Do you think your dog is a genius? Have you ever wondered how he would do if he took your place at work for the day, typing on your keyboard and attending your meetings? But do you know how to tell if your dog is smart? Whether you think he would be the top dog of the office or the runt, if you've ever wonder about how smart is your dog, you should get him a puzzle! Pet Puzzles can test a dog’s preexisting reasoning skills while developing them further. They offer an opportunity for you to bond with your dog, along with countless other benefits. And, of course, they’re tons of fun!
Teambuilding: How to Tell if a Dog is Smart?
Believe it or not, dogs usually enjoy accomplishing tasks, especially if there is a treat waiting for them at the end of it. Puzzles can provide your dog with an interactive challenge that will stimulate their mind and keep them sharp and focused, while giving you an opportunity to bond with them as you guide them through the steps. When your dog works through the puzzle, especially while they’re new to it, they will benefit from a helping hand (or paw) that can guide them through the new complexities, at least until they’re used to it. Bonding is an important step for humans and their pets, one which builds trust that will last a lifetime, exercises good habits and corrects bad ones such as keeping your dog properly socialized, and simply makes them happy, because, after all, you are their favorite person, and what more could they want than to spend time with you?
Another great method of bonding with your dog is through daily grooming, something else we’ve written about here.
How to Know if Your Dog is Smart: How to Teach Your Dog to Solve a Puzzle
Whether it’s Dog Sudoku, a Hide-and-Seek Puzzle, or a Treat Dispenser Puzzle, be sure to remember that your dog is new to this. Don’t be afraid to show them exactly how the puzzle works, for example, by moving the tiles to reveal the hidden treat while they watch. Be patient with them and praise them for being successful when they can, but also be sure to guide them through the steps when necessary. It may help to think of it like training them a new trick; repetition will be necessary, and they will fail some of the time until they get it right, but don’t give up hope!
Some dogs may get frustrated and resort to their instincts; digging and chewing. Depending on the puzzle, digging or similar actions may be the proper course to solving it, but it is important that you not let your dog chew on puzzles. It may result in pieces breaking off which they could swallow and risk choking on, and it also might simply break the puzzle and limit future fun. All puzzle-play should be supervised, and you should always be ready to intervene if your dog is getting frustrated and offer them some words of encouragement.
Additionally, some dogs may get disheartened. If they need a break, don’t be afraid to let them take one, but be sure to encourage them. Just like humans, dogs have a sense of self-confidence, so make sure to have them come back and try again. Like anything else that we might know as humans, they can do anything with enough practice!
Finally, as always, be sure to reward your dog with praise and (appropriately sized) treats! Puzzles can be great undertakings for dogs, so be sure to encourage them to keep coming back and trying more by loading up the puzzle with tasty treats!
Puzzle Benefits: How to Tell if Your Dog is Intelligent
Puzzles are a great way to break your dog’s boredom, strengthen their brains, and build their confidence. Many dogs get up to no good and all sorts of mischief when they’re bored. To name a few, they might take to barking, chewing on furniture or other valuables that aren’t meant for chewing, and they might even take to destructive behaviors to entertain themselves. Needless to say, this is not ideal.
However, a puzzle brings the solution to all of these problems. Dogs are fascinated by things just as humans are. Moving the pieces of the puzzle to find their reward, to see the shapes change as a result of their own direct input, and discovering the hidden treat beneath the panels of the puzzle all give them a sense of entertainment and satisfaction that can stave off those unwanted behaviors.
Additionally, just like humans, dogs can benefit greatly from mental stimulation. A puzzle can test a dog’s spatial awareness, logical reasoning skills, and, of course, their patience. These can all help a dog grow into their full potential, making them that much happier for it! Think of it like teaching them new tricks. It helps them to think in new ways, gives them new skills that can be applied to the real world around them, and is all around fun!
Finally, your dog’s confidence is an important thing to consider. Think about how much satisfaction you might derive from solving a jigsaw puzzle, solving a math equation, or from building something by hand yourself. Your dog is no different! They enjoy doing things and they enjoy being rewarded for their success. Puzzles that cleverly dispense treats to dogs as reward for their progress or completion help them to build confidence, and encourage them to keep pushing to conquer the puzzle.
Additional Benefits
Everyone is aware of the fact that dogs love walking. Unfortunately, sometimes life doesn’t allow for as much exercise as they may want or need. Some dogs may suffer from injuries which disallow proper exercise, some may live in locations where they can’t get the proper exercise, and some senior dogs may struggle with longer walks on their joints or paws. So what do you do for a dog that can’t go for walks? A puzzle is the perfect solution.
Although dogs still need physical exercise to be healthy, puzzles are often considered to be an acceptable substitute when necessary. The mental work that goes into solving it stimulates their minds in a way that can help tire them out and offer them many of the psychological benefits of walks and exercise, and it can also be used for senior dogs to help keep their cognitive abilities as sharp as possible in the face of progressing age.
Dogs who suffer from anxiety can also benefit from puzzles. Many ask what you should do if your dog has anxiety, such as those who get scared by fireworks or thunder. When anxious, many dogs turn to chewing, or even aggressive licking that can damage their skin or coat. Puzzles are the perfect solution for taking their mind off their worries. A puzzle will give them something to occupy their attention, providing a sort of outlet for their nervous energy.
Conclusion
Puzzles are the ultimate solution for the dog in need of entertainment, stimulation, a distraction, or just a fun challenge. It provides you and your dog with a way to spend time together and bond, it hones their intellect and builds their confidence, it teaches them problem solving skills, and it even offers a viable substitute for dogs who cannot get proper exercise. With all of these benefits in a single activity that your dog is sure to love, be sure to introduce a puzzle to your dog today!
Shop Chew N Play’s puzzle collection and find the perfect puzzle to share with your dog!