6 simple tips to enrich your dog's life

Have you, too, noticed that concept of enrichment has lately been a hot topic in the pet care community? There is such a breadth of options for canine enrichment that it may be difficult to know where to start! As well, it is important for the enrichment you provide for your dog to be effective, and efficient enough to sustainably integrate into your busy life. Fortunately, there are simple ways to give your dog opportunities to perform natural behaviors using items you have at home or during activities you already do every day!
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Click "Read More" below for my list of suggestions for near-effortless enrichment.

1. Feed your dog out of something OTHER than a bowl

Our canine companions may appear to be close cousins to the wolf, indeed a mighty hunter. But! At least behaviorally, dogs are actually known as "opportunistic eaters," or scavengers. This means that to find food, instead of chasing down prey, dogs are more likely to sniff, dig, shred, and manipulate food items or objects containing food with their noses, paws, and teeth. We can provide them opportunities to engage in these species-appropriate behaviors by feeding their regular meals out of anything from household supplies that are already on hand (rolled-up towels or blankets, paper bags, cardboard boxes, plastic bottles and jugs) to the many kinds of stuffable chew toys or puzzle feeders available on the market. Watch your dog closely the first few times you feed them with a new foraging toy, to be sure they ingest only what is edible!

2. Maximize sniff-ortunities by lengthening that leash!

With over 300 million olfactory receptors in those brilliant noses of theirs, dogs experience the world primarily through their sense of smell. The opportunity to sniff when they go outside with us is a basic need for dogs. If it is safe to do so in your neighborhood, or wherever you walk with your dog, try giving them some extra room to wander and sniff by using a longer leash. A leash of at least 8 ft in length will do, but 10, 15, 20, or even 30 ft would make for the ultimate "sniffari." (Always think of safety first! Use a shorter leash or reel the leash in if there are nearby cars, and bring treats to reward your dog for checking in with you and coming back when called. Also, a long leash is safest when attached securely to a well-fit body harness rather than a collar).

3. Cozy up your dog's favorite places to lay

Just like us, dogs relish in a comfortable place to lay at the end of a long day... or for the entire day on a lazy weekend. Whether you choose to invite your dog onto human furniture, or prefer them to relax on their own beds, you can make these spots more cozy and enticing by adding pillows, bolsters, blankets, or towels. This may also create an enjoyable, appropriate activity for dogs who love to dig or root to bury chews or make a "nest." An added bonus would be if the extra bedding has your scent on it, which may provide some dogs a feeling of security in times when you are away from home.
Another tip: place a non-skid rug or rubber mat under your dog's beds and blankets. Nothing is worse than your favorite kick-back spot suddenly sliding out from under you when you're trying to settle down to relax!

4. Teach your dog a new trick, or practice the known in new ways

Most dogs are excellent problem-solvers, and as their caretakers, we have the fun responsibility to provide them with appropriate tasks to engage their minds. Teaching and practicing a behavior like nose target or paw target (also known as "shake" or "high five") with your dog is such a beneficial form of mental stimulation. Conveniently, a great majority of dogs will work for food. With just a handful of small pieces of your dog's favorite treat or regular diet set aside for a training session each day, you can train something new or practice what they already know by incorporating cued behaviors into real-life situations. The best part is that playing training games with your dog helps build the wonderful relationship you already have by leaps and bounds!

5. P L A Y !

It just may go without saying that dogs are champions at play. It's likely one of the countless reasons why we love them so much. Playing with your dog is a fantastic form of physical exercise and mental stimulation, and yet another way to improve your relationship in a fun and rewarding manner. You can even strengthen cued behaviors your dog already knows by incorporating them into play sessions. Just as with foraging toys, there are lots of ways to make or acquire dog-appropriate toys that work for every budget. For example, an old sock or length of scrap fabric with a few knots tied in it makes a great tug toy; or if you'd like, you can spring for that high-end, faux-fur, squirrel scented tug. Whatever you do, have fun!

6. Change it up to keep things interesting

Take any of the above tips and modify it slightly each week or even every day. Some ideas include:

• Feed your dog in a different kind of foraging toy each day - or better yet, feed each meal by dividing your dog's diet up between multiple different foraging toys
• Walk in different areas of your neighborhood or drive to new locations for walks
• Periodically replace your dog's bedding with items of different textures (though, if your dog has a favorite place to lay, it can't hurt to leave it as-is so they are always guaranteed at least one prime spot)
• Vary your training routine by cueing behaviors in different orders
• Keep some of your dog's toys in storage and periodically swap them with the toys in your house or yard

Thanks for reading!

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