Mental Stimulation

tsukitsune

This year, for the most part, we *plan* on keeping our canine count to two - Tsuki and Kitsune. I want to really make it a year of positive development and progress. One of the ways I hope to learn more about them is through mental stimulation.
I'm constantly hearing about shibas that chew cords, rip through bags of paper and other fun items, dig, etc. I want to find fun ways to provide mental challenges for my two both in and outdoors.

Beyond long walks, jogs, etc for exercise, and basic obedience - what other types of things provide a smart, active, contemplative breed of dog a mental challenge?

brandon_w

I have a Hi Q Puzzle toy that I use for Nemo, I'd like to get the round one too, for more challenge.

http://www.hiqchallenge.com/

The key is to find the right size treats to put in. Too small and it's too easy, to big and the dog cannot get them out.

These Zoo Active toys also sell really well at the local place that carries them, I haven't shelled out the big bucks for one yet though:

http://www.nina-ottosson.com/index1.htm

lindsayt

I like the Nina Ottosson toys-those are the most unique puzzle toys I have ever seen. Sometimes I hide toys and treats in a room and tell Beebe to "seek". She thinks it's fun anyways. Teaching directed retrieving was fun. Then you can eventual chain the task so they retrieve keys and remotes and what not. Something to do when you're watching tv. Sounds like a good plan for the New Year.

Sangmort

Tug-A-Jug?



~

brandon_w

The tug-a-jug isn't bad, but a lot of dogs figure it out pretty quick. It's a good way to keep them busy for a short period of time though, or get them to eat their dinner slower.

JessicaRabbit

ugh... I just envisioned sticking my dogs dinner in there...(remember we cook for our dogs) that would be beyond yucky.

I wouldn't call this mental stimulation but a great distraction for the kids is some cottage cheese and peanut butter in a kong frozen is a great busy treat. It kept my pups busy for over an hour even.

brandon_w

Yes, frozen kongs are a great way to keep a dog busy, the only bad part is that Nemo gets crazy about licking things when he eats peanut butter. So if we give one to him when we head out of the house, he will lick the comforter with his peanut butter tongue, gross. He can only have PB when we are home to monitor. Then he just licks his forearm (leg?) full of PB.

Jess you don't think a tug jug full of smashed up sweet potatoes and chicken would be any fun?

tsukitsune

Thanks for the toy suggestions! The kong never went over well with Tsuki and Kitsu, I might send it with Hanzo actually, he actually finishes whats in it.


What about human-dog activities, besides walking/jogging/hiking? Its hard because we can't just go to an open field off leash and set up something, and I just can't do the dog park anymore, way - and I mean WAY - too many idiots there!

lindsayt

Try tracking-hiding things in a field and telling the dog "seek"- you will be amazed how the little"seek" game in the living room translates into a field exercise-it really brings out their inner hunter. You need a training lead and a harness.

KFontaine04

I like to take Miso places dogs would never normally go to accomodate him to EVERYTHING. It's part of the socialization plan I have for both Miso and Sake. We take the Bus or Train downtown, ride a ferry boat, go into stores (that allow it), go into buildings and ride the elevator up to the top floor, etc. Miso loves riding the train and elevators now. He gets excited about the doors opening and closing and always something new! Plus you get to run into a lot of people and sounds that are not everyday for a dog.

We just started doing this with Sake. She is okay with elevators, but the train station sounds freak her out a bit. Miso was gung ho, but she is a little more reserved (figure that one out since she is the CRAZY one).

We only go to the dog park for Shiba Meet-ups now. You are right, WAY too many idiots.

brandon_w

Jen - You might want to think about checking out the dog park at off hours. I often go at 5 or 5:30 am on the weekends, or even 8:30 at night in the winter if the weather is nice. With a layer of snow and the moon, or white clouds it can be quite bright and we get the place to ourselves. In the early mornings I take a flashlight (it's dark) and often put a blinking light on Nemo's collar.

Do you guys have a fenced back yard still? Would they be interested in an agility setup?

lindsayt

Brandon, while the idea of visiting an empty park at night sounds enticing, I personally would be too spooked to have a good time:) Maybe Jen is gutsier than me, especially with those ferocious mini-akitas ;)

Leonberger

I got the Nina Ottossom dog pyramid for Kuma a few months ago. It was great after he got the hang of it, and kept him busy for long times. But after a while he'd get bored or frustrated that it wouldn't give him anymore treats and he's pick it up and bang it all over. He'd also use it as a chewing toy, and he ended up ruining it.

tsukitsune

lol! Kuma... he did exactly what I assume my dogs would do to a fancy, pricey toy!
These dogs are so hard to please. I constantly feel our shibas are bored.. hence my search for mental stimulation and challenges.

Kitsune ROCKED at agility! Well, at least hurdles. We bought a 'travel jump' set and made a little mini course for him, which he was fine with. He hated jumping through a hoola hoop and won't even consider the see saw. So, yeah. We've 'run our course' with that for now. There's a class that takes place every spring at a local kennel club but since Kitsune really doesn't like strangers, I wonder how much progress we'd even make in an agility class..

lindsayt

What about Rally? It's a little toned down from agility.

Heidi

Raw bones give the pups a good mental workout. Marrow bones in particular, or anything that takes a while to consume. Stuffable toys are good, too. We have a tug-a-jug, kong, and squirrel dude. In my experience with my own dogs and from what I've heard other people say, which toys will work for which dogs varies a lot. Some toys will be too easy for one dog and too hard for another one, and some dogs just don't like certain ones. With three dogs, I always have a pretty good chance that at least ONE of them will like it.

I also made a flirt pole for Rakka. I just took a piece of pvc pipe, drilled a hole in one end, and used a cord and a section of bungee to tie a toy to it. Rakka looooves squeaky toys and the only squeaky that isn't instantly destroyed by her if the kong wubba, so I tied that to it and she loves it. She gets really excited when she sees the pole. There are also these things called "puppy pulls" that are toys hanging from a bungee that dogs are supposed to play with when you're not around. I haven't tried one, but the bouncing of the bungee is supposed to be very prey-like, like with the flirt pole. I'm sure you could just tie a toy to a bungee cord, too, probably with something over the cord so it doesn't just get bitten in half (and ingested :-S).

Of course, there are searching games. I haven't done this in a while, but I used to play searching games with Tojo that just involved him finding treats. He knew that if I told him to 'seach' that meant that there were treats hidden somewhere. Agility, of course, is good if the dog enjoys doing it! I know Tojo is basically in love with agility equipment, so once I build an agility course, I'm sure he'll be in heaven.

Although, I must say that I have learned not to worry as much about keeping the dogs from getting bored. I think the general public probably doesn't worry enough about entertaining their dogs, but I actually realised after a while that I was worrying too much about it. This is mainly when Tojo was young and the only dog, but I used to feel guilty whenever I wasn't interacting with him. Now I'm a little more relaxed about it.