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By now you may have heard that the functionality of the brain, the main control center for everything we do, might be improved with specific exercises, or brain training. Brain training for humans is said to enhance the chances of cognitive decline, happiness, stress, sleep, concentration, confidence, and more.
The idea is to work the brain to develop skills that are similar or useful to skills that we are looking to obtain. It’s a positive manipulation of the brain, or dare I say—brainwash. If we can brainwash ourselves into acting in a desired manner, who’s to say that we can’t utilize the same tactic with our animals, specifically dogs?
Dog Minds Matter
Many loving dog owners understand that their pets need physical attention. People view dogs as physical animals who require exercise as a means to be healthy. However, mental activity can be just as critical.
A dog’s development just as humans, begins when they are puppies. Brain activity is most optimal at this point, though consistent stimulation throughout time is necessary. One may not immediately consider the impact of stimulation as dogs are not generally considered to have intricate mental processes.
However, when a dog lacks mental stimulation, they may act out in ways that are often dismissed as behavioral issues, which is not untrue. Still, just as in humans, it’s essential to consider the mind-body connection.
Potential Benefits
The benefits of brain training for dogs come mostly in preventative measures. A mentally healthy dog is usually a happy dog. Consequently, the opposite can be true. Without proper mental stimulation, a dog can become bored, moody, and even depressive. In other cases, they will find ways to entertain themselves with whining, chewing and destroying things, acting unruly, or excessive barking.
These issues may be prevented or addressed with brain training. Besides, even if your pup isn’t necessarily behaviorally troublesome, they can still only benefit from sharpening their cogs. It’s one of those it may not help, but it can’t hurt situations. If nothing else, your dog will enjoy whatever they think is happening.
Types of Brain Games for Dogs
Brain exercises for dogs are a little different than that for humans. They fundamentally focus on similar aspects, but the goal is to get their brain function flowing. Some brain games to try to stimulate that puppy brain include:
If you’re thinking of giving brain games for your pup a try, you might be preventing bad behavior or boredom.
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