If there is one part of a dog’s life that they carry from puppyhood to adulthood, that is their playfulness.
They would happily jump, run, fetch, chew, and romp regardless of age.
Playing keeps their body, as well as their minds, healthy and active. However, as they age, their physical and mental capacity inevitably deteriorates.
As a dog parent, you can do a lot about this. You can change your weekend fetching to a less physically demanding but mentally stimulating game.
Below are some games you should try playing with your dog to keep its mind and body sound.
1. Treat-Dispensing Balls
Treat-dispensing balls are designed to make dogs think and work their way through getting their reward. These balls have multi-tiered layers that keep the treat from falling off quickly.
Your dog has to roll, bounce, toss, and throw the ball around to get its prize. This toy effectively combines physical activity and mental exercise, as your dog has to figure out ingenious ways to get its treats out.
2. Canine Nosework
Dogs have a very sharp sense of smell, but like anything, it can dull if not regularly exercised. Nosework is a great way to keep their noses sharp. This simple exercise could be done in the comfort of your backyard using only boxes and treats.
Spread the boxes across the yard, with treats inside some of them. Make your dog search for the treats using only its smelling powers. Increase the difficulty as the dog’s searching skill progresses.
You can apply the same principle as playing hide-and-seek; only their reward would be a huge hug from their hooman.
3. Plush Puzzle Toys
Most dogs, even the toughest looking and big ones, love to play with their soft, squishy, squeaky plushie toys.
If your dog is one of those, you can try the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel plushie. It comes with six squirrels and a tree trunk with six holes. This toy will make your dog think as they find the squeaky squirrels inside the holes of the tree trunk.
4. Live Action Toys
Toys that make sounds are very appealing to dogs, but what excites them more is when the toy moves and mimics the movements of other animals. PAWtomic Unpredictable Bouncing Ball by Project Play does this exactly.
Its surface has colorful rubber nubs, which cause the ball to bounce in different directions as it hits the ground. The unpredictability of where it will land next will keep your dog excited and thinking.
5. Treat-Dispensing Puzzle Toys
Since 1990, toy designer Nina Ottossom has been making fun and mind-stimulating dog toys. Her products are well-loved by many dogs regardless of age or breed.
6. DIY Brain Games
Having fun with your dog and making their brains work at the same only sometimes requires commercially available toys. You could always find an alternative game you and your dog can play together.
You need to get creative and let your mind think of new ways you could play with a tennis ball. Your dog gets his physical and mental boost, and you get your creativity boost as well.
Win-win!