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What even is canine enrichment? Why does fulfillment matter? Do you need fancy toys or supplies to get started? All these answers and more, with a starter list of activities to try both at home and on the go.
What is enrichment?
"Enrichment" is becoming a more popular term in the dog parent world. It can mean different things — but at its simplest, enrichment is exactly what it sounds like: Activities that enrich your pup's life.
The same way many zoos work to provide their animals with opportunities to engage in natural behaviors even in an unnatural environment, we can improve our domestic dogs' experiences of our modern human world. While your pup is your adorable, furry best friend... they're also a canine, a member of their breed group(s), and a unique individual. Thinking about these three things can help you understand what they find fulfilling!
- As a canine: Think of deeply ingrained, ancient natural behaviors like chasing prey and scavenging for food.
- As a domestic dog: We've selected different breeds to have specific traits. Many herding dogs have a strong desire to control the movements of those around them, for example, while many retrievers love to carry things in their mouths.
- As an individual: You know your pup best. Just like people, dogs are unique! Keep your companion's history in mind — but don't be afraid to adjust to what they tell you in the moment, too.
Why is canine enrichment important?
Think about how easily you can relax after a day spent doing things you love. Now compare that to how you feel after a particularly boring or stressful shift at work.
We can apply the same concept to our pets. When your dog is fulfilled through natural canine activities (sniffing and digging are two common examples) they have more capacity to handle our human world.
- So first things first: Enrichment is fulfilling.
- Enrichment can also help your dog feel better about the world around them. Sniffing for treats, for example, can help your dog adjust to a new environment without feeling overwhelmed. Exposing your pup to different objects and sensations through fun enrichment games can build their confidence.
- Enrichment can be part of working through — and even preventing — behavioral problems. A fulfilled dog is less likely to struggle with day-to-day life. And they have more capacity to navigate stressful situations when it's required!
How can you add more enrichment to your dog's life?
Do you need fancy toys or lots of supplies for enrichment?
No!
Enrichment isn't about any one object. It's about how your dog feels doing something — about what they get out of it. You might hear some dog parents refer to certain puzzle toys as "enrichment", but that's technically not a given. Something is only enriching for your dog if it makes them feel fulfilled and satisfies some of their natural canine instincts.
What this means for you as a dog parent: Almost anything can be enrichment. While premade toys can absolutely be a great way to spruce up your pup's life, they aren't a requirement. You can create fulfilling situations with items you already have on hand or even with no real supplies at all!
Enrichment can include fun things like:
- Sniffing. The same way we humans experience the world primarily through sight, dogs take in surroundings through smell! Sniffing also lowers your pup's blood pressure and can help them feel relaxed.
- Digging. Many dogs love to dig. It can be frustrating to see paws ransack your freshly planted garden, but it’s important to remember this behavior comes naturally to canines. After all, they’re scavengers!
- Running. Our domestic dogs’ ancestors could cover massive distances in a single day — and many modern dog breeds were designed to run in some capacity, like pulling sleds or herding cattle across acres of land. It’s no wonder so many of our pets enjoy romping around!
- Playing. Dogs are one of only a few animals who continue to play all the way into adulthood. A fully grown dog retains juvenile traits. Scientists call this neoteny. It's a result of the domestication process — and means they still love wrestling, tugging, chasing, and otherwise acting like puppies.
- Overcoming challenges. Many of us humans love the sense of accomplishment when we master a new skill or finish a project. While our dogs don’t have the same abstract thinking capabilities that we do, they are able to experience a similar version of this feeling! Some pups get a lot of satisfaction from building physical and mental confidence. Things like obstacle courses, trick training, puzzle games, and more can have this effect.
- Social time. Dogs are social mammals. Because of the way we domesticated them, they’re particularly attached to their human families. While simply hanging around their favorite person isn’t enough to completely fulfill a dog (they need other activities, too!) social interaction is vital.
Enrichment ideas to try
How can you pick the right enrichment for your dog?
We're glad you asked. We've got a whole article to help you match your dog's personal preferences with fun enrichment activities! Click here to dive in.
Some go-to forms of enrichment
Without leaving the house:
- Letting them sniff their meal out of a snuffle mat
- Hiding treats or parts of their meal around a room for them to find
- Playing a game of tug or fetch
- Giving them a gentle canine massage
- Offering a puzzle toy
With minimal supplies:
- Sniffy walks (also called decompression walks or sniffaris) where you let your dog lead the way to investigate interesting smells
- Letting them sniff their meal out of the grass
- Giving them a gentle canine massage
Make sure to leave time for relaxation, too!
We're huge fans of enrichment. A word of caution, though: "Too much of a good thing" can create problems. Effective enrichment helps your dog relax as opposed to amping them up even further!
If your pup can never sit still without some sort of puzzle or game? You might want to consider if your enrichment activities are too frustrating or overstimulating — and practice "doing nothing" on occasion.
Don't worry too much about this right away. Your individual dog will tell you how they're feeling. Over time, you'll find the perfect balance of activities!
Signs your dog is enjoying their enrichment:
- They're excited — but not frantic — to start an activity
- They can settle down after the food puzzle, game, or other event is over
- You notice their overall behavior getting better, not worse
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