What's better than simply giving your pet a snack and having it end with a quick gulp? By engaging them in a moment of savoring, you provide valuable mental stimulation for your dog's overall well-being.
Puzzle games are a great way to provide mental stimulation for dogs. Puzzle games challenge dogs to use their problem-solving skills to figure out how to get to a treat or toy. There are many different types of puzzle games available, so you can find one that is right for your dog's age and ability.
By adding food puzzles and games to their snack routine, your pup can use several of their five senses simultaneously – making for a more enriching and well-rounded experience. Think crossword puzzles and/or Candy Crush for canines!
Have you ever wondered which is the strongest of a dog's five senses? It's actually their sense of smell! This makes scent work a great way to provide mental stimulation for dogs.
Scent work is a type of activity where dogs use their sense of smell to find hidden objects or scents.
Scent work allows your dog to do what they love best – sniffing! This gives the opportunity for your dog to use their strongest natural sense of smell offering both mental stimulation and entertainment.
Place some strong scents on a washcloth and tuck under an upside down plastic cup/container in the house or yard for your dog to find. Some popular essential oil scents (even just one drop) are peppermint oil, lavender oil, chamomile, cinnamon, and lemon.
You can also try some strong scents from a hunting store such as deer scent, fox scent, rabbit scent, etc. Place one drop on a washcloth, then rub back and forth to spread it around. Hide the washcloth and see how finding this surely brightens your dog's day!
You can purchase a multitude of treat puzzles, snuffle mats, and other food-motivated games online or at your neighborhood pet shop, or make some cost effective DIY options as well.
