"Enrichment means meeting all of an animal’s mental, physical, and behavioral needs in order to empower them to perform species-typical behaviors in healthy, safe, and appropriate ways" - Allie Bender, Canine Enrichment for the Real World
Enrichment activities are important for our dog's mental and physical health and provide outlets for natural behaviors, like exploring, searching, chasing, and playing. Helping our dogs stay mentally and physically stimulated, enrichment can reduce fear, anxiety, and aggression. By giving our dogs something to do, we can help them stay focused, build confidence, and interact with their environment in a positive way. It's also a wonderful opportunity to interact & bond with our dogs.
What can I do with my dog?
There are multiple forms of enrichment: physical, sensory, cognitive, social, food, toy and more!
Try going on a 'sniffari' and let them sniff to their heart's content
A game of tug, playing fetch or trying a new toy
Hiding treats around the house and playing "find-it"
Trick training, nosework, agility & dog sports
Exploring new places (going at your dog's pace)
Social time with dog & human friends
There are so many benefits to providing enrichment to our dogs, including:
Reduces stress and anxiety
Builds a stronger bond between you and your dog
Some activities help keep your dog occupied when you're busy
Mentally & physically stimulating activities result in a more fulfilled, relaxed dog
Gives your dog a sense of control & agency over their environment
Prevents behavioral issues from developing
Improves overall well-being
A WEEK OF ENRICHMENT IDEAS
Mental Monday | Use a puzzle toy to get your dog's brain busy! You can DIY by hiding treats in an egg carton,towel or recycled boxes |
Trick Tuesday | Teach your dog a new trick or practice ones they already know. |
Wacky Wednesday | Get silly with your dog! Play games like hide & seek, tug or create an obstacle course for the both of you |
Adventure Thursday | Explore a new trail, visit your local pet store and let your dog sniff the aisles or meet with dog friends for a parallel walk |
Foraging Friday | Ditch the food bowl and scatter your dog's meal in the grass or hide it around the house for them to find! |
Sniffari Saturday | Use a long line and let your dog lead the walk today, letting them sniff & explore at their own pace |
Siesta Sunday | Freeze a special treat for your dog to enjoy, like peanut putter, yogurt or pumpkin. Put it inside of a Kong, Toppl, Licki Mat or just use a muffin pan. You can get creative! |
About the Author: Ashley Diaz is a dedicated pet owner and animal lover with over 10 years of experience providing professional pet care. With certifications in applied animal behavior & training, she shares her knowledge and insights on pet ownership, behavior, and welfare in her blog. Outside of her work with animals, Ashley enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, practicing yoga and playing the piano.