Mental Stimulation for Your Dog
Mental stimulation for your dog is key for her overall well-being. Yes, exercise, discipline and affection are the building blocks of a healthy life for your dog, but you may be overlooking the need for mental stimulation for your dog.
Steps to a Stimulated DogThe first step to a mentally engaged dog has more to do with his routine than any toy you may give him. If your dog is not on a twice-daily feeding schedule,make certain you get him into this routine right away. To begin, feed half the amount of food you normally would at the time you've set. Let's say, you feed in the morning and you feed two cups of food. Cut that back to one cup and follow with the additional cup at dinner time. Dogs adjust quite well to this transition and in no time, you will have your dog on a twice-daily feeding schedule. What to do if you leave a filled bowl out all day? Stop it! This is not exciting for your dog and could lead to weight problems. Come on-how many of us eat out of sheer boredom? Get your dog on a twice daily feeding schedule because we want to use food as the reward for a task accomplished. How? The second step to a mentally stimulated dog is making meal time a challenge by feeding creatively. Extreme KONG Black 
makes a terrific, dishwasher safe toy that one stuffs with food for the dog to work at getting out. Be certain to purchase the correct size and strength of Kong for your dog. For any dog over 15 to 20 pounds, the large works the best and the black Kong is strongest. Stuff the Kong with as much of their meal as you can and watch them work for it! Don't be afraid to make it tough on them-they will work for food if they are on a regular feeding schedule and it's breakfast or dinner time.
The third step to an interested, engaged dog is to head to the dog park or to a friend's home with a friendly dog. Dogs enjoy interacting with each other, challenging each other in play-they need a social life with their peers as much as we do. Of course, make certain that your dog has had the vaccines required,because dogs can pass viruses easily. Another idea for fighting boredom in your dog is to take your dog with you in the car on short errands, such as to the bank or post office. If you ride a bike and your dog is small enough, consider getting a trailer for your bike. Your dog will enjoy the scenery going by and you'll get great exercise. A few notes of caution,however: Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle in warm temperatures. If you will be in a store, bank, post office, etc. for more than a few minutes in warm weather, don't take your dog at all. The other caution is never to ride your bike with your dog running along side you on his leash-this is asking for an accident to happen. You can also play games with your dog. Your dog, when sufficiently motivated (usually by food), will think through problems and solve simple puzzles. In order to encourage your dog, make winning the game "achievable" for your dog at first and gradually increase the level of difficulty to challenge him more. Whole Dog Journal 
provides great game ideas and training tips that will keep your dog thinking and growing mentally.
No matter what your choice of activity, mental stimulation for your dog is not only good for her, but for your bond with her as well. 
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Dogs need to be mentally engaged in light of the fact that most of us do not put them to work as their breed was originally intended. In fact, though the idea sounds tempting to us, you would go crazy after a period of time with nothing to do. Well, imagine being your dog at home for 8 to 10 hours, five days a week-with nothing constructive to do. And you wonder why the heel of your new shoe is now a chewed-up stump....
