How to play the muffin tray game with your dog
This is a simple game you can play at home using a muffin baking tray, some balls or other toys and some kibble. Follow our steps below and watch the video to see our trainers do it.
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- Grab a muffin baking tray from the kitchen.
- Get some of your dogs’ favourite treats or their kibble.
- Scatter into the muffin holes.
- Cover the holes with balls or other objects.
- Release your dog to find the hidden treats!
This exercise can increase confidence, as your dog will have to use their nose to push the balls off onto the floor whilst using their nose to locate the treats underneath.
Tip! The tray can make a metal sounding noise on a hard floor, so begin on a carpet if your dog is sound sensitive to make it easier and perhaps move on to a harder surface once you are happy that your dog is happy and relaxed.
We’ve put together some brain games and enrichment ideas for dogs during the coronavirus lockdown period to help keep your dogs happy.
Enrichment is described as giving animals’ mental stimulation that allows them to perform natural behaviours, permits them to be more active and increases the control over their environment. Enrichment helps satisfy both the physical and psychological needs of animals and allows them to make choices and encourages them to use their brain to solve puzzles and problems. This can increase their overall happiness and satisfaction, whilst reducing boredom, anxiety and physical and psychological energy.
See all of our good ideas for lockdown.