet store to stimulate a dog’s brain. There are mind games that require nothing more than your participation and some kibble as favourable reinforcement.

Fillable toy

Interactive: This treat-dispensing dog toy bounces unpredictably, keeping your dog moving and offering interactive play fun.

This type of toy is a rigid container where food our dog likes can be placed. The game aims to make the dog understand how to get the food out of the object. This game is very suitable for anxious dogs that fear abandonment. Trying to understand how the game works stimulates intelligence and increases concentration, which has enormous health benefits for our friends.

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Tic Tac (interactive board)

This dog puzzle toy is made of high-quality food-grade PP material and is sturdy enough for daily use.

Tic-tac-toe consists of four containers closed by flaps. The game involves hiding a food treat inside one of the containers and waiting for the dog to learn how to find it and open the doors.

Sometimes, our four-legged friend may need help understanding how the game works: if he finds the food directly, he may continue to look for it under the other doors, or if he does not see it, he may be disappointed. As with any new activity, we must allow our friends time to learn and gain experience.

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Searching for hidden objects

This game can be organized at home at any time. It involves hiding food, treats, or toys in secret places in the house. The dog must find the treasure by following its instincts and smells. Hunting for hidden objects is easy to organise but simultaneously very stimulating for the dog.

Animal-shaped puppets

They are developing play skills and keeping their little mouths busy and satisfied.

If your dog has an innate hunting instinct but no way to let it out, this game will do the trick! These are simple puppets or objects that make sounds or even simulate the movements of small animals, such as birds or rodents whose likenesses they carry. It is not a mental exercise but keeps your four-legged friend active and free to express his nature. Be very careful with the materials they are made of and ensure they are not toxic or composed of small, ingestible parts: your dog’s health is worth more than anything!

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Educational games for dogs to play together

These games are intended as training to improve your dog’s obedience. Remember, you should do these together with your furry for no longer than 15 minutes to avoid stressing him out.

Up and down

This valuable exercise will help your dog focus on his body and the space around him. If you have a garden, all the better, but unless you have a large dog, you can also do this exercise indoors with stools or solid, stable chests.

Here’s what you do: snacks in your closed hand, and off you go. The first few times, it will be essential to accompany the word with body movement.

Through play, you can entertain your dog and find lots of fun games on ETSY that are made entirely by hand for your four-legged friend.

paw

An evergreen that always comes in handy for teaching your dog to respond to your commands. Your role will consist of holding a pre-mike with a closed fist and opening it only when your dog responds to the order to give you a paw. Don’t worry if he reacts differently than he should at first; with time and patience, he will learn.

Training your dog to perform actions such as “search!“or “paw!” or getting him used to climbing up and down stairs, slides, or other obstacles is a great way to stimulate his mind. It will also help you train him to follow your voice and directions.

Obstacle course

Obstacle courses are a hybrid of physical activity and intelligence games for dogs, as body and mind are involved in a dual effort at the same time. For your pet, they are a lot of fun! All you need to create a path are everyday objects such as boxes, cushions, broom handles, books, etc. Make the path by moving it forward with a snack in your hand.

How do you choose a suitable game to stimulate your intelligence?

Intelligence games are different, and the choice may seem more complex. First, ensure the toy is safe, i.e. made of non-toxic materials or with detachable or sharp parts that can hurt your dog. This also applies to homemade dog toys: do-it-yourself, but the watchword must be ‘safety‘!

There are, moreover, a few simple rules to follow to make mind-activating games for dogs effective

• simplicity;
• increase the difficulty gradually;
• Make sure that there is always a reward that our dog likes.

With imagination and commitment, you can create fun uses perfect for our four-legged friend!

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