Mental Enrichment for Our Pets!

“A tired dog is a happy dog” we all hear that expression, but what kinds of “tired” are there for dogs?

When tired comes to mind, most of us jump to being physically tired and that’s the end of the story. On the other hand, have you ever been tired after a grueling math test or where problem solving is the key to success? Humans need a break after we complete a mentally challenging task, and dogs are the same way. This works in our favor when owners need to get work done, complete a task, or enjoy their morning coffee. There are many outlets for healthy mental stimulation that provide enrichment in our dog’s life. Different toys help facilitate multiple outlets, whether that be prey drive, stimulating the nervous system, or using their brains to find a solution to a problem. Listed below are two enrichment products that can be found at Baron’s K-9 Market!

1. On the top of the list, is the West Paw Toppl. To start, West Paw is a family owned, Corp-B company and made in the USA- which is very hard to find nowadays. This toy is made for the toughest of chewers while still enticing for every dog. The design is helpful for both dogs and their owners, it’s dishwasher safe and also provides enough open space for dogs and dishwashers to get all the goodies out.Toppl is a dual purpose enrichment toy! The first method uses the freezer and fresh ingredients. There are countless recipes that work with the Toppl, it truly depends on what each dog enjoys best! Using something that is a thicker liquid (goat whip, bone broth butter) incorporating some fruit and veggies. Including treats, kibble, or appropriate chews can make it extra enticing. On occasion, stuffing the Toppl with a raw diet and freezing it for a long lasting meal is enjoyed by many dogs. The Toppl is designed in a way that makes the dog reach into the toy and put pressure on the front of their gums. When the contents are frozen, it also encourages dogs to lick and use their teeth in a novel way for most modern pooches. These are naturally calming to dogs and one of the reasons many people love the design. The other option is to combine two sizes together Small/Large and Large/XL to create a dry food/treat interactive game. Dogs need to problem solve to get their goodies out and it slows down how fast they can consume their food. Both methods provide mental enrichment and can be easily incorporated into a daily routine!
2. Have you ever wondered how dogs know it’s dinner time, no matter what the clock is set to? They know this, because they tell time through scent and how long or where a scent was tells them much more information than we can decipher. While humans previously used stars and the sun to tell them where they are geographically and what time it is, dogs have an innate sense of smell to connect with their environment and sense of time. Over the years, we’ve switched to clocks, but dogs continue to use their noses for information. Snuffle mats can do wonders for all breeds, but are amazing for scent hounds in particular. Over the years, we’ve switched to clocks, but dogs continue to use their noses for information. They may be accustomed to finding their food easily accessible in their bowl, but they aren’t programmed for an effortless meal. Their instincts are used to tracking, chasing, and taking down their meal. Most of their time was taken up by finding where their food was and figuring out where to forage if needed. In modern society, this isn’t common for the household dog. So providing a safe outlet for sniffing is imperative for overall happiness and mental stimulation for dogs. While dogs still need physical enrichment, sniffing will tire dogs out much faster than playing fetch. Even 10 minutes of sniffing is enough to fulfill daily mental enrichment for some dogs. The Snuffle Mat is very convenient and can be an indoor or outdoor activity. All you have to do is sprinkle dry food or treats in the snuffle mat, and try to make sure that the food isn’t easily seen. NorthWest Naturals Raw Rewards are a fan favorite to pair with our Snuffle Mat! Some dogs will “cheat” by using their eyes rather than their noses, so just be aware of that! Hearing those big and deep inhales/exhales and a tired dog means a successful snuffle mat session!