One of the many enrichment activities at Pet Camp’s Ranger Station is a very large dog maze – no, not a maze of dogs; but a maze for dogs! When people first see it, they are both amazed and 
- Mental Stimulation: Dogs are intelligent animals that require mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. Navigating through a maze engages their problem-solving skills, memory, and spatial awareness. It provides a mentally enriching activity that prevents boredom and encourages mental agility.
- Decision-Making: We humans do the majority of the decision-making for dogs. We tell them when to do all sorts of things and when not to do other things. Our maze allows dogs to make decisions for themselves. They must make decisions as they navigate through the maze, such as choosing the correct path or overcoming obstacles. This challenges their decision-making abilities and encourages them to think critically, ultimately improving their cognitive function over time.
- Physical Exercise: While the Ranger Station maze is not designed for dogs to simply run through (we have other areas for pure physical exercise), it certainly provides physical exercise as dogs navigate the twists, turns, and dead ends.
- Sensory Stimulation: The maze can be “modified” to include the use of treats or scents to guide a dog along a certain path of travel. Treats and special toys hidden along the way make the journey through the maze even more rewarding and engaging.
- Bonding: A critical part of every dog’s experience at the Ranger Station is creating a bond with the counselor. The maze is a unique opportunity to create that bond as the counselor can both assist the dog working through the maze and encourage the dog to work the maze. The counselor can even be the “reward” through praise, treats, or hugs when the dog completes the maze.
Thanks for reading.