Physical exercise is important, but mental exercise matters too. Mental stimulation helps dogs build confidence, practice problem solving skills, reduce boredom, and engage natural behaviors in healthy ways. Puzzle toys, treat dispensing toys, snuffle mats, beginner scent games, food puzzles, hide and seek, and simple thinking exercises can challenge your dog’s brain in ways that physical activity alone cannot. Just a few minutes of focused mental work can leave many dogs feeling satisfied and fulfilled. A tired dog is not always a dog that ran the farthest. Sometimes it is the dog that spent time thinking.