Brain Games for Healing Pups

What do you do with a dog who is recovering from injury or a surgery? They want to run free but you have to keep them still to heal. 

Believe it or not, your dog can get a great workout without moving far at all! It’s all about mental workouts. We try to get dog owners to focus more on the mental and less on the physical all the time!

Although sad and unfortunate, your dog’s recovery can be a great time to focus on what really matters for having a dog who can go anywhere with you. Dogs need to have a great “chill mode” and be able to hang out for long periods until you tell them it’s time for action. Recovery is actually perfect for this!

At Train Walk Poop, we are often asked to help dogs recovering from surgeries and injuries. Here’s what we do to keep them happy – and what you can do at home too.

The last thing you need is a stir-crazy puppy who tears a stitch or a frustrated dog who picks up bad habits because they can’t play fetch or go for walks like before.

1.Nose Work Games

Dogs have amazing noses! They are so powerful that they can be exhausting to use for long periods. Using your dog’s sense of smell makes them tired without going anywhere:

Our favorite games:

• Hiding treats in empty Amazon boxes spread around the room (stack boxes and create harder puzzles as your dog progresses)
• Sprinkling kibble in short grass for gentle “treasure hunts”

Try these at home:

• Hide treats under cups while your dog watches
• Put treats in a room while your dog waits in another room
• Make simple box mazes where your dog can find treats without climbing
• Teach “find it” with treats hidden under blankets and around the house

Just 10 minutes of nose work can tire your dog as much as a 30-minute walk! This makes it perfect for recovery time.

Remember to check with your vet about which activities are right for your dog’s specific injury. These games will help your dog stay happy and well-behaved while their body heals.

 2. Place Work & Calm Stay Practice

Recovery is a great time to teach your dog to stay calm in one spot:

How we do it:

• 5-minute sessions teaching dogs to stay on a bed or mat
• Slowly making stays longer (from 30 seconds to several minutes)
• Adding small distractions as they get better (like treats on the floor or people walking by)
• Giving quiet praise and treats for staying calm

Tips for home:

• Use a special mat just for recovery training
• Do 3+ short practice times each day
• Put toys at a distance so you don’t risk them diving to grab them
• Sometimes ask for longer stays, but surprise them with super short, easy ones too (this keeps them guessing and focused!)

These exercises teach your dog self-control and calm that will help their healing.

3. Food Puzzles & Treat Toys

Recovery time is perfect for brain games that keep your dog busy while staying still:

What we use:

• Frozen Kongs with peanut butter and kibble (keeps dogs busy for 30+ minutes!)
• Lick mats with wet food, yogurt, or pumpkin 
• West Paw Toppl toys with kibble frozen in broth
• Snuffle mats for gentle nosing without moving around

Easy home options:

• Muffin tins with tennis balls hiding treats in some cups
• Ice cube trays with bone broth and tiny treats
• A towel rolled up with treats hidden inside

These make mealtime fun and tire out your dog’s brain without stressing their body!