The key to a happy and healthy dog is having a good balance between mental and physical exercise. You should also allow them to engage in their innate behaviors which include: playing, chasing, smelling, chewing and scavenging. By allowing them to engage in these behaviors you let them be physically, emotionally and mentally satisfied. When a dogs needs are not met they often look towards unwanted behaviors such as destruction. Below I am sharing some bought and DIY projects to help your dog meet their needs with enrichment for your dog.
Food Enrichment
Every meal should be a fun, challenging and interactive way to satisfy your dog’s needs. Whether that is a slow feeder bowl, puzzle toy, snuffle mat, or simply a muffin tin with balls on top of them.
Environment Enrichment
Hide and Seek – place your dog in a rate/pen or a stay. Walk around your house and hide small piles of kibble. When done, release your dog to go find their meal. This is great for days of terrible weather and walks/play outside is not possible.
Scatter feed outside – simply throw treats in a small area and let your dogs nose and scavenging skills go to work to find their meal
Flirt Pole
The flirt pole is a great tool to use on dogs with high prey drive. It can be made or bought.
Scent Games
These can be as simple as scatter feeding outside or going on a sniff walk vs a loose leash walk. Add a long line in safe areas to extend your dog’s smelling reach.
There are endless ways to meet your dogs needs and the above is simply some ideas to start those creative juices. If you need help with your dog contact me and we can create a plan to help bring more enrichment to your dogs life.
