Exercising your pup’s mind is vital for their development. You can do this by playing puppy brain games and also through positive reinforcement-based training<\/a>. Download a Zigzag puppy training app<\/a> trial and start your puppy\u2019s training journey today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Puppy brain games are important for your puppy\u2019s mental development. In fact, there are several reasons why playing intelligence games and mind games with your puppy – (not on them, by the way, we\u2019re not doing any kind of Derren Brown mind control stuff here) is so beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In general, playing is a good thing to do with your puppy. Looking for puppy toy inspiration? Check out some of Zigzag HQs favorite puppy toys<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We don\u2019t imagine your dogs will be Sherlock Bones. Still, puppy brain games and solving puzzles activate parts of the brain used when a dog is hunting and is very pleasurable for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes puppy brain games are challenging and your puppy may feel some frustration which they then learn to work through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Working through frustration and learning to cope with that feeling is good for your puppy’s development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t make the games too hard too quickly. Feeling frustrated from the start won\u2019t make them want to play the game much. Start off with easy games, so they get some quick wins first, then you can gradually make things a bit trickier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Does your puppy eat their food too quickly? Popping the food in a puzzle game might be your answer here if your dog\u2019s nickname is Dyson! As a bonus, there\u2019s a concept called contra freeloading. When an animal is offered a choice between freely available food or food that requires effort to obtain, it prefers the food that requires effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs are natural foragers and would often rather eat food from a puzzle than be given it freely. This can sometimes make even the pickiest eater more interested in their food if they have to work for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting on the floor and being involved with your puppy and the brain game toy is a great bonding experience and can help to strengthen your relationship. It can also help puppies who might not be so confident with the new toy or item to be braver (fear of novelty can be pretty common in pups). Your puppy knows that you\u2019re there for them, and it feels a safe thing to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Puppies need a lot of stimulation, and brain games help them not go self-employed and get up to their own mischief when at home and bored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs are scavengers and have lived for thousands of years, foraging through unmentionable places looking for food. Given the opportunity, it\u2019s something they still love to do today! Let\u2019s keep the foraging on our terms and give them a nice brain game to enjoy – don\u2019t let them go foraging in the cat litter tray. Yuk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n The best puppy mind games and puppy simulation games for your puppy will depend on a few factors, such as<\/p>\n\n\n\n When thinking about what to look for in a good puppy brain game, I tend to go through a bit of a checklist of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can start playing puppy brain games with puppies from a young age<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep the games really easy at first, loosely fill toys and don\u2019t pack them tight as it will be too difficult for your puppy, and they will give up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t make every meal your puppy eats be from a brain game<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019d get fed up if every meal had to be worked for, so while ditching the bowl is suitable for some meals, don\u2019t make eating from a puzzle toy the only way your puppy can access food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be careful not to create a monster!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What do I mean? Well, suppose you have a young puppy that you\u2019re turning into a super sleuth. In that case, you will need to keep up this level or even increase this level of enrichment and stimulation games as they get older. It can be pretty exhausting to think of more challenging ways to exercise their brains, and puppies can turn into dopamine addicts!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Use puppy brain games at times of day you want your puppy to be busy or occupied.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you know there is a particular time of day your puppy gets the zoomies and is unbearable, then playing a puppy brain game is a good idea. It can be a great way to encourage them to do a focussed but calming activity like foraging in a digging pit or snuffle mat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We hope you\u2019ve enjoyed learning about puppy brain games. If you\u2019re looking to learn more, we have over 50 training games for you here<\/a>, and even more in our Zigzag puppy training app, <\/a>so you\u2019ll never run out of ideas for puppy brain games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not sure what brain games you can play with your puppy? Ask one of our puppy coaches<\/a>. They\u2019re available to you in-app at the touch of a button and will be happy to help you. Download a trial of Zigzag today<\/a> and get started on your puppy training journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"puppy](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/andrew-pons-oH9AuO20kbk-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
Why playing puppy brain games is important<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Puppy brain games help with problem solving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Puppy brain games relieve frustration<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Puppy brain games can help with fast or reluctant eaters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Puppy brain games can be an activity you can do together<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Puppy brain games are great for alleviating boredom.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Puppy brain games stimulate natural foraging behavior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"puppy](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/justin-veenema-A-YUeXZ1rq8-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/a>Which puppy mind games are best?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
![\"puppy](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/charlesdeluvio-zAVOYirmXBw-unsplash-1-683x1024.jpg\")
When to play puppy brain games?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n