Mental challenge for dogs: source of innovation!

Mental health

For centuries, dog breeds have been bred for certain purposes such as hunting, herding or as guard dogs. Today, many of these breeds are kept as companion dogs. The question arises: are these dogs sufficiently challenged and thereby have their ‘natural’ needs fulfilled?

Humans and dogs have some strong similarities when it comes to mental health and disorders, especially boredom, stress, depression and apathy. Much research has been done on this subject over the past few decades.

Boredom is the biggest culprit. When dogs are alone for days on end, their environment is the same, and so are their routines. It has been found that this has a negative impact on their overall health. Boredom has also been proven to be the cause of apathy and depression.

Mental stimulation

Dogs bred to serve a specific purpose, use their brains to accomplish this purpose. Now that most such dogs are kept as companions rather than for purpose, it is difficult for them to use their brains functionally. To keep the dog in good mental condition, the dog needs to have sufficient mental stimulations.

Such mental stimulation can happen in several ways. For example, by making a regular walk in the forest or along the beach. During such walks, the dog uses his nose and, in doing so, trains his brain. When the owner varies the route of the walk regularly, there is always something new to discover for the dog. This is fine for a stable dog, but for some dogs the unpredictability and processing of all those new stimuli can cause stress.

All about smell

Compared to humans, dogs have 50 times more olfactory receptors in their noses. In addition, the part of the brain that analyses odours, is 40 times larger in dogs than in humans. So, it only makes sense that exposure to different scents gives the dog mental stimulation. Therefore, creatively stimulating the use of the nose and brain is essential.

Challenge for the pet industry

Various enriching toys specifically for stimulating a dog’s mental faculties are already available. But, there are still many bored dogs at home. Time for the pet industry to take on this challenge and rack its brain to think up new accessories that provide all dogs with the mental challenges they so desperately need.

Source: This article is based on topdogtips.com/how-to-mentally-stimulate-a-dog/