How to Keep an Older Dog Mentally Active
Make sure your dog gets lots of interaction., Play with your dog., Stimulate your dog's mind.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Make sure your dog gets lots of interaction.
Dogs that are left alone all the time will not be able to stay mentally healthy.
A dog that does not have a lot of social interaction can lose its mental acuity because it doesn't exercise its brain.
Dogs are meant to have social interaction, as they are pack animals, and they need it to avoid becoming sad, lonely, and destructive.Interaction can come in a lot of forms.
It could mean taking your dog for a walk, playing catch, or simply giving it love and attention.
The interaction doesn't have to always come from you.
If you know you are going to be gone all day, for example, you can take your dog to a doggy daycare.
This will give your dog lots of interaction.
Some dogs benefit from living in a household with multiple dogs.
Having more than one dog at home can give your dog lots of positive interaction while you are away. -
Step 2: Play with your dog.
There are a wide variety of games that you can play with your dog that will stimulate its brain.
Even common games, such as tug-o-war or catch, can give it a lot of stimulation and keep it mentally active.
Other games you can play include:
Work on advanced training, such as teaching your dog to play dead.
Hide your dog's favorite toy and have it find it.
Train your dog to identify its toys by name and to get specific toys when you ask for them by name. , Toys, such as puzzles, can stimulate your dog while you are away or unable to directly play with the dog.
These puzzles use treats or regular dog food as motivation for the dog to complete the challenge.Buy a food puzzle that requires your dog to complete tasks in order to get food.
There are a wide variety of these puzzles sold at pet stores or online.
The added benefit of these puzzles is that they can be used to slow down your dog's eating.
In order to keep your dog's mind stimulated, switch out your dog's toys and puzzles on a regular basis.
New toys mean new stimulation and fun. -
Step 3: Stimulate your dog's mind.
Detailed Guide
Dogs that are left alone all the time will not be able to stay mentally healthy.
A dog that does not have a lot of social interaction can lose its mental acuity because it doesn't exercise its brain.
Dogs are meant to have social interaction, as they are pack animals, and they need it to avoid becoming sad, lonely, and destructive.Interaction can come in a lot of forms.
It could mean taking your dog for a walk, playing catch, or simply giving it love and attention.
The interaction doesn't have to always come from you.
If you know you are going to be gone all day, for example, you can take your dog to a doggy daycare.
This will give your dog lots of interaction.
Some dogs benefit from living in a household with multiple dogs.
Having more than one dog at home can give your dog lots of positive interaction while you are away.
There are a wide variety of games that you can play with your dog that will stimulate its brain.
Even common games, such as tug-o-war or catch, can give it a lot of stimulation and keep it mentally active.
Other games you can play include:
Work on advanced training, such as teaching your dog to play dead.
Hide your dog's favorite toy and have it find it.
Train your dog to identify its toys by name and to get specific toys when you ask for them by name. , Toys, such as puzzles, can stimulate your dog while you are away or unable to directly play with the dog.
These puzzles use treats or regular dog food as motivation for the dog to complete the challenge.Buy a food puzzle that requires your dog to complete tasks in order to get food.
There are a wide variety of these puzzles sold at pet stores or online.
The added benefit of these puzzles is that they can be used to slow down your dog's eating.
In order to keep your dog's mind stimulated, switch out your dog's toys and puzzles on a regular basis.
New toys mean new stimulation and fun.
About the Author
Lori Cook
Experienced content creator specializing in lifestyle guides and tutorials.
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