Mental stimulations for dogs

Everyone knows dogs need physical exercise, it doesn't matter the size or the breed, but only a few owners know dogs need mental exercise (mental stimulation).

What is mental stimulation?

It is activities that help enrich your dog's mind. A mentally stimulated dog feels tired & happy. Mental stimulation could decrease behavioural issues (destructing behaviour, barking..etc.) & hyperactivity.

What happens if the dog doesn't have mental stimulation?

It can increase behavioural issues in the dog. If your dog is not mentally tired and has no chance, it will find alternatives (chewing carpet, stealing items, destroying the house, barking..etc. - some behavioural issues could be a sign of separation anxiety or other issues; ask a professional if you are unsure).

Simple Activities That Build Confidence, Reduce Anxiety & Improve Behaviour

• “Find the Toy” Search Game Hide your dog’s toys around the house or garden. Let your dog search and when they find the toy, reward with a treat or a quick play session. This encourages scent work, problem-solving, and confidence.

• Hide & Seek Hide behind a door, sofa or corner, call your dog once, and let them track you down. When they find you → celebrate and reward. Boosts recall, bonding, and independence.

• Treat Bottle Game (DIY Puzzle Toy) Take an empty plastic bottle, cut a few holes in it, add treats, and let your dog roll it around. Great for problem-solving and encouraging independent play.

• Snuffle Mat Sprinkle treats or kibble inside the fabric strips and allow your dog to sniff them out. Perfect for slowing down eating and providing calm mental engagement.

• Lick Mat Spread peanut butter, liver paste, plain yoghurt or wet food onto a licking mat. (Check the “Safe and Dangerous Foods” blog for safe toppings!) Licking is naturally calming and lowers stress.

• Puzzle toys Shop-bought puzzle feeders challenge your dog’s brain, requiring them to push, slide, or lift sections to access food.

• High-Quality Chew Toys Chewing releases endorphins and helps dogs relax. Examples: coffee wood sticks, antlers (supervised), natural chews, Yak bars.

• Teach Simple Tricks Trick training is powerful mental stimulation. Try: paw, spin, roll over, play dead, figure 8, bow. Short 3–5 minute sessions are perfect.

• “Treasure Box” Foraging Game Turn everyday recycling into mental enrichment:

  • cardboard boxes

  • egg cartons

  • toilet-roll tubes

  • paper shopping bags

  • plastic bottles with holes

  • crumpled paper

  Hide a few treats and let your dog rip, dig, sniff, and problem-solve. Great for natural “seeking” behaviour.

• “Treasure Box” Outdoor version Collect and made a box with outdoor stuffs (leaves, stick or grass...etc) and then hide some treats inside and let the dog sniff and find it.

• Towel Roll Game Place treats on a towel, roll it up, and let your dog unroll and search. Engages problem-solving and scent work.

• Muffin Tin Puzzle Place treats into muffin tin holes, then cover each hole with tennis balls. Your dog must remove the balls to find the rewards.

• Stuffed KONG (Regular or Frozen) Fill a KONG with sticky, tasty foods like wet food, mashed banana, cottage cheese, or peanut butter. Freeze it to make it last even longer — excellent for anxiety or teething puppies.

• Cup Game (Shell Game) Place 3 cups on the floor, hide a treat under one, shuffle them, and let your dog choose. Builds scent discrimination, patience, and focus.

• Flirt Pole Play A flirt pole is like a giant cat toy for dogs — fantastic for physical and mental stimulation. Helps with impulse control (“wait… chase… stop…”) while burning energy safe

• Scent Discrimination (“Find the Object”) Teach your dog to find:

  • a specific toy

  • a cloth with your scent

  • a treat hidden in a container

  Start easy → gradually hide it in harder places.

• Novelty Walks – Changing the Scenery Instead of using the same route every day, try:

  • different parks

  • woodland trails

  • quiet paths

  • new streets

  • dog-friendly shops

  • riverside areas

  Even small changes in smell and environment provide enormous mental stimulation.

• “Task & Carry” – Give Your Dog a Job Dogs love to work. Teach simple, useful tasks:

  • carry their toy outdoors

  • bring their harness

  • hold a soft object on walks

  • put toys in a basket

  • “take it → bring it → drop”

  Why this works:Purpose reduces boredom, anxiety and attention-seeking behaviour.Especially good for intelligent or working-type breeds.

Please note that some items may pose a risk to your dog's health if ingested. If you notice your dog showing interest in eating any of these items, please remove them immediately to ensure their safety.