Enrichment Ideas for Dogs

Enrichment is incredibly important. It’s a way to make your dog’s life more interesting, less boring, and keep them out of trouble. Everybody needs a hobby! Exercising and walking your dog is great, but the best way to tire your dog out is to stimulate all of their senses, offer them variety, and get them using their brains as well. 

Enrichment is a fabulous thing to offer your dog –and it doesn’t have to be hard or time-consuming. 

Here are some things we do for Pasado’s dogs, that may make your dog happy as well. Keep in mind that the best enrichment for your dog is the activity they most enjoy. And not all enrichment is appropriate for all dogs (you may have to modify ideas for heavy chewers and dogs with allergies, for example). 

1. Ditch the bowl. Offer your dog their meal in a food puzzle, slow feeder, snuffle mat, Kong, or even in a paper bag. Dogs love to forage. 
2. Use your toilet and paper towel rolls. Place a couple treats inside, fold the ends, and toss this to your dog for a fun, quick, safe game. 
3. Let them follow their nose. Instead of your usual walk with a set destination, let your dog lead the way and let them sniff. Say, “We’re going on a sniffari!” 
4. Dog music and TV. When you are gone, leave the radio or television on for your dog on a low volume. Studies show dogs prefer talk radio or classical music, or you can search for “calming music for dogs”. 
5. Fruits and Veggies! Here’s a list of fruits and vegetables you can offer your dog in very small quantities (for most, remove seeds, peels, and pits). Unlike a lot of human foods, these are good for your dog! Do a taste test with your dog and see what they like. Then you can incorporate them into your enrichment: apples – remove core and seeds, bananas, blueberries, cantaloupe, cranberries, cucumbers, mango, oranges-no seeds or peels, peaches – no pits, pears – remove pit and seeds, pineapple, pumpkin, raspberries, strawberries, watermelon – remove rind and seeds, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots, celery, green beans, and peas. 
6. Pupsicles! Add water to your dog’s wet food and/or mix in a little pumpkin or unsweetened applesauce. Freeze in ice cube trays or Dixie Cups and you’ve just made your dog’s day. You can also freeze Kongs, slow feeders, and if your dog likes apples: core, stuff with pumpkin, wet food, or peanut butter and freeze those, too. 
7. Homemade pupucchinos. With some Dixie Cups and a can of coco-whip, you can skip the drive through and still show your dog that car rides are the best! 
8. 30 treats in three minutes: If your dog is food-motivated count out 30 pieces of your dog’s meal kibble or chop up some treats into pea-sized portions. Say, “Ready.” Now ask your dog to sit, shake, down, look, and touch. Set a timer for three minutes and then look for ways to reward your dog and use up all the treats by the time the timer goes off. Say, “All done.” If your dog hasn’t practiced any of these things or you are reluctant to give your dog so much all at once, count out 30 pieces of kibble or small treats and look for ways to reward your dog throughout the day. Say, “Yes!” whenever the dog is doing something you like. Capture a cute behavior like offering a paw, playbow, or rolling over for belly rubs. Or reward something as simple as lying quietly or looking at you sweet. Mark the behavior by saying, “Yes!” and reward with a treat. 
9. Scent games: Dilute one drop of vanilla in water and dot it on a paper towel, fold it up and place it inside a paper towel roll or toilet paper roll, give it to your dog to sniff or hide it in the yard or house for them to discover. Other dog safe scents include catnip, chamomile, lavender (not safe for cats!), oregano, rosemary, and ginger. Use tiny quantities and dilute in a cup of water. 
10. Dog meditation or doting. Turn off the tv, shut your computer, put away your phone, and just sit quietly loving your dog for 10 minutes. Or, if you like, you can read aloud to your dog. They will love to have your undivided attention. It’s time well spent! 

Learn more:
Canine Enrichment for the Real World by Allie Bender and Emily Strong
Canine Enrichment: The Book Your Dog Needs You to Read by Shay Kelley or join the Canine Enrichment Facebook group