Being a single golden retriever mom, I know what it means to have to deal with an energetic puppy. I would walk over 2 miles with my dog, train along the way for additional stimulation, and still when we would get back home it was if we had done none of that.
It gets even worse when I have busy work days. I always prioritize my golden retriever, but when it comes to back-to-back-to-back work calls it is incredibly difficult to spend the amount of time with her that I would prefer. She is by no means as high energy as other dogs out there, but I could only imagine my dog mom guilt if I had a dog the requires more activity than her.
In come my research – I searched tirelessly for how to keep my dog busy, how to tire out a puppy, how to stimulate a dog while you are busy. I read articles, watched TikToks, looked up all the toys out there, all so you don’t have to.
It’s Important To Make Sure You Are Giving Your Dog Ample Activity – Both Mentally and Physically
What if there was a way to do both? It’s out there I promise you. I did the research so I could be the best dog mom I could be, but hey you are all getting the by-product from that time investment because my favorite mental stimulation dog toys and going to be in this post.
Dogs are like humans in the sense that they have needs. They need food, water, shelter, and activity. In humans, if we don’t prioritize movement we can feel mental impact, physical impact, and in turn emotional impact. The same is true for our fur babies.
If you’re looking to keep your active dog busy and give them activities to keep them mentally stimulated and not bored – look no further!
Woof Pupsicle
This is my golden retriever’s favorite treat. It keeps her busy when I am on work calls, and it may say 20 minutes but my dog will play with and eat her Woof Pupsicle for over an hour. This is my lifeline when I have a busy call day.
Snuffle Ball
I tried the snuffle mat’s with my dog but she wasn’t crazy over them. She also started just ripping the fabric a part and eating it to get the food and treats inside. When I found this Dog Snuffle Ball, it solved all my problems with the mat. The fabric is thicker and my dog was not chewing through it, it required more physical attention because it would roll around. It forced my dog to really hold the ball down and also chase it around when it moved! 10/10 would recommend.
Advanced Dog Food Puzzle
The way my golden retriever figured out some of these puzzles in 2 minutes shocked me. I needed a puzzle that would keep here occupied, and this one did exactly that. It’s more than just a simply button or one movement to reach the food. This had her really focused and locked it. I will say she has figured it out and it goes quicker now, but I don’t give it to her every day. I like to use this weekly to keep her on her toes!
Dog Lick Mat
The reason I bought a lick mat was because I needed a way to keep my golden retriever in the bathtub while I was giving her a bath. Low and behold, it’s also a fantastic way to keep my dog occupied, entertained, and stimulated. I typically use peanut butter or yogurt and throw some fruits and veggies on as well. She absolutely loves these treats!
Dog Food Dispensing Puzzle
I will preface this with saying this worked really well when my dog was younger, before she was an aggressive-ish chewer. This puzzle slowly dispenses food as it rolls – My golden retriever loved this. It would occupy her for up to 30 minutes and I used this all the time. If you have a light or moderate chewer, this will be a life saver. But I wouldn’t recommend this for aggressive chewers – My dog eventually broke this and chewed apart the dispenser. I promise you, this will be a great toy as long as you dog doesn’t chew through it!
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