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Enrichment 101

Enrichment is essential for keeping your dog mentally and physically stimulated. It helps reduce boredom, manage problem behaviors, and improve overall well-being.


Why Is Enrichment Important for Dogs?


  • Instinctual Needs: Dogs that don’t get to dig, chew, and forage can take those instincts out on your household items!

  • Challenges Your Dog’s Brain: Keeps your dog’s brain active and sharp.

  • Provides Physical Exercise: Helps release pent-up energy and promotes a healthy weight.

  • Builds Confidence: Encourages problem-solving and curiosity.

  • Strengthens Your Bond: Enrichment activities are a great way to connect with your dog.


Types of Enrichment for Dogs


Every dog has unique enrichment needs. It takes some trial and error to find the enrichment types that your dog likes best. Here’s some options to get you started!


  1. Social


    1. Playdates: Arrange safe and supervised interactions with other dogs.

    2. Social visits: Meet new people, hire a dog walker, practice appropriate greetings.

    3. Play time: Interactive play with family members.

    4. Intentional interactions with humans: Give your dog a massage, calm petting, or try TTouch. 


  1. Environmental


    1. Outings: Plan visits to a dog-friendly place to experience a range of sights, sounds, textures and smells. 

    2. Interactive walks: Find ways to make your walks more interesting: encourage lots of sniffing, scatter treats, walk or jump over objects, and switch up the route you take. 

    3. Textures: Provide a variety of surfaces for your dog to explore, such as grass, sand, or rubber mats.

    4. Sounds: Play nature sounds or calming music for relaxation.



  1. Food Based


    1. Food Puzzle Toys: Use Kongs, treat-dispensing balls, or interactive feeders to make mealtime more engaging.

    2. Snuffle Mats: Hide treats or kibble in the mat for your dog to sniff out.

    3. Kongs/Lickimats: Freeze soft food like canned dog food, peanut butter, pumpkin, or plain yogurt in a Kong or on a Lickimat.

    4. Slow Feeders: Serve dog food out of a slow feeder at mealtime.

    5. DIY Towel Roll/Box/Muffin Tin Game: Wrap treats in a towel and let your dog unroll it to find the rewards, hide treats in a cardboard box filled with paper, or put treats in a muffin tin covered by tennis balls.


  1. Giving Your Dog a Job


    1. Fetch and Tug: Great ways to burn off energy while bonding with your dog.

    2. Treasure Hunt: Hide treats or toys around the house for your dog to find.

    3. Training Sessions: Teach new tricks or reinforce existing ones.

    4. Paper and Cardboard Box Shredding: Give your dog delivery boxes or unneeded paper items to shred (watch to make sure they don’t ingest any of the paper!)

    5. Outdoor Dig Pit: A small kiddie pool full of dirt or sand gives your dog an appropriate place to dig. Bury treats and toys to encourage engagement. 

    6. Sniffing Games: Scatter treats in the yard or use a scent trail to encourage your dog’s natural sniffing instincts.

    7. Safe Chew Toys: Offer durable toys like Nylabones or bully sticks.

    8. Dog Sport Classes: Sports like agility, nosework, and rally burn both mental and physical energy, and are a great way to bond with your dog. 



Safety Tips for Dog Enrichment


  • Always supervise your dog during enrichment activities, especially when introducing new items.

  • Ensure toys and chews are size-appropriate and safe for your dog.

  • Avoid giving your dog anything they could easily swallow or choke on.



Resources


Facebook Enrichment Group

Every Dog - Amazon Enrichment Store (Every Dog receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post.)

Every Dog - Canine Enrichment Webinar

Leave It - Enrichment on a Budget

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