Mind Stimulation Toys for Dogs
Stimulating your dogs brain while playing is one of the greatest tasks man and dog can complete together. A positive play game will not only strenghten the bond between you and your dog but will also reduce stress and restlessness in your puppy / pooch.
Most dog owners are aware of what they need to do to keep their dog physically well. They feed them a good diet, and regularly take them to the vet for vaccinations, worming tablets and flea control products. However, they often don’t give quite as much thought to taking care of his mental health.
Stimulating the mind of your dog
It’s important to stimulate your dog’s mind, both for his sake and yours. Dogs are thought to have the brain power of a four year old child, and we all know what trouble youngsters can cause if they have nothing to do! Dogs get bored and become depressed if they don’t have something to keep their mind occupied. That’s when they get up to mischief, and you’ll start to find holes in your backyard, and the laundry pulled from the washing line. Dogs don’t deliberately do these things to annoy us; they’re just trying to keep themselves entertained.
Behavioural toys
Dogs are pack animals and aren’t happy if they have to spend a lot of time alone. This too leads to behavioural problems such as barking, digging and escaping his yard. If you do have to leave him for long periods, give him a toy that will keep him occupied for a while, such as a Buster Cube. You can put his kibble in this, and he will spend his time trying to get the treats out of the toys. He’ll then be less likely to amuse himself by destroying your garden!
Explore
One often forgotten part of keeping your dog’s mind in good shape is to meet his need for social interaction. Dog training classes will keep him thinking and learning, and he will also have the opportunity to socialise and play with other dogs. Not only that, but a well-mannered dog is pleasant to take out for a walk, so he’ll have more opportunity to explore the world around him.
In the wild
All animals need to be able to express their natural behaviors, and your dog is no different. He is a predator by nature, so look for ways of allowing him to hunt and chase. There are many ways of doing this. Throw a ball for him so he can enjoy running after and catching his “prey”; this also has the effect of tiring him out, and a well-exercised dog is a happy dog. You can also play hide and seek with a ball or a stuffed Kong, and encourage your dog to use his nose to sniff it out. He will also enjoy playing tug using a rope tug toy. Make sure you are the one who starts and finishes the game, so he doesn’t start to think he’s in charge. If your dog loves to dig, think about giving him an area where he is allowed to dig, such as sand pit or a specific corner of your garden. Bury some treats in the sand, and encourage him to find them.
Dog mental health through mind stimulation
Never underestimate the importance of keeping your dog’s mind active. An increasingly common reason for dogs being euthanased is “behavioural problems” Many of these problems may well have been caused by boredom, lack of training and loneliness. This means that a lack of mental stimulation may actually be life threatening!
Dogs love to play with toys, and there is a huge variety of toys to choose from. When you are buying dog toys, think about the size and durability of each toy in relation to your own dog. It’s also important to consider the type of toy you buy them. Not all toys are created equal. Some toys are for chewing, some for fetching, but others are specifically designed to stimulate your dog’s mind.
Mind Stimulation Toy Types
While any sort of dog toy will offer some level of stimulation, here are some toys that will keep your dog thinking, and prevent them from becoming bored.
Puzzle Toys: There are a variety of problem solving puzzle toys which encourage a dog to work out how to get the treat that is hidden inside. They may need to push buttons, slide discs or lift blocks. These are great toys to leave with your dog while you’re at work, or if they need a little more stimulation than you can provide. If you are going to leave a toy with your dog, it must be very durable, with no small parts that can be broken off and swallowed. Some puzzle toys are interactive so you too can join the game. This is a good way to bond with your dog, and improve your relationship with them. Good quality puzzle toys are often expensive, but they’re a great investment in your dog’s mental health.
Squeaky Toys: Dogs are predators and from their perspective, a small squeaking toy sounds like prey. They love to chase and pounce on squeaky toys, because it allows them to express that natural predatory behaviour. When a dog catches the squeaking toy, they often growl and shake them vigorously to “kill” it. Squeaking toys are fun for dogs to play with, but you should always supervise their playtime. Most of these types of toys are soft plastic, and very easy to chew and swallow. The last thing you want is for your dog to need surgery to remove pieces of plastic toy from his intestinal tract.
Another possible disadvantage of squeaky toys is that the noise can get very annoying!
Treat Toys: These toys are similar to the puzzle toys; while your dog plays, the toy will dispense treats. The Buster Cube is one example of a treat toy. You can put your dog’s dry food in the cube, and encourage them to roll it around. As they play, food occasionally falls out of the hole in the cube. By using these toys, it will take your dog quite a while to eat his meal, and it will be a lot more fun for him. Buster Cubes are well made, and can withstand any amount of rough housing or biting. This makes them an ideal choice of toy for the stay at home dog.
While your dog will appreciate a game with any type of dog toy, these toys will make them think. Choose your dog’s toy carefully, and give them the opportunity to be the mighty hunter and predator that lurks within every dog.