Brain Games for Dogs
Brain games for dogs can make your canine companion smarter
Karen Elizabeth Baril. October 28, 2024. Republished with permission from Animal Wellness Magazine.
Raise your dog’s IQ and make her smarter with fun brain games and exercises that encourage her to think and learn.
The domestic dog’s relationship with humans goes back a staggering 30,000 years. Throughout this long liaison, your dog’s ancestors honed their people-watching skills, learning about human habits, behaviors, emotions, and even spoken language. In fact, the average domestic dog can learn the meaning of about 150 words, with some clever canines stretching that to 250 words. Canine intelligence was long considered static, a fixed trait passed down through the genetic code. However, scientists now know that neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to modify and create new neural connections, is possible throughout a dog’s life. This means that brain games for dogs can help improve your furry friend’s self-control, decrease any anxiety and strengthen the bond you share. You may even help raise your dog’s IQ!
How three types of canine intelligence impact play
Adaptive intelligence refers to your dog’s ability to learn from his environment. An example is if your dog brings you his empty food bowl around dinnertime, or runs to fetch his leash if he sees you getting ready for a walk. Adaptive intelligence refers to what a dog learns without your direct intervention. Know that he’s training himself by observing you, so be mindful of what he’s learning!
Instinctive intelligence is breed specific. Border Collies are experts at herding sheep, chickens, and kids, for instance, but they’re no match for the Bloodhound in nose work. Take your dog’s breed type into consideration. A terrier might learn best inside the house, away from distractions like darting chipmunks.
Working or obedience intelligence refers to your dog’s ability to learn commands. You might think of working obedience as a police or service dog ability, but any dog, from terriers to Irish Wolfhounds, can excel in working obedience given the right training.
3 impulse control games to increase your dog’s brain power
Impulse control games help your dog slow down and obey a command even when he’s excited.
“Leave it” is a great impulse control game. In this game, your dog must leave an object, treat, or the fun of chasing a squirrel for another day. Start slow by asking your dog to “leave it” using a small treat, and rewarding him with another treat for leaving that one alone. You can eventually build up to a good response while walking around the neighborhood surrounded by distractions.
“Wait” is another impulse control game that teaches your dog to wait for your command before diving into his food bowl, jumping out of the car, or passing through doors or gates. Raise the stakes by adding a wait to your fetch game.
“Settle” is similar to place training, but can be used anywhere. Your dog can learn to settle anywhere, at home or out and about, with a relaxed body posture and expression. The settle command is best taught at home first, with very few distractions, but set your goal to achieve a settled dog even in busy environments and situations.
3 Hide n’ seek games for mental stimulation
Hide n’ seek games encourage your dog to use his thinking skills and memory.
Hide yourself. When you know your dog isn’t looking, hide behind a wall, a piece of furniture, or in a giant cardboard box if you have one. Then call your dog.
Hide a treat. Let your dog see you hide a treat underneath one of three plastic cups, and ask him to find it. It’s highly likely he’ll find the treat on the first try, but then up the ante. Let him see you place the treat under a cup and then move the cups around as if you’re doing a magic trick. Do this slowly so your dog can watch. It’s helpful to have different colored or shaded cups.
Hide a toy. Start easy with a toy that’s only half hidden, so your dog sees it and grasps the concept of the game. Graduate to hiding the toy really well. It’s helpful to reserve a special toy for this game so that when your dog sees it, he knows what to do.
Other exercises that can help make your dog smarter include the use of puzzle toys and bowls, obstacle courses, and engaging him in nose work. Just as with muscle training, there is no one single game or exercise that improves brain function — anything that gets your dog thinking is beneficial. And any time he thinks his way through a problem or challenge, he’s exercising his brain and getting smarter!
Tips for success
Choose the right time of day. Avoid times when your dog might be distracted, such as dinnertime or when the kids come home from school.
If you have a multi-dog household, play with only one dog at a time until you get good responses.
Consider your dog’s personality and breed type when choosing games. Beagles will love nose work while Border Collies might prefer thinking their way through an agility course.
Don’t put any pressure on your dog or yourself. Even within breed types, dogs learn at their own pace. Keep it fun and your dog will keep coming back for more.
Mix it up to keep your dog thinking. Be creative when inventing games. You don’t need to spend a lot of money. A shoebox can be used to create a hide-and-seek game.
Teach your old dog new tricks
Senior dogs can definitely learn new tricks, games, and mental exercises, although you might have to allow for any hearing or vision loss. The older dog’s responses are usually not as quick as a younger dog’s, but games and puzzles will help to keep her mentally engaged and happy.
