Newfoundland Enrichment: Games and Activities
The AKC rates the Newfoundland 3/5 for mental stimulation needs: a mix of easy games and the odd harder puzzle works well.
Activities to try with your Newfoundland
Hide and seek with you
Your dog waits in one room while you hide, then finds you when you call. No food or equipment needed.
Mealtime training session
Turn part of your dog's normal meal into a short training game: each piece of kibble is paid for with a sit, a down or a look.
Toy in a towel
Your dog's toy wrapped in a towel or blanket, so they have to sniff it out and use their nose and paws to unwrap it.
Snuffle mat meal
Dry kibble scattered into a snuffle mat, so your dog sniffs out every piece. Good for fast eaters and rainy days.
Lick mat calm-down
Soft food spread thinly over a lick mat. Slow, steady licking helps many dogs settle, for example during fireworks or storms.
Tug with rules
Short rounds of tug that end on a "drop it", so your dog gets a burst of play and a lesson in self-control at the same time.
Build a 7-day plan from what you have β
Is a Newfoundland right for you? Β· Newfoundland breed guide