What Is Mental Stimulation for Dogs?
As you focus on exercising your dog’s body, don’t forget about their brain. Mental stimulation is important for their brain health.
“Mental stimulation involves activities that engage their brains, including information processing, problem-solving, learning a new skill, deepening understanding of an existing skill, or anything else that requires more thought to navigate or make decisions,” says certified dog behavior consultant Allie Bender, CDBC, co-owner of Pet Harmony animal behavior and training and co-author of Canine Enrichment for the Real World.
“Mental stimulation can help provide outlets for species-typical behaviors, eliminate boredom, and help manage stress and energy levels,” Bender says. “Depending on what activity you choose it can also be a way to have fun and connect with your dog.”
Do dogs think?
Whether your dog stares deep into your eyes or off into space, you might wonder if they think, and what they think about.
Of course, dogs think, says certified professional dog trainer Susie Aga, owner of Atlanta Dog Trainer. “Working dogs have to problem solve and react to a situation immediately. Blind dogs have to map out their surroundings and guide themselves through obstacles. Scent work dogs have to follow the concentration of any odor to find what they are looking for. Guide dogs have to problem-solve continuously throughout the day to manage their person.”
Dogs have about the same mental ability as a 2-year-old child, says psychologist and canine researcher Stanley Coren, PhD. He's the author of several books including How Dogs Think. The average dog can learn about 150 words and count up to four or five, he says.
Importance of Mental Stimulation for Dogs
Walking through your neighborhood and playing fetch are great ways to keep your dog in shape. But have you challenged their brain recently? Because that’s important for their overall health and well-being.
Mental stimulation for dogs is important at every age and stage:
- Puppies. Mental stimulation for puppies builds self-confidence and teaches them to play alone.
- Adults. It encourages problem-solving and burns off energy.
- Seniors. Mental stimulation is good for senior dogs, as it keeps their minds sharp and helps prevent cognitive decline.
- Dogs recovering from surgery or other medical treatments. Mental stimulation can help kill boredom when your dog has to rest and take it easy.
Mentally stimulating activities help keep your dog engaged in positive ways. Bored dogs can form bad habits, particularly if they’re stressed or have a lot of energy. Thinking skills can start to drop as your dog ages. More than one-third of dogs over 8 years old start to lose some brain function.
Signs of mental decline in dogs include personality changes, accidents in the house, restlessness at night, decreased activity, and memory loss. Your dog might forget simple commands or tricks they knew before. They can become cranky or stressed, particularly in new situations. They might sleep more and become less active.
Medications and supplements might help slow this decline, but research shows mental stimulation helps keep their brain alert and healthy.
The following are some great ways to provide mental stimulation for your dog.
Food and Mental Stimulation
Most dogs are motivated by food. Research shows they prefer to get food as a reward, rather than getting it without doing anything.
In one study, dogs got excited and wagged their tails when they completed a task and knew food was coming. But other dogs in that study were given food at random. They showed signs of frustration because they didn’t know when to expect treats.
Try starting brain games at mealtime when your pup is already hungry and interested in food. Use part of your dog’s daily food for games to avoid feeding them too much. You might need to cut back on their regular meals if you offer a lot of treats.
Food-based games encourage your dog to use natural foraging instincts as they hunt for hidden food.
Brain Games for Dogs
Brain games for your dog can be toys, puzzles, or other activities that challenge them and require problem-solving. There are some you can make, some you can buy, and some that require no extra materials. Always keep an eye on your pet when playing so they don’t swallow any small parts or materials.
Scatter and sniff games. These are an easy place to start. Scatter some of your dog’s kibble on the floor or around the house and encourage them to go look for it. Make sure you choose locations that are clean and easy to clean up after. Sprinkle food in boxes to make this game tougher.
You can also let your dog’s nose work hard by using a snuffle mat. These are usually made of fleece or fabric strips attached to a flat bottom. You can buy snuffle mats or make them by sewing strips of fabric on a sturdy cloth bottom. Some also have pockets or hidden crevices. Sprinkle your pet’s kibble or some treats into the folds, and let them use their nose to hunt for them.
With any game, if your dog seems frustrated and can’t find the food, point out where the treats are to help them.
Puzzle feeders and toys. There are many games and toys where your dog has to problem-solve to get food. Some require your dog to nudge or push them, making the toy rock and release food. Others are more complicated puzzles, where your pup has to learn to lift a lid or slide a lever to release treats.
Start with an easy toy and then gradually work your way up to harder puzzles as your pup masters each one. If the game is too hard and they can’t get the treats easily, they may give up in frustration.
You can make a simple puzzle feeder using an old tennis ball. Use a sharp knife to cut an X or two into the side of the ball. Then stuff it with kibble and give it to your dog to explore. Puzzle feeders are also helpful for dogs who eat too quickly.
Stuffed food toys. These are durable rubber toys you can stuff with food. Start by adding some dry kibble or treats so they’re easy for your pup to find. Once they’ve figured that out, add a filling and freeze it. Try yogurt, peanut butter, or cheese. You can also add kibble that’s been soaked in water or broth and freeze it. Frozen food toys can keep your dog busy for a long time. Know that they can be messy, so feed them in an area that’s easy to clean.
Destruction game. If you’ve ever seen a puppy attack an empty paper towel holder, you know dogs enjoy destroying things. Make a destruction game by filling a cardboard box with crumpled balls of paper, empty toilet paper rolls, and anything else that’s OK for your dog to shred. Add a few favorite toys and then sprinkle in some treats or dry food. To make it more challenging, close up the box so they have to get inside it. Make sure to supervise and stop the game if your dog decides to eat the paper and cardboard.
Best Mental Stimulation for Dogs That Don’t Like Toys
Some dogs may not be interested in puzzle games and toys in general. But that doesn’t mean you can’t provide mental stimulation for them.
“There are so many options. Scent work, training new skills and behaviors, dog sports, sniffy walks,” says Bender. Sniff walks are when you take strolls with your dog and let them set the pace and smell whatever they want.
Here are some ways to offer your dog mental stimulation without using toys:
Changing your walk routine. Skip the normal route and explore a different path. This can introduce your dog to new smells, and smelling offers mental stimulation.
Creating an agility course. Make a jump with a broom or a tunnel with boxes. “Training your dog how to navigate an agility course often requires them to use problem-solving skills,” says Bender. “Just be sure to switch it up so that running the course doesn’t become a habit and instead requires brain power.”
Playing hide and seek with your dog. Almost everyone likes a good game of hide and seek, including your dog. Tell them to stay, then go hide, and call them to come and find you. This lets them use their tracking skills, which rely on brain power, Bender says.
Playing "hot and cold" with your dog. When your dog isn’t looking, hide their favorite toy or a treat. Then, call your dog into the room. When they get closer to the prize, say “hotter” with an excited voice. When they get farther away, they say “colder” in a calm, quiet voice. The game can help with communication and listening.
Can Canine Dietary Supplements Help Improve Brain Health?
Although brain games can help keep your dog’s mind engaged, consult your vet if you’re concerned about your pup’s thinking skills. They’ll ask you about possible symptoms and try to find the cause of any behavior changes. They may recommend canine dietary supplements.
Some studies have found that adding supplements such as vitamins C and E or L-carnitine to your dog’s diet may help them with memory and learning ability. They may help dogs score better on cognitive tests. But talk to your vet before giving supplements to your dog.
There’s no treatment to cure your dog’s brain decline due to aging, but keeping their mind engaged and challenged can help keep them healthy.
Takeaways
- Mental stimulation is important for your dog’s brain health. It can ease their stress, fight boredom, and burn energy.
- Brain games for your dog include puzzle feeders and toys, scatter and sniff games, stuffed food toys, and destruction games.
- Try playing brain games at mealtime if they’re motivated by food.
- If your dog doesn’t like toys, you can create an agility course, change your walk routine, or play hide and seek with them.
- DIY brain games for your dog include hiding treats in a rolled-up towel or under tennis balls in muffin cups.
Mental Stimulation for Dogs FAQs
Is chewing a bone mental stimulation for my dog?
Chewing a bone or playing with a toy isn’t typically a mentally stimulating activity, says Bender. “That said, I’ve watched my dog problem-solve how to destroy a toy. And in those situations, it appears to be a mentally stimulating activity,” she says.
Are car rides mental stimulation for dogs?
It depends on your dog. If you ride with the windows open, that can give your dog a chance to sniff and process new smells and information. But if your dog naps during the ride, that’s not very mentally stimulating. Open car windows may have safety risks. Talk to your vet before letting your dog ride by your car's open windows.
What’s the best mental stimulation for dogs alone at home?
There’s no one best type of mental stimulation for a dog who's home alone. Some dogs like food puzzles or finding hidden food or toys. Some may like cameras that let you talk to them and toss treats. Others play games by themselves. Even looking out the window and watching what’s going on outside can be stimulating for dogs that aren’t stressed by keeping an eye on things.
What are some of the best DIY brain games for dogs?
If you don’t want to buy a snuffle mat, you can put treats in muffin tins under tennis balls or in boxes with the lids closed. Or scatter kibble in a towel and then roll it up and let your dog use their nose to find them.
Show Sources
SOURCES:
Colorado State University: “If You Have an Older Pet, Be on the Lookout for Signs of Cognitive Decline.”
Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: “Cognitive Decline in Aging Dogs: What To Know.”
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home: “Brain games for dogs.”
Animal Humane Society: “Brain games for dogs,” “How to make a snuffle mat.”
British Journal of Nutrition: “Cognitive enhancement in old dogs from dietary supplementation with a nutrient blend containing arginine, antioxidants, B vitamins and fish oil.”
Animal Cognition: “Positive affect and learning: exploring the ‘Eureka Effect’ in dogs.”
Purdue University: “Enrichment in Kennels.”
American Psychological Association: “Smarter Than You Think: Renowned Canine Researcher Puts Dogs’ Intelligence on Par with 2-Year-Old Human.”
American Kennel Club: “Fun, Cognitive Training Games to Make Your Dog Smarter.”
Neurobiology of Aging: “Brain aging in the canine: a diet enriched in antioxidants reduces cognitive dysfunction.”
Experimental Gerontology: “Long-term treatment with antioxidants and a program of behavioral enrichment reduces age-dependent impairment in discrimination and reversal learning in beagle dogs.”
Gerontology: “Cognitive Aging in Dogs.”
