It is a well-known fact that dogs need exercise and stimulation for survival. With the lack of ample physical and mental stimulation, dogs get into the habit of self-stimulation. In other words, they look for new ways to relieve pent-up energies. These ways could include barking, whining, destructive chewing, etc. We often term this as behavior problems due to boredom. To prevent this from happening, keeping a dog engaged in productive activities apart from their daily walks is vital. This is when Brain Training and Brain games for dogs come to your rescue.
What are brain games for dogs?
Brain games for dogs entail games and activities that require a dog to utilize one or more of his sensory organs (eyes, nose, ears & tongue) together to accomplish a set task. Modern dog training methods increasingly favor brain games as they help dogs use their core skills of the brain in a given situation and give dogs the power to choose to perform the right behavior and rewards them every time for it.
DID YOU KNOW YOUR DOG CAN READ?? LOOK AT THIS GOOD BOI DIGGY SHOWING OFF –
How do brain games help in canine enrichment?
Brain games help in developing a dog’s cognitive skills. Cognitive skill is the core ability of the dog’s brain to think, learn, reason, remember and pay attention. While physical stimulation is vital for a dog’s wellbeing, keeping a dog mentally stimulated also plays a major role in raising a calm and happy dog.
Also Read: How to entertain a bored dog at home in 10 easy ways
Dogs are curious beings. They’re more than willing to put their body and mind into good use; after all, dogs have a history of generations of working together with humans in different fields – military, farming, sports, fishing, hunting, herding, guarding, etc. Giving them activities to do at home and brain games to play only takes them closer to their natural instinct and enables them to live a more enriching life.
Recognizing the appropriate brain game for your dog
It’s true that every dog needs to have a job. However, recognizing what your dog will be good at is an important step before getting your dog to work.
One of the best ways to identify that is to find out what the dog’s breed was originally bred for. For eg, Golden Retrievers were originally bred to retrieve shot waterfowl, such as ducks and upland game birds, during hunting and shooting parties. So naturally, most golden retrievers are water babies and love engaging in retrieving activities. They may not do so well when it comes to herding activities or guarding games.
On the other hand, Border Collies, originally bred to work sheep, will naturally excel at herding activities. Playing games that enable dogs to harness their inner breed instincts is an amazing way to bond with your dog and help improve their cognitive and problem-solving skills.
Playing games that enable dogs to harness their inner breed instincts is an amazing way to bond with your dog and help improve their cognitive and problem solving skills.
How do you mentally stimulate a dog at home?
Now, it may not be possible for every pet parent to let their dogs do the same activities that they were bred for. Not every Border Collie can be taken up in the mountains to herd livestock. Nor is it possible for every husky to sled. However, it’s possible for you to play games with your dogs that can provide a similar experience to your dog.
Teaching a Border Collie to round up toys around the house and drop it in one basket or training him to master the sport of Treibball helps him find an amazing outlet for his often intense herding instincts.
I’ve put together a list of mental stimulation activities and some DIY brain games for you and your dogs that can be done in the comfort of your home. These activities will not only give your dog a good mental workout but also keep minor behavioral issues stemming from boredom at bay. Read on.
8 Brain games for dogs at home
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Muffin tin game
All you need for the muffin tin game is a muffin pan, few tennis balls and your dog’s favorite treats. Put treats in few of the cups of the muffin tin. Place tennis balls over them and let your dog figure out how to get these treats out.
If your dog is new to the game, show him by removing the ball and closing it back again just before he goes to take the treat. This should encourage him to knock the ball over to get the treat out.
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Snuffle mat/ DIY Snuffle games
Snuffle mats have amazing benefits. They encourage your dog to do what they do best – Sniff! Apart from that, snuffle mats also help relieve boredom, slow down the feeding process, provide mental stimulation and great for dogs on restricted exercise.
Click here for a quick read on DIY snuffle mats with simple objects that you can find at home.
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Find it
One of my favorite games to play with dogs is the “find it” game. This simple game has several variations and can be played in any kind of situation or location. As the name suggests, the “find it” game requires the dog to find hidden treats or food.
What I love about this activity is how it makes something as boring as kibbles exciting for dogs. Most dogs get fed up or tired of eating kibbles over a period of time. Feeding them through bowls all the more makes them take mealtime for granted.
However feeding them through games like these keeps the excitement for food going for a long time, takes them closer to their instinct of earning their own meals, relieves boredom and eventually helps you raise a calmer and well-stimulated dog.
You can add several variations to the ‘find it’ game like –
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Which hand?
To teach this game to your dog, take a few treats in one of your hands. Close both hands to form fists and let your dog figure out which hand contains the treats. Wait till your dog touches his nose to your fist. If he touches his nose on the correct fist, let him have the treats. If he touches his nose on the wrong fist, open the other fist, show him the treats and close them back. Try again.
If your dog is new to the game, take treats that have a strong scent so it’s easier for your dog to figure out which hand contains the treats.
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Treats under cups or ‘the shell game’
Start this game with just one cup. Place treats on the floor and put the cup over it. As soon as your dog sniffs the cup, open it and let him have the treats underneath. Once your dog understands that, place 2 cups with treats underneath only one of them. This time, let him have the treats only if he sniffs the right cup.
If he sniffs the wrong cup, reveal both cups and cover them back again for a second attempt. Eventually, as your dog gets good at it, try playing this game with several cups at a time with treats hidden under one of them. As the difficulty of the game increases, switch to high-value treats and meat.
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Food around the house
This game is best played with the dog’s meals. It’s also called scatter feeding. This game ensures physical and mental stimulation for your dog while feeding him at the same time.
Divide your dog’s meals into 5-7 parts. If the meal includes wet ingredients, try putting them on disposable plates or cups. Hide these in different parts of the house and let your dog go wild finding them.
Start by placing them in the same room first in order for your dog to get the hang of the game. Heavily encourage and appreciate your dog’s success with this game. As your dog gets better at it, place each part of the meal in difficult-to-find places like under the table, near the couch corner, upstairs, near the door, under the chair, etc.
The food that’s hidden in the most difficult spot must also contain some high-value treats. This will motivate your dog to do it the next time too.
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High-value rewards in the backyard
I’ve come to learn that playing this game gives a lot more structure to your dog’s playtime in the backyard. Rather than mindlessly digging, barking and running around, playing the “find it” game helps your dog to not only physically stimulate himself, but also further hones his cognitive skills.
Note that you should avoid using the same treats indoors and outdoors. Since the backyard is a more exciting spot for your dog with lots of distractions, consider using treats that are equally exciting. Raw or cooked meat, liver treats, sausages, jerky strips, etc are a few examples of high-value rewards.
Ask your dog to stay in a particular spot. While he’s staying, hide treats in 5-7 spots in the backyard. You can hide some under the mud, near plants, near the fence, near the door, etc. Once done, ask your dog to “find it.”
This game is amazingly helpful to redirect a dog who is habituated to barking in the backyard. Typically, when dogs have nothing to do, they get into behaviors like barking and digging to relieve excess energies. Playing games like these in the backyard redirects their energy and focus onto something better.
However, make sure that if you are dealing with digging and/or plant destruction problems in the backyard, avoid hiding treats in these areas. This game encourages the concept of self-rewarding and that is the last thing you want while dealing with behavioral issues.
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Hot cold game
Hide a treat when your dog is not looking. Once done, ask your dog to find it. The pre-requisite for this game is that your dog should know the meaning of the command “find it.”
As your dog starts searching, say the word “cold” as he’s getting farther away from the treat. When he’s getting closer to the treat, say “Hot” in a very encouraging tone and keep motivating him till he finds it.
This activity helps you communicate with your dog better and also develops his listening skills, thereby improving your relationship with him and making it easier for him to understand your commands and body language in difficult situations.
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Interactive puzzle toys
Interactive puzzle toys do an amazing job in keeping your dog busy for short periods of time to relieve boredom and provide a quick mental workout. They can be given to your dog inside the playpen or crate to keep him self-stimulated.
During instances like having visitors over, when you need your dog to settle down quickly, interactive puzzle toys can absolutely come to your rescue. Furthermore, keeping anxious dogs busy with puzzle toys with their favorite treats in them can help create a positive association with guests for your dog.
This is a kit of my favorite interactive brain puzzle toys that I repeatedly recommend to my clients.
(Click on individual images to check them out on Amazon)
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Interactive Feeders
The difference between interactive puzzle toys and feeders is that the former is typically used to hold small amounts of treats while the latter is capable of holding an entire meal of the dog. I believe one of the best ways to keep a dog mentally stimulated is by ditching food bowls and opting to feed the dog through activities and games.
Interactive feeders with durable material and texture also help puppies in relieving their teething needs. Most times, scheduling a quick play session immediately after a puppy has eaten his meals through a Kong toy will result in low-intensity play bites as the pup has already tired out his jaw.
The simple and classic Kong feeder toy.
The biggest mistake that people make when it comes to using a Kong feeder is using it as a treat dispenser. I call the Kong feeder a ‘trainer assist dog’ as it has SO many amazing benefits-
- keeps boredom at bay and an amazing crate toy
- helps teething puppies relieve their pain
- You can decide the level of difficulty of the feeder
- You can keep the excitement of the toy alive by switching up the stuffing
Check it out on Amazon for $12.99
Here’s a video on how to optimally utilize a Kong toy –
This is a kit of my favorite feeder toys
(Click on individual images to check them out on Amazon)
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DIY Obstacle course
Do you think your dog would be good at agility sport and games? If you have a dog that just won’t settle down or has a ton of energy left even after an hour-long walk, a DIY obstacle course would probably interest you and your dog.
The DIY obstacle course is one of the best brain games for dogs as it can be done with simple objects you can find in your house. You can start off with a rolled-up towel with treats inside, making a line-up of chairs for your dog to weave through, placing a stick on two buckets to make a hurdle, holding up a hula hoop for your dog to jump through and finally putting a blanket on the table to make a den or tunnel-like structure for your dog to walk through.
Use your home and belongings to get creative with your dog.
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Hide n seek
One of the best ways to play and bond with your dog is to play hide n seek with him. Not only does it provide your dog with an excellent mind and body workout, but also helps you strengthen your relationship with him. Games or activities that demand human and dog interaction in a way that requires the dog to make use of his sensory organs are always better as compared to humdrum games like roughhousing or chasing.
Every interaction that we have with our dogs is a training opportunity. We’re constantly communicating with our dogs, whether we’re aware of it or not. Why not make every interaction count?
To play hide and seek – Ask your dog to sit and stay in a particular spot. Alternatively, ask another person in the house to hold the dog in a spot till you hide. Call your dog to come find you. Easy peasy!
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Training commands that help in brain training
As a trainer and a behaviorist, I’m always going to be biased towards the advantages of training a dog. I believe dogs flourish when they’re trained in a way that allows them to make a choice. In other words, training commands that make your dog think and respond accordingly can strengthen his rational and reasoning skills to no end. Not to mention, it keeps behavioral problems stemming from boredom at bay.
Let me show you the power of simplicity with some of the most popular brain games for dogs that can be done within the comforts of a room and a couple of simple objects. I’ve also listed out steps you can follow to teach these games to your dogs.
Disclaimer – Different dogs comprehend things at a different speed when it comes to brain games and mental stimulation activities. Don’t rush your dog into learning a new command. It will overwhelm your dog and you’ll be setting him up for failure. When a command requires several behaviors to be performed simultaneously, take several days to teach them to your dog.
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Clean up the toys
This game requires your dog to perform several commands together – Picking up an object, holding it in his mouth, getting it to the basket, dropping it and then repeating it for other toys. As lucid as it sounds to us, it requires a lot of training from your end and a lot of thinking from your dog’s end to perform the whole task.
Step 1 – Teach your dog to pick up and hold a certain toy. Tip – Start with one of your dog’s favorite toys.
Step 2 – Train him to drop the toy on command.
Step 3 – After a few repetitions of dropping the toy on the floor, start keeping the basket under your dog’s mouth. As soon as he drops it in the basket, reward him heavily.
Step 4 – Keep the toy close to the basket and practice ‘pick up and drop’
Step 5 – Start placing the toys away from the basket and repeat.
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Learn to read
Teaching your dog to actually read a word can take a hell lot of time, for obvious reasons! However, we can still train a dog to respond to flashcards with the help of visual clues.
Dogs can’t see colors as vividly as humans do, but they can distinguish different hues.
Step 1 – Get 2 flashcards ready. Start with simple commands like Down and Sit. Write “Down” in bold letters on a Blue flashcard and “Sit” on a green flashcard.
Step 2 – Ensure your dog can respond to the verbal cues very well without you having to repeat them.
Step 3 – Practice with just one command and flashcard for a couple of days. Let’s say, we start with “Down.”
Step 4 – As soon as you show the ‘Down’ flashcard to your dog, say the cue as well, loud and clear. Reward and repeat as you see success.
Step 5 – After several repetitions, just show the flashcard without saying the command.
Step 6 – Repeat the above with 4-5 commands and different color flashcards.
Over a period of time, when practiced regularly, dogs are known to recognize the shape of certain words and respond accordingly. That’s your time to test your dog’s reading skills without the colored flashcards.
Did you know, several service dogs and guide dogs are trained to recognize and respond to “EXIT” signs?
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How to count
Teaching a dog to count is all about giving him cues to start barking and then stop.
Step 1 – Figure out an object or a trigger that makes your dog bark. You can use that to further your cause.
Step 2 – Start adding the command “Speak” while you hold out a finger as a visual cue. While doing so, initiate eye contact the entire time your dog is barking. As soon as your dog stops, say “Stop” or “Quiet” while putting your hand down and breaking eye contact.
Step 3 – After several repetitions, try mute commanding. Get your dog to bark just with the visual cue and the eye contact and stop by retracting these cues.
Step 4 – Start adding different commands like “2+2” or 1+2” or “1+1” while keeping the visual cues the same. Retract the cues after the desired number of barks.
Have fun with numbers!
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Recognizing objects
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Ring the bell for a treat
This is one of the easiest and quickest tricks to teach your dog.
Step 1 – All you need is a call bell (the one that you see on the service desk of a receptionist) and some dog treats.
Step 2 – Wait for your dog to show any interest in the bell. Reward him even if he sniffs it
Step 3 – Once your dog starts interacting with the bell, ask for more with every repetition. If he ends up pawing it, Jackpot!
This bell has a flatter surface and easier for dogs to touch and paw repeatedly without hurting their paws too much. Check it out on Amazon for $8.99
Don’t stress if you don’t have the time and/or inclination to teach lengthy commands to your dog. Dogs being dogs, they’re so easy to please.
2-minute brain games for your dogs like multiple cups stacked upon each other with hidden treats, bits and pieces of food hidden in a rolled-up towel or making your very own ball pit at home in a kiddie pool with some hidden food are more than enough to kill boredom and provide your dog with some much needed physical and mental stimulation.