Mental and Physical Stimulation Ideas for during Corona Shut-Down
by Friends of the Dog
by Friends of the Dog
As we mentioned in our article Preventing Separation Anxiety during the current shut-down, the most important factor to bear in mind, is to keep your schedule the same as if you had been going out to work, and even what you would do during the weekend.
If your dogs are normally outside, leave them outside,if they normally have access to the house when you are at work, work in another room yourself, and so on. Engage in the ideas below, to take the place of the time you would normally be taking your dog for a walk.
Mental Stimulation
Not all owners realize that mental stimulation is as important for a dog as is physical exercise, especially when it involves working with scent - why?
Dogs have about 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses (humans about 6 million) and the area that analyse odours is about 45 times stronger than us humans. Dogs smell independently with each nostril which allows them to determine exactly where objects and smelly things can be found. To put this in human terms - you come into the house on a cold day and immediately get a whiff of a lovely pot of stew that is being cooked for supper - delicious - however we can smell that it is stew, but your dog would be able to smell each and every ingredient that has been added to the stew!
Here are some of the things that scenting can achieve:-
If your dogs are normally outside, leave them outside,if they normally have access to the house when you are at work, work in another room yourself, and so on. Engage in the ideas below, to take the place of the time you would normally be taking your dog for a walk.
Mental Stimulation
Not all owners realize that mental stimulation is as important for a dog as is physical exercise, especially when it involves working with scent - why?
Dogs have about 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses (humans about 6 million) and the area that analyse odours is about 45 times stronger than us humans. Dogs smell independently with each nostril which allows them to determine exactly where objects and smelly things can be found. To put this in human terms - you come into the house on a cold day and immediately get a whiff of a lovely pot of stew that is being cooked for supper - delicious - however we can smell that it is stew, but your dog would be able to smell each and every ingredient that has been added to the stew!
Here are some of the things that scenting can achieve:-
- Supplies stimulation based on the dogs innate scenting abilities, and can be undertaken by pups, older dogs, and also inside and outside the home.
- Wonderful to start with young pups and will teach them to engage in quiet self play, lower stress levels and helps to build a heatlhy brain.
- It can greatly alleviate boredom, especially for the dog that spends time alone at home during the day. Boredom and frustration are often major components in behaviour problems developing and leaving scent games for your dog to get stuck into when you are out, can go a long way to avoiding behaviour problems.
- Get's brains thinking -if your dog gets no physical exercise, the muscles will become weak and atrophy without enough exercise - exactly the same with brain health. Will keep a dog mentally stimulated and helps to avoid premature aging.
- For a dog that tends to be a bit hyper, the scenting really helps them to settle down - this can be said for many behaviour concerns, even aggression - the dog is engaged in thinking about something else and this assists to lower stress levels.
The Flirt Pole
You may not be able to get hold of the materials to make one now, but make a temporary one! Use a broom, tie the rope (about a 1m in length at least - we don't want the dog to chase the broom head!) around the brush end, and at the other end of the rope, tie the toy you want to use for this.
The Flirt Pole below provides endless entertainment for a dog and is really tiring. It can also be combined with obedience in that the dog has to either Down or Sit and Wait. When the dog is allowed to catch the 'prey' a Leave can be brought in. This really stimulates the prey drive in a dog and is a wonderful method of play and you can see how much our Willow is enjoying it.
On You Tube you can also find videos showing how to make a Flirt Pole. Here is a link to view on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtPjTZCVZvk
You may not be able to get hold of the materials to make one now, but make a temporary one! Use a broom, tie the rope (about a 1m in length at least - we don't want the dog to chase the broom head!) around the brush end, and at the other end of the rope, tie the toy you want to use for this.
The Flirt Pole below provides endless entertainment for a dog and is really tiring. It can also be combined with obedience in that the dog has to either Down or Sit and Wait. When the dog is allowed to catch the 'prey' a Leave can be brought in. This really stimulates the prey drive in a dog and is a wonderful method of play and you can see how much our Willow is enjoying it.
On You Tube you can also find videos showing how to make a Flirt Pole. Here is a link to view on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtPjTZCVZvk
Swimming or retrieving toys from a shell or bucket of water
A wonderful way to exercise a dog and most of them love a daily swim. You can add in throwing items to be retrieved in the pole to increase stimulation, and if you don't have a big pool, even using a child's Sandpit shell or even a big bucket can provide great entertainment by tossing in treats for the dog to retrieve - most dogs seem to love the novel way of getting balls etc out of water - just don't make water too deep.
A wonderful way to exercise a dog and most of them love a daily swim. You can add in throwing items to be retrieved in the pole to increase stimulation, and if you don't have a big pool, even using a child's Sandpit shell or even a big bucket can provide great entertainment by tossing in treats for the dog to retrieve - most dogs seem to love the novel way of getting balls etc out of water - just don't make water too deep.
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Tyre or Rope toy on a rope
As these become interactive they are great entertainment for a dog and it just has to be taught how to play with it by its human becoming involved initially. Care to be taken where types are concerned as standard car tyres contain metal. Rather the smaller tyres from drag cars or ones purchased in a per shop – just check about the wire as a safe guard. This should be placed at about the dogs muzzle height. |
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Agility
Putting up your own agility course at home can be great fun for dog and owner alike. There are portable jumps and tunnels which can be purchased or else you can put up buckets and poles from brushes, stacks of books as in picture insert on left, empty cardboard boxes etc which can be used as jumps or a small table to go under. If you have any old car types hanging around, these can be a real boon for homemade agility. You can use for dog to go through, put on side as a small tunnel, put something solid on top for dog to go up onto - only your imagination limits you when it come to home made agility!
You can also make this into a training exercise on occasion but asking for a Wait, Sit et, before allowing your dog to get going into your course.
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Cardboard box – although this can teach a dog to be destructive with a box, it is also a great way to keep a dog entertained – owner just has some tidying up to do after!
Dogs love them! They carry them around, jump in and out, you can even toss the ball in to be retrieved, they tear them up - so much fun for no money, and as different from normal stimulation used, even more entertaining! Take off both ends and use as a tunnel for your new agility course. You may have to lure your dog through it the first few times using a food treat, but what fun they can have. You can even hide treats inside it which makes the box even more entertaining for the dog. |
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Ball Games. Frisbee, Excite & Settle etc
In place of walk time, engage in activities such as this. You can even take this a bit further and bring in some basic training as to provide added stimulation.
Excite and Calm – good fun and teaches your dog to be calm on cue. Have a great game of getting your dog very excited and then suddenly stop and say ‘calm’. Takes a bit of practice and you will probably have to initially help your dog to calm down (make play sessions very short initially) but great fun for both of you.
In place of walk time, engage in activities such as this. You can even take this a bit further and bring in some basic training as to provide added stimulation.
Excite and Calm – good fun and teaches your dog to be calm on cue. Have a great game of getting your dog very excited and then suddenly stop and say ‘calm’. Takes a bit of practice and you will probably have to initially help your dog to calm down (make play sessions very short initially) but great fun for both of you.
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Clicker A perfect time to engage with your dog and do some Clicker Training - will supply mental stimulation, increase bonding and great fun! If you don't have a Clicker at home, using a Click Pen such as in the picture will work.
We have a free on-line clicker course on website, just click here to start. |
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Scent Games
You can teach the dog to follow food put on the ground by tossing a piece on the grass in front of the dog and excitedly saying ‘findies, findies’ and praising lavishly as the dog eats it. Gradually add more and more pieces of food and make the distance longer. In no time at all you will be able to tell the dog to ‘Findies’ as you go out and this will keep the dog entertained for longer.
A variation on this is to teach the dog to Find items under objects and then leave a whole lot of them around the garden with one treat under each one – scent dogs especially love this game.
Other variations you can use to stimulate scent and here it is better to teach the dog how to play when owner is home and later these can be left for the dogs by themselves in the garden:-
You can teach the dog to follow food put on the ground by tossing a piece on the grass in front of the dog and excitedly saying ‘findies, findies’ and praising lavishly as the dog eats it. Gradually add more and more pieces of food and make the distance longer. In no time at all you will be able to tell the dog to ‘Findies’ as you go out and this will keep the dog entertained for longer.
A variation on this is to teach the dog to Find items under objects and then leave a whole lot of them around the garden with one treat under each one – scent dogs especially love this game.
Other variations you can use to stimulate scent and here it is better to teach the dog how to play when owner is home and later these can be left for the dogs by themselves in the garden:-
- a muffin or scone baking tray where a piece of food is placed under a tennis ball. These provides about 9 or 12 opportunities for the dog to get the treats below plus leaves the balls to be played with.
- a variation of above is to use either a 24-cardboard egg tray or a smaller size and engage in the same game as above.
- Toilet roll Treat - This is a really nice game for small dogs or puppy’s. The game should be supervised to ensure the dogs don’t swallow the cardboard from the toilet roll. You will need an empty toilet roll and some smelly treats, close off the one end of the toilet roll, full it with a few treats and close off the other end. The dog can then try and open an end of the toiler roll or destroy the toilet roll to get the treats. You will need to clean up a bit afterwards. For bigger dogs you can use hand paper rolls.
- Placing treats under Cones, plastic containers and similar.
- You will need an old hand towel and some treats. Using an old hand towel you can hide a treat in the towel and let the dog use its nose and problem solving skills to get to the treat this seems like an easy game but it takes a bit of practise for the dog to get it right.
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Slow-feeder / Treat Finder
A dog sense of smell is amazing using there nose in games will occupy the dog an tire it out.With all of these games I would suggest using smelly treats to really get the dog excited. |
Snuffle Mat - The principal is the same as a food puzzle toy. You can make a snuffle mat or purchased one. To make one you will need a rubber mat with holes, old pieces of cloth. There are tutorials online to assist you with the making of this toy. Use really smelly treat to get the dog excited initially, once the dog understands that it has to use its nose to find the food you can feed some of the dog’s daily ration in the snuffle mat. The mat can be placed inside or out. This can keep your dog occupied while you run some errands. Here are two simple examples below.
Mini Snuffle Mat
- You will need a basket (laundry basket or smaller – as long as it has holes) and fabric strips ( old cut up T- Shirts or towels will do)
- Cut the fabric in thick strips and tie to the holes on the basket, filling up the inside
- Hide treats and watch your dog use its scent to find the treats
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Bigger Snuffle Mat
You will require old T-Shirts or even old towels
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Spin Bottle Toy
The principal is the same as a food puzzle toy. There are a few tutorials on line to assist you with building this toy. You will need a few pieces of wood, empty bottles and treats. You can use different sized bottles and holding structure for the various sized dogs.
The aim of this toy is that the dog has to work for his dinner or daily rations as with food puzzle toys. Supervision will be needed initially, once the dog understands how to get to his treats/daily ration this toy can be place inside or out where the dog can the play with it keeping them occupied and mentally stimulated. All while the dog is working for his/her food. If the bottles get too much of a hammering you can simply replace them.
Some instructions on how to make : https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/doggypedia/homemade-dog-food-and-treats-recipes/diy-easy-spin-bottle-dog-toy
The principal is the same as a food puzzle toy. There are a few tutorials on line to assist you with building this toy. You will need a few pieces of wood, empty bottles and treats. You can use different sized bottles and holding structure for the various sized dogs.
The aim of this toy is that the dog has to work for his dinner or daily rations as with food puzzle toys. Supervision will be needed initially, once the dog understands how to get to his treats/daily ration this toy can be place inside or out where the dog can the play with it keeping them occupied and mentally stimulated. All while the dog is working for his/her food. If the bottles get too much of a hammering you can simply replace them.
Some instructions on how to make : https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/doggypedia/homemade-dog-food-and-treats-recipes/diy-easy-spin-bottle-dog-toy
Tracking a person.
This is a great one to play once your dog has the idea of finding things, and is often used at the beginning of teaching a dog to track. Good idea to do in an area of the garden not used as much by the dog, and if you have a big garden, event better!
Hide and seek
Can also be played inside. Teach the dog to ‘seek’ and start easily with somebody holding the dog and you run and ‘hide; with your head sticking out. The other person then tells the dog to ‘seek’ and great fun and reward happens as the dog finds you. As the dog becomes more proficient you can really make it challenging. Additionally, once the dog has learnt a basic wait for about 60 seconds, you can play the game without a 3rd party by telling your dog to wait while you hide – you can even just run away and hide quickly.
Tag or Your it
As many of us played Tag or Your It when smaller this game can be played with your dog. You start off running and as your dog catches up to you – you turn around and chase it. I like to bring in a cue with this game so that the dog knows whether to chase of be chased. Just be mindful not to over excite your dog, as nipping could occur, especially with the herding breeds. Have breaks in between to keep excitement levels down. This can also be played with two people calling the dog from one to another – make sure rewarding for the dog in that it gets a treat when it Tags somebody.
Digging Pit
A great idea to entertain a dog and so very easy to make. You can either use sand, or good old soil from the garden. I you do use sand, add 1 cup of salt once a week to prevent worms. Here is an article by Dr. Dunbar which explains how to get your dog used to digging in one.
This is a great one to play once your dog has the idea of finding things, and is often used at the beginning of teaching a dog to track. Good idea to do in an area of the garden not used as much by the dog, and if you have a big garden, event better!
- Have somebody hold your dog and mark where you start so you can lead your dog to this spot - a stick stuck into the ground works perfectly, of if the ground is hard, just drop an object next to the scenting trail so you know where it is.
- Now walk in a straight line, scuffing your feet on the ground all the time, and dropping a treat about a metre apart. When teaching this, we like to use high scenting treats such as cheese or liver bread. Walk about ten metres, continuing to scuff your feet and drop treats. As you come to the end of the track, drop a favourite toy, such as a ball or Busy Buddy, or even an old sock with some treats in it - a jackpot for the dog.
- Lead your dog to the beginning of the tracking trail and with your dog on lead and walking in front of you, tell your dog to 'find it'. If they do go off the track, don't interfere, let the dog find the track by itself. Often dogs will go slightly off track, as the wind may blow your scent off to the side and that is what the dog is smelling.
- As the dog finds the Jackpot, praise lavisly, and even throw the toy for the dog to chase. If the dog is battling, make the track shorter to start with. As the dog gets the understanding of this, you can both - make the track longer - have a bigger distance between the treats, with the aim of the dog only finding the jackpot at the end.
Hide and seek
Can also be played inside. Teach the dog to ‘seek’ and start easily with somebody holding the dog and you run and ‘hide; with your head sticking out. The other person then tells the dog to ‘seek’ and great fun and reward happens as the dog finds you. As the dog becomes more proficient you can really make it challenging. Additionally, once the dog has learnt a basic wait for about 60 seconds, you can play the game without a 3rd party by telling your dog to wait while you hide – you can even just run away and hide quickly.
Tag or Your it
As many of us played Tag or Your It when smaller this game can be played with your dog. You start off running and as your dog catches up to you – you turn around and chase it. I like to bring in a cue with this game so that the dog knows whether to chase of be chased. Just be mindful not to over excite your dog, as nipping could occur, especially with the herding breeds. Have breaks in between to keep excitement levels down. This can also be played with two people calling the dog from one to another – make sure rewarding for the dog in that it gets a treat when it Tags somebody.
Digging Pit
A great idea to entertain a dog and so very easy to make. You can either use sand, or good old soil from the garden. I you do use sand, add 1 cup of salt once a week to prevent worms. Here is an article by Dr. Dunbar which explains how to get your dog used to digging in one.
The Daxie above has a bottle that has been covered with thick material (or even some old socks) and makes a great crunchy noise.
Empty Bottles
Better used when owner home so that pieces are not swallowed. These can be given to the dog in various ways: -
Empty just to chew on
Ice Blocks - instead of a bottle as used above, prepare the mixture in the same manner and when cool add to a plastic container with some kibble/treats in it and then freeze. This can be given to the dog to lick and play with on the grass.
Better used when owner home so that pieces are not swallowed. These can be given to the dog in various ways: -
Empty just to chew on
- Make holes in them and put in some kibble – as the dogs plays with it pieces of kibble fall out entertaining the dog even more.
- Start with a 1 lit empty bottle. Boil the kettle and to about 750ml of boiling water add in a little marmite or Bovril (not if dog allergic). As this cools add to the bottle to about 3 / 4 way up (to allow for swelling when frozen) and you can even add in some kibble or treats. Place this in the freezer and give to the dog outside. As bottle tops can be chewed and swallowed we suggest leaving this off when you give the frozen item. As the dog gets used to this you can even use a 2l bottle
- Another idea is to cover the bottle in material which makes it harder for the dog to destroy. These are often available at pet shops.
Ice Blocks - instead of a bottle as used above, prepare the mixture in the same manner and when cool add to a plastic container with some kibble/treats in it and then freeze. This can be given to the dog to lick and play with on the grass.
Above our favourites, however that does not mean there are no other options! Just Google Dog Toys to make/entertain at home and enjoy!
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