Using your dogs natural instincts to forage for their food is an excellent way  to give them mental stimulation and increase problem solving skills while eating their meals.  Rather than thoughtlessly diving into a food bowl .. give them an activity such as feeding from a hard plastic bottle (see 3yr old Mazzy below) or an interactive toy found at The Furr Factor (see 12 year old Marley below).  

Another great way for your dog to eat his meal is by tossing the food into the crate.  This gives them a positive association with the crate and still causes them to have to think about where the next piece of kibble is at that they want to eat.  Adding in a blanket will cause them to have to search a little harder for the food!  Highly recommended for dogs that are being crate trained.

In order to have a "Great Off-Leash" dog, its important that they're paying attention to where you are at all time without being called.  Playing a little hide-n-seek is a fantastic way to give them the job of locating you!  Playing this game often will teach your dog to look for you more and more frequently, creating "check-backs", and make it harder for you to 'get away' from your dog!

Using your dogs meal time to train is a great way to give stimulation and have them work for their food.
Tricks can be very fun and useful!  Watch as 1 year old Nyah helps to close the drawers in the kitchen for her dinner.  She's such a good helper ;)