Enrich your dogs life! Ideas on ways to implement enrichment.
Enrichment: the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something.
Enrichment can be beneficial to add into your dogs daily routine. Enrichment can be a solo activity for your dog or something you can do together. It can offer ways to get your dog thinking, working and having fun! Enrichment activities can allow your dog to engage in their innate behaviors, such as playing, chasing, smelling, chewing and scavenging.
You can really get creative with activities to provide mental stimulation. Observe your dog and learn what they enjoy doing and see how you can work with those things. If your dog loves to sniff, adding scent games would a great activity to try. Does your dog love toys? Try hiding them around the house or yard for a game of hide and seek. Is your dog an agile athlete…make shift agility at home would be a great way work with your dog and add enrichment to their day.
Here are some areas where you can look to add enrichment to your dogs life. I have also added links below to websites that offer ideas as well as a great Facebook page all about enrichment! Remember, be creative and have fun!
Training
Incorporate obedience into play
Free shaping
Trick training
Challenging old commands with new distractions
Games/toys
Interactive/treat dispensing toys
Puzzle games
Scent games
Hide and seek with recall
Stuffing toys into other toys
Hiding toys or treats for your dog to hunt
DIY home agility
Flirt pole
Feeding
Treat dispensing toys/puzzles
Snuffle mat
Kibbles rolled up in a towel
Scatter feeding
Chase/catch/consume games with meals or treats
Helpful websites:
https://www.puppyleaks.com/canine-enrichment/
https://www.k9ofmine.com/canine-enrichment-activities/
Helpful Facebook groups: