Not sure about you but I get this hint of guilt when I leave my pupper all alone at home while I’m out hustling. And while I am working, I get worried whether he is mentally stimulated when he is home most of the day. What makes it easier is that I’m doing everything I can to help make his day better. Here are some effective ways to mentally stimulate your pup while you are at work:
Keep them busy with interactive toys
Your pup will be glad to have more toys to play with, especially with no company around. Interactive toys help to stimulate, challenge your pupper’s brain and most importantly, breed problem solving skills into his daily routine. There are different products designed for different breeds and you can find them in-stores or on Amazon.
One of the most popular toys is the Kong Toy. You could fill the toy up with your dog’s favorite food or treat. To make it more fun, you could mix it up and fill the toy with different treats. My schnauzer loves peanut butter, so I fill the Kong up with peanut butter. He goes all day licking and figuring out the best way to get that peanut butter into his mouth. And this works out great, because this keeps him entertained for hours.
Dog puzzles
Well, as the name suggests, this is one that will definitely challenge your pupper’s mind. According to Nina Ottosson, the CEO of the Outward Hound, she suggests that by integrating dog puzzles and games into your pup’s daily routine, this would in turn teach your pup to behave instead of letting them create its own fun. Bad behavior in dogs is usually caused by boredom so addressing that is important. There are many brilliant puzzles and games available and one of the best dog puzzles makers, in my opinion, is Outward Hounds.
I found that Omega Paw Authentic Tricky Treat Ball is a sure way to keep your dog mentally stimulate and working hard for her treats. It sure did keep my pooch hard at work, something my pooch rarely does :’) If your dog is on a diet, this Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel toy would be a great toy to entertain your fur kid while you are away.
Read more: 12 Great Ways To Challenge Your Dog’s Mind
Use a slow feeder bowl
Another way to mentally stimulate your dog is to use a slow feeder bowl. This is a great way to make your dog work for their food. A slow feeder bowl is typically designed with a maze that will mentally challenge your dog and prevent them from inhaling their food.
This worked like a charm for my dog as he tends to eat his food too quickly and vomits it out minutes after. And I could tell that my dog really took time to work for his food. You could find any slow feeder bowl in stores or online. I personally use this slow feeder bowl I found on Amazon and it has been one of my best buys for my schnauzer.
Get a dog walker
This may be a good option for fur parents who work long hours. Employing a dog walker can help alleviate the stresses and worries of not bringing your pup out for a walk. It is recommended to bring your pup out 3-4 times a day for about 15 minutes. However, it also differs on the health of your pup.
Typically, a 30 minutes walk should suffice for an average healthy dog. There are many apps online such as Rover, Wag!, Barkly Pets and more specifically for dog walking and pet sitting services. If you are afraid that your dog needs company, perhaps engaging a pet sitter would be a better option.
Turn on TV/ Radio on in the background
This would not be my top choice due to the likelihood of increasing electricity bills. No hate here please, your girl is just trying to live her life with her pup. But, believe it or not, dog tv channels exist! Dog’s TV official streaming is on 24-hours and hey, this could be the HBO for your dogs (who knows). Animal channel is another strong contender as the sounds of dogs barking and cats meowing help to stimulate your dog mentally while no one else is home.
Research has shown that playing classical music helps lower anxiety and stress levels for dogs. So why not put on some Mozart while you’re out for a couple of hours.
Read more: Why Does My Dog Snore So Loud?
Organize a playdate
If your pup enjoys playing with other dogs and is comfortable doing so, this could be a good option. Schedule a playdate with a trusted friend or relative. Before that, make sure your pup is comfortable with that person first and gets along well with that person. Leave your contact details or the details of your veterinarian as emergency contact just in case.
Get a dog camera
If you’re like me, and you wonder what is my pup doing all alone at home? I would recommend getting the Furbo Dog Camera. This has been a game changer for me. Everytime, i worry about my dog while I’m at work, I would just pull out the app and monitor his activities.
The great thing about this camera is that it allows you to interact with your pup by talking, and even toss treats to them anywhere and anytime! It even gives you a daily summary of your pet’s activities for the day. How cool is that?!
Is chewing bone mental stimulation for dogs?
Yes! The repetitive action of chewing releases 2 important hormones- serotonin and dopamine. Typically known as the feel-good hormone which overall improves mental well-being. In fact, here is a fact for you to “chew” on. Chewing on raw bones not only gives a great way to stimulate their mind but is also great for their dental health. Chewing on something helps remove plaque from their teeth and improve their jaw strength.
How do I know if my dog needs mental stimulation?
Here are few signs that your dog needs more mental stimulation:
- Restlessness
- Destroys things
- Sleeps a lot – more than 12-14 hours
- Barks excessively
- Chases its own tail
If your dog is showing any of the signs above, it could be time to incorporate some mental exercises into their routine!
Final Thoughts
There are so many effective ways to enrich your pup’s mind while you’re at the office or hustling hard from your home. Why don’t try out these methods and tricks and see how well your pup responds to it? Go ahead and modify the games to your liking or to your pup’s preference – each to their own. Hope these games get your dog’s brain juices working hard!