Best games for stressed dogs

We tend to think that dogs do not suffer from psychological illnesses, perhaps because we believe such illnesses are very “human,” too complex for an animal. If we put ourselves in the shoes of a dog as if we were people, it would be perfectly normal to understand that a life of partial confinement in a house that is not even ours, without objectives, challenges, responsibilities, and with possibly poor or disastrous communication with the owner, is not a life we would want to have. It would be more than accepted by all to understand that such a person suffered from depression or had anxiety problems... But that is the reality that many dogs live, and the fact that they do not have the capacity to conceptualize or verbalize it does not mean that they do not feel it.

The question then is, does my dog suffer from anxiety or stress, how do I know, and what can I do to help them?

Stress can be identified because it is a problem of constant discomfort in the dog characterized by a very unpleasant state of nervousness that never seems to go away. When not sufficiently stimulated, more active dogs tend to suffer from over-excitement, which means that all that energy they are not expending manifests in the form of:

Physiological changes: Loss of appetite, hair loss, diarrhea, vomiting, illnesses… Emotional changes: Anxiety, depression, fear… Behavioral changes: Escaping, pulling hard on the leash, aggression, breaking things in the house…

Our dogs seek to overcome this problem in some way and look for an outlet to satisfy that need for stimulation that we are not providing.

Why are mental games so beneficial?

When we talk about stimulation and releasing energy quickly, we often think of outdoor exercise as a solution, but the best thing we can do in cases of stress and anxiety is mental games. Why? Because these types of games tire our dog out much more, as it is not purely physical exercise, and stimulates them in ways they are not used to.

Dogs have only been purely companion animals for a few years; until now, they were shepherds, hunters, or even fighters. They had responsibilities and challenges they had to solve, and this is the type of stimulation we need to provide them. In addition to this, these types of games also improve the relationship with their family or owner, allowing both parties to enjoy interesting and quality time together.

Two great examples of mental games:

Scent games:

Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell and can gather a lot of information just through this instinct, which is why this game is perfect in therapeutic cases, as they not only get tired but also feel very satisfied.

How does it work? . Prepare and hide pieces of food around the house. The first time, place them in easy spots and complicate it as they progress. . Start with an easy command like “find!” and let them play for 10 or 20 minutes. . Try to make it more difficult each day while following the path the dog naturally takes, since if you leave the reward behind the sofa one day, the next day they'll start from the same spot you left it last time. With this simple exercise, your dog will tire out more than with a two-hour walk.

The Kong:

You’ve probably heard of this toy; it is a stuffed toy that serves both to entertain and as an alternative for anxious feeding.

This game involves using any filled toy available on the market and putting homemade or dehydrated food inside, mixed with water. You can also occasionally use treats.

This system is a valid method of feeding your dog, so that they work for their food and have a bit more fun. It’s also ideal for stimulating the dog even when you are not or cannot be very attentive to them.

These are very simple activities that do not require a great effort and, in return, will give you both great results, so we invite you to try them out and let us know how they work for you.