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Fun Ways To Mentally Stimulate Your Dog

 

Sure, your dog needs food, shelter, and a healthy dose of love. They also need plenty of physical activity and things to get excited about. Mental stimulation for dogs is just as important as a good daily workout – it keeps them happy, healthy, and well-behaved.

 

The importance of stimulation for your dog

It might not come across when they do the silly things we love them for, but dogs are intelligent creatures. They come with built-in curiosity and love to learn. Keeping them mentally occupied can stop your pal getting down in the dumps or anxious, and it gives them a chance to really hone those problem-solving skills. Of course, the first step in this process is understanding what mentally stimulates dogs.

Physical stimulation

Your dog loves probably getting out and about for a bit of walking, running, or playing fetch and these activities keep them healthy. A jaunt outdoors burns off energy, so they don’t put on too much weight, gets their heart pounding and keeps their joints and muscles strong.

Mental stimulation

But physical stimulation on its own isn’t enough. You need to engage their brains as well as their bodies to give your dog a great life. They are smart and need mental challenges to stay content. Just as (most) humans get bored or frustrated if we don’t have any mental stimulation, so can dogs. Lack of mental stimulation can lead to destructive behaviour, depression, and disobedience – which is not good for you or your pup.

Why dogs need both

It’s all about balance. When you are planning fun activities for your dog, think about how you can keep them emotionally and mentally satisfied as well as physically healthy. Your pooch will be a lot happier as a result and that will only make you closer.

 

How to mentally stimulate your dog

Luckily, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to ways you can entertain your pooch. Although it may seem a daunting task, there are plenty of ways you can work mental stimulation for dogs into their everyday routine.

Puzzles and games'

People love puzzles and games, and so do dogs. And there is nothing like a treat as a bit of motivation! Puzzle feeders, where dogs have to figure out how to get to their food, can turn mealtime into a chance to learn. Games that hide treats under cups or in drawers encourage them to use their problem-solving skills and there’s nothing like rewarding a bit of patience and determination with a tasty snack.

Tricks and training

You can teach an old dog – or a young dog, for that matter – new tricks! Learning tricks keeps your doggo’s mind sharp as a button and is a good positive focus for their energy. Even if your dog knows the basics, such as sit, stay and come, there’s no need to stop there. Why not try out some of the flashy stuff? Give new commands [MN1] a go such as “play dead” or “spin,” or get them to fetch specific items by name. The results can be fantastically entertaining and really enhance the communication between you and your dog.

Adventures

Dogs love an adventure. All those new smells to sniff, sights to see and things to experience can be dog heaven. Regular walks are great but if you mix your route up, they can enjoy the tail-wagging excitement of a new environment. Social outings, such as trips to the dog park or dog-friendly stores, are a chance to meet new doggo pals and people,all of which provide mental stimulation and a bit of value to their lives.

Incorporating mental stimulation into your dog's daily routine isn't just good for them: it’s great fun. It contributes to their overall health, helps prevent naughty behaviour, and strengthens your bond with your pet. For more tips on how to keep your dog stimulated, head on over to our Wonderful Side of Wacko ™ blog.

 

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