Why is enrichment so important?
Enrichment is essential for keeping our dogs happy, healthy, and mentally engaged. While physical exercise is necessary, mental stimulation is just as valuable — especially when long walks aren’t possible (bad weather, recovery from injury, etc.). These activities help prevent boredom, reduce stress, and encourage better behaviour.
Daily enrichment ideas
- Scatter feeding and food searches: Instead of using a bowl, scatter kibble in the garden or around the house. You can also hide it among leaves, rolled towels, or cardboard boxes. This stimulates their sense of smell and problem-solving.
- Interactive toys: Kongs and Lickimats are excellent. Fill a Kong with kibble, wet food, and treats, then freeze it. Lickimats can be spread with soft foods to encourage licking, which is soothing.
- Puzzle toys: From simple dispensers to more complex puzzles with moving parts. The goal is to make your dog think and solve.
- Training sessions: Use part of your dog’s daily food as rewards to teach new skills and strengthen your bond.
- Scent games: Hide treats around the house and gradually increase the difficulty. It’s a great mental workout.
Activities by breed type
Every dog is unique, but their breed can give us clues about what kind of enrichment they might enjoy most:
- Herding breeds (Border Collie, Australian Shepherd): They love mental challenges. Try mini Hoopers courses or teaching them to gather toys into one spot. They also thrive with advanced obedience training.
- Bully breeds (Rottweiler, Staffordshire Bull Terrier): Ideal for tug-of-war games with tough toys. Teach them the “drop it” command and use safe chewing tools.
- Working breeds (Alaskan Malamute, Bernese Mountain Dog): Benefit from activities like controlled pulling with safe harnesses and progressive training.
- Sporting breeds (Labrador, Golden Retriever): Water retrieval, scent searches, and fieldwork are great. Hide toys instead of repetitive ball throwing.
- Terriers (Jack Russell, Spanish Rat Terrier): They have a natural digging instinct. A sandpit with hidden treats can prevent them from digging where they shouldn’t.
- Small breeds (Chihuahua, Pomeranian): Enjoy smaller versions of interactive toys. Trick training is especially fun and engaging for them.
- Sighthounds (Greyhound, Whippet): Love to chase. Try lure coursing with flirt poles in enclosed spaces, always monitoring intensity.
- Scent hounds (Beagle, Basset Hound): Love to track scents. Creating scent trails or joining mantrailing classes keeps them focused and happy.
Creative recycling
- Cardboard boxes: Spread paté-style food inside and let them destroy the box — a safe outlet for destructive urges.
- Plastic bottles: Fill a box or kiddie pool with empty bottles and hide treats among them. Great for socializing sensitive puppies.
- Milk cartons: Poke holes, insert treats, and let them roll them around until they fall out.
- Toilet paper rolls: Place treats inside and fold the ends closed.
Prepping toys in advance
Having several pre-filled Kongs in the freezer can save time and ensure one is always ready when needed.
Just fill, wrap in cling film, and freeze. Ready to go!
Environmental enrichment on walks
Food toys are great, but nothing replaces the value of letting a dog be a dog during walks. Here are some ideas to enrich your outings:
- Doggy parkour: Jump on benches, walk on logs, curbs or low walls. Improves coordination and confidence.
- Scent exploration: Let your dog sniff freely — it’s key to emotional balance.
- Grated cheese: Sprinkle some parmesan in the grass to encourage foraging.
- Change of scenery: Walk on different surfaces and explore new environments.
- Training on the go: Practice tricks or commands during walks to build focus.
When’s the best time to offer these activities?
- After a walk: Offer a Kong or chew toy to help them wind down.
- When you’re busy: Use interactive toys when you need to work or focus.
- Before bedtime: Licking or chewing helps them relax for sleep.
- When leaving the house: Hide food around the home so they can search while you’re away.
Safety and wellbeing
Make sure toys are appropriate for your dog’s size and chewing habits. Supervise if they tend to chew or ingest objects.
Follow their lead
Every dog has its own pace. What matters is that the activity is challenging — not frustrating. If a game is too hard, your dog might give up or get stressed. Start simple and increase difficulty gradually. This builds confidence and keeps it fun.
Puppies need it too
Enrichment isn’t just for adult dogs — puppies benefit hugely too. It helps them manage frustration, avoid boredom, and build independence. It’s also a great foundation for a balanced adult dog.