fun brain games to play with your dog

Going for a walk is great. So is playing a game of fetch. But sometimes you and your pup yearn for more! Check out these ideas for stimulating your doggo’s brain.  

Puzzle toys

From slowing down your dog's hyper speed eating habits to making playtime more interesting, puzzle toys can be quite fun for both furball and human. Just pop some of your pet’s food or treats into these maze-like toys and watch them sniff, nudge, and paw at the different compartments and obstacles. It will have them using their brain in a new way and getting rewarded for it.  

There are lots of quality puzzle toys out there — ask your vet what they recommend for your pup.

Don’t forget to clean these toys after your pet plays with and eats from them (many are dishwasher safe). 

The snuffle mat 

Have you seen the snuffle mat?! Like puzzle toys, these are designed to make treat-giving more stimulating and enriching. Snuffle mats are typically constructed with long strips of fabric and feature several nooks and crannies for you to hide food in. Your dog will sniff and dig through the mat to uncover the tasty treats.

Making your own snuffle mat is simple, but there are also some more elaborate ones available for purchase. Do a quick online search and see what looks best for your furball.  

And remember — all those nooks and crannies should be cleaned and washed out regularly to ensure that a lost piece of food doesn’t go bad. 

A little hide-and-go-seek

Instead of the typical sit, stay, and roll over, have your dog pretend they’re a secret treat agent. Hide a handful of treats in places around your home — corners, under blankets, on top of furniture, etc. (Make sure to put them in places where they can be safely reached!) 

Let your dog sniff sniff sniff until they find each one. And, yes, you have our permission to melt over just how cute and smart they are.  

Just be careful you don’t leave treats waiting to be discovered for too long — or that you don’t introduce your pet to new corners of your home you’d rather they never find in the first place. 

Hot! Cold!

If your dog knows basic commands, teaching them hot and cold is your next step. Hide a toy without your lovebug knowing. Then, use voice cues, a clicker, or treats to indicate if they’re getting closer or further away from the treasure. Once they get good at this, you can totally teach them to fetch the remote for you. 

Pick a cup

You know that concentration game where someone has three cups, hides a ball under one, and shuffles them around? Try that with your dog. Start by hiding a treat under one cup and don't shuffle them around. Once your dog has mastered uncovering it, mix the cups up. See if your furry friend can follow the shuffling and/or sniff out the treat. Bonus: This game can help teach your pal patience! 

Not only do the above activities get your furball’s brain working in new ways, but these activities can also tire your dog out, decrease their reactivity, and help reduce anxiety! That’s a win-win-win in our book.