Brain Training For Dogs
Brain Training for Dogs, a brand new course, combines the stimulation of the mind and dog training to unleash the inherent intelligence of your dog. When this happens, problematic behaviors fade away and more enjoyable behaviors take over.
Adrienne Farricelli is a CPDT KA dog trainer with extensive training experience in modifying the behavior of dogs. She is also the founder of Brain Training for Dogs and the author of several dog-training books.
Exercise
Exercise is essential to the mental well-being and health of your dog. It keeps them fit and healthy and can lower the risk of hip dysplasia, heart disease or obesity-related illnesses such as cancer or diabetes.
It will also keep them engaged and happy. Engaging in exercise together can strengthen your bond and encourage socialization.
If a dog isn’t mentally stimulated the brain can get cluttered over time. They might start chewing on objects, scratch furniture, or bark frequently.
Training can help prevent these issues and help improve your dog’s behavior with other dogs and humans. In some cases it can save your dog’s very life!
Mental exercise can also help slow down the onset memory loss and dementia. It helps to create new neural connections in the brain and helps protect existing nerve cells from degeneration.
Games
If you’re seeking a simple way to provide your dog with mental stimulation, games are a great way to go. They are also an excellent way to exercise dogs that aren’t able to perform as vigorously as they used too, or for dogs that are recovering from an injury or surgery.
Simple brain games can be played in a tiny space like a backyard or house. For instance, hide small pieces of your dog’s favorite treat within the house (or outside if it’s warm enough) and let them hunt for it.
These brain games can be played for a few minutes at a stretch and provide your dog with an enjoyable mental exercise while you are training them. This helps them to learn faster and remain mentally sharp. They also increase their ability to concentrate on commands, and it can improve their relationship with you.
Treats
One of the most important methods to train your dog is to give them treats. This is a great way to reinforce their learning and stimulate their brains. However, you should be cautious not to overdo it.
In training, it’s essential to follow through with your instructions and only treat when your dog has complied with the instructions properly. Doing this will avoid sending mixed signals, which can confuse your dog.
Some of the most popular methods of training dogs’ brains include puzzle toys, games, and mental exercises. These toys are an excellent method to keep dogs active mentally and help them gain confidence.
Put treats in different cups or containers. This is among the most played brain games for dogs. The dog is required to guess what container they’re supposed be under, and if they’re correct you can reward them with an edible treat.
Socialization
As a dog’s owner it is your responsibility to ensure that your pup has the self-confidence, flexibility, and ability to deal with a variety of situations. In this regard it is vital to socialize your dog.
In their early years, puppies need to be exposed to a variety of animals and people as well as various environments. They can become fearful or anxious if they are not exposed to these situations.
Some may even develop negative behavior, like fear or aggression.
The good news is that socialization can ease these issues and make life with your dog more enjoyable.
If your puppy is rough-mouthing other dogs, then allowing them to play with them for a long period of time will teach them to stop biting.
Allowing your dog to interact with people, other pets and different settings can also curb their temper tantrums or separation anxiety when you go to work. It’s important to start small and work your way up to bigger problems over time.