May 25th, 2009
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…I could wonder why the ocean meets the shore. I could think of things I’ve never thought before, and then I’d sit and think some more…
We have all heard tales of how intelligent dogs are, and our pets are no different. But they need stimulation. Dogs are capable of great mental tasks, and many have been bred for centuries to perform intensely mental jobs. These characteristics have not disappeared over time. So if you find Rover displaying odd behaviors like chewing, barking, digging, or licking, consider giving him a mental game to play. Physical exercise is important, but so is mental exercise. There are many great toys and games that you can provide your dog with to give their thinker a work out and curb unwanted behaviors that are caused by mental boredom. |
[...] for the rest of the week. Two of her tips are up already – you can see her tip on mental exercise here and her dry nose tip [...]
One great mental challenge I picked up from the folks at the San Francisco SPCA was putting your dogs dry food in a plastic coke or water bottle with the cap on. The dog stays mentally engaged by working to remove the cap before eating his dinner. Use caution with smaller dogs though.