5 fun brain games for dogs

 5 fun brain games for dogs

 

Brain games for your puppy

Problem solving and mental stimulation are all about using your puppy’s natural enthusiasm for play and games, along with their hardwired behaviours and often-underestimated intelligence, to work out puzzles and learn new skills. For most puppies, using their brains in this way can stimulate them and tire them out.

Puppies are full of energy but their bodies aren’t yet fully developed, so it can be hard to give them the exercise they need to burn off all the excess energy without straining still-growing muscles, joints and bones. Playing games and puzzles will give them more exercise and prevent them from chewing on your furniture.

There are different types of games for dogs to play, including dog puzzles to stimulate their brains and keep them active. Some will be able to turn their paw to all of them, while others will have very clear favourites. It’s up to you to discover what you and your puppy enjoy.

 Shell Game

If your dog is the betting type, he'll love this game. Even if he isn't, he'll love it because there are treats involved. The shell game is simple, but really challenging. Take two plastic opaque cups and turn them over. With your dog watching, place a treat under a cup. Give your dog the cue to come turn over the cup and get the treat. Do this eight or 10 times, letting your dog really understand the game. Then alternate which cup you place the treat under. When your dog selects the correct cup, let him have the treat. If he doesn't select the correct cup (and that will happen, even when he sees you placing the treat under the cup), show him the treat under the correct cup but don't let him have it. Keep him watching which cup you place the treat under so he can guess the right cup. It sounds easy to us, but for many dogs, this requires some serious thinking.

If your dog masters this, it's time to challenge him even more. Place a treat under the left cup, then slide the cups to switch places, so that the cup with the treat is now on your right. Release your dog to find the treat. If your dog selects the correct cup, give him the treat. If your dog doesn't select the correct cup, show him the treat but don't let him have it. Keep repeating this and see if your dog can figure out the trick. Some dogs may never quite get how the treat magically switches sides — this is a tough game using visual tracking, and not all dogs make the connection. But if your dog does, bump up the challenge even more by swapping sides randomly. See if he can use his eyes, nose and thinking skills to find the treat after the old switcheroo. Very few dogs will make it to this stage, so don't be discouraged if your dog isn't a whiz at the shell game. Dognition is a great place to learn about your dog's personality and learning style, and it has featured a version of this game for members along with many other brain games that will keep your dog thinking.

 

Hide and seek puppy games

These can be played anywhere in the house or garden and even during your regular walks. To start this dog game, have someone to help you who can hold your puppy. Show your puppy that you have some treats, then go off and hide somewhere, ideally in a spot that’s fairly easy to find at first. Your puppy can then be released to come and find you – and be rewarded by both the treats and being reunited with you. Start playing hide and seek when your puppy is still young, as it will improve their recall later in life and make them much more responsive to you

 

 Jumping Rope

Eye and body coordination meet with this game. Your dog has to concentrate on the pace of the rope, on targeting a certain spot on the ground, and of course, on jumping. Think it can't be done? Oh it can. See above.

Start by teaching your dog to target an object on the ground. Note that in the video, the object used is a stick that shows the dog not only where to jump but also how much space there is to work with on either side to stay within the boundaries of the rope. Once targeting is down, teach your dog to jump on that spot on a cue. After that is mastered, add in the rope, cueing your dog each time he needs to jump as the rope comes down. It will take a lot of practice, but it will also burn a ton of extra brain and body energy. (Plus, you two will certainly impress the neighborhood kids.)

 

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