Mental Stimulation: Why “Mind Games” Are Good for Your Dog

If you’ve always thought of “mind games” as a bad thing, you may need to rethink your opinion when it comes to dogs. Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise in maintaining your dog’s well being. Challenged dogs are happy dogs!

Some working breeds are so intelligent that they go a little crazy when their masters fail to give them jobs to do, puzzles to solve and obstacles to overcome. Border Collies, for instance, are famous for their ability to herd sheep precisely and untiringly. But if they have nothing to do, that herding savvy can manifest itself as nipping at people’s heels or attempting to “herd” your kids! A bored dog can also become a highly destructive dog, so if your value your shoes and furniture, you need to keep your mentally engaged.

No, you don’t have to take up the life of a shepherd to provide your dog with challenges. Some easy things to try include:

Change of environment – Take your dog to new places where he can encounter people, other pets, and a world of sights and smells. (Make sure you’ve socialized him first, though!)

Household games – Dogs enjoy a good puzzle, especially if treats are involved. Try playing “hide and seek” by hiding a treat for your pet to find. Or teach your pet the names of his favorite toys and reward him for picking the right ones by name. (This works for teaching numbers, too.)

Obedience training – Even standard obedience training can prove entertaining and stimulating for your dog, as long as you keep the sessions short. An attentive and intelligent dog can actually learn some fairly fancy tricks such as licking light switches or shutting half-open doors with his nose.

Have fun — because your dog sure will!