All About Canine Enrichment!
Using Canine Enrichment to Balance a Dog's Physical and Mental Activity
Adopters often reach out to us confused about how their dog still has so much pent up energy when they walk or run for miles together each day. Many adopters don't realize this is because dogs require a balance of both physical and mental exercise to get all their energy out!
A dog who is exercised physically, but not mentally, often seems even more energetic after going for a run and may struggle to calm down. These dogs may get into trouble around the home, exhibiting destructive behavior or being overly mouthy, when in reality they just need a way to properly release their excess energy. So how does someone exercise their dog mentally? Let's talk about ways to do this using canine enrichment!
Canine enrichment activities are those that satisfy a dog's natural instincts, including scavenging, chasing, sniffing, and problem-solving. Providing proper enrichment for your dog is important for overall well-being and behavioral health, and can help to alleviate boredom, anxiety, and provide a positive outlet for their energy.
We have compiled the below list of enrichment ideas to build into your dog's daily routine!
"Ditch the Bowl!" Cognitive Enrichment
You can use meals as a means to provide cognitive enrichment. Instead of feeding meals in a bowl, try spreading meals over the course of the day with one or more of the following:
Basic command training: Working on basic tricks and obedience (like Sit, Down, Stay, Drop It, Leave It, Look/Focus/Watch Me, etc) for just 10-15 minutes a day is an easy way to bond with your dog and get his brain working!
Snuffle mats: Pre-made or DIY (using a high-pile bathroom mat or fleece strips tied to a rubber mat) – just hide the kibble throughout the mat!
Kong toys can be stuffed and frozen with yogurt, kibble, or other low-calorie treats inside!
Puzzle toys: There are lots of puzzle toys on the market to keep your pup entertained, or you can easily make DIY puzzles with stuff from around the house!
Slow feeders: These bowls challenge your dog while eating his meals; you can also slow your dog down by making a DIY box hunt or by hiding kibble in crumpled paper in a cardboard box!
Make sure to pay attention to body language–if a dog appears to be frustrated, stressed, or uninterested, try something different or easier to build up confidence!
Environmental Enrichment
As with puzzles, you can also get creative with your indoor space. Consider:
Agility training involves working with your dog through physical obstacle courses. If you have limited space, try building small obstacles in your apartment!
Flirt poles are poles with dog toys attached to them that help dogs learn impulse control and satisfy their chasing instincts (these can also be DIY!)
Scent games like hide-and-go-seek help dogs build scent skills and tire them out!
"Settle" training means teaching your dog to relax on cue which helps your dog develop impulse control and self-calming abilities. Sometimes it can be just as mentally exhausting for a dog to force himself to stay in one place and remain calm as it would be to get lots of exercise!
These activities can be particularly helpful with indoor puppies who are not yet able to walk outside due to their age, but have a lot of extra energy to burn!
For additional ideas, consider Calm Canine Academy - Free Canine Enrichment Classes!
