Written by Melissa Bussey Silverman, CDBC, CPDT-KA
Puppies are bundles of energy, and they can get into all kinds of shenanigans! The best way to keep your pup out of trouble is to give him things to do. Physical exercise is important, of course, but so is mental exercise. The more you engage your dog’s mind, the more tired he will be and less likely to pace around the house looking for something to get into. This is especially important if you own a high-energy dog or puppy.
Mental enrichment can come in many forms, from training to exploring to play. Teaching tricks and practicing obedience behaviors can be fun and engaging for both of you. Keep it fun, use treats or toys your dog enjoys as rewards, and unleash your creativity! In addition, learning behaviors such as “stay” and “leave it” require self-control, which can tire out young dogs.
Walks and other activities can be very enriching. Did you know that long “sniffy” walks, where the dog sniffs to his heart’s content, will likely chill your dog out more than a longer walk or a jog? Walks in new places and hikes in the woods on a long line are quite stimulating with new sights, smells, sounds, textures, etc. It’s also more interesting for the human! Other activities might include dog sports such as agility or nose work or supervised dog play with friends.
Another way to increase your dog’s enrichment is to utilize food toys — both for meals and during the day to decrease boredom. Puzzles are wonderful mental exercises! The Kong is a popular food toy that can be stuffed with kibble, canned food, peanut butter, etc. (you can even freeze it to increase difficulty). Other toys are designed for dry kibble or treats, and the dog rolls or bounces the toy to get the food out.
Much of your dog’s food should come from training, a food-dispensing toy, or game (like tossing his kibble all around the backyard or living room so that he has to sniff out each piece) to help tire him out mentally. You can make interactive food toys at home by filling a bottle or container with kibble or treats. But, these should only be given with supervision. Ideas include water and 2-liter bottles, plastic or cardboard milk cartons, cardboard boxes, empty paper towel tubes, etc. Just clean up the cardboard afterward!
Dogs need to chew, and they like novelty, so frequently add new chewies and new toys to their toy baskets. Rotate available toys to keep them interesting. You can also play games like fetch, tug, and hide-and-seek or even make up your own games.
Finally, remember that puppies and young dogs need to sleep — a lot! If your pup has been active for two or more hours and is becoming a handful, he may need to go to his crate for a nap. Put him in there with a stuffed Kong to chew on until he falls asleep. The more outlets your pup gets, both physical and mental, the happier he will be. And the happier YOU will be!
About the Author
Melissa “Mel” Bussey Silverman, CDBC, CPDT-KA Mel is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant and Certified Professional Dog Trainer who started Training Tracks in 1998. She has traveled the country studying with the world’s best dog trainers. She runs our Board and Train Program and also specializes in working with fear and dog aggression.
