Fun Mental Challenges for Large Breed Dogs
If you’ve ever had a large breed dog, you know how much mental stimulation they need — and how quickly they can get bored without it! My big girl used to act restless even after long walks. She would pace, bark for attention, and sometimes even start chewing things she shouldn’t. That’s when I realized that her body wasn’t the problem — her mind needed more of a challenge.
In this post, I’ll share some of my favorite fun mental challenges for large breed dogs — and how they helped my pup stay calm, happy, and well-behaved. If you want the full brain training program that really worked for us, here’s my personal link:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Table of Contents
Why Large Breeds Need Mental Stimulation
Big dogs often have lots of physical strength, but they also tend to be smart and easily bored. Without enough mental stimulation, you may notice:
- Destructive chewing
- Barking
- Digging
- Restlessness
- Attention-seeking behaviors
- Overexcitement on walks
Adding mental challenges keeps your large breed dog’s brain engaged — which leads to calmer, happier behavior.
The Mental Challenges That Worked for Us
1. Puzzle Toys
Big dogs LOVE working for their food — and the right puzzle feeder can keep them engaged for 15–30 minutes at a time.
2. Scent Work
Scent games are one of my go-to activities — they tap into natural instincts and give my dog a satisfying mental workout.
3. Engagement Games
Teaching my dog to focus on me through fun games helps with impulse control — especially helpful with large, strong dogs.
4. Advanced Trick Training
Big dogs enjoy the challenge of learning new tricks — and it helps tire their mind in a positive way.
Here’s the exact program I followed to really get results:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
The Results
After adding mental challenges to our routine:
- My dog became calmer indoors
- Chewing and barking decreased
- Walks were more relaxed
- Better overall focus and impulse control
- A much happier, more content dog
Final Thoughts
If you have a large breed dog who always seems to need “more,” you’re not alone! The key is giving them mental stimulation — not just physical exercise.
For us, this was the program that finally worked:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Trust me — once your big dog’s mind is satisfied, life at home (and on walks!) becomes so much easier — and way more fun.
Before I really understood how important mental stimulation was, I just kept increasing my dog’s physical exercise — thinking that more walks or playtime would solve the restlessness. But even after a two-hour hike, she’d come home looking for something else to do. That’s when I realized it was her mind that needed a workout.
Once I started adding consistent brain games, the changes were amazing. Not only was my dog calmer at home, but she was also more focused and responsive in every part of our life.
If you’re wondering how to get started, this is the exact program that helped me create a fun, effective routine:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
One of the things I love about brain games is that they build real impulse control — which is super helpful with big, strong dogs who can easily overpower you if they get too excited.
Another benefit? Mental challenges actually help burn energy faster than physical exercise alone — which means a calmer dog with less chance of destructive behaviors.
Even just 15 minutes of brain work a day made a noticeable difference in my dog’s patience, calmness, and manners — both at home and in public.
Another tip? Rotate different kinds of mental challenges — puzzle toys, scent games, focus work — so your dog stays interested and engaged.
I also found that adding trick training kept my big dog’s mind sharp and improved her confidence — which helped her stay more balanced overall.
And the games in this program don’t require lots of space — which was perfect for me since we don’t have a huge backyard. Everything worked great right in my living room.
One of my favorite changes? My dog now settles easily at night instead of pacing around looking for mischief — all thanks to consistent mental stimulation.
If you have a big dog who tends to get bored or pushy when under-stimulated, this is exactly the approach that helped us:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
I also noticed fewer attention-seeking behaviors. My dog used to bark or nudge me when she was bored — now, after her daily mental work, she’s content to relax.
Plus, these games helped with socialization too — a big bonus for large breeds who can sometimes be intimidating to others if not well-mannered.
Now, I feel like I finally understand what my big dog really needs — not just more running, but more thinking — and it’s made life so much easier for both of us.
If you want your large breed dog to be calmer, happier, and better behaved, I highly recommend starting here:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
You’ll be amazed at how quickly your big dog’s behavior improves when their brain is fully engaged — and how much more enjoyable life together becomes!
One thing I didn’t expect was how much these mental challenges improved my dog’s manners in everyday situations. Whether we’re waiting at crosswalks, greeting new people, or practicing “stay,” her patience and focus have come a long way.
If you’ve got a big dog who’s a little “too much” at times — this is exactly the program that helped us channel that energy in a positive way:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
I also noticed fewer pulling issues on walks. Once her mind was worked and her energy balanced, she became much easier to handle on leash.
Another bonus? These games helped deepen our bond. My dog looks to me more often for guidance now — instead of trying to make her own (sometimes poor!) decisions.
If you want to help your big dog stay happy, focused, and well-behaved, this is absolutely the best place to start:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out