Busy Brains for Calm Bodies
Having a pet recovering from surgery or dealing with exercise restrictions is really hard for everyone involved. These games are designed to help your pet problem solve and have fun. Brain games reduce boredom and help your pet feel calm and fulfilled, which means they’re less likely to get into mischief that could compromise recovery. The goal is to have fun, strengthen your bond, and keep your pet happy, healthy, and safe.
The games also designed to give your pet as much choice as possible. When they’re constantly restricted from doing what they otherwise love, welfare can suffer. Here we’re providing things they can do, which will help keep a positive experience! We’re not trying to wear them out, but to help them feel fulfilled by their activities.
Our Story
I know firsthand how challenging this can be! Lily had bilateral TPLOs (surgical repair of both of her cranial cruciate ligaments) done in October 2025 by Dr. Travis Reed. The surgery went smoothly, but she still required eight weeks of strict activity restriction and another eight weeks of very gradual return to activity.
For a dog accustomed to always being on the go, this was a big transition. Using these games made it possible. Lily’s since made a full recovery and is in better shape than she was before! Our older guy, JJ, appreciates these games, too, on days when he needs some lower-impact activity. We also break these games out when I’m not feeling my best or when the weather keeps us inside.
Want to play along?
Getting Started
Keep it fun! Watch for signs of stress like yawning, scratching, vocalizing, opting out, etc.
Less is more! Start off slowly and gradually build from there.
Be safe! Play the games on non-slip surfaces, always supervise, and use pet-safe items
Key Terms
Marker: This is a word, like “Yes!” or “Good!,” we say the moment our pet performs a desired behavior. It tells them a reinforcer is about to be delivered
Reinforcer: A desired item, like a treat, that rewards the pet’s behavior and encourages them to offer it again.
Brain Games
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Snuffle Box
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Intro to Nosework
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Touch
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Chin Rest
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Two-Bowl Puzzle
Snuffle Box
It All Begins Here
Animals love to engage in natural foraging behaviors to find something tasty. Hiding treats helps them sniff more and have fun with a bit of a challenging puzzle. If they’re able to safely shred, all the better! You can raid your own recycling to put this together.
🐾What you need: a cardboard box, packing paper, paper towel tubes, berry clamshells, egg cartons, etc. Avoid things with tape, loose plastic, or anything that poses a choking hazard.
To start, find a cardboard box that your pet can easily get their head into, so not too deep, tall, or narrow. Let them see you place a few treats in the box and then let them sniff the treats out. Once they have the hang of that, progressively layer in filler material, like packing paper, and sprinkle some treats in and under the filler. If they’re ready for more of a challenge, place treats in the clamshells or egg cartons or partially close the flaps of the box. Be sure to supervise to make sure your pet is not consuming anything they shouldn’t! Let them take their time. Harder doesn’t necessarily mean better!
Small Steps Create Big Shifts
It All Begins Here
Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.
The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.
You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.
Turn Intention Into Action
It All Begins Here
Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.
The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.
You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.
Make Room for Growth
It All Begins Here
Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.
The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.
You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.