Canine Enrichment
As dog parents, we recognize what our dogs need in order to survive and be comfortable. This can include things such as food, access to clean water, shelter and vet care. What is often overlooked however is a dogs innate need for physical and mental stimulation. When I ask owners to describe their dogs daily routine, it normally consist of: eating breakfast (from the bowl), let outside to potty, resting during working hours, maybe taken for a walk around the block, fed dinner and then going to sleep. Many dogs do have toys, but they are in a basket sitting in the corner untouched. This is simply not enough for the majority of dogs.
There is so much more to enrichment than just dog toys…
Many behavioral issues dogs display are attributed to a lack in physical/mental stimulation. This includes tearing up furniture, incessant barking, jumping, digging, counter-surfing and mouthing to name a few. There are a plethora of things we can train a dog to help with these issues, however our efforts would be wasted if the dogs basic needs are not provided for first. If your dog is displaying behavior that you don’t like, ask yourself, are my dogs physical and mental needs being met? Providing a balance of both physical and mental exercise is a vital first step to having a well behaved, four-legged family member.
Dogs will sleep for ~17 hours per day, so make the most of the time they have awake!
I like to define enrichment as stimuli that enhances the environment or encourages your dog to display natural behaviors. Chasing, digging, foraging for food, tracking, dissecting, and chewing come to my mind when I think about dog behavior. Again, if we don’t provide an appropriate outlet for our dogs to do these things, they will find fun on their own which usually doesn’t pan out well for the owners.
Let’s talk mental exercise, or working your dogs brain. If you’re new to canine enrichment, an easy place to start is breakfast and dinner. Ditch the dish! Dogs are scavenging carnivores, meaning they are built to search for their food! Enrich your dog at mealtime by providing a puzzle feeder such as a kong, lick mat, or snuffle mat. These items work by you putting the food inside and your dog has to either chew, lick, paw or sniff the food out! To make it even easier, you can even scatter feed your dog by throwing their kibble in the grass outside and encourage them to search for it. This is a great alternative for dogs who search and try to eat rabbit pellets in the yard, gross!
Here are some of my favorite puzzle feeders:
Cardboard Boxes
Rolled-up Towels
Cardboard is a great dissecting activity, just make sure your dog is not ingesting any pieces.
In addition to my dogs meals, I also provide him with a natural chew everyday. Some of these include bully sticks, lamb horns, yak chews, beef cheek and raw marrow bones. I prefer chews that are limited ingredient as these seem to be safer and more digestible. With that, it is important to supervise your dog anytime they have an edible item and to not allow them to finish it in one sitting.
Dogs were bred to live alongside and work with humans, which makes training another great form of mental stimulation! Taking training classes or working with your dog at home is an amazing way to enrich your dogs life and improve your relationship. Dog toys can also be a great form of enrichment, but many owners find they need to keep buying new toys to pique their dogs interest. You don’t need to break the bank when it comes to dog toys! To keep things novel and exciting, hide away all of your dogs toys and only bring out a select few every couple of days. Rotate as needed to keep your dog interested. Being the social animals they are, your dog will definitely benefit from playing with their toys with you! When I am looking to build engagement with my dog for training purposes, I will dedicate a very special toy that my dog only gets to play with if he’s with me. This is great if your dog struggles to focus on you amid distractions!
Agility is a high-energy dog sport that is great for improving the bond between you and your dog!
All dogs require physical exercise, and the amount of time and intensity of that exercise will depend on your dogs age, breed and health status. For many dogs, a short walk once per day will not cut it. You will need to provide your dog with aerobic exercise that will increase their heart rate. Options may include a game of tug, fetch, chasing your dog, swimming, playing with other dogs or participating in a dog sport. It’s important is finding something that both you and your dog can enjoy together. Personally, I do not have a fenced in yard but my dog adores playing fetch. If you want to let your dog run around outside while keeping them safe, use a long line! These are long leashes that range from 15, 30, 50 to even 100ft. They can be used in open areas or on hiking trails to give your dog freedom without the dangers of letting them off leash.
By providing your dog with activities that work their body and mind, you are increasing their overall welfare giving them a more fulfilled and balanced life. The possibilities for enrichment are endless, so challenge yourself to get creative and you will find yourself with a more well-behaved and happy canine companion!
