Just like humans, dogs need to keep their minds active to stay healthy. There are a lot of different ways you can do this. You can give them games to play throughout the day, take them on a hike, bring them to the dog park, take them on a car ride, or give them a puzzle to solve.
Books like brain training 4 dogs will give you lots of different methods to engage your dog is healthy and fun activities. There are a lot of reasons why doing activities that require your dog’s intelligence is beneficial for both you and your dog. Here’s a list of all the reasons you should be engaging your dog’s mind on a daily basis.
Prevents Boredom
Boredom is the leading cause of poor decision-making in humans and it’s not any different for dogs. Bored dogs tend to chew on things they shouldn’t, get into the trash, and destroy furniture in order to keep itself busy.
If you don’t want a destructive dog that gets into trouble, keeping them occupied through mental stimulation is the way to go. Your dog will be too busy playing with their puzzle toy or sleeping after a nice long walk that they won’t be able to get into any mischief.
You’ll also be saving yourself from boredom if you’re too busy entertaining your dog through fun and games. It’s a win-win situation for you and your dog.
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Gets your dog’s energy out
Again, a stimulated dog equals a well-rested dog. Keeping their mind active will help your dog to burn any pent-up energy that can cause destructive behavior and hyperactivity. Brain games require mental stamina and if you add physical activity to them, your dog will also be getting the exercise it needs to burn any excess energy.
A tired dog won’t be jumping on you or your guests excessively for attention. Instead, you can enjoy some relaxing cuddles on the couch after work.
It’s a good way to bond
By performing a game or task with your dog, you’re solidifying your friendship. You can make games something you can do together with your dog. This will teach your dog that you’re the one in charge and they won’t be as likely to disobey you.
Plus, by doing activities together, you’ll be able to enjoy each other’s company. By sharing experiences, you can bond over, you’ll be strengthening your relationship in ways you weren’t able to before.
It enforces good behavior
Brain games and mental stimulation will help you and your dog grow in confidence. Insecure dogs tend to act out from fear or frustration. A confident dog tends to be better behaved. Also, by removing all excess energy as we talked about before, your dog will be too tired to be obstinate or destructive.
Brain games will also help you socialize your dog if you incorporate other people into the fun. You’ll be able to reward desirable behavior through these games and teach your dog how to act on a day-to-day basis.
It’s fun
Spending time with your dog doing an activity you both will enjoy will add happiness and fun to your everyday life. Since your dog will be happier and better behaved, you’ll be less stressed and be able to enjoy other aspects of your life. Brain games will give you and your dog something to do together so you’re not sitting at home bored out of your mind.
These are just a few reasons why you should be incorporating enrichment into your dog’s routine. If you’re looking for more, you can talk to your local vet about the health benefits associated with mental enrichment. In the meantime, try to incorporate small things into your daily routine to help spice up your dog’s life.
Take your dog for a walk. This will help channel your dog’s energy and give them something new to sniff or see. Dogs can sense things so much more easily than we can, so taking them for a walk is a good way to stimulate their physical body and their mental state. They’ll be so focused on the sights and smells as they walk, that they’ll be ready for a nap when they come home. If you’re having trouble walking y our dog on a leash, click here.
You can also bring your dog to the dog park and let them run around with their friends. Dogs are social creatures, so letting them interact with other dogs and people will help get some of their energy out. Plus, it’s fun watching a bunch of cute dogs running around together. You’ll be doing what good dog owners do by giving your dog a chance to be physically active and mentally stimulated.
Lastly, believe it or not, training your dog will help keep them mentally busy and physically tired. Teaching your dog a new skill will require their focus and attention. This forces them to use their brain because they’re trying to learn a new task. I don’t know about you but after I went to school as a kid, I was ready for a nap. It’s the same with dogs!
As you can see, providing your dog with mental and emotional stimulation will only benefit them in the long run. You’ll be able to keep them from boredom, channel good behavior, and strengthen your love for your dog. It’s also as easy as going to your local dog park and letting your dog run free for an hour.
Providing your dog with mental stimulation doesn’t have to be expensive. As long as you get them out of their daily routine every so often and give them something to look forward to, you’re doing right by them. If you can afford to give a little money to the cause, then you should get some fun interactive games or toys for your dog to play with while you’re gone. You’ll dog will be thrilled to see that you love him just as much as he loves you.