When people think about caring for a dog, they often think about the pet’s physical needs—such as food, exercise, and grooming. But they might overlook the need for mental stimulation, which is also crucial for a dog’s well-being.
Because dogs are extremely intelligent, they require mental stimulation just as much as they do physical activity. Mental exercises can actually make dogs even more tired than physical exercise.
This is especially important for high-energy working dog breeds such as German Shepherds, Border Collies, Australian Shepherds, and Australian Cattle Dogs. In fact, many destructive behaviors in dogs can be resolved simply by implementing mental exercises every day.
Benefits Of Mental Stimulation
Some of the many benefits of mental stimulation are:
- Improving mental health
- Enhancing cognitive performance
- Building confidence
- Releasing stress
- Assisting in the reduction of harmful behaviors
- Decreasing hyperactivity
- Tiring a dog out
- Improving brain development in puppies
- Keeping dogs happy
- Fostering a closer relationship with them
Is Your Dog Bored?
Dogs are pack animals who were originally bred to perform jobs. However, despite their desire, the majority of them do not currently have a job, and they spend a lot of time alone when their human parents are gone. They would naturally become disinterested.
Some warning signs that your dog may be bored include:
- During your absence, chewing on things like pillows, trash, toilet paper, and furniture
- Stomping on the trash
- Digging holes in the yard
- Overexcitement when you come home
- Persistently begging for attention
- Acting restless
- Excessive licking
- Escaping or fleeing one’s home
- Barking excessively
- Pacing
- Following in their wake
- Arguing with your household’s other pets
Some of these signs can also be associated with separation anxiety or other behaviors or disorders. For assistance in determining the underlying cause of your pet’s actions, consult your veterinarian.
How To Keep Your Dog Engaged
While it’s stressful to worry that your pup may be bored, there are countless ways to keep your dog mentally stimulated and happy. The best part? Many of them are free (or very inexpensive).
1. Engage In Hide-And-Seek
Just like people, dogs can find hide-and-seek to be great fun. If your dog knows the command “stay,” or if you have a friend who can assist you in keeping the dog in one room while you hide, this is the easiest method. Call your dog to come find you once you’ve hidden yourself.
Playing hide-and-seek requires two things from your dog: critical thinking skills and a good nose. In a home setting, dogs don’t need to use these skills as often, and having the opportunity to use them is lots of fun for them.
2. Go “Find It”
“Find it” is a great alternative to hide-and-seek. First, put your dog in another room or a dog crate. Hide toys or treats—whichever your dog prefers—around the house while they are confined.
When you go back to release your dog, allow them to smell your hand for the scent of what you hid, and tell them to go “find it.” Start easy with the treat or toy in an obvious place. As they start to understand the game, you can progressively make it harder.
This provides the same benefits as hide-and-seek, but it can be easier to play alone with your pup.
3. Take A Scent Walk
Set aside specific walks where you allow your dog to take their time, explore wherever they’d like to go, and sniff all the smells. Sniffing has been shown to lower a dog’s stress level by lowering their heart rate and releasing dopamine, the chemical that makes them “happy.”
They can take their time and explore the area because these walks are less about distance or time and more about quality. There is a lot of grass, bushes, and trees in some of the best places for these walks.
4. Try A New Route
Have you ever gotten bored doing the same thing over and over again? Dogs do as well. Changes in your walking route can therefore be very stimulating for them.
They get to see and smell new things when they walk somewhere new. Regularly changing your route helps keep things exciting for your dog—which is mentally stimulating.
5. Play With Puzzles And Interactive Toys
Puzzle toys and other interactive toys typically have compartments where you can hide food, and your dog has to figure out how to access those tasty treats. There are countless puzzle toys, all with varying degrees of complexity.
Similar to hide-and-seek and “find it,” interactive toys require critical thinking skills. They’re great for keeping your pup occupied for an extended time, distracting them from things that make them anxious, and mentally exhausting them. When dogs play, they also get a food reward, which causes dopamine to be released. As a bonus, puzzle toys are a great way to slow down dogs that eat their food too fast.
