Enrichment has become a bit of a buzzword in the canine community in the last couple years. While it used to be something that only zookeepers concerned themselves with, it’s now known that dogs can also benefit from enrichment.
What is enrichment?
Enrichment is an enhancement of the dog’s environment. These can be food-centered experiences, sensory experiences, or social experiences for the dog.
Not every activity is best for every dog. Just like people, dogs have individual preferences and find some activities more interesting than others. By playing around with different kinds of enrichment, you will figure out what your dog loves best. Your findings may even surprise you. You may find a new favorite activity for you two to enjoy together.
Why is it important?
Mental stimulation is key to healthy development and mental health for all animals, including domesticated canines. Dogs are thinking creatures and need to be stimulated in order to live up to their full potential.
An enriched dog is a good dog
Boredom plays a major part in dog misbehavior. Most dogs are kept for companionship, not to do the jobs they were historically developed to do. Decades, sometimes centuries, of selective breeding has given us dogs that specialize in jobs from retrieving waterfowl to herding lost sheep to fighting off ravenous wolves. These same highly intelligent, motivated dogs now lounge on the sofa while their humans are at work for hours a day. Is it any wonder that these bored dogs often find destructive ways to entertain themselves? Enriching your dog’s life will relieve boredom and allow him to relax and not try and find his own entertainment.
The mental skills built through the stimulation of these activities give dogs the building blocks for other useful skills. A dog that must think through the spatial skills needed to manipulate a puzzle toy is preparing for the skills needed to perform advanced trick work like putting his toys in a basket. The scent discrimination used for finding hidden food in the yard trains the nose to filter through different unusual smells, which is essential for nosework or finding game. The critical reasoning that is developed through all enrichment exercises develops a dog that is both capable of thinking for himself while still responding to his humans.
At the end of the day, the most important thing about enrichment is that it is just plain fun. It’s fun for the dog, who gets out of his usual routine and gets to play. It’s also fun for the people, who get a new way to interact with and enjoy spending time with their dog. It’s easy to get in a rut in any relationship and the relationship with your dog is no exception. If you find yourself getting frustrated with the routine of letting the dog in and out, short walks around the block, and the dog getting in the way in the house, there’s no reason to stay stuck in that rut. Getting out of everyone’s comfort zone is a quick way to rediscover the joys of dog ownership.
What it is not
Enrichment is a way of enhancing your dog’s life and making it better. It is not:
- A substitute for obedience training
- A substitute for proper exercise and physical activity
- One size fits all
- Something you want your dog to enjoy, even if he clearly does not
It’s easy to try and live vicariously through your dog and hope that he enjoys things that you also enjoy. If you are a marathon runner, you probably want your dog to enjoy running, too. It’s part of the reason why choosing a dog that fits your lifestyle is so important. But forcing a dog who is giving clear signs that he is unhappy with the activity to continue does not count as enrichment.
Types of enrichment
Food
Using food as enrichment is one of the easiest ways to incorporate some novel fun into your dog’s lifestyle. It is what most people think of when they think of enrichment. Easy doesn’t mean it’s a cop-out.
Food does not need to be served up in a bowl for every meal. Serving your pup their meals in novel containers is a fun way to change up the same bit of kibble that he gets day in and day out. It can be as simple as scattering the kibble in the grass or on a carpet in the house. Hiding kibble under towels is also a fun way for your pup to use his sniffer to figure out where the food went.
Changing up the food is also a good way to add some variety to your pup’s life. For the most part, it’s best to keep their main meals the same to avoid stomach upset. That doesn’t keep you from changing up the types of extra treats he gets. Adding meal toppers like salmon, chicken, canned pumpkin, blueberries, and yogurt can add some excitement. Raw carrots or dried sweet potato strips make great chews that are high in fiber and nutrients. Be careful when adding high-fiber treats to add a little at a time into the diet; too much too quickly can make for stomach upset and some nasty accidents.
Remember to always use treats as a supplement and not as a substitute for their meals. Asking a vet is a good way to ensure that your pup’s diet is balanced and nutritious.
Sensory
Sensory enrichment involves using the senses to bring new experiences. Most enrichment uses at least one of the senses, if not more, but it’s a good idea to think about the different senses your dog is using when planning his enrichment.
Taste
Food games are an easy way to touch on the sense of taste. You can also keep an eye on incorporating different healthy vegetables and snacks into his diet to give him a variety of tastes and textures.
Touch
Training your dog to be comfortable walking on many different surfaces is both a way to mentally stimulate him as well as making him into a good canine partner. It can be as simple as taking a walk at the beach so he can feel the sand on his paws, jogging on a dirt track, or letting him run through snow in the backyard.
Smell
A dog’s sense of smell is the primary way that he experiences the world. Letting your dog smell your clothes when you come home lets him know where you’ve been as well a gives him a quick and easy sensory enrichment. Sniffing games are easy and fun while not packing on the pounds the way that food-centered games can do.
Sight
Don’t be surprised if your dog likes to watch television with you at night! Animal-themed programming seems to be particularly popular with our canine friends, but any programs can give your dog a break from his routine. Hanging a birdfeeder outside of the window gives him a way to observe the birds while keeping everyone safe.
Hearing
Playing music is an easy way of using your dog’s sense of hearing. While there are music albums made specifically for dogs, it’s not necessary to play dog songs in order for your dog to have a good time. Talk radio is a good way to both get your dog used to the sounds of stranger’s voices and also to help him feel less alone in the house while you are away.
Social
Socially-driven enrichment is a way to tailor to the dog’s desire to be around humans and its own kind. Some dogs have clear preferences for whether they want to be involved with other dogs or not. Observing your dog closely to see if they are enjoying their social hour is key to seeing if this is the right way to enrich their life. Remember, it’s only enrichment if they enjoy it!
Dog-centric
For dogs that like being around other dogs, the go-to is the dog park. This is a melting pot of all kinds of dogs from all walks of life. While dog parks are generally safe, it’s a good idea to take precautions when it comes to diving into the dog park.
Doggie day care is also a good way for your pup to enjoy off-leash time with other dogs. Doggie day cares are businesses that watch dogs during the day and offer playtime, among other services. Dogs may either be free-roaming in a large room, rotated out in different playgroups, or separated out by size. There should be a screening process when your dog is enrolled to make sure that it is a good fit. Since employees supervise the dogs and are familiar with the members, there is a lesser likelihood of issues. It is a good idea to thoroughly vet the day cares you want to send your pooch to in order to make sure it is a good fit for your family.
Other options for doggie social time are pack walks with members of your community. Many rescues use community walks as fundraisers for their charities. You may be able to find costume contests, 5K’s, and themes charity walks in your community. These are a fantastic way to both have a great time with your canine and give back to the community.
Human-centric
Dogs that prefer to be around people also have some fun ways to meet and greet. Many restaurants open their patios up to Fido during the summer months, so you can enjoy a good meal and your pup can enjoy watching the passer-bys. If you have a brewery or cidery near you, check and see if they are dog-friendly. Many open their tasting rooms or outside areas to well-behaved dogs. Shopping trips at dog-friendly businesses can be an easy way to check off the shopping list and check off your dog’s to-do list, too. Just make sure to contact the business first to make sure that dogs are welcome.
If your dog is well-trained and on his best behavior, therapy work may be his calling. Therapy dogs must pass certain tests to be certified by an agency before they can make official visits. Once your pup passes, you can start making people’s lives brighter. Therapy dogs bring smiles to patients in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other places where people may be struggling to feel their best.
Activities and Training
Training activities build the bond between dog and handler and are great fun. Training does not need to be obedience, though that can be a fun path to follow. Dog sports have something for every dog.
If competition suits your fancy, there are a ton of options to chose from between AKC, UKC, and other registry events. Your dog does not even need to be a purebred to compete in AKC events, though you will have to complete alternative registration paperwork.
While some dog breeds have natural talents for certain lines of work, there is no reason why a Pug can’t compete in agility or a husky can’t find the rats in barn hunt. Thinking outside of the breed box can bring some interesting talents to the surface that you may not expect.
Even if you don’t excel at the competitive level, there is great fun to be had from participating in dog sports. Even shy dogs can enjoy the activities at home with do-it-yourself agility equipment or homemade rally courses.
Games
While it’s not necessary to purchase anything to enrich your dog’s life, there are a wide variety of dog toys on the market that can make his life more interesting.
Fetch is a long-time favorite for a reason. Dogs of all kinds enjoy a good game of fetch, which plays to a dog’s natural prey drive. Fetch can be made more interesting by using different types of balls or by playing it in different locations. One way to make fetch even more engaging is to pair it with trick training. Before you throw the ball, have your dog perform a trick like sit, spin, or speak. He will pay more attention and must think twice as hard while he’s playing.
Tug is also a great way to both entertain your dog and build their engagement with you. Despite some common myths, tug will not make your dog more aggressive or dangerous. Tug is a game that your dog must play with you; he can’t tug by himself. Dogs naturally find this game very rewarding, but you can also make it more interesting by changing up the materials you use as the tug toy. Braided rope is common, but you can also use leather, braided fleece material, hides, and ball/rope toys that are especially fun for ball-driven dogs. You may find that tug is a good reward for your dog, too.
Commercially available games include puzzle toys like the hide-a-squirrel toy or food puzzles. While purchases aren’t necessary, it can be a fun present or a way to break yourself out of a routine. Sometimes it’s easier to purchase a toy than it is to craft a homemade puzzle box or lay down a food trail in the yard. There is nothing wrong with commercially available enrichment!
Tailoring Enrichment to your dog’s needs
Enrichment is all based on the dog’s personal preferences. While you can change up as much as you want, only the activities your dog enjoys can enhance his well-being. Forcing him to enjoy an activity that stresses or scares him can be worse than doing nothing at all!
Paying close attention to his body language should tell you if your dog is enjoying himself. It is normal for a dog to be unsure of what to do or to look to you for help if he doesn’t understand. It is not normal for him to shake, cower, or try and escape.
Enrichment for special needs dogs
Some activities may be difficult for dogs with special needs. While dogs with special needs are more than capable of living fulfilling lives full of ordinary dog activities, it’s a good idea to keep their needs in mind when thinking of fun activities. Enrichment is supposed to be fun, not frustrating.
Enrichment for older dogs
Older dogs need enrichment, too, but it’s important to tailor it to their needs. Just like people, aging dogs experience a decline in mental and physical abilities. Older dogs tire more easily, so scent trails short be shorter and less convoluted. Puzzles may need to be simpler if the dog is having cognitive issues or mobility issues. It is difficult to maneuver a high-level puzzle toy if the dog is already struggling to get around. Bringing the outside in is a good way to enrich an older dog’s environment if they have difficult moving. Even something as simple as bringing a cloth that smells like the office or the neighbor’s chickens is a fun and easy way to stimulate an older canine.
Enrichment for blind dogs
Blind dogs may be frustrated by puzzle toys if they cannot figure out what pieces move. Similarly, you may want to stay away from things like dog bubbles because they will have a hard time figuring out where the bubbles are. Many blind dogs are also unsure and frightened in new environments since they cannot see any hidden dangers. Even blind dogs can have a fun time finding hidden treats or following scent trails. Finding food is always a favorite with our low-vision dogs, who often have a keen sense of smell.
Enrichment for special diets
If your dog is on a special diet, hiding food may not work for you. While there are products that allow raw food to be hidden inside, dogs on raw diets also have a harder time with hidden food games. Very few people will want raw chicken hidden around the house. For these dogs, sensory stimulation is a good option. Sniffing games, sensory walks, and visits to interesting places are all fun ways you can work with a diet-restricted dog.
Enrichment in Shelter environments
No one category of dogs is more needing of enrichment than dogs in animal shelters and rescues. Shelter dogs are operating in a very stressful environment and often suffer some temporary psychological issues from the stress of being in the shelter. Enrichment is a good way to get their minds off the chaos around them and encourage more shy dogs to come out of their shell. Not only is it good for the short-term happiness of the shelter dogs, but it also has some good far-reaching benefits as well. Laid-back and more outgoing dogs are more likely to be adopted. Shelters that take good care of their animals are more likely to be viewed positively by the community, which puts them in a better position for soliciting funding and helping more animals.
Safety concerns
Because the animals in the shelter are close together and often have previous health issues, shelters must be very particular about cleanliness when it comes to enrichment. Any toys or enrichment tools must be sturdy and easily sanitized. Plush toys are not a good option because not only are they difficult to clean, but dogs can also easily destroy and ingest the stuffing. Heavy chewers can quickly make choking hazards out of delicate dog toys. Like any other environment, it’s important to always supervise shelter dogs while they are enjoying any type of edible enrichment.
Activities
Favorites of our shelter programs are heavy-duty Kongs, which can be stuffed with everything from peanut butter to string cheese. Freezing the Kongs ahead of time makes the fun last longer. Hiding treats in the meet-and-greet rooms is a fun way to make sure that they are a positive place for the pups, who must make it or break it in those short first impressions.
Some shelters have programs where volunteers can take the dogs out to the beach or to the park for the afternoon. While it’s not possible to take all the shelter dogs to the beach for the day, it’s still possible to change up their environment in fun and exciting ways. Adding a water-filled kiddie pool in the summer can both cool them down and give them a fun way to play. A boombox can play soothing classical music for the animals, which has a proven calming effect for both dogs and cats.
myk9online 