Walks are great for your dog's body, but many dogs also need a job for their brain. Dogs were bred to search, chase, herd, retrieve and solve problems, and a dog with nothing to do often invents a job of their own: barking at the window, chewing the couch or bouncing off the walls in the evening.
The games below use things you already have at home. Most take 5 to 10 minutes. Start with the easiest version of each, and make it harder only when your dog is succeeding.
Before you start: a few safety notes
- Supervise. These are games to play together. Pick up cups, towels and boxes afterward so they do not become chew toys.
- Watch the treats. Use small pieces, or part of your dog's regular meal, and reduce dinner a little on game days. If your dog has allergies or a special diet, ask your veterinarian what is suitable.
- Avoid swallowing hazards. Remove tape, staples and plastic from boxes, and do not leave small items your dog could swallow.
- Keep it fun. If your dog gives up, make the next round easier. Success keeps dogs playing.
1. The cup game
Let your dog watch you place a treat under one of three plastic cups that are not see through. Say "Find it!" and wait for them to nudge or paw the right cup. Lift it and let them eat. Start with one cup, then two, then three. For an extra challenge, slide the cups around slowly before saying "Find it!"
2. The towel roll
Lay an old towel flat, sprinkle a few treats along it and roll it up loosely. Your dog uses nose and paws to unroll it and find the food. Make it harder by rolling it tighter, folding the ends in or tying it in a loose knot.
3. Find it
This is the foundation for many scent games. Toss a treat a short distance away on the floor and say "Find it!" Repeat a few times. Then ask your dog to sit and wait (or have someone hold the leash) while you place treats behind a chair leg, beside a door or under the edge of a rug. Release them with "Find it!" Over time, hide treats in other rooms.
4. Hide and seek
Ask your dog to wait, or have a family member gently hold them. Go hide in an easy spot in the same room, then call your dog's name once. When they find you, celebrate with a treat or a game. As your dog gets the idea, hide behind doors, in other rooms or in the shower. It is a fun way to practice coming when called.
5. The muffin tin puzzle
Put treats in a few cups of a muffin tin and cover every cup with a tennis ball or a small toy. Your dog has to move the balls to find the treats. Start with only a few balls and treats in plain sight, then cover all the cups. Use a tin that is heavy enough not to slide around, and supervise so nobody chews the balls.
6. Box search
Collect a few cardboard boxes or paper bags. Put a treat in one of them, add some crumpled paper, and let your dog search. Shredding the box can be part of the fun for dogs who like to rip things up, as long as they do not eat the cardboard. Pick up the pieces when you are done.
7. Snuffle search in the grass
Scatter a small handful of dry food or treats across a patch of grass in your yard and let your dog sniff them out. Sniffing is something most dogs find very satisfying, and it can be a calm, low energy activity for days when a long walk is not possible. Indoors, a snuffle mat or a shaggy rug works the same way.
8. Name your toys
Pick one toy and give it a name, such as "Ball". Hand it to your dog while saying the name, and reward. Then put it on the floor and say "Get Ball", rewarding when your dog touches or picks it up. Once that is easy, add a second toy that looks very different and ask for one or the other. Some dogs learn several toy names; others stick with one or two. Either way, it is good brain work.
9. Which hand?
Put a treat in one hand, close both hands and hold them out. When your dog sniffs or paws the correct hand, open it and let them have the treat. If they choose the wrong hand, show them it is empty and try again. This short game is perfect for a quick break while you watch TV.
10. Learn a new trick
Learning anything new is mental exercise. Try simple, safe tricks like touching your hand with their nose, spinning in a circle, or giving a paw. Break each trick into small steps and reward each step with your marker word. Five minutes of trick training can leave many dogs happily tired.
How to fit brain games into your week
| When | Good game choices |
|---|---|
| Before the usual barking hour | Towel roll, snuffle search, box search |
| Rainy days | Hide and seek, find it around the house, new trick |
| While you cook or eat | Towel roll, a stuffed food toy on a mat |
| Short break during the day | Which hand, cup game |
| Before a training walk | Find it, then a short game of tug |
You do not need to play all ten. Pick two or three your dog enjoys and rotate them so they stay interesting. Many owners find that a short game at the right time of day makes the evening calmer.
Brain games are not a replacement for everything
Mental exercise works best alongside walks, play, rest and basic training. It will not solve serious behavior problems on its own. If your dog is destructive or panics when left alone, shows aggression, or suddenly changes behavior, talk to your veterinarian and a certified professional trainer.
Three of these games, the cup game, the towel roll and hide and seek, are part of Day 6 in our free 7-Day Calm Dog Plan, which shows how to fit them into a simple daily routine.