Brain Training for Dogs: Fun Exercises to Try

Walking a dog’s mind is just as important as working the body. Dog owners should take time to stimulate their dogs with games that encourage brain skills like concentration, memory and problem solving.

Why do dogs need brain training?

When dogs get bored, they try to create their own fun by engaging in behaviours deemed unacceptable by dog owners. One of the most vital elements in keeping your dogs content, quiet, and relaxed is to keep their brains active.

How to keep your dog’s brain active?

Puzzle Game

Puzzle toys are a great way to mentally stimulate your dog. They help keep your dog’s brain engaged. These puzzles benefit both memory and problem solving skills, while also decreasing stress and improving a dog’s digestion.

Dog Tricks

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With a little patience and some creative thinking, you can teach your dog some new tricks that will help to keep their brain active and engaged. By teaching new tricks with positive, rewards-based training, you can help to boost your dog’s confidence and happiness.

Obstacle Course

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Not only do they help to train the mind, they also improve agility and physical fitness.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Create a tunnel out of cardboard boxes or blankets.

Use chairs or other furniture to create barriers that your dog will need to jump over.

Make a bridge out of two chairs and a towel or blanket.

Hide treats around the room and let your dog search for them.

Play Hide and Seek

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Teaching your dog to look for a hidden toy taps into their natural scenting ability. Play together with the toy for a few minutes, then hide the toy in a new obvious spot and repeat the process.

Teach Your Dog to Solve a Problem

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Let your dog figure out how to pull a string to get a treat. Tie a ribbon or small rope to a treat and hide it under a small platform or piece of furniture, far enough back so they cannot reach the treat with their mouth or paw. Successful problem solving is also a big confidence booster.

Conclusion

With brain training, the goal is to encourage your dog to think creatively and have fun. If you’re looking for fun games for dogs that work as great brain training techniques for your dog, the above mentioned steps are an excellent way to do so.