Enrichment

What can we do to give our dogs the mental and physical enrichment they need, when they were bred to hunt for food or do other jobs, and now find themselves resting all day on cushy couches and being fed two square meals a day in a bowl?

While we humans like to eat our food on a plate, that’s not something that is innately important to dogs. They are genetically hardwired to hunt or scavenge for their meals. When they don’t get the opportunity to do so, they can become stressed and anxious or simply bored. So, rather than only feeding them in a bowl, let meals become a game.

Here are some examples:
  • Scatter kibble or hard treats in the yard for your dog to sniff out.
  • Work-to-eat toys — The Kong Wobbler, Monster Ball, and ​Snuffle Mats are some great beginner-level options, while the Buster Cube and the Busy Buddy Magic Mushroom Dog Toy are more challenging. You can even make your own! (See video below.)
  • Hide and Seek — Put your dog in a sit-stay, hide a toy stuffed with food somewhere in the house, then release the dog to go “Find it!”
  • Training — Teaching your dog to sit, stay, come, and lie down is very enriching. Divvy up some of his food to use for training your dog.

​Other ways to provide mental stimulation that doing use food include:
  • Letting your dog sniff when on walks
  • Taking your dog with you on outings so that he sees new places, sights and sounds

And, of course, physical enrichment is just as important as mental stimulation:
  • Give him lots of opportunity for off-leash play with other dogs (assuming he enjoys this).
  • Take him on off-leash hikes.
  • Take him jogging.
  • Play fetch or tug.
 
Visit Dogs Being Dogs for more enrichment ideas. ​

Make Your Own Food Toy 

Eventually someone had to figure out a good use for toilet paper cardboard centers, and, indeed, someone has. 

Fill a box with as many cardboard tubes as can stand up inside it. Toss kibble or treats into each one and let your dog dig in. 

​Big thanks to our demo dog Boo for showing us how it's done. 
Or try this: 

Fill the bottom of a muffin tin with your pup's food and then place a tennis ball in each opening. 

Super easy to make and tons of fun. Moo loves it. See? 
(Note: It is merely a coincidence that these dogs' names rhyme. Pups whose names do NOT rhyme with "zoo," love food toys too.)