Mental Stimulation is when you are putting your dog’s mind to work. They are completing an activity that uses their brain, this may be something like a puzzle toy, sniffing for treats, learning new tricks, nosework, obstacle courses etc. Mentally Stimulating your dog will eventually tire them out, making this a strategy for having a less bouncy energy at home.
How Can I Mentally Stimulate My Dog?
To do this with your dog, you need to give them something that challenges them or makes them use their senses and their brain. Puzzle toys for dogs are sold at many stores, these would normally be interactive dog toys where you insert some dog treats and they have to figure out how to get to the treats. Another alternative to this is letting your dog chew something like a bone (however remember that dogs can’t have chicken bones).
Nosework is simply, as its name suggests, putting your dog’s nose to work. This is commonly found as letting your dog find treats. These may be scattered in a garden or you may buy a ‘snuffle mat’ for your dog to use. Of course, there are other non-treat options and you could invent this nosework into a game. You could simply get a partner to hold your dog and then go hide, then when you are ready, let your dog go and find you. You can also turn this game into an obedient command.
Learning new tricks is a fun way to create a stronger bond with your dog, whilst mentally stimulating them. Just start off training with a few old tricks and then teach your dog a new one. Make sure you only teach them one new command at a time so that your dog doesn’t get frustrated. Also finish with some familiar commands and keep training sessions short.
An obstacle course is a great activity for an active, happy dog who would love to bounce around outside (or inside). You don’t need professional equipment, you can easily set up some of your own obstacles with household furniture and guide your dog around the course with a motivating toy or a treat. Keep switching the course up and keep it a fun experience for you and your pooch.
Why Is Mental Stimulation Important?
Mental Stimulation is very important to give your dog. It gives them something to think about and something to do that will keep them happier. In lots of breeds, it would take a lot of physical exercise to wear them out. With mental stimulation you can give them something to think about which afterwards they will have a rest, (of course, exercising your dog is still important).
The reason a walk will mentally stimulate your dog is because you are taking them to a new area with lots of new scents. This puts their nose and brain to work, figuring out what had previously happened in that area. The physical exercise of a walk isn’t the only component that makes your dog tired, the mental stimulation also contributes to this.
Without mental stimulation, dogs would become very bored and then restless, this then causes bad behaviours and habits. With mental stimulation, your dog will have something to do, they will not be restless and will have a good balance between rest and play. Lots of bad behaviours in dogs may have been caused by the lack of mental stimulation and so it is important to give this to your dog.
Make sure you give your dog more than a walk, give them something like a puzzle or a nosework exercise. With a few of these activities provided throughout the day, your dog will surely have a better routine. Giving them something to do also will make them happier.