Do you want to know whether your dog is getting bored? Below are some points to look for.
- Behaving restless
- Seeking attention all the time
- Behavioral change like destruction
- Calling for attention
- looking into the trash
- Continuous barking
- Unnecessary jumping
- Digging in the backyard
Canines, like humans, require physical stimulation and mental exercise to keep them healthy. A study shows that dogs kept mentally active are less likely to develop dementia and are more beneficial in their senior years.
As a puppy parent, you must ensure your little dog gets good chances for physical, mental, and emotional stimulation. You should focus on this vital aspect so your furry baby stays happy and healthy. Puppies may enjoy playing with simple toys at the start; however, to have their attention in the long run, it is best if puppy parents offer them a variety of games. Also, when you amp up the complexity of games and outdoor adventures, your four-pawed friend may have to deal with more significant risks. Arrange for a dog medical aid during such times. Pet insurance can help you support your fur baby with excellent medical care during unexpected health scenarios at affordable costs. You can search for pet insurance policies online to compare plans and request quotes.
Below are DIY puppy puzzle toy ideas that you can look up to
1. Hidey-Findy
This game can be set up in less than a few minutes. All you need to do is take a muffin baking tin pan, hide a tiny treat or toy in one of the cups, cover them with tennis balls or lemons, and ask your puppy pal to find the hidden treasure. You can plan a few rounds and give your fluffy friend better rewards every time they succeed at discovering the inconspicuous item.
2. Box Tower
Are you thinking about what to do with all the Amazon delivery boxes in your garage? We have an idea, stack these boxes to form a tower, pyramid, or even better, nest them. While doing that, you can hide a delectable treat or toy in one or more boxes so your furry companion can locate them once the game begins. Your puppy may be thrilled to pull them all apart.
3. Treat popsicle
Take your ice tray, fill the cups with itsy-bitsy dog kibble/treats/chews/toys, pour water, and freeze them. You can toss some of these into your puppy’s food bowl to spend their own sweet time chewing, sipping the water left by melting ice (good for slow rehydration) and nibbling on the treat bits in the dish towards the end. However, you may need to monitor activity like this to avoid pet teeth-breaking episodes.
4. Tin can wall
If you have plenty of Red Bull cans, you can arrange them to form a little wall and ask your pet puppy to jump over them. Also, you can vary the wall heights to raise the bar on your excellent boy when they reach a milestone. But make sure your furry baby is comfortable and doesn’t find the sprinting activity stressful. Give them multiple short breaks so they can return with much vigor for the next game round.
With games like these and more, your puppy can stay occupied instead of lying in a corner spiritless. Also, consider your pet’s safety before finalizing a match for your pup. No matter how appealing a game can be, rule it out from your pet games list if it doesn’t assure security.
5. DIY Snuffle Mat
The sniff mat, or the canine sniffle mat, is an attractive mat for canines to snuffle treats. You can do it yourself at home
Things you need
- A plastic mat
- one to one and a half yards of a cheap fleece fabric or a blanket with fleece
- A scissors or a cloth cutter
- Self-healing mat or ruler
- Canine’s most loved treats
Cut the fleece fabric into a specific measurement using a cutter or scissors. Tangle each strip of the cloth from the grid on the mat till the material is thick and robust enough to prevent treats from dropping. After you have made the snuffle mat, put your dog’s sweet treats and get going.
Even with all the care and caution, pet accidents, injuries, sickness, etc., can happen, which is why you can contemplate buying pet insurance. Dog medical aid can cover your pet for particular health conditions and emergencies. Having a pet plan can lower your financial stress in distressing times.