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Brain Games for Dogs

4 replies

sunglassesonthetable · 23/08/2021 22:35

what do people mean by 'brain games' specifically? I often hear them referred to on here. As in 'we walk for an hour everyday and then do some brain games in the garden' type of thing.

I have an 18 month old dog.

OP posts:
wetotter · 24/08/2021 08:16

Some examples - itncan mean as little and 'play wth your dog and reinforce a bit of training' right through to teaching new skills like scent work

www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/fun-cognitive-training-games-for-dogs/

www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/indoor-games-dogs

www.rspca.org.uk/-/blog-walking-your-dog-while-self-isolating

www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-teach-your-dog-scent-work/

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 24/08/2021 08:56

I brain-gamed my two a bit on the afternoon walk, most of it training related. In fact, I think all of it is training-related, because I'm either teaching them steadiness (how to wait and watch rather than dive in), or generally working on their handler focus.

Mostly brain-game:
I had them sit and wait and chucked a few treats into some old tractor tyres on the edge of a field and then let them find them (scent work plus going into a confined space)
I got them to sit next to each other and then called them to me one at a time (I've only just started this, so it was a bit hit and miss!) (Focus on handler, self-control)

Then training more than brain-game:
Practiced off-lead heel with both on my left (a shambles, they distract each other)
Continued teaching the older dog to walk off-lead to heel on my right, which is a radical departure from what she's always been taught, which is to walk to my left, while the younger one was on-lead on the other side

Then brain-game more than training again:
Got them to jump up onto logs in the woods and perch there, mostly so I could take cute pix (agility, balance, confidence)

They enjoy all of this - they like the interaction, treats and praise - and it helps with things like their focus on me when walking off-lead (so less free-hunting - they are both prey-driven) and their lead manners. And the bonus was that they were pretty chilled all evening.

PollyRoulson · 24/08/2021 11:09

Brain games are to encourage your dog to think and make decisions for themselves rather than be cued or "commanded" to do things.

  1. Scatter feeding, hiding food - hide the food in harder places eg first of all put the food in front of them, then put in an open box then put in a box with paper in it, then put in a closed box inside another box for example.
  1. Brain games to encourage your dog to be near you so throw food out and when they turn to you mark and reward _ do this will puppies food allowance and you will never ever have a recall problem.
  1. Put food on the floor and cover with your hand when the dog backs off give them the food - teaches impulse control.
  1. Brain games to encourage calm - this can be done by feeding methods eg and rewarding nothing
  1. Brain games to encourage love of their bed or mat so they will settle and be calm in any location.
  1. Brain games with a tug toy - learning good release and control.
  1. Brain games using the premack principle. So encouraging a behaviour before they are released to a toy or food.
  1. Puzzle games and interactive toys can be used eg putting food into a muffin tin and placing objects on top of the food - let the dog work out how to get the food.
  1. Brain games to encourage focus on you, if they look at you then reward with toy or treat whichever they prefer. Do not cue them let the dog make the decision. The result will be much more long lasting.
  1. You can spend money on buying interactive toys/licky mats but many can be made yourself (depending ong the dog) Put food into empty milk cartons and let the dogs shake it out themselves for example.

Do concentrate on brain games for your breed of dog eg
Terries love to grab and "kill" so work with tugs a lot
Spaniels love to flush "so hide toys for them to flush out
Collies love to stop movement so push a ball at them (not chase and retrieve) and they will stop the ball - move direction and if the collie mirrors you push the ball again.

Dogs love brain games and it is different to "formal training" however if you have a dog that is happy to problem solve your "training" will so much easier.

sunglassesonthetable · 24/08/2021 13:11

@wetotter @GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman @PollyRoulson

Thank you for those ideas that's really helpful . We have a Bedlington. He is going to enjoy these.

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