Activities and games that engage your dog’s brain are enriching and beneficial for your dog and your bond with her. It’s easy to include interactive toys as a central part of your canine enrichment plan!
Play is one of the basic, fundamental needs of our dogs and can provide important enrichment opportunities. Interactive toys are fun for both dog and owner, and they provide much-needed mental and physical stimulation.
Interactive chew toys
Chew toys are an excellent way to help puppies cope with teething as long as the rubber toy is specifically designed for puppies. Older dogs also can reap many benefits from chewing as well. Think of chewing as stress relief for dogs. Depending on the type of chew a dog has to use his brain to figure out how to get the tasty treats out of the toy, which is great for mental stimulation.
The best interactive chew toys are the ones that come in different shapes with holes in them. They are an excellent way of keeping a dog happy and busy for hours because you can fill them with many different foods. Anything from peanut butter to chicken or yogurt and dog treats or blueberries, anything that your dog loves! Add a little bit of water and put them in the freezer for a few hours before giving them to your dog. This makes the stuffing last longer and gives your dog a good feeling while he is chewing.
Many chew toys might claim that they are indestructible because they are made of very hard rubber, but certain dogs can still chew through them. Always be sure to watch for signs of wear and tear on the toy and remove if any little bits are breaking off the toy. This type of chew shouldn’t be left with a dog if you are not able to periodically check to watch your dog chew.
Treat balls
Treat balls can be filled with dry food or treats and given to your dog who then has to get the food out by pushing the ball along the floor with his nose. There are others that can be flung into the air and the treats come flying out in all directions, which is not only fun for your dog, but fun for us to watch as well!
There are many different kinds of treat balls but all have the same goal in mind, to have the dog move the object to get the food inside. You can even serve his meal in a treat ball. It takes longer to eat and tires him out in the process as he needs to think about how to get the food out. And, if you have a dog that begs at your table for bits of your dinner, you can use a treat ball to have him focus on getting his own food, rather than begging for yours.
Puzzles
There are many different kinds of puzzles that have been created for dogs with varying degrees of difficulty. Most puzzles have places where you can hide food and your dog has to then work out how to get it out of the puzzle. Starting with the “easy” ones is best to be sure that you set your dog up for success. The puzzles are supposed to be fun and challenging, not frustrating. Once he zips through the puzzle in record speed, you know it’s time to move on to a more challenging one.
Tug toys and bite sticks
Tug toys are great for playing the game of tug and for dogs to retrieve. These toys usually take the form of knotted ropes or are made of durable material that is long and stick-like, providing a good surface to bite on. Be sure to actively play tug with your dog versus just hanging on to one end of the rope or bite stick. Engaging in the play with your dog will be more rewarding for both of you.
Chase toys
Most dogs love to chase, so these toys are perfect for releasing that energy. This toy is also great for playing with puppies since their teeth are not close to your hands or body (as with tug). It’s a safe way to have children play with puppies as the toy isn’t close to the child’s hands or body. You can create your own chase toy by attaching a length of rope to a stick and tying a soft toy onto the other end of the rope. Alternatively, you can purchase what is called a “flirt pole.” You whirl the stick around your body so that the rope moves wildly. That fast movement of the toy will prompt our dog to chase after it. Teaching your dog to wait and only allowing him to chase on your cue is a great way of teaching impulse control.
