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Aging is a natural, complex process that can affect the body's ability to support many metabolic processes. The ageing process in dogs is a gradual one that can sometimes go unnoticed by owners. Thinking about how you can help your dog ease through his golden years has paid off.

Research has shown that video games can have good effects on the human brain in terms of diseases associated with ageing. But what would be the impact on a dog's brain? "Joipaw - an ambitious UK start-up is developing several titles specifically designed for man's best friend.  The only problem is that there aren't many video games for dogs on the market.

That could be about to change thanks to Joipaw's debut product. According to a report by the Axios news portal, it's a screen that responds not to touch, but to saliva. So far, only two games have been fully developed: a whack-a-mole game in which the dog has to hit moles with its nose, and in the second game, the paw has to determine which half of the screen has more dots on it. 

When the dog answers correctly or sets a new record score in the game, all sorts of treats come out of the bottom of the console as rewards. On top of that, the engineers at "Joipaw" have also developed a special collar equipped with motion sensors that can be deployed in many such games.

According to the project's creator, the hardest part was getting the four-leggeds to interact with the game. To do that, the most effective way was to have the screen smeared with peanut butter. After several such attempts, most of the dogs understood that if they played without butter, they would still get snacks at the end.

Joipaw co-founder Dersim Avdar told the publication that the idea for Joipaw came from his dog Jawet and his desire to keep her occupied when he didn't have enough time to play. Later, he found a 2017 study that suggested simple games could have a beneficial effect on dogs' brain health as they age. "I'm taking the torch that these researchers lit and carrying it forward," Avdar told Axios.

While it may seem absurd, this kind of interactive play could improve their mental health, especially when we're talking about older dogs. The brain works like a car engine, if it's not trained (especially as it ages) it doesn't work properly. Such activities can significantly reduce the risk of serious mental illness.

Source:https://www.thegamer.com/video-games-benefits-for-older-dogs/