Providing Mental Stimulation to Your Canine Companion

Woman playing with beagle inside

For many of us, our dogs are an important member of our families. They give us comfort, companionship, and unconditional love. In uncertain times, like those of the COVID-19 pandemic, their daily routines are disrupted and they need our help to feel comfortable. We spoke with a certified dog trainer to see how to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated when they are not able to run freely outside at the barn, head to the dog park, or play with other pups at doggy day care.

According to Kimberlee Welch, CPDT-KA, CGCE, CAP II, of K9 Kompanion in Keene, NH, “Any time we are home with our dogs, they love it! They are happy to have us with them and not be alone in their space. Dogs are very social animals and enjoy spending time with their pack.” However, even when you are home with your dog, many of them still need activity to prevent them from developing dangerous or disruptive habits. Here are some ways that Kim employs to keep her dogs engaged.

More Walks

Just because you may not be able to turn your dog loose and allow them to run wild, you can still keep them active. As the old saying goes, a tired dog is a happy dog. Bring them on a walk to give both you and your dog a bit of exercise. The stimulation of sniffing out all the interesting smells, can also expend some of their energy. “When I walk my dogs on trails and in fields, I tend to use long leashes [like the PetSafe Cotton Training Lead],” Kim explains. “This allows them to explore, but still keeps them safe.” She does not recommend retractable leashes because they may be difficult to handle if your dog does not recall well. 

Even if you have a well-behaved dog, it is important to keep them leashed when you are walking on public land. “For dog-reactive dogs, having a loose dog run up to then is literally a nightmare. Keep everyone safe by keeping your dogs leashed,” she implores. Learn more about proper socialization techniques on our blog post, The Importance of a Well Trained Dog.

Brain Games

There are a number of canine toys on the market that have been developed to keep your dog mentally stimulated. Many of these toys utilize small amounts of food to keep your dog’s attention and encourage interaction. Treat dispensing dog toys like the Tonka Axle Feeder Dog Toy are filled with a dog kibble or small dog treats, then as the dog plays with the toy the treats are slowly dispensed. The Ruffwear Gnawt-A-Rock Toy is exceptionally durable and easy to clean, making it popular for playful puppies and dogs who are notoriously tough on their toys. Your dog will have to work to understand how to move the toy to get the treats, which provides extended entertainment.

For dogs who are not food motivated or those who are on a strict diet, there are also puzzle toys that do not involve treats. For example, the SnugArooz Interactive Dog Toy – Hide and Seek Reef with Turtles contains three adorable squeaky turtles inside its plush exterior. Your dog has to figure out how to extract the squeaker toys. After he has pulled them all out, you can put the turtles right back into the stuffed reef and playtime can start all over again!

Chew On It

Dogs instinctively love to chew. Give them a way to channel this natural behavior by providing them with chewing treats, such as the PetMatrix SmartSticks Dog Chews, or chew toys, like the Nylabone Power Chew Bacon Chew Toy. This encourages healthy chewing habits, and many chewing treats also clean your dog’s teeth and gums for improved oral hygiene.

Other dog toys, like the popular and practically indestructible Kong Classic Dog Toy, let you fill them with tasty morsels. You can use dog kibble, peanut butter, yogurt, canned pumpkin, or the packaged Kong Stuff’n to entice your dog to play with this erratically bouncing chew toy. Once you have used Kong with your dog, it’s easy to see why they are recommended by many veterinarians, canine professionals, and dog owners.

Treat Hunting

If your dog is food motivated or really enjoys tracking when he or she is outside, bring the fun inside. Hide a few treats for your dog and then turn them loose to find them. The first few times you play the game, let your dog watch you hide the treats. After your dog understands what you are doing, consider closing your dog in the other room while you hide the treats to increase the difficulty (and the fun!).

Explore Trick Training

Anytime you are housebound with your dog is a great time to solidify their training and introduce new tricks into their repertoire. “Many dogs really enjoy learning new things,” Kim comments. “Not only do they get to work with you and spend time with you, most likely they are getting some sort of reward.” Try utilizing small training treats, like the Grizzly Crunchy Training Dog Treats, which allow you to feel your dog a number of tasty morsels without having a large impact on his or her overall caloric intake for the day. “Teach your dog something new like rolling over, barking on command, or giving you a high five. I’m currently working on teaching my dog how to file his toenails on a piece of sandpaper,” she remarks with a laugh.

If you are new to trick training, try starting out with a relatively easy skill like teaching your dog to shake hands. “Once you begin to understand the basics of dog training, you are only limited to your imagination,” says Kim. 

In order to teach your dog to shake, begin with your dog in a seated position. Then, holding a small treat in a tight fist, slowly wave your hand in front of your dog’s nose while saying “shake.” Your dog will begin to first nuzzle your hand, then paw at it in frustration. Once your dog has begun to reach for your hand with his or her paw, give them the treat and verbal praise. Try again several times, then give your dog a break. It is recommended that you work on new tricks in five-minute increments two to three times a day. Once your dog is quickly reaching for your hand, start switching hands and then slowly begin to phase the treats out. Soon, your dog will “shake” when you say the word and begin to extend your hand. 

Check out this video for more fun and exciting trick ideas:

Sit Back and Relax

“Your dog does not need to be consistently active in order to remain content,” Kim remarks. “Many people focus on keeping their dogs busy when they are home, but sometimes they just want to be with you.” Consider curling up on the couch with a great book and inviting your dog to snuggle up beside you. If your dog isn’t allowed on the furniture, put his bed next to the couch and allow him to enjoy being in close proximity. It is as comforting for them as it is for us.

How do you keep your dog active when you are stuck inside? Share your ideas below in the comments!

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