Meet Mary, and if you have been to any classes, you will have already. Mary has a diploma in animal management and lives with her two dogs Mutley and Zarko, and these are her Five top enrichment games. Perfect for puppies.

Does your puppy constantly get into mischief? Most unwanted behaviours arise from boredom; dogs are naturally curious and will find ways to entertain themselves whether it’s something we approve of or not!

Using games that mentally stimulate your dogs, such as games and puzzle feeders, can significantly help. Not only is this enjoyable for your dog to take part in, as it promotes natural foraging behaviour. It is also fun to watch, it burns off energy, and it keeps the dog busy doing something safe, rather than them going off causing havoc around the house.

1. Puzzle feeders –you are probably already familiar with snuffle mats, lick mats, and Kong’s. But there are loads of others. Lots of pets stores sell these (I am sure you have seen them), and there are some exciting ones out there. Check out this website for details. https://outwardhound.com/furtropolis/product/best-dog-puzzle-toys-for-mental-stimulation.

2. Hide and seek – this is probably one of my favourites! Using your dog’s food or treats, hide it around the room and let them search. Start very easy and support them and gradually build up the difficulty. Get the handout of the whole exercise from info@bark-ololgy.co.uk

3. Muffin tin - it’s so simple to do, but it really gets the dog to work its brain - which is tiring! Grab a muffin tin, tennis balls, and a few dog treats. You can put these in every tin and cover it with a ball — or as your dog gets better at this puzzle with practice, only put the food in a few of the tins but cover them all with balls. It’s a great way to work their sense of smell and practice problem-solving.

4. Cardboard boxes – are just brilliant. This can be as simple as tossing some kibble and treats into a box with packing paper wadded up inside, or you can incorporate things like stuffed KONGS or one of your dog’s favourite squeaky toys to find.

5. Rolled up towel. This game is really easy to set up. Grab a towel and lay it flat. Spread some treats on it, then roll it up into a little burrito for your dog to forage in. Supervise and remove the towel once your dog has found all the hidden treats inside it. You don’t want them to shred and ingest the towel in continued efforts to make treats magically appear again.

Using these methods to feed your dog rather than provide it in a bowl also greatly slows down the rate at which they eat. Always supervise your pup and take the item away once they have all the treats. Be sensible and if you don’t feel it is appropriate go for the puzzle feeders.

There are so many benefits from puzzle feeding, so get creative and have fun!

If you have a puppy and are looking for classes, our new term starts on 7 September 2021; to book, follow this link:

BOOK HERE!

If you are struggling, we can help; get in touch, info@bark-ology.co.uk

Mary, Karen and the Bark-ology team.