Not every owner gives enough time to his four-footed friend. The reasons for this may be different: one does not have enough free time to play with the dog, while others are hampered by banal laziness. Any imbalance is not beneficial, because of the lack of entertainment in the life of the animal can be very stressed. Moreover, dogs have a need not only in physical exertion, but also in intellectual. What toys for the brain can be purchased for your dog, and what are their features, we will tell in this article.
What are we for?
In order for the dog to be in good shape and feel fine, it must be walked at least twice a day - everyone knows about this rule, and if possible they try to comply with it. Of course, during the walk the dog has a lot of different impressions, which is why its brain receives a kind of “food”. However, intellectual training is recommended for the harmonious development of the animal.
They help to maintain the mental health of your pet in balance with the physical, which is an extremely positive effect on the overall development of the pet.
According to scientists, 15 minutes of mental load are equivalent to 1.5-hour active walking.
Of course, it is impossible to fully compensate for physical activity using games for intelligence. It is very important for the dog to throw out the accumulated energy, to communicate with other animals and people, to sniff and consider everything. However, Intellectual games are an important addition to the everyday dog entertainment program, and also help to correct her behavior.
Experts claim that thanks to them you can get rid of increased dog aggression or depression caused by constant separation from the owner when he goes to work. They also serve as a prevention of apathy, which many pets lead home life.
About a quarter of a century ago, Nina Ottoson, an amateur dog breeder from Sweden, noticed this. The woman saw similarities in the behavior of children and dogs, as the latter also have a craving for intellectual activity. She established an intellectual entertainment company for puppies and adult dogs, after which other companies picked up her idea.
How to do it yourself?
Among the dog toys "for the mind" there are several popular and simple models that are easy to make yourself. About them will be discussed further.
Surprise box
Such a game can easily be made by yourself. To do this, take your dog's favorite treat, wrap it in paper and put it in a box. The dog will smell the aroma of delicious food and try to get it. Further, this game can be complicated by adding various “obstacles” in the form of additional wrappers, etc.
So that the dog enthusiastically took on the puzzle, the reward must be really desirable.
Put in the toy food that he loves the most. Dry snacks are preferable, as they do not stain the toy. In pet stores and hypermarkets you can always find unusual treats that are made specifically for dogs.
Ball
If you have unnecessary tennis balls, you can please your pet with the following game: cut them and put pieces of dry food inside. The dog will sniff the toy for a long time, think about where the food is in it, and with enthusiasm get it and eat it.
Snuff pad
The purpose of this puzzle is to find a snack in the “thickets” of fleece tapes. It is developed in the Netherlands for the development of the dog's smell.
The rug can be made independently, spruce-tied to a usual fleece-resistant fleece tape rug.
A dog will gladly look for goodies hidden under layers of cloth. To begin, hide them shallowly, and then you can complicate the task and bury the delicacy deeper.
Candy
Take a few candy wrappers, preferably rustling and shiny, and wrap in pieces of dry food. Spread them around the room and give the dog an opportunity to think of a way to get the treat out. Some dogs prefer to unfold the resulting "candy" with the help of the paws and teeth, others open it right in the mouth, spitting out the candy wrapper.
Such a mental load will distract the pet, if he does not already know where to put his energy, and it takes on destructive forms: the dog nibbles the furniture, breaks things.
Pet Shop Toys
The developers have already invented many interesting models of toys, so you just have to visit the store and choose the right one.
Dispenser-ball with holes
This ball refers to simple toys. When the dog rolls it, a crisp feed spills out of the ball. The dog understands: to get a snack, you need to roll the ball, and tries to deploy it in a certain way.
Dispenser on stand
This device is a few containers that are fixed at a distance from the ground, and can rotate. An animal needs to make mental efforts to figure out how to get food from these bottles.
Dispenser with buttons
Such a toy will make the dog seriously think, and by trial and error, find the right buttons that will give him access to food.
Glowing balls
These interactive toys glow in the dark. When playing in a safe place at dusk, you will allow your pet to include search capabilities.
Educational platforms
They are equipped with drawers, platforms, holes and other things that make the dog "move the brain." For example, to get a reward, the dog must pull the rope or open the door.
Kong
Developers of this company may have different models. Usually they are equipped with a vertical cylinder, which, while rotating, throws out treats. In order for it to work, the dog must push it gently. Since the movements of the dog may have different intensity, force of impact you need to pick up. It takes the dog for a long time and distracts her from “hooligan” thoughts.
Puller
This entertainment is suitable for walking and will make them more energetic and fun. Puller consists of two shells-rings, training time is about 20 minutes a day. Entertainment is equally enjoyed by both large and small breeds, besides the rings are made of harmless materials that do not have a sharp deterrent smell. The mini version is designed for Pekingese, pugs and other small breeds, the standard is for labradors, shepherd dogs and other large individuals, and the maxi will fit for the same breeds as the standard, but it is made with thickened walls.
The toy develops dexterity and helps the dog hone its teeth without harm to the gums. It also allows you to keep the furniture in good condition, because your four-legged friend already has something to chew on.
A dog is an intelligent animal that loves not only to frolic in the fresh air, but also to show its intellectual abilities. You can realize its potential with the help of educational toys. Buy them at the pet store or make your own hands, and then your pet will get a lot of pleasant emotions. In addition, his psychological state will be stable, and you will get a balanced and harmoniously developed dog.
In the next video, see a review of a brilliant toy for dogs that you can do with your own hands.