Have you considered brain training your dog? The mind of a canine should be trained in the same manner his body is trained.
While obedience training focuses on learning behaviors like walking on a leash or coming when asked, the goal of brain training is to stimulate canines to solve problems and think creatively. It has numerous advantages, such as making pets less anxious and helping owners strengthen their bonds with them.
There are various proven training programs, such as https://braintrainingfordogs.promo, teaching owners how to engage their dogs’ intelligence.
You can try the following games and exercises.
Looking for hidden toys
A fun brain activity game that canine owners can try is hiding a toy for their pets to find. This activity is ideal for improving the natural scenting ability of dogs while stimulating them to burn their excess energy. In order to teach this game, you should make sure your companion is in a stay position or held by someone.
Your pet is supposed to watch the act of hiding the toy in an obvious location, just several feet away from it. Once you hide the toy, instruct your canine to find it and grab it. Afterward, you are advised to select another obvious spot to hide the same toy. After repeating the process a couple of times, your canine companion will begin to grasp the meaning of the phrase “find it.”
At this point, you can organize a blind hunt by hiding the toy in a place where he cannot see it. In order for your dog to find it, he is supposed to rely on his sense of smell.
Make changes to its walking routine
Another brain training exercise to give a try is making changes to the walking routine of your canine. You can go in a different direction or take a right when you regularly take a left. Some owners even decide to try a completely new walking route to challenge their pets even further. Check out eight ways to shake up your dog’s walking routine.
The reason behind introducing changes to the walking routine of canines is to expose them to new sights, sounds, and smells. During such exposure, it’s paramount for the dog to pay attention to your actions and follow the lead. Nevertheless, make sure the new walking route is safe for both you and your beloved dog.
Apart from walking in a new location, you can make alterations in the routine by changing the pace, using training treats, or even allowing your canine to make the decisions. Dog owners should consider switching up walking partners by passing the leash to another family member. It’s of the utmost importance for every family member to walk the dog for your pet to bond better with all household members.
Use interactive games and toys
Interactive games and toys are highly recommended as brain training methods for canines, including board games and puzzles. You can purchase dog dominos or memory games, which allow owners to hide either treats or other objects inside. Your furry companion is supposed to figure out how to find the treats.
Moreover, puzzle toys are particularly motivating for pets if food is used as a motivator. The objective of these puzzles is for animals to use their brains to earn a reward. Interactive toys are known to improve the memory of canines and teach them how to focus on a given task. Not only young but older dogs are supposed to be kept mentally active.
Teach your canine to make eye contact
Another brain training activity for canines is teaching them to give their owners eye contact. The best method of attracting the attention of dogs is by using food treats. You should hold one to your forehead and prompt your pet to look at you.
After a while, you can use hand signals and verbal commands to ask your canine to give you eye contact. Such contact triggers an oxytocin release in both owners and their pets. Oxytocin is the hormone responsible for the attachment between children and parents.
Final thoughts
Keep your canine mentally stimulated even when becoming older!
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