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One-sided humans like to keep their brains sharp and avoid boredom by immersing themselves in various types of puzzles. It may also work for your dog. There are many interactive puzzle toys designed specifically for dogs that help nurture their curiosity and provide much-needed mental stimulation.
The benefits of puzzle toys are amazing, but how do you get your dog interested in puzzle toys in the first place? We’ve got some tips and tricks below to help pique your dog’s interest and get him started with these handy toys.
7 tips and tricks to get a dog interested in puzzle toys
1. keep it simple
When introducing your dog to puzzle toys for the first time, be sure to keep things as simple as possible. Some puzzle toys will be more difficult than others, so if you have one that has different difficulty levels, be sure to start with the easiest level and work your way up.
Some dogs may be up for the challenge right off the bat, but others may be unwilling to take on an unfamiliar challenge that doesn’t offer them an immediate reward. If the toy contains treats, make sure they can access it easily at first.
2. Show your dog how it works
If your dog shows no interest in the challenge of a particular toy, show him how it’s supposed to work. Grab their attention and once they get obsessed with you, show them how it works by doing it yourself and make sure they see the reward at the end of the puzzle.
3. Test different puzzle toys
There are a wide variety of puzzle toys available, so you may need to try a few to see which style suits your dog’s interests. Consider your dog’s toy preferences when deciding which puzzle toy to try. Does your dog like to play with balls? If so, get a puzzle toy that contains a ball.
Many puzzle toys use the motivation of treats to keep them entertained. These toys will vary in difficulty and eventually result in your dog getting a treat or food item (like peanut butter) as a reward.
4. Keep the toy stored away when not in use
To add more value to a new puzzle toy, keep it put away until playtime. When your dog has constant access to a certain toy, he can quickly lose his appeal because it’s always available. You will add an element of excitement to playtime when you only take the toy out on certain happy occasions.
5. Show enthusiasm and praise
Your dog is very affected by your energy and emotions, and you can use that to get him excited about his new puzzle toy. Each time you take the toy out, show excitement and enthusiasm so they have a positive association with the toy and can share your excitement.
Once your dog begins to actively engage in play with the puzzle toy, use lots of praise to remind him that this is what you wanted him to do.
6. Keep gaming sessions short
Dogs are intelligent creatures and they can get bored very easily, even when it comes to playing. Many dog trainers recommend short training sessions that last 15 minutes or less to keep them focused and keep them from getting distracted.
If you want your dog to be more interested in their new puzzle toy, take it out when you’re ready for playtime and keep that time short and limited to avoid boredom and distractions.
seven. Use their favorite treats
Most puzzle toys use treats as motivation to get them to solve the puzzle. If your dog lacks interest in a particular toy, try putting his favorite treat on it to see if you can get a response.
If your dog is do not treat motivated, you may need to take a different route and try a puzzle that isn’t focused on treats. There are many options available and depending on your dog’s interest you are sure to find something that works.
Benefits of using puzzle toys
Puzzle toys offer many benefits to dogs and their owners. Here’s a quick look at some of the reasons why you should give your dog puzzle toys.
Helps relieve boredom
Whether you’re busy doing things around the house or need to leave your dog at home for a while, puzzle toys can be a great way to ease their boredom and keep them occupied while you’re away. not currently hiring. with them.
These toys are designed to give them a challenge, which stimulates them both physically and mentally. The harder the toy, the longer your dog will be busy. Boredom can lead to many unwanted behaviors, so it’s always good to have entertainment on hand.
Provides exercise and mental stimulation
The dogs should arrive at less than 30 minutes or more exercise each day, which can be difficult to fit in if you have a busy schedule. Puzzle toys are a way to keep your dog physically and mentally stimulated as they bring new ways to be active.
Acts as a distraction for separation anxiety
Many dogs suffer from moderate to severe separation anxiety when separated from their human family. Puzzle toys can help distract these dogs from anxiety by keeping them preoccupied as they try to solve their puzzle and get their treat or reward.
Ideal for fast eaters and those with sensitive stomachs
Some puzzle toys are designed specifically for dinner time. Puzzle feeders are a great way to slow down feeding and aid digestion. These clever maze-shaped bowls are not only designed to stimulate your dog, but they are also perfect for that. The fussy setup prevents them from swallowing mouthfuls of food, which can help prevent regurgitation and bloating.
Prevents destructive behavior
Finally, interactive puzzle toys can significantly help reduce destructive behaviors that damage and ruin various household items. Destructive behavior can be the result of fear, boredom or anxiety and puzzle toys can help alleviate these issues by keeping them busy, distracted and entertained.
Conclusion
If your dog doesn’t naturally like puzzle toys at first, there are plenty of ideas you can implement to help them get started. Luckily, there’s no shortage of variety, so even if your dog doesn’t like a certain style, you have plenty more to try on for size. Puzzle toys are not only good for their mental health, but also for their physical health.
Featured Image Credit: Lenti Hill, Shutterstock
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