Who says fetch is the only game in town? From puzzles to hide-and-seek treats, brain games turn playtime with your dog into a mental workout, keeping your pup entertained with tail-wagging fun! Games help focus high-energy pups, reduce anxiety and bored behaviors, and build confidence. These fun activities also strengthen your bond with your dog.
Best of all, with just a few supplies, you can make your own brain games. In honor of the Dog Days of Summer, we’ve put together some of our favorites for you to try. Make sure you supervise your pup while playing so they don’t eat something they shouldn’t. Remember to give your dog plenty of praise and positive reinforcement when they solve the puzzles.
Muffin Tin Puzzle
Supplies: muffin tin, tennis balls, treats or kibble
Instructions:
- Turn the muffin tin upside down. Place treats or kibble between the cups. Let your dog eat them.
- For a slightly harder version, place tennis balls in the indentations between the cups and above the treats.
- Increase the level of difficulty by turning the muffin tin right side up. Place treats in the cups and cover them with tennis balls.
- For the hardest level of difficulty, fill only some of the cups with treats or kibble. Cover them all with tennis balls.
Egg Carton Puzzle
Supplies: empty egg carton, treats or kibble
Instructions:
- Open the egg carton and place treats or kibble in some of the cups.
- Don’t close the carton completely. Challenge your dog to try to open it and get the treats.
- Once your dog can open it, try it when the carton is closed completely. Your dog will likely bounce it around in the process.
- Help your pup out as needed to learn the skill.
Treat Dispenser Puzzle
Supplies: Plastic container with lid (empty yogurt or sour cream containers, empty water bottle), cutting tool, treats or kibble
Instructions:
- Cut some holes in the lid that are big enough for treats or kibble to pass through. Make sure the holes are not so big that too many will fall out.
- Put some treats or kibble inside and close the top. Give it to your dog and watch him or her roll it around to dispense the snack.
- You can increase the difficulty by using a container with a smaller opening, such as a plastic water bottle with the cap off.
The Shell Game
Supplies: 3 identical plastic cups, treat or kibble, small ball (optional)
Instructions:
- Place your dog in the sit position.
- Put the 3 plastic cups upside down on the floor in front of him/her.
- Place a treat underneath one cup. Slide the cups around to mix up the order.
- Ask your dog to identify the cup with the treat. When he finds it, and topples the cup, he can eat it. Or he can touch it with his nose, and you can lift the cup.
- For a variation of this game, use a ball instead of a treat.
Destruction Toy
Supplies: empty cereal box or paper towel or toilet paper tube, tape, treats or kibble
Instructions:
- Remove the plastic bag from the cereal box.
- Place a handful of treats inside.
- Tape it up and watch your dog tear it apart.
- Alternatively, use a toilet paper tube or paper towel tube. Put the treats inside. Fold and tape the ends.
- For an easier game, skip the tape.
Mystery Box
Supplies: paper, shoebox, treats or kibble
Instructions:
- Place a treat or two in the middle of the paper and then crunch it into a ball.
- Place the paper balls with treats in a shoebox.
- Add some decoy paper balls without treats.
- Have your dog find the treats.
- For an easier variation of the game, make a treat-paper ball and throw it for your dog to retrieve.
Doggy Ball Pit
Supplies: kiddie pool, balls, treats or kibble
Instructions:
- Fill the kiddie pool with balls.
- Sprinkle treats on top of the balls.
- Have your dog go into the pool to find the treats.
- The treats will shift as your pup walks around.
- To make this easier, start with a few balls and increase as your dog’s comfort level builds.
Snuffle Mat
Supplies: plastic mat with a grid of holes (like a sink mat), fleece strips, scissors as needed
Instructions:
- Cut or tear the fleece strips so they are 6-8 inches long.
- Push them through the holes in the mat. You may need a scissor to open the holes.
- Tie the fleece strips as needed to create a carpet.
- When the mat is filled with fleece, toss in a few treats and let your pup snuffle through to get them.
Hot and Cold Game
Supplies: Kibble or treats
Instructions:
- Hide a treat in a room while your pup is not there.
- Bring your dog into the room.
- Using your voice, give your dog clues as to where the treat is location.
- Calm quiet tones signal that your dog is walking away from the treat.
- Excited higher pitch tones indicate they are heading toward the treat.
- This will take practice, but once you are successful, it is an easy game to play anywhere, anytime.
- A simpler version is to toss the treats in the air and have your dog retrieve them.
Finally, don’t forget to protect your fur baby with pet insurance for added peace of mind, and to save on your vet bill. Remember, you can easily add pet insurance from Pet’s Best to your California Casualty auto or home policy. Find out more about what pet insurance can cover by talking with a California Casualty customer service representative today.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
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