Suggestions for Brain Games for Dogs

Many dog lovers love canines for their fun, independent, and intelligent spirit that is so similar to humans. Many people don’t realize that dogs are so similar to us that they are used as scientific models to learn more about human dementia because of our similarities in our brains. Dogs, like humans, need constant mental stimulation to be satisfied or they will suffer from mental decline. If a dog is not actively engaged and does not have an outlet for mental activity, it may start acting inappropriately through behaving hyperactively, chewing on household items and furniture, developing psychological problems, and a dog may even start suffering from health issues. That is why scientists call for brain games for dogs, a way to activate a canine’s neurons and synapses in positive ways. Below are easy and ready-to-play instructions for two games you can try with your dog.

Fetch:
This may seem like a no-brainer, but fetch can really engage your dog if you put the right amount of effort into it. Take your dog out to your yard or to a park and bring a Frisbee, find a stick, or merely use a favorite toy. Take the item of your choice and throw it to your dog in a number of interesting ways. Pretend to throw it one way and then throw it another. Or swing your arm to act like you are going to throw it and keep it in your hand. And try tossing the object at different distances and various directions. Your dog will love this guessing game and will also obtain the necessary physical exercise needed.

Hot and cold:
You may have played this game with children; it does equally well with canines. Let your dog smell and examine a toy before hiding it in a room. Let Fido search for it, and as he does, yell out “hot” if he’s close to the toy or “cold” if he’s farther away from it. When your dog finds the toy, reward it with a satisfying treat. You will be surprised at how smart your dog can be in its search.

With these playful and stimulating games, a dog’s health and well-being can be restored as well as maintain an owner’s sanity level. You want to love and cherish your pet, but that is difficult to do when your dog is acting up for unknown reasons. Try these brain games for dogs and search for a few others in books or on the net to keep misbehavior at bay.