Top Activities For Curious Dogs

Introduction

Dogs have an innate sense of curiosity built into their nature, so try to encourage activity and exercise using that trait to encourage your dog to try something new. Changing your dog's schedule will breathe new life into their routine and make it more interesting. So often we take our dog for granted, leaving them to entertain themselves while we bury ourselves in our work or catch up with chores at home. Apart from the daily walk or the five minutes fussing when we arrive home, our dog is left to their own devices. This situation can lead to the development of undesirable behavior such as the re-landscaping of your lovely garden (holes to Hades everywhere), redesigning your cushions (stuffing everywhere inside) or excessive chewing (of bike seats, pillows, the lounge chairs, shoes and the children's toys!). It's not because they are a bad dog, it is just because they are bored! Before your dog gets to this stage, get creative and build some fun challenges into your dog's life.

Curiousity Box

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Moderate

Normal

30 - 60 min

Items needed

large cardboard box

2 full size treats

new toys

Shredded paper

Cuddly toy

Activity description

If your dog is bored, give them a curiosity box to explore. While you can buy these from online firms or pet shops, it is easy just to make your own. Try packing a few things that your dog will love into a big box then closing the lid. Your dog will be all eyes and they will want to know what is in the box! With their fabulous sense of smell, they will smell a treat inside, and when you give them permission to investigate, watch your dog go barking mad! Rewards that they find in the box are theirs to keep, but they have to work for it. For some reason, cats and dogs love the sound of ripping paper, and dogs love to chew and bite the cardboard box, just as long as they don't swallow any of it. Sit with your dog and encourage them to pull open the box so that they can slip their nose inside for a sniff test. Before long, your dog will be in doggie heaven.

Step

1

Getting set up

Fill a large box with a selection of dog gifts. It might be some full sized treats, a new rubber toy, a squeaky ball, or whatever your dog will like. Wrap each treat or toy in a separate smaller box, bag, or just wrap in a plain wrapping.

Step

2

Get creative

Fill a small cardboard box with shredded paper and sprinkle in some small treats for your dog to find. Put a toy into a bag. A squeaky toy is ideal, as when the dog bites the bag it will make a noise! Fill the large box with your smaller bags and boxes. Your dog will be overwhelmed with their curiosity! Get creative, wrap a toy and tie it with a treat. Do what it takes to make your dog hunt and satisfy their inquisitive nature.

Step

3

Let the game begin

Invite your dog into the room and let them sniff around the box. Don't rush it, but when they keep looking at you as though to say 'can I check it out', give them the order to go. You may have to help to get them started, but it won't take long. Before long that dog is going to destroy that box because they can smell good stuff inside. As they find one treat after another, lavish them with praise and congratulate them. They will take ages and they will probably keep checking the box to make sure they found everything.

Scent and Find

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Free

Normal

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Special dog toy

Healthy small treats

box or bag

Activity description

Dogs love to figure stuff out, so use this trait to build a game of finding a hidden item, just using their nosy snout. This game is much like the sniffer dogs at the airport, how cute and business like are they as they ignore all distractions and do their job. You can train your dog to do the same, by hiding small toys, pieces of clothing, or special treats for your dog to find. They will love this 'cloak and dagger' stuff. It will use the dog's natural ability to sniff out items and train them to use their curiosity to track down where you hid their favorite toy. With nose a-twitching and snuffling along, they will soon discover the hidden object. Reward them with lavish praise and even a small treat. How clever they are! It is important to start easy, then increase the complexity of the game. Don't discourage them by making it impossibly hard, give them a head start on the game by making it easy for them. Make sure the commands you give them are consistent, so you don't confuse them. The 'find yellow duckie command' should feature a yellow duckie that they have to find! Get it right, and your dog will become the best tracker in the neighborhood.

Step

1

Hide the toy

Choose an area, then set up the box and bags at handy stations within the area. Get your dog's attention, and start them off with the 'stay' or 'sit' command while you show them the toy. Let them play with it while you talk to them, calling the item, for example, 'yellow duckie' several times. Then while they hold their position, go and hide the toy (while they watch) in a box in the room or area you are training your dog in. Keep it simple, hide one toy in sight, in the box.

Step

2

Ready, set, find

After hiding the toy, return to your dog and give the order to find the yellow duckie. Watch as they go straight to the box and find the toy. Give them lavish praise and a treat. Repeat with the bag, hiding the toy in the bag, perhaps behind a seat while your dog watches. Then let them go seek.

Step

3

Increase the target area

Once your dog has the idea of the game, go and hide the toy where they can't see where it will be. This move will really add value to the exercise, because now puppy has to think and figure it out! Come back to your dog and give the command to seek or find. You may discover your dog is a super sleuth as they efficiently uncover the scent clues to find the location of the toy.

Find the Noise

Popular

0 Votes

Any Day

Cheap

Easy

30 - 60 min

Items needed

new noisy toy

Treats and fresh water

Activity description

Working to engage your dog's curiosity, get a couple of brand new toys that have an unusual squeak. The idea is to pique your dog's interest when they hear a noise they haven't heard before. The game is like ‘hide and seek’ except your dog is looking for that special noise. Using two or more people makes it harder for your dog to track the right person who holds the squeaky toy. Having two noisy toys is even more fun, as the second person can lure the dog away from the other if the dog is getting too close to discovering them. Another strange noise will distract the dog and keep the game going longer.The people who hide can move around, trying to avoid the dog's detection. Not only is it fun for the dog, but it is fun for everyone.

Step

1

What is that sound?

Get together with your dog and two other people, each one has a new toy that has a unique squeak or sound but is hidden from your dog. Prevent the dog from watching where they go, and allow some time for each person to hide. Having two or more people extends the life of the game.

Step

2

The second weird noise

Bring in your dog and let the hidden people know the pup has arrived; then one will squeak the toy. The dog is then given the order to seek or find. Their curiosity will be piqued with the new sound and they will go into 'hunt the sound' mode. As they get close to the person who squeaked the toy, the second person squeaks their toy. What! Another weird noise? This will distract the dog and they will head off in a different direction.

Step

3

Outlast the dog

Outlasting your dog rarely happens, but it is worth a try. Your dog will now be in full intrigue mode. They want to find the things that sound so strange. They will also be highly focused to any noise the hidden parties make as they try to move around. So they will find them.

Step

4

Full rewards

When your dog finds the first person with a squeaky toy, they get a yummy treat and a chance to play with the toy. Then the other person squeaks again, and the dog has to find the other person, and when they do, they get rewarded again. You can repeat the game again, your dog won't mind.

More Fun Ideas...

A New Toy

Every dog deserves a new toy now and again. Not only does it make them feel special, but it can replace some other toys that are, well, chewed beyond repair. There is a plethora of toys available for dogs; just ensure the toy is well made, non toxic, safe and soft. Some soft toys are made to be cuddly and are stuffed with a material that crackles. They are also reasonably priced at around $15. The noise will intrigue your dog and they will love playing with their new crackly, soft friend. Hide it inside a bag, and give it to your dog to unwrap. It will be love at first bite for your smitten dog.

Hide the Treats

If you want your dog to find something, hide it well then lay a trail of little treats here and there so your dog will have to follow the trail. When they reach the end of the trail they will find a toy filled with bigger yummy treats which they then have to work on, in order to get the treat out of the toy. This game is a lot of fun, especially for your dog because next to you, their other biggest love is food!. Once they have found the toy they will spend ages playing with it to ensure every single treat is found and dispatched.

Go to a New Dog Park

We all get into a rut, going to the same old places with our dog. Why not check out the local parks in your area, perhaps in another suburb, to take your pooch to? The new location will have new smells, different dogs to meet, and will give your dog a whole new experience. From finding pine cones to chasing butterflies, your dog will find plenty of things to explore. Make sure the park is dog friendly first, then go and enjoy a change of venue. It will spice up your dog's life, and it will be a nice change for you.

Conclusion

By encouraging your dog to focus and use their intelligence to work out puzzles or to solve problems, it keeps them alert and focused, but most of all it gives them a sense of achievement. This sense of having done something well is a healthy condition for all living things, even for humans. By playing on your dog's curiosity, it makes the game interesting, and they will give it their all to achieve the goal of the game. Of course, the occasional treat helps here as well, but the praise they get and the love they receive when completing a task is what makes it worthwhile. Our furry friend comes from a history of being a pack member, where exceptional ability gave them an elevated status in the pack. Their love to please and get positive feedback for their efforts stems from this history. Praise and reward from the pack leader (you in this case) are extremely valuable and important. It will give your dog a sense of pride and importance. Let Deputy Dog succumb to their curiosity, and let the games begin.