Brain games and enrichment activities for dogs help make your dog think in new ways and keep them mentally stimulated which is always an essential part of dog training. Enrichment activities help beat boredom, reduce stress, curb behavior problems, and strengthen your bond with your dog by spending quality time with them. Dog enrichment activities have always been a part of our doggie daycare experience at Bark Avenue which our clients love!
Dogs are incredibly intelligent and are just as much brain as they are brawn. There are countless dog enrichment games you can play with your dog to keep their minds engaged. Many of these brain games are free and easy to put together at home, and there are many options you can purchase online.
As you teach your dog a new enrichment activity, remember to take it slow so your dog understands the rules. These activities should be fun for both you and your dog. Take some time to teach your furry best friend one of these fun and mentally stimulating brain games for dogs. Some games may need basic dog training commands.
Here’s a list of our top 10 fun brain games for canine enrichment:
- Hide-n-Seek – We play this as a kid, and now it’s time to teach your dog as part of canine enrichment. This one requires your dog to know a few simple commands such as “stay” and “come”. To play, tell your dog to stay while you go hide. When you’re ready, yell out “Ready or not here you come!” or “Find me!”.
- Treasure Hunts – Find something extra smelly that your dog loves, like a Kong full of peanut butter or a favorite toy. Show them the treasure, and then tell them to sit and stay while you go hide it. Say “Find it!” and watch them use their powerful sniffer to smell out the hidden treasure. Stimulating your dog’s sense of smell is a great way to introduce enrichment activities into your home.
- Cups – Set up an enrichment activity for your dog by lining up three old cups on the floor. Hide treats or kibble under one of the cups, then let your dog watch as you shuffle the cups around. Encourage your dog to find the treat by picking the right cup, and reward them with the treat when they succeed. This simple game will engage their mind and provide a fun challenge!
- Name Game – Your dog probably already knows the words like “ball”, “treat”, and “outside”. You just need a few more to play the name game. Just like teaching those vocabulary words, teach your dog the name of an object and watch as he seeks it all. Not all dogs will get this immediately, but persistence is worth it. You can teach them to bring newspapers, blankets, or a very specific dog toy.
- Pick-up Toys – Just like “52 card pick up” you don’t have to be the only one who cleans things up when it gets messy around the house. This game will teach your dog to help keep the house tidy as part of their daily enrichment activities. Similar to the “Name Game”, this is a fun way to teach your dog to pick up its toys. Once he picks up the object, teach them to put it in a specific location such as their dog-toy bin. As a bonus, you’ll get a four-legged house helper!
- New Trick – You can teach an old dog new tricks! It’s important to move at your dog’s pace and choose a trick that’s appropriate for your dog’s abilities, age, and temperament. Keep training sessions brief and set them up for success with a number of motivators as rewards, such as treats or playing with their favorite toy. The list is endless for new tricks: touch, play dead, speak, paw, roll-over, bow, spin…etc.
- Muffin Tin Game – Chances are if you check your kitchen, you may have a muffin tin hidden somewhere. Place some delicious treats in a few of the holes; cover all of the holes with tennis balls and let them figure out how to remove the balls to get to the good stuff.
- Bubbles – There are all types of flavored dog-friendly bubbles from peanut butter, chicken, and steak. This is a great sensory enrichment activity that will also make your dog’s taste buds very happy. At Bark Avenue Daycamp, our doggie daycare clients enjoy this enrichment activity daily. This sensory enrichment activity delights your dog’s taste buds and provides a fun, engaging way to stimulate their senses. Chasing and popping these flavored bubbles offers mental stimulation and physical exercise, making it a joyful and rewarding experience for your furry friend.
- Dog Puzzles – Teach your dog problem-solving skills with a variety of treat and kibble-based enrichment activities. Start with beginner-level puzzles and gradually introduce more advanced games to challenge your dog’s mind. These mentally-stimulating activities not only engage your dog’s instincts but also promote cognitive development, keeping them entertained and mentally sharp. Various levels of challenges help enhance your dog’s problem-solving abilities and provide a rewarding experience.
- Treat Toys – A fantastic way to enrich your dog’s experience is to introduce toys that dispense treats, like treat-dispensing balls or puzzle toys. These interactive toys provide a delightful surprise by hiding tasty rewards inside. Your dog will be excited to discover the hidden treats, but to get to them, they’ll need to use their problem-solving skills and sense of smell. There are many variations available, from simple rolling balls to more complex puzzles that require manipulation and patience. Each type offers a unique challenge, helping to stimulate your dog’s mind, reduce boredom, and provide an engaging way to earn rewards. This type of enrichment activity not only keeps your dog entertained but also fosters mental agility and satisfaction.
At Bark Avenue, we provide doggie daycare and other dog enrichment activities that will provide engagement and socialization in a safe environment for your dog or puppy. If you are looking for dog enrichment in St. Charles or Bartlett, call us at (630) 289-8470 or contact us online if you are looking for doggy daycare near me to book your dog or puppy for doggie daycamp or dog boarding with us at Bark Avenue Daycamp.
