Although they are technically different species, research over the past three decades has shown that people and Man’s Best Friend share some striking similarities with regard to mental health and disorders, particularly boredom, stress, depression, and apathy. Every pet owner must learn how to mentally stimulate a dog for the animal’s overall wellbeing in order to prevent any negative effects from the lack of stimulation. I’ll explain why.
Playing games, teaching dogs new tricks, and exposing them to various environments are all effective ways to stimulate their brains, which can have an impact on their behavior, prevent mental disorders, and even cause changes. Most of the time, lessons and games can encourage dogs acting out undesirable behaviors to act out desirable behaviors.
Let Your Dog Sniff & Explore on Walks
Getting to go for a walk is one of the most exciting parts of your dogs day. You can give them some more mental stimulation by letting them stop & sniff around some more. It’s true that walking is great physical exercise, but for dogs it’s also about exploration. Sure you may have walked down your road a million times now, but that certainly doesn’t mean there’s not new & exciting smells for your dog to check out everyday.
And if you’re not comfortable with letting your dog lead you around on walks you can designate certain areas or times for free sniffing. Just teach your dog a cue such as “go sniff” and let them explore for awhile. You’d be surprised at how much more tired dogs are after a walk that includes exploration & sensory enrichment (sniffing) rather than just walking a straight line.
Play Some Free Shaping Games
If you haven’t heard of 101 things to do with a box you’ve been missing out on some fun training opportunities. The basic principle of shaping games is to encourage our dogs to try something new. By giving our dogs the chance to make their own decisions we can increase their mental and physical flexibility.
You start out with a box on the ground and without any cues let your dog investigate and decide what to do. Shaping can be used with any item, not just a box. Here’s a great video of shape training a dog to crawl under an object.
Games for Dogs
Dogs enjoy playing fetch because it encourages physical activity, but it can be difficult. Playing the rough-and-tumble game increases a dog’s dominance scores, but it decreases separation-related behavior. However, dogs that engage in tug-of-war and fetch games perform well in terms of confidence (Rooney et al. 2010).
Dogs don’t play games to win or lose. It is a physical and mental release for them, as evidenced by the confidence test results, which remained stable whether the dog won or lost the game. There are a ton of games that dogs can play, but keep in mind that if they aren’t available, they might turn to compulsive or destructive behaviors as a form of self-entertainment.
FAQ
How do you stimulate a dog mentally?
By allowing them to chew, lick, sniff, and explore interactive toys, dogs can develop their cognitive skills. KONG, activity flip boards, and puppy puzzles are excellent mental-strengthening toys. You can experiment with cutting-edge technology in addition to straightforward interactive toys, like the Furbo Dog Camera!
How often should you mentally stimulate your dog?
The majority of dogs need at least 20 minutes of daily active mental stimulation. You can occupy this time by playing fetch, going for a walk, or engaging in any activity that stimulates both your dog’s mind and body!
How do I know if my dog needs mental stimulation?
Your dog may be whining if he is not receiving enough mental stimulation, especially if an injury or other illness has been ruled out. Pacing – Just like humans, restless dogs will frequently pace. Even after your daily walk or game of fetch, your dog might need more stimulation if he paces around your home frequently.
Is chewing mentally stimulating for dogs?
Chewing provides dogs with mental stimulation as opposed to the physical stimulation that running would provide. She keeps her mind occupied and her taste buds satisfied by chewing on a bone or working to extract treats from a toy.