As a pet sitter, you know that keeping a dog happy indoors requires more than just tossing a toy or playing a quick game of fetch. When the weather doesn’t cooperate or if the dog you’re caring for needs to stay indoors, mental stimulation becomes crucial. But don’t worry! There are plenty of fun and simple mental stimulation games that can keep dogs entertained while challenging their brains.
Here are some engaging indoor activities that will help you entertain the dogs in your care, while ensuring their minds stay sharp and happy. These games are not only beneficial for dogs but also make your job more enjoyable and rewarding!
Hide and Seek: A Classic Brain Teaser
Dogs love a good game of hide and seek! This classic game provides both physical exercise and mental stimulation. Simply take a favorite toy or treat (stuffed Kong is ideal) and hide it somewhere in the house. Start with easier hiding spots and gradually increase the difficulty as the dog catches on. If the dog isn’t familiar with the game, you can show them the object before hiding it.
For an extra twist, you can involve yourself in the game by hiding and calling the dog’s name to find you. This reinforces their recall skills and keeps them mentally alert while adding some fun to your interaction.
Puzzle Toys: The Ultimate Mind Workout
Puzzle toys are a dog’s version of a brain gym. These toys challenge a dog’s problem-solving skills as they try to figure out how to release the treat or toy inside. Many puzzle toys have adjustable difficulty levels, making them suitable for dogs of all ages and intelligence levels.
For instance, toys like the Kong Wobbler or Nina Ottosson puzzle boards engage dogs for extended periods, allowing you to supervise and interact with them as they problem-solve. If you don’t have access to commercial puzzle toys, a DIY option is to hide treats in a muffin tin and cover each slot with a tennis ball. Watch as the dog figures out how to move the balls to uncover their tasty reward.
The Cup Game: Sharpen Those Problem-Solving Skills
The classic cup game works wonders for keeping dogs engaged. All you need are three cups and a small treat. Show the dog the treat and place it under one of the cups. Shuffle the cups around and ask the dog to find the one hiding the treat.
This simple game hones a dog’s problem-solving skills and focus. You can start slowly and increase the speed of your shuffling as the dog becomes more adept at the game. It’s a fun challenge and helps improve concentration and memory.
Building Bridges
This is uniquely challenging and used by What Dogs Want in Phoenix, AZ: https://wdwacademy.dog/
Put a small blanket, rug or towel on the floor. Ask your dog to sit/stay on the towel. After he does, put a second blanket/rug/towel on the ground a few inches in front of the first. On cue, ask your dog to walk forward. You can say “come sit!” while waving forward; then use a hand signal to stop them once they’re on the second towel. At that point, say “sit/stay”.
When he’s sitting on the second towel, move the first towel to a new location (in front of the second towel that he’s sitting on). If he tries to get up, remind him to “sit/stay”. Once he’s settled, put the towel on the ground. Now cue him to “come/sit” then “sit/stay”. Move the other towel in front again and repeat the sequence. This will take some time and patience, yet hopefully you can build the “bridge” all the way across the room!
Buried Treasure
Another What Dogs Want gem: Hide treats under a blanket, rolled in a towel or tied into a dish cloth. Start with a super smelly treat and increase the challenge by using a smaller or less odorous treat. Ask your dog to sit and wait while you put the towel or cloth on the ground; this also promotes impulse control and following directions.
If your dog gets up or walks to you before the towel is on the ground, stand back up with the towel in your hands. Wait until he realizes that sitting + waiting = a treat! Let him find it on his own, with your encouragement of course!
Airplane Sit-Stay
This helps build the “sit/stay” exercise and promotes patience (for both of you!). To begin, put a treat in your hand and hold it behind your back. Ask your dog to sit and stay in front of you. Then, take your treat hand out from behind your back and hold it 3’ above your dog’s head. He should be staring at the treat in the air. Follow by lowering the treat quickly, straight down toward his nose. NOTE: this should take 3 seconds at most to “fly” the treat to his nose.
If your dog starts to leap into the air to grab the treat, stand still. Continue to hold the treat in your hand, way above his head and out of reach. Calmly ask him to sit and wait until he does. As soon as he sits, proceed with the game.
If he stays seated while the treat descends, praise him lavishly and keep lowering the treat toward his nose. If he’s still sitting, you can finally present the treat.
Sit-Stay for the Leash
This practice will come in handy for dog walkers as you wrestle the leash-up process with overly enthusiastic dogs. The idea is to teach restraint as he anticipates a walk – the highlight of the day for most dogs.
With the leash in your hand, wait until the dog is calm enough to listen to you. Ask him to sit and stay. Slowly bring the leash clip toward his collar or harness. The instant he gets up and breaks the sit-stay, say “OOPS”! and put the leash behind your back. Try to sound disappointed, not angry. Ask him to sit again and calmly wait until he does. Repeat this sequence until the dog is sitting calmly and you can leash up.
As a professional pet sitter, you have a unique opportunity to help dogs stay happy and engaged, even indoors. Mental stimulation games are fantastic for keeping dogs entertained while also enhancing their cognitive abilities.
From puzzle toys to teaching new tricks, these activities provide both mental and physical exercise, ensuring that dogs don’t get bored or anxious. Plus, these games will make your time with the dogs more fun, interactive, and memorable!
For more tips and tricks, join us a member to unlock a treasure trove of educational resources to help you reach new heights in your pet-sitting journey: https://associationofpetprofessionals.com/join-us/