Learn how to use toys and music to keep your dog mentally stimulated

Dogs, like people, need to feel mentally stimulated in order to feel content. Many dogs have an instinct to work in their blood, but their roles today as pets do not always provide fulfillment of their urges to work. Often times, an under-stimulated dog becomes depressed or even troublesome in the absence of engaging activity. He may get into mischief around the house in order to keep both his mind and body occupied. Do not get angry at your dog if you discover that this is the case. Instead, look for ways to provide more mental and physical stimulation to your canine friend.

There are many innovative dog toys on the market today that provide mental stimulation to your dog. The Buster Cube and Kong are two of the more popular brands of puzzle toy for your dog. With each toy, the theory is the same. You, the owner, fill the toy with pieces of dog food or a couple of treats before giving the toy to your dog. Your dog then spends time working to get the food or treats to fall out of the toy. He is often required to roll it around and turn it on different sides in order to get the treats to come out of the toy. Most dogs welcome the challenge and activity, and will happily spend the time working with their new toy instead of getting into trouble. As your dog becomes more advanced at emptying the toys of their treats, there are methods you can use to increase the level of challenge. Many of these toys come in different sizes so be sure to choose the appropriate variety for your dog. A toy that is too large for your dog may just cause further frustration while a toy too small will be too easy and ineffective. Also routinely clean your dog’s toy, and check it for any cracks or broken pieces.

Some people like to leave the radio or television on for their dogs while they are away. The background noise can be a great way to soothe your dog when he is home alone. If you choose to do this, be sure to pick a calming station on your radio or television. Heavy metal on the radio or police chases on the television will create more stress for your dog instead of easing his mind.