Dogs are extremely intelligent and require mental as well as physical exercise. This is particularly true during times of the year when dogs find themselves stuck indoors. Dogs become frustrated and destructive when they are bored. However, giving your dog a mental workout burns off excess energy, entertains him, and keeps him from engaging in problematic behavior. There are lots of fun cognitive training games you can play, but toys can challenge your dog’s brain as well.
There are tons of fun puzzle toys on the market; however, some can be quite expensive and others are simply too small or too large for a given breed. Do-it-yourself cognitive dog toys not only save you money but allow you to tailor the toy to your dog’s size and preferences. On days when you’re cooped up inside, your dog will benefit from the stimulation (and exhaustion) provided by the simple DIY toys listed here!
Toilet Tube Treat Dispensers
Treats can be easily destroyed using cardboard containers. Empty toilet paper tubes or paper towel rolls can be stuffed with soft treats. Spread cream cheese or peanut butter, for instance, all around the cardboard tube’s interior. Your dog will have to lick the treat out while preventing the tube from rolling away or being squished flat. Fold down the ends of the tube so that your dog has to rip through the cardboard to get at the treats inside to make it more challenging. And for a longer-lasting treat, freeze the tube and its contents before giving it to your dog.
If a paper towel roll is too small for your dog or you want to use hard dog treats or bits of kibble, try using an empty box. Poke holes in the box slightly larger than the size of the treats, place the treats in the box, and seal the top. Your dog will have to toss the box around in order to get the treats to fall out of the holes. Simply alter the container’s size to alter the challenge. Your dog will need to manipulate an empty tissue box differently than a cylindrical potato chip tube or a pizza box.
Because these cardboard dispensers are destructible, ensure your dog doesn’t eat the bits of cardboard that fall off. These are intended to be used with supervision, just like any other puzzle toy. And because these toys were destined for your recycling bin anyway, there’s always a fresh box or tube waiting to be filled.
Muffin Tin Shell Game
A muffin tin and a ball for each cup in the tin are required for this version of the shell game. Tennis balls are a great size for a standard muffin tin, but any appropriately sized ball will do. And if your dog is a Toy breed, simply use a mini muffin pan and miniature tennis balls. However, balls that are too small for your dog’s size can cause them to choke.
To help your dog get the hang of the game, leave the cups uncovered at first. Fill each muffin cup with treats or kibble and let your dog lick or paw the goodies out. Now that your dog knows good things can be found in the cups, it’s time to cover them with the balls. Each ball will need to be removed by your dog for him to reach the treat underneath. Keep covering all of the cups with balls while only baiting a few of them with food to make it more difficult. Now your dog will need to use scent to locate where the treats are located. This will help prepare your dog for other scent-related games like hide and seek.
Shoebox Hide And Seek
You don’t have to participate in an AKC Scent Work trial to have fun with your dog’s nose. Try doing some indoor scent games for dogs. All you need is a set of empty containers like shoeboxes or yogurt tubs. Place the containers in a group on the floor and bait one or a few with smelly treats. Then, let your dog sniff all of the containers to find the treasure.
In the beginning, you can make your dog’s job easier by poking holes in the tops of the containers. Beginning with only baiting one of the containers and dispersing them throughout the room, increase the difficulty once your dog has the idea. The more containers your dog must search through, the greater the effort required.
Doggy Ball Pit
This toy will really make hide-and-seek more difficult for your dog if he or she enjoys playing it. All you need is a plastic kiddie pool and tons of balls. Fill the kiddie pool with the balls, then sprinkle kibble or treats on top. Your dog will be occupied for a considerable amount of time as he or she walks through the balls to retrieve the food because the balls, and consequently the treats, will continue to change positions.
This can be a great way to feed dogs who tend to gulp their food. It slows them down and stimulates their minds greatly. Additionally, start with just a few balls in the pool and gradually increase the number as the dog becomes accustomed to it for dogs who are easily frightened or frustrated by new situations.
Tea Towel Snuffle Mat
Snuffle mats are pieces of fabric with numerous pockets, flaps, or loops for hiding treats. The point is for your dog to sniff for treats hidden in the fabric. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can make your own snuffle mat out of sturdy fabric. Simply stitch pockets and flaps all over the material to allow you to hide bits of food.
A simpler, sewing-free alternative is to buy a plastic mat. Choose a sink mat made of rubber that already has a grid of holes or make holes yourself. Then tear fleece into strips that are six to eight inches long. Tie a fleece strip through each hole in the mat until the top of the mat looks like a fleece forest. Toss a few treats on top of the mat after you’ve filled all the holes, and watch your dog snuffle through the fleece to get them.
An even easier version of the snuffle mat can be made from a tea towel. Lay a towel flat on the floor and place some treats in the center. Then fold the towel lengthways across the treats. Next, tie the towel in a loose knot so the treats are in the middle. Your dog will have to figure out how to untie the tea towel to get at the treats inside. Easy for you to make, but not easy for your dog to undo! Put treats in each of the tea towels you tie together in a row to make the challenge even greater.
