Physical exercise is one of the most important factors when looking at the overall welfare of our dogs, but what we often forget is that their brains need tiring out just as much as their legs! Dogs are generally very smart animals meaning it is essential that we provide them with lots of mental stimulation which can be achieved using some of the enrichment ideas below. This can help prevent dogs from developing all kinds of behaviour problems and saves our furniture while we are out of the house!
What exactly do we mean by canine enrichment?
Enrichment comes in various forms and is able to enhance your dog’s mental state by providing challenging activities which are designed to exercise their brains. These activities will encourage your dog to put their minds to use solving problems and learning new skills, and will often keep them busy in times when they would usually become bored.
We have compiled some of our favourite enrichment ideas below, however we recommend you supervise your dog at all times to ensure that they come to no harm while enjoying themselves.
Training
Training doesn’t have to be serious all the time, why not try some simple trick training? Dogs love reward-based training, and by completing short training sessions you are working your dogs mind while teaching them a new skill! Make sure you have plenty of scrumptious treats, we find Schmackos work a treat, and make sure you keep your training sessions quite short to ensure that you don’t overload your pup.
Scatter Feeding
This is one of the most simple but effective forms of enrichment. Sprinkling some kibble around the house creates a search game and allows your dog to exercise their natural instinct to hunt and forage for their food.
Interactive Puzzle Feeders
There are various different kinds of interactive puzzle feeders on the market which can be used in place of your regular food bowls to slow them down while they’re eating their meals and engage their brains. Puzzle feeders, slow feeders and Kongs can all be used to feed treats during the day to keep your furry friends busy while you get on with day to day activities! Kongs are a form of interactive feeder that can be packed with your dog's usual meals or tasty treats. However enrichment should be fun for your dog, but not frustrating so starting off easy and gradually increasing the difficulty is a great way to ensure they are getting the most out of their enrichment. For dogs that find Kongs too easy, try freezing them on hot summer days to present more of a challenge. Always supervise your dogs with this to ensure they don’t choke.
Simple DIY Enrichment
Enrichment doesn’t need to be expensive and can be made the most uncreative of owners using bits and pieces found around the house. Plastic bottles can be filled with treats or dry biscuits with the ring and cap removed to create a puzzle feeder, toilet roll tubes containing treats with the ends bent inwards and even cardboard boxes filled with toys, treats and newspaper are all cheap and easy activity games for dogs! It’s extremely important dogs are supervised at all times with DIY enrichment, especially dogs that tend to chew up plastic, to ensure they don’t swallow anything they shouldn’t.
Create Games Based On Your Dog’s Breed
Many of the behaviour issues that occur in the house are due to a lack of consideration for breed traits and what the dog is originally bred for. Creating enrichment based on your dog’s breed traits is a great way to satisfy their natural urge to express behaviours they were bred to do. For example, dogs that like to track things down such as Springer Spaniels, creating a simple hide and seek game using treats underneath small flower pots will allow them to exercise their natural behaviour while keeping them busy.
DIY Obstacle Course
You don’t have to be an expert in agility to have fun with you pup over a DIY obstacle course! Agility provides your dog with an amazing physical and mental workout and is great for high energy breeds like Border Collies. Try making your own fences by propping a broomstick on a garden chair or a couple of piles of books, teach them to weave through your legs or create your own version of weaving poles using random objects you find around your home.
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