Mental stimulation is a definite must for dogs and puppies. It basically helps make sure every dog can live their best life, and have lots of tail-wagging fun\u2026it\u2019s quite a lot already, right? But with all the Kongs, puzzle toys and brain games available for indulging your puppy in mental stimulation, it can feel a little overwhelming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But today\u2019s your lucky day. We\u2019ve assembled a golden list of recommendations on how you can mentally stimulate your puppy or dog and prevent boredom every day. We\u2019ll even go a little further and explain why mental stimulation is important, and suggest some good games for you to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Now that you\u2019re here, we can already tell you\u2019d love a training program to teach your pup what\u2019s what. Think no further and download the Zigzag puppy training app<\/a>. Completely personalized, our step-by-step program is designed to your puppy\u2019s age, stage of development and their breed type. We also have a team of professional dog trainers and behaviorists<\/a> who will be happy to help you through any hurdles, as well as Ziggy Ai – our Ai powered, Zigzag approved virtual assistant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Keeping your dog mentally active is essential for their health and cognitive development. Puppies are like little sponges; ready to soak up any stimulation we throw at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s why keeping your puppy mentally stimulated is important:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Certain breeds of dogs bred to work such as Border Collies<\/a>, Poodles, and Labradors<\/a> will frequently go \u2018self employed\u2019 (a.k.a getting into mischief when you\u2019re not watching) when not given mental stimulation. Therefore, it\u2019s very important to give these dogs a highly stimulating environment that targets their brilliant brains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a dog who likes to dig up your flower beds<\/a> or dig their beds<\/a>, let\u2019s first not get amped up about this. Instead, let\u2019s trust mental stimulation to work its magic and help both of you out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several ways you can mentally stimulate a dog; either through actively training your dog to learn new skills, or with calmer problem-solving tasks and puzzles that get some kind of reinforcement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A dog\u2019s most powerful sense is their sense of smell. Activate their seeking system by getting them to work their nose. This is the ultimate form of mental stimulation, and they\u2019ll actually find it very rewarding even without a food treat at the end. . <\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-control and coping with frustration is part of an animal\u2019s day to day life. But with our dogs, sometimes it needs some extra effort. Self-control exercises like \u2018leave it\u2019<\/a> will help them think about how to interact with the world around them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sniffy walks allow your dog to explore the world around them, without the pressure of needing to get anywhere or go to any place in a hurry. \u2018Sniffy walks\u2019 simply mean walking them slowly to let them sniff as much as they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Outward Hound and Nina Ottosson games are wonderful for teaching dogs to use their brain<\/a> to do all kinds of things: from opening levers, lifting flaps or pulling boxes open to find food. You can also sit and help your dog with them to begin with – it\u2019ll be a good moment for bonding and relationship building too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teaching new behaviors through positive reinforcement is great fun for you and your dog. It\u2019s all about learning new ways of moving to get reward in return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019ve got plenty of good trick ideas with step-by-step instructions for you to try in our articles on how to teach a dog to play dead<\/a> or how to teach a dog to spin.<\/a> Go on, try them out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s no secret that dogs love to play. This is great news since games are mentally stimulating by default, which make them great ways of getting their brains up and running !<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s some mental stimulation games you can play with your dog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our article on 50+ training games<\/a> has plenty more to try. We\u2019re sure you\u2019ll find at least one to both of your liking\u2026there\u2019s literally more than we can count. While you\u2019re at it, download the Zigzag app<\/a> to get your dog\u2019s training in line with positive reinforcement. It\u2019ll surprise you quickly they pick everything up!<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Zigzag app<\/a> gives you a step by step training program to take your puppy from zero to hero. Of course, you can count on the support from our team of professional dog trainers<\/a> to help you every step of the way. You can always give them a shout 24\/7 via our in-app chat – they\u2019ll love to hear about your journey and give you a helping hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How much mental stimulation does a dog need?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n It will vary depending on the breed, but a part of your dog\u2019s day should involve playing games, training or enrichment activities.. Remember, something as simple as a sniffy walk is already a great way to get some of that mental stimulation going, so just let them take their time when you\u2019re out on the street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are snuffle mats good for dogs?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes! Snuffle mats are excellent for encouraging foraging behavior and activating your dog\u2019s scavenging instincts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes. You probably would as well if you walked the same route over and over. You can always make their walks more interesting with some variety, like adding games or training, or simply by letting them sniff more. They are a little like toddlers, so a little creativity can go a long way to make it fun. And of course, going on different walking routes every now and then will always be highly appreciated by your dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When dogs are bored, they\u2019ll look for stimulation on their own. This isn\u2019t such great news, as they will often chew things they shouldn\u2019t, bark more and look for things they can do\u2026that can sometimes lead to trouble. Sadly, dogs can also become depressed or anxious if not given enough stimulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are lick mats mentally stimulating?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, dogs enjoy licking. It\u2019s actually self-soothing and is generally a calming activity for dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Importance of Keeping Your Puppy Mentally Stimulated<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Best Mental Stimulation For Dogs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Mental Stimulation Games <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The Hide and Seek Game<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Hiding one of your dog’s favorite toys<\/a> and having them search for it, taps into their searching instincts and encourages them to use their talented nose to find things. Start with easy hiding spots first to build their confidence, and make it a little harder for them over time to keep them sharp and on their toes. <\/p>\n\n\n\nShell Game<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yep, we\u2019re referring to that fun game that hustlers play at the side of the street. Place a treat under one of three cups and shuffle them around to get your dog to sniff out which cup has the treat. This game works their memory and problem-solving skills AND they get a treat at the end, what\u2019s not to love?<\/p>\n\n\n\nFind the Treats<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is just like hide-and-seek, but with food treats instead. This is especially a good idea if your puppy doesn\u2019t get that excited by toys, and is more motivated by food. Hide small treats around a room and let your dog seek them out using their powerful sense of smell. To make it more challenging, hide the treats in harder-to-find spots, like under a cushion or in a plant pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFAQs:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Do dogs get bored of the same walk?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>What happens if a dog isn\u2019t mentally stimulated?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n