Brain games are a wonderful way to provide mental stimulation and enrichment for our furry friends. For an overview of Brain Games for Dogs, check out this blog post: Unlocking Canine Brilliance: A Guide to Brain Games for Dogs.
While treats are commonly used as rewards in brain games, it’s important to remember that not all dogs can have treats due to dietary restrictions or health concerns. Fear not! In this blog post, we’ll explore a range of brain games that you can play with your dog, all without the need for treats. These games will challenge their minds, keep them engaged, and provide an opportunity for bonding and fun.
Also, keep in mind, that there are generally many ways to reward your dog! You do not always have to give your dog treats! It’s often not the value of the food (although you will want to start with something high value) but it is more often about the delivery! Making it fun with ‘find it’ games etc can also make kibble interesting enough to get your dog moving and interested, because it’s about the interaction. And you can also reward your dog with toys (you might have to build up their toy drive), voice and touch. Each dog has their own preferences to what they find most rewarding.
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Let’s dive into brain games you can play without treats.
Rewarding Brain Games for Dogs Without Treats
Tug of War
Tug of war is a classic game that taps into your dog’s natural instincts. Use a sturdy rope toy or a specially designed tug toy and engage in a friendly game of tug. It promotes mental and physical exercise while strengthening the bond between you and your dog. Make it fun – the more excitement you show, the more your dog will enjoy it. Our favourites tuggy toys are the ones from Tug-E-Nuff (code BULLYCO for 10% off).
- What you’ll need: A sturdy rope or tug toy. Our favourite tuggy toys are the Big Twizzler – great for big and strong dogs, Rabbit Skin Pocket Squeaker (Recall Magic!) and the Faux Fur Squeaky Chaser – soooo soft!
- Duration: Play until your dog shows signs of fatigue.
- How to play: Engage in a friendly game of tug of war with your dog. It’s not only physically stimulating but also mentally engaging as they strategise how to win the game.
Related: How To Teach your dog the ‘Leave it’ Cue | How To Teach Your Dog To Play Tug Of War Safely: A 7-Step Guide
Hide and Seek with Toys
Instead of using treats, you can play hide and seek with your dog’s favourite toys. Have your dog stay or have someone hold them while you hide the toys in various locations within a designated area. Release them and encourage them to search for their beloved toys. It engages their sense of smell, memory, and problem-solving skills.
- What you’ll need: Your dog’s favourite toys.
- Duration: As long as your dog enjoys it.
- How to play: Hide the toys in different spots around the house and encourage your dog to find them. You can make it more challenging by using different rooms or hiding places.
Scent Work
Tap into your dog’s incredible sense of smell by engaging in scent work games. Choose a specific scent, such as a cotton ball with a drop of essential oil, and hide it in different locations. Encourage your dog to locate the scent by using their nose and guide them with verbal cues. It’s a mentally stimulating game that satisfies their natural instincts. There are many online resources on how to do this and how to introduce your dog to it.
If this is too challenging for your dog, you can also hide their favourite toy and let them sniff it out. Then let them play with it as a reward. Take it slow, without frustration and build the skills up.
- What you’ll need: Your dog’s favourite scent (e.g., a piece of cloth with your scent).
- Duration: As long as your dog remains interested.
- How to play: Hide the scented item somewhere in the house or garden, and encourage your dog to find it using their sense of smell.
Another easy way we love to build up the skills are ‘find it’ games – where we throw a single treat (smelly at first) and let them sniff it out. This way I have built up ‘duration’ in my dog’s desire to find something. They stay engaged even if it takes longer. You can then swap it out for toys etc once the skill is build and the cue is clear. An “are you ready?” command helps to get my dogs ‘in the mood’ and ready for some sniff work.
Related Blog Post: Exploring Sensory Enrichment for Your Dog: A Complete Guide
Tapping into Play Drive
Some dogs have a strong play drive and find great joy in engaging with toys and playtime. Use their favourite toys and engage them in games that involve fetching, chasing, and interactive play. It provides mental and physical exercise while keeping them entertained and mentally stimulated.
Play Drive Games:
- What you’ll need: A ball or a favourite toy.
- Duration: Play until your dog is happily tired. Some dogs might get a bit obsessive with balls, so I like to keep the interactions rather short but impactful! Rather than throwing mindlessly a ball, which can be tough on your dogs joints with the repetitive movement, you can also hide the ball. Or add in some obedience commands (make it fun though) to see, if your dog is still able to listen, or if they are over threshold.
- How to play: Engage in fetch or other play drive activities. These games not only provide physical exercise but also stimulate your dog’s mind as they anticipate the next throw or interaction.
Related: Why Your Puppy Loves To Play (And How It Can Boost Your Training) |
Why Quality Trumps Quantity When It Comes To Playing With Your Dog
Interactive Puzzle Toys
If you only want a way to feed less treats but are still open for feeding enrichment, then puzzle toys might be also an idea for you! You can feed small amounts of food (can be their daily food allowance instead of treats) as a reward and also hide a reward not behind each ‘step’. Invest in interactive puzzle toys that don’t require treats but provide mental stimulation. These toys have compartments, sliders, or moving parts that your dog must manipulate to reveal hidden rewards, such as kibble or small toys. It challenges their problem-solving abilities and keeps them engaged without relying on treats.
Brain games are a fantastic way to provide mental stimulation and enrichment for our dogs, even without the use of treats. Tug of war, hide and seek with toys, interactive puzzle toys, scent work, and tapping into play drive are all excellent brain games that don’t rely on treats. Remember to adapt the games to your dog’s abilities, provide positive reinforcement through praise and play, and prioritise their safety and well-being. With these engaging brain games, you can keep your dog’s mind sharp, promote bonding, and ensure they have a fulfilling and intellectually stimulating experience, all without the need for treats.
More Brain Game Ideas:
Dog Enrichment Ideas and activities Without Treats
Little Paws, Big Minds: Brain Games for Small Dogs
Brain Games for Big Dogs
Keeping Your Dog Entertained Indoors: A Guide to Indoor Enrichment
Fun Brain Games You Can Play With Your Dog
Non-Food Dog Enrichment: Ultimate Guide to Keeping Your Dog Mentally and Physically Stimulated
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